4 days ago
10
Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source connected Google.
ZDNET's cardinal takeaways
- The close Linux distro depends connected your tools, workflow, and people platform.
- Some Linux distributions prioritize stability, portion others absorption connected flexibility.
- Enterprise and DIY developers payment from antithetic improvement ecosystems.
For the longest time, Linux was considered to beryllium geared specifically for developers and machine scientists. Modern distributions are far much wide purpose present -- but that doesn't mean determination aren't definite distros that are besides perfect platforms for developers.
What makes a organisation close for developers? Although I see app compatibility, stability, and flexibility to beryllium indispensable attributes for astir immoderate Linux distribution, developers besides request the close tools for their jobs -- specified arsenic compilers, libraries, and emulators -- arsenic good arsenic entree to customized repositories and enactment for specialized hardware.
Also: My 11 favourite Linux distributions of each time, ranked
For those looking to displacement their improvement to the open-source operating system, here's my database of distributions that should beryllium close up your alley.
1. Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is built specifically for STEM and originative professionals who usage their computers arsenic a means to observe and create. The Pop!_OS desktop -- which has transitioned to the Rust-based COSMIC Desktop -- has been streamlined for businesslike workflow and organization.
On apical of that, you tin customize your workflow, configuring it to beryllium navigated chiefly via the keyboard, which makes for a highly businesslike interface. And with on-demand tiling, you tin rapidly power betwixt having the desktop negociate model placement oregon doing it manually.
Also: Immutable Linux delivers superior information - present are your 5 champion options
Another crushed I spot Pop!_OS connected this database is that it comes pre-installed connected System76 hardware, which helps marque it tally similar an implicit beast for compiling your applications and testing. Pop!_OS besides has entree to apps for instrumentality learning, engineering, media production, bioinformatics, and more.
You tin download and instal Pop!_OS for free.
2. Debian
Although I was tempted to spot Ubuntu connected this list, I opted to spell with what galore see the "mother of each Ubuntu distributions." The crushed for this rubric is due to the fact that truthful galore distributions are based connected Debian. If you program connected processing for an Ubuntu-based distribution, wherefore not usage the original?
Also: I've tested hundreds of Linux distros - these 5 are the easiest to install
Debian is besides 1 of the oldest Linux distributions connected the marketplace and is often considered the astir unchangeable operating strategy available. On apical of that, Debian boasts the largest fig of repositories for open-source software, ensuring that it volition person the tools you request to get the occupation done. You'd beryllium hard-pressed to find a much reliable desktop OS for development, with arsenic overmuch documentation arsenic you'll find successful Debian.
Debian tin beryllium downloaded and installed for free.
3. Fedora Workstation
Fedora Workstation is simply a developer-favorite organisation -- and for bully reason. First off, it's precise fast. T
he developers of Fedora person created a desktop organisation that performs arsenic though it's a lightweight OS -- but without having to thin connected a bare-bones UI. On apical of that, you'll find the Developer Guide includes a wealthiness of developer-friendly documentation connected topics ranging from improvement environments, codification style, frameworks and tools, databases, and overmuch more. You'll besides find the Fedora Developer Portal, wherever you tin stock your cognition and larn from others.
Also: The champion Linux laptops successful 2026: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros
There are besides several Fedora spins that see antithetic desktop environments, specified arsenic Plasma Desktop, Xfce, Cinnamon, Mate-Compiz, i3, LXQT, LXDE, SOAS, Sway, Budgie, and, of course, the default GNOME. No substance what desktop situation you privation to make for, Fedora has you covered.
You tin download and instal Fedora Workstation for free.
4. Arch Linux
Arch Linux is connected this database for 1 circumstantial reason. When you instal Arch, you person full power implicit what's installed, which means you tin physique an OS specifically suited to your needs. Because of the mode Arch Linux is installed, which is not easy, you'll travel distant with a amended knowing of however Linux works. You besides get the latest kernel and different bundle via a rolling-release model, truthful each of your bundle is cutting-edge.
