Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Debian vs elementary OS: What are the differences?
Key Differences between Debian and elementary OS
Debian and elementary OS are both popular Linux distributions, but they have some key differences that set them apart from each other.
Package Management: Debian uses the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) package manager, which allows users to easily install, update, and remove software packages. On the other hand, elementary OS uses a custom package manager called AppCenter, which focuses on providing curated and high-quality applications specifically tailored for the elementary OS environment.
User Interface: elementary OS is known for its beautiful and user-friendly interface inspired by macOS, whereas Debian provides a more traditional and minimalistic desktop environment. elementary OS offers a clean and elegant design with a dock and a top panel, providing a unified and intuitive experience for users.
Default Applications: Debian provides a wide range of default applications, including LibreOffice, GIMP, and Firefox, which cater to different user needs. In contrast, elementary OS focuses on simplicity and includes a curated set of default applications, such as Epiphany for web browsing, Pantheon Files for file management, and Noise for music playback, aimed at offering a streamlined experience.
Customizability: Debian offers a high level of customizability, allowing users to choose their preferred desktop environment, window manager, and other components. In contrast, elementary OS emphasizes a consistent and cohesive user experience by offering limited customization options, focusing on maintaining the integrity of its design ethos.
Support and Community: Debian has a large and active community with a long history, providing extensive support resources and a vast repository of software packages. elementary OS, being a relatively newer distribution, has a smaller but dedicated community that offers support and resources specifically tailored for the elementary OS environment.
Hardware Compatibility: Debian is known for its excellent hardware compatibility and wide range of supported architectures, making it suitable for a variety of systems, including servers and desktop machines. While elementary OS inherits much of its compatibility from Ubuntu (on which it is based), it may have a more limited range of supported hardware compared to Debian.
In Summary, Debian and elementary OS differ in their package management systems, user interface design, default applications, customizability options, community support, and hardware compatibility. These differences make each distribution suitable for different user preferences and requirements.
Pros of Debian
- Massively supported54
- Stable50
- Reliable21
- Aptitude9
- Customizable8
- It is free8
- Turnkey linux use it8
- Works on all architectures6
Pros of elementary OS
- Free to use5
- MacOs like feel4
- Fast4
- Stable4
- Elegant3
- Excellent replacement for Windows2
- Good for beginners2
- Very easy to use2
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Debian
- Old versions of software10
- Can be difficult to set up on vanilla Debian2
Cons of elementary OS
- Less customization1