Ubuntu Budgie vs. Pop!_OS: I’ve used both Linux distros – here’s how to choose

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Pop!_OS and Ubuntu Budgie are similar, yet different.
• Both distributions are based on Ubuntu and perform very well.
• You can download and install each for free.

After following my writing long enough, you probably know that I’m a big fan of aesthetics on my desktops. Part of the reason for my love of a pretty desktop is that Linux has spoiled me in that regard. For decades, I’ve been customizing Linux UIs until they look and feel exactly right. For me. Sometimes those tweaks are quick and easy, while other times they take a while.

No matter the challenge, Linux is up to it.

I’ve tested so many beautiful Linux distributions over the years, and have found a handful of them that regularly impress me with their aesthetics; two of which are Ubuntu Budgie and Pop!_OS.

Both of these distributions are based on Ubuntu and could even (with a bit of work) be made to look nearly identical. But you probably wouldn’t want to do that, as each carries its own personality. Budgie is fun, and Pop!_OS is serious.

Before you think it, I’m not saying these distributions are so shallow that looks are all that matter. No. Both Ubuntu Budgie and Pop!_OS can be used to get real work done.

But which one of these desktop distributions is right for you?

Let me see if I can help you draw that conclusion.

Ubuntu Budgie: Who is it for?

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Ubuntu Budgie holds a special place in my heart. About five or so years ago, my previous System76 machine started dying on me. At first, I thought it was the OS, so I decided to move away from Pop!_OS. My choice of distribution? Ubuntu Budgie.

I’d known about the Budgie desktop for a long time and really enjoyed its fun approach to the desktop, so I made the switch.

There was zero regret.

Within minutes of my first login, I had the desktop environment customized to fit my exact needs, and it was beautiful. At the time, I would have gone so far as to say it was the most aesthetically pleasing desktop I’d ever used.

Also: Thinking about switching to Linux? 6 things you need to know

But it wasn’t just a pretty face. Ubuntu Budgie was also very efficient and easy to use. And, like so many Linux desktops, it could be configured to look and feel exactly how I wanted it. I could make it look like KDE Plasma, Windows 10, Ubuntu, MacOS, and so much more. 

Ubuntu Budgie was also a smooth and fast distribution. Even being a full-blown desktop environment, Budgie performed more like it was lightweight.

The thing that really drew me to Ubuntu Budgie was that I could configure the desktop to essentially look like the desktop I had been using… only with a bit more panache. I had a dock and a top bar, both with an elegant transparency. I could even theme Budgie with themes from Gnome-look.org.

Needless to say, I was happy as a penguin with a fish.

Also: XeroLinux could be the most beautiful Linux desktop on the market

On top of all that beauty, Ubuntu Budgie:

• Enjoys the Ubuntu base, which lends itself to serious hardware recognition.
• Includes the long-term support of Ubuntu LTS releases.
• Is optimized for performance on both desktops and laptops.
• Has a user-friendly Welcome app to simplify a lot of tasks.
• Includes MacOS-like hot corners.
• Adds window snapping for efficient app placement on the desktop.
• Includes applets to expand the desktop features.
• Has a well-designed notification center.
• Includes a powerful app and file search.

So, who is Ubuntu Budgie right for?

One thing to keep in mind is that Budgie is developed by a small team, which can often mean it’s slower to evolve than those desktops that enjoy a larger pool of developers. That doesn’t mean it’s behind the times. Budgie always feels fresh.

But who is the right user for Budgie?

• You don’t mind slower releases.
• You want a desktop that’s fun and flexible.
• You have an older machine and want to give it new life, without sacrificing the look of the desktop.
• You have a newer machine and want it to perform like a champ.
• You want a modern-looking desktop.
• You require a Ubuntu LTS base for long-term support.
• You want to be able to tweak your desktop to fit your current mood.

Pop!_OS: Who’s it for?

After that experiment with Ubuntu Budgie, I wound up going back to Pop!_OS, which coincided with me purchasing a new System76 Thelio desktop machine. 

The thing about Pop!_OS and System76 hardware is that they are just meant to be together: like peanut butter and chocolate. When you run Pop!_OS on a System76 Thelio, you experience some serious desktop power. The combination runs so smoothly, you’d think you were working on a supercomputer.

Also: 5 reasons why Pop!_OS is my favorite Linux distro

But then, System76 did something crazy: they decided to create a totally new desktop environment. Thus, COSMIC was born. 

COSMIC DE is built, from the ground up, with the Rust programming language. Rust is well-known for being one of the fastest programming languages on the market. If COSMIC is any indication as to the speed of Rust, then that assumption about Rust is very true.

In other words, COSMIC is fast. I would go so far as to say that System76’s new desktop environment is the fastest I’ve ever used.

Applications open in a blink. Updates happen lightning quick. 

Pop!_OS COSMIC isn’t just about raw power; it’s also about beauty. I started using COSMIC near the end of its alpha stage and immediately found it to be so much more customizable than the GNOME-based Pop!_OS. In a few quick minutes, I was able to configure a desktop that’s very unique to me.

COSMIC is pretty and powerful.

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Pop!_OS also:

• Is great for all types of users (from newbies to scientists).
• Is great for all uses, even gaming.
• Is based on Ubuntu, so it enjoys all the same user-friendliness.
• Is in very active development.
• Has a moderate, but very passionate community.
• Offers ISOs for both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs.
• Has a wealth of software to install.
• Is highly customizable (unlike previous iterations) and doesn’t require extensions.

Who is Pop!_OS right for?

I could simply say “everyone,” and that statement would be accurate. It would also feel like a cop-out, so let’s get a bit specific.

Pop!_OS is right for:

• Those who want a highly configurable, beautiful desktop.
• Those who have NVIDIA hardware and don’t want to have to install drivers.
• Developers, gamers, average users, new users, old-school users.
• Those who purchase System76 hardware.
• Those who buy off-the-shelf hardware.
• Anyone who wants a brand-new desktop that is faster than anything they’ve ever tried.
• Those who feel adventurous.
• Those who are tired of the same old, same old.
• Those who like to tinker (or those who don’t like to tinker).

Which one is for you?

Since both of these desktop distributions are equally beautiful, how do you know which one to choose?

That decision could be as simple as: If you want a distribution backed by an actual company, Pop!_OS is the way to go. However, let’s make it a bit more specific.

• Pop!_OS for those who want to start with a beautiful Linux distribution and then “learn as you go” while also enjoying a rock-solid Ubuntu base. It’s also for those who have NVIDIA or AMD hardware and don’t want to bother with drivers. It’s also a great match for those who long for speed.
• Ubuntu Budgie is for those who want a beautiful desktop, based on Ubuntu, that is fast and can be configured to resemble just about any desktop layout. It’s also very easy to use, so Linux newbies are welcome.

Also: 10 things I always do immediately after installing Linux – and why

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