Debian vs. Ubuntu Comparison
In this tutorial, we will show you the differences between Debian and Ubuntu. For those of you who didn’t know, Debian and Ubuntu are two popular open-source operating systems that are widely used on servers and other computer systems. While both distributions have many similarities, there are also some key differences between them that may make one a better choice for a particular use case. Overall, Ubuntu and Debian are popular choices for users who value open-source software, community support, and frequent updates. It is suitable for a wide range of use cases, including desktop computing, server administration, and embedded systems development.
Origins
Debian is a community-driven operating system that was first released in 1993. It is developed and maintained by a global network of volunteers and is funded by donations. Debian is known for its stability and adherence to free software principles.
Ubuntu is based on Debian and was first released in 2004. It is developed and maintained by Canonical, a UK-based company, and is funded through a mix of contributions from the community and paid services offered by Canonical. Ubuntu is designed to be user-friendly and is known for its regular releases and frequent updates.
Package Management
Both Debian and Ubuntu use the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) for package management, which allows users to install, remove, and update software packages. APT manages dependencies, so when you install a package, it automatically installs any other packages that the selected package depends on.
However, there are some differences between the way Debian and Ubuntu handle package management. Ubuntu uses its own package repositories, which contain a more limited selection of packages than the ones available in Debian’s repositories. This means that some packages may not be available in Ubuntu, or they may be older versions compared to the ones available in Debian.
On the other hand, Debian has a large repository of packages and also offers the option to install packages from third-party repositories. This can be useful if you need access to a package that is not available in the official repositories.
Release Cycle
Debian follows a fixed release cycle and releases a new version approximately every two years. These releases are designated with a number, such as “Debian 10” or “Debian 11.” Each release is supported for a period of at least five years, during which security updates and bug fixes are provided.
Ubuntu has a shorter release cycle and releases a new version every six months. These releases are designated with a year and month, such as “Ubuntu 22.04” or “Ubuntu 22.10.” Each release is supported for a period of nine months, during which security updates and bug fixes are provided.
Supported Architectures
Both Debian and Ubuntu support a wide range of architectures, including x86, x86-64, ARM, and PowerPC. This means that you can install either distribution on a wide range of hardware, including desktop computers, servers, and embedded devices.
However, Ubuntu supports additional architectures such as SPARC and IBM z Systems, which are not supported by Debian. This may make Ubuntu a better choice if you need to run your server on one of these architectures.
Desktop Environments
Debian offers a choice of several desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and LXDE. This allows users to choose the desktop environment that best meets their needs and preferences.
Ubuntu also offers a choice of several desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, Xfce, LXDE, and Unity (which was the default desktop environment until Ubuntu 17.10). In addition, Ubuntu offers several versions with different desktop environments, such as Ubuntu Mate (which uses the MATE desktop environment) and Ubuntu Budgie (which uses the Budgie desktop environment).
For additional resources on installing KDE desktop environments, read the post below:
For additional resources on installing KDE desktop environments, read the post below:
Package Compatibility
Because Ubuntu is based on Debian, most Debian packages can be installed on Ubuntu. However, some packages may not work as expected due to differences in the way the two distributions handle dependencies and system libraries.
Licensing
Both Debian and Ubuntu are distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). However, Ubuntu includes some proprietary software and additional licenses for certain packages.
