Best Linux distributions to choose the one you need

It is very possible that many of you have heard of GNU/Linux but have not decided to try it because you do not know which distribution to choose . It may even be that even though you are already Linux users, you are still not completely satisfied with it and you want to look for another alternative. Or who knows, maybe all you need is an operating system after all to revive that old computer that is gathering dust in the storage room.

Whatever your case, today we want to help you by putting at your disposal a list of 31 Linux distributions in which we explain the strengths of each one so that you can choose the one that best suits you. It is a list that we want to keep alive, so we will be attentive to any suggestion that you make us.

For lovers of stability

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux : Commercial Linux distribution developed by Red Hat. It offers leading stability and flexibility, which places it as one of the most recommended for companies and servers.
• Debian : Very stable and 100% free, Debian stands out for its .deb package system and its APT package management. It is one of the most important distributions of GNU/Linux, since giants like Ubuntu are based on it.
• openSUSE : It is one of the most powerful alternatives against the family of distributions based on Debian. It is available with the KDE and Gnome desktop environments, and counts as one of its best weapons with the robust YaST installation and configuration tool and the SaX graphical configurator.
• Fedora : Free distribution created and maintained by the Red Hat company that uses the RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) packaging system. It has three different versions for desktops, servers and cloud systems, and stands out for its security thanks to the SELinux system ("Security-Enhanced Linux").
• AlmaLinux : The old CentOS Linux is history, and AlmaLinux is one of the successors in the community. It's with us with most RHEL packages.
• Arch Linux : A modular distribution in which you start from scratch and you have to add the components you want. It is not very beginner friendly, and uses pacman, its own package manager. It is a Rolling Release, which means that all its components are updated without the need to install new versions of the operating system.
• Manjaro : An up-and-coming distribution that promises to bring the full potential of Arch Linux to the less experienced user. For that, it offers an operating system already assembled and based on Arch, with a simple installer like the one we can find in other distributions such as Ubuntu. It has official versions with the XFCE and KDE desktop environments.

For starters

• Ubuntu : One of the most used distributions thanks to its great ease of use. Based on Debian, it is loved and hated in equal parts for its exclusive Unity desktop environment, with which it aims to become a versatile distribution that can be used on both computers and mobile phones and tablets.
• Linux Mint : Based on Ubuntu, it is one of the most recommended for all those who touch Linux for the first time. Its desktop environment, Cinnamon, has many similarities to that of Windows, and is also one of the most customizable.
• Elementary OS : Of all the distributions based on Ubuntu, this one has the most personality thanks to its meticulous appearance, which mimics that of Apple's OS X operating system. Incredibly fast and easy to use, it gives you everything you need right out of the box, including a collection of proprietary apps designed to seamlessly integrate with your visual style.
• Zorin OS : Distribution also based on Ubuntu that was born with the intention of helping the user make the leap to Linux by offering an interface as similar as possible to Windows. It has several versions, some free such as Core (basic version), Lite (for less powerful PCs) and Educational (includes educational applications), and a few others that are paid for in the style of Windows versions.
• Peppermint OS : Fast and light distribution based on Ubuntu with LXDE desktop environment. It uses Mozilla's Prism technology to integrate with cloud-based applications, using webapps as if they were native. It is presented as an alternative to other cloud-based systems such as Chrome OS.

For jealous of your privacy

• Tails : Promoted by Edward Snowden himself and based on Debian, it is a distribution ready to be run from a USB or DVD. Tails connects to TOR as soon as the boot process of the operating system is finished, and all Internet connection is made through this network.
• Kali Linux : Debian-based distribution with a huge collection of tools to protect our computers. It uses a custom kernel with security patches and has support for the ARM architecture.
• BlackArch Linux : A distribution oriented to computer security that was originally born as an expansion of Arch Linux, but has followed its own path. It gives us access to an impressive number of hacking tools, among which Sploitctl stands out, a script that allows us to install, update and search for sploits.
• Arch Assault : This is a new distribution, also based on Arch Linux and very similar to the previous one, also aimed at hackers and security lovers. Minimalist, with an Openbox window manager accompanied by the Tint2 panel, despite being still green, it already offers support for ARM architectures.

For less powerful teams

• Puppy Linux : A tiny distribution that can be carried on a USB or CD, but surprisingly fast as it loads entirely into the computer's RAM. It loads in 30-40 seconds and takes up only 100MB.
• Lubuntu : This is a much lighter and more affordable version of Ubuntu for less powerful computers when using the LXDE desktop system and the Openbox window manager. It also includes considerably lighter custom software, requiring only 128MB of RAM and a 1999 Pentium II or Celeron to run.
• Damn Small Linux : Distribution specially designed for older computers, such as the first generation Pentium or even the i486. As a graphic environment and window manager, JWM proposes us, its iso occupies barely 50 MB and it only asks us for at least an Intel 486DX and 16 MB of RAM memory.
• SliTaz : Another featherweight, although with slightly more modern software than the previous one. It uses the Openbox environment and only needs a Pentium III with 256MB of RAM and 100MB of free hard drive to run.
• LXLE : Based on Lubuntu, this distro promises to be even lighter thanks to better startup processing and the LXDE desktop environment. It offers several profiles that will mold the distro to look like Windows XP, Vista, and 7 Starter/Basic.
• Bodhi Linux : Although its development is currently at a standstill after its creator abandoned ship, we can still use the latest versions of this distribution for our old computers. It uses an Enlightenment desktop environment and only asks for at least a computer with a 300 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, and 2.5 GB of free hard disk space.
• Q4OS : And if the previous one was a project that was coming to an end, Q4OS is one that is just beginning. It is a Debian-based distro. Its desktop environment is derived from a 3.x version of KDE called Trinity DE and mimics the look and feel of Windows XP. It can be used on computers with a 300MHz Pentium, 128 MB of RAM and a 3 GB hard drive.

For those passionate about their hobbies