Distros Born from Ubuntu... But Defying Some of Its Policies. Why?

The Giant Everyone Loved… and Some Grew to Hate

Ubuntu is the distribution everyone knows when they enter the Linux world. It is the default starting point, the most widely used in the world, offering long-term support (five years for LTS releases), a vast package collection, broad hardware compatibility, and a massive community that makes solving any problem almost guaranteed.

However, in recent years, a growing segment of users, especially in developer and gamer communities, has started looking for alternatives. Why are they fleeing the distribution they once loved? The reasons are not random; they are tied to technical decisions and policies that sparked widespread debate.

What Drives Users to Look for Alternatives?

The Forced Adoption of Snap

The most controversial point is Ubuntu’s increasing reliance on the Snap format. The problem is not the format itself, but how it is forced. In recent releases, essential packages like Firefox and Chromium are installed by default as Snaps, even if you try to install them via the traditional package manager apt, you may be redirected to Snap against your will. Users complain about slow startup (figures of up to six seconds for Firefox are cited), isolation restrictions that prevent seamless integration with the system (fonts, themes, file access), and larger sizes compared to traditional packages.

Telemetry and Canonical’s Decisions

Ubuntu previously collected usage data by default and sparked controversy earlier by integrating Amazon search results into the application menu. While Canonical later made some of these options optional, the impression that the company prioritizes its commercial interests over users has persisted for some. Decisions like the push toward Ubuntu Pro (a paid subscription service) reinforced this feeling.

Bloat and Resource Consumption

When you install Ubuntu, you get a fully ready system, but this also means a large number of services running in the background. A simple comparison showed that Ubuntu runs about 90 daemons after installation, compared to 24 in Manjaro. On older or resource-limited machines, this means higher memory and CPU consumption and a less smooth experience.

The Restricted Desktop Experience

Ubuntu uses a modified version of GNOME, with customization restrictions compared to the vanilla GNOME experience or other environments like KDE Plasma. Users who want full control over their desktop find that Ubuntu imposes a specific layout, which may not appeal to them.

The Distributions That Addressed These Problems

This is where derivative distributions come in. Each takes Ubuntu’s solid foundation but addresses one or more of the points that have caused user dissatisfaction.

Linux Mint — The Most Popular Alternative

Linux Mint built its reputation on being “Ubuntu without Snap.” It does not come with Snap installed by default and relies on the traditional package manager and Flatpak packages when needed. The Cinnamon desktop is familiar to Windows users, with a Start menu and taskbar. It also ships with Timeshift for taking system snapshots before updates, reducing the risk of breakage. The current version (22.3) is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and is supported until 2029.

Pop!_OS — For Developers and Gamers

Developed by System76 (the manufacturer of Linux laptops). Its biggest feature is the COSMIC desktop, a desktop environment written entirely in Rust from scratch, focusing on customization and performance. It also offers excellent NVIDIA graphics support and comes in a special edition for gaming. Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS is the first stable release to use COSMIC by default.

Zorin OS — The Easiest for Windows Switchers

Designed specifically to reduce the transition shock. It offers ready-made layouts that mimic Windows or macOS with one click, with built-in support for running .exe files via Wine (optional). Version 18.1 is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and comes with support until June 2029, with performance improvements and modern hardware support.

elementary OS — Beauty First

Focuses on elegant macOS-inspired design, with the Pantheon desktop and carefully curated applications. Version 8.1 uses Wayland by default and offers a clean, consistent visual experience. Privacy is a priority here, with no tracking by default.

Kubuntu — Full Control

If you like Ubuntu’s foundation but want the infinitely customizable KDE Plasma desktop, this is your choice. Kubuntu 26.04 LTS ships with Plasma 6.6, Linux kernel 7.0, and a complete departure from X11 in favor of Wayland.

What About Distributions Not Based on Ubuntu?

If you want to move away from Ubuntu entirely, there are strong options:

Fedora: Newer packages, an open community with no controlling company, and strong pushes for Wayland and Flatpak.
Debian: Legendary stability, 100% open source, and no commercial interference. It is the foundation of Ubuntu itself but purer.
Arch Linux / CachyOS: Rolling releases with always-up-to-date packages, plus the AUR (Arch User Repository) which contains almost any program. CachyOS offers additional performance optimizations.

Summary

Ubuntu remains the best starting point for most users. But if you are among those who hate Snap, want a different desktop, or are looking for a lighter system, derivative distributions give you Ubuntu’s solid foundation without the policies you dislike. Linux Mint is the safest choice for escaping Snap. Pop!_OS is best for developers and gamers. Zorin OS is easiest for Windows switchers. And Kubuntu is for those who want full control over their desktop.