And past there's AUR -- Arch User Repository -- which is simply a community-driven bundle repository that includes astir 100,000 packages for you to install. With AUR, and the PKGBUILD functionality, you tin compile a bundle from root utilizing makepkg and instal it with pacman, the bundle manager.
The AUR is an important and cardinal portion of the Arch Linux organisation but does necessitate you to person a coagulated foundational knowing of however Arch works. You tin besides take to usage the BTRFS record system, which includes the quality to easy rotation backmost if you tally into problems.
Arch Linux tin beryllium downloaded and installed for free.
5. Raspberry Pi OS
The Raspberry Pi is an important ecosystem due to the fact that it's perfect for DIY developers wanting to make peculiar apps and tools for circumstantial purposes. For those wanting to make gadgets, IoT devices, and different inventive things, Raspberry Pi OS is simply a large option. This is the authoritative distribution, created by the Raspberry Pi manufacturer, built specifically for Raspberry Pi devices, and utilized for implicit 90 percent of Raspberry Pi projects.
Also: The champion Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2026: Expert recommended
The OS was archetypal released successful 2012 and uses the PIXEL Desktop, based connected LXDE, and the Wayland graphics server. For anyone wanting to make for Raspberry Pi devices, this is the OS to use.
Raspberry Pi OS tin beryllium downloaded and installed for free.
6. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
If you were to hunt for which distributions are champion for development, my conjecture is that you won't find RHEL successful galore lists. Part of the crushed for this is that it does incorporate proprietary software, and Red Hat does support a choky fastener connected immoderate things.
However, if you were to besides hunt for which organisation is utilized astir wide crossed the endeavor concern space, RHEL is astir ever astatine the apical of those lists. Because of this, immoderate developer who's looking to summation a foothold with larger organizations would bash good to make with RHEL.
Even better, you tin besides use for the no-cost Red Hat developer license, which gets you entree to RHEL and different tools to marque your occupation easier.
At the aforesaid time, if you don't similar the thought of processing with a organisation "owned" by IBM, you could ever try...
7. Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux is simply a 1:1 rebuild of RHEL, which besides happens to beryllium open-source. Because of that, you tin download an ISO of Rocky Linux and make connected it for free. One happening to support successful caput is that determination is Rocky Linux from CIQ, which is simply a commercially backed endeavor Linux organisation backed by CIQ, and Rocky Linux, which is simply a assemblage organisation designed to conscionable endeavor needs.
Also: This is my favourite Linux distro of each clip - and I've tried them all
Rocky Linux is simply a large enactment for developers who privation to make enterprise-ready applications and services. You tin commencement disconnected with the assemblage mentation and then, erstwhile oregon if needed, migrate to the commercially backed option.
Either mode you go, you'll beryllium moving with a organisation that is superior astir endeavor computing. Given that Rocky Linux is rebuilt straight from RHEL sources, you tin beryllium definite you'll bask a unchangeable acquisition with limitless possibilities.
8. Ubuntu
I'll extremity this with what has, for years, been 1 of the apical Linux distributions connected the market. Although Ubuntu doesn't specifically people developers, it's a large prime for a fewer reasons. First, it's precise wide utilized astir the world. Second, determination are hundreds of distributions based connected Ubuntu, truthful if you make an app that works good connected Ubuntu, it's definite to enactment connected plentifulness of different distributions.
Also: Ubuntu 26.04 amazed maine - this upcoming merchandise is earnestly secure
Third, Ubuntu has a monolithic assemblage of developers and users, truthful there's ever enactment to beryllium found. Fourth, Ubuntu's repositories incorporate each of the tools and apps you request to deed the crushed running. Even getting up to velocity with processing from the bid enactment is simple. Make definite to instal the build-essential package.
If you bash opt to prime Ubuntu arsenic your organisation of choice, you should besides see processing your app arsenic a Snap package, which volition marque it installable connected immoderate Linux organisation that supports Canonical's cosmopolitan bundle manager.
English (US) ·