Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference? (Pros and Cons)
Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons). Given that there are roughly 600 different Linux distributions, many names emerge when we discuss them, including Ubuntu and Manjaro. Each of these two Linux distributions has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, there have been debates over which is superior, and considering the parallels and differences between the two, it is quite challenging to make a choice.
Therefore, this guide aims to ease your concerns about Ubuntu and Manjaro by contrasting the two distributions in a few key areas and providing a quick overview.
Let’s start with Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference ? (Pros and Cons).
What is Ubuntu?
Firstly Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian and composed mostly of free and open source software. The British company, Canonical, created it in 2004 and it is one of the most popular Linux distros due to its ease of use.
Also Canonical designed Ubuntu for computers, smartphones and network servers and it is also one of the best options for new Linux users. However, Ubuntu makes money by providing businesses the use of their software with paid professional support rather than its users.
Features of Ubuntu
- LibreOffice is available with Ubuntu, allowing the creation of professional documents, spreadsheets and presentations. So the LibreOffice is a free and open source office suite that works with Microsoft Office.
- Thunderbird, a built in email program in Ubuntu, allows users access to email services regardless of use. It could be Gmail, Hotmail, Microsoft Exchange, IMAP, or POP 3. All email software functions properly.
- Even without the inclusion of expensive antivirus scanners, despite not being malware protected, Ubuntu is as secure as most users require right out of the box.
- Additionally Ubuntu is known for its hardware autoconfiguration. The majority of device drivers are already bundled with Ubuntu. Anyone who has installed a generic version of Windows knows how inconvenient it is to spend hours looking for drivers once the operating system has been installed.
- Moreover Ubuntu comes with an SSH client. There are other SSH clients for Windows, such as Putty, but none are pre installed, and even the best of them isn’t as productive as Gnome terminal.
Pros of Ubuntu
- Well Ubuntu is an open source software whose community members constantly check and review it. When compared to other operating systems, Linux distributions have fewer security issues. As a result, any security flaws can be rapidly recognized and remedied.
- One of the most well known desktop environments (DEs) for Linux is GNOME, which Ubuntu also uses. The straightforward and visually appealing GNOME desktop environment is where you and your computer communicate. GNOME is not the only desktop environment available with Ubuntu.
- Also with Ubuntu it comes in many variants called “flavours” that are packaged with alternative desktop environments such as KDE, MATE, and LXQt. This provides newcomers a lot of freedom to experiment and sample multiple DEs before settling on the one they like best, making Ubuntu a user friendly system.
- The Ubuntu operating system contains a data privacy policy, much like any other operating system. Summing up Ubuntu holds your privacy in high regard.
Cons of Ubuntu
- The limited choice of applications is one of Ubuntu’s biggest drawbacks. Although it is free, and various apps are available for download, Windows and macOS counterparts are superior. As a result, prominent developers prefer creating for Microsoft Corporation and Apple Inc. since their user bases are greater.
- Another critical disadvantage of Ubuntu is compatibility issues between the operating system and the hardware specifications of the user device. Due to an unidentified hardware problem, there may be recurring issues such as wireless card drivers not working or printers not connecting to the computer.
- Linux experts would confirm that Ubuntu is not the greatest distribution available. Others claim that because Ubuntu is based on the Debian operating system, it enables greater customization and a more reliable user experience.
Next with Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference ? is to introduce Manjaro.
What Is Manjaro?
Manjaro is an open source operating system created to assist businesses in leveraging compatibility software like Wine, PlayonLinux, or Proton to run numerous Windows based apps.
Users can customize, alter, or remove certain workflows, graphic designs and programs using the configuration framework it provides. Consequently, organizations can use Manjaro to deploy updates, change the system’s time zone and receive automated notifications for software upgrades.
Employees can use Manjaro’s hardware detection system to identify hardware and automatically install corresponding drivers. Administrators can also create multiple user accounts, provide permissions to specific users to operate the system, and add or remove packages from the system.
Features of Manjaro
- Getting all the hardware to function can be difficult when installing Linux. Interestingly Manjaro does a system scan and installs the necessary drivers. It works without users having to take any further measures.
- Users of the Manjaro operating system can now quickly switch between any Linux kernel version, ranging from 3.10 to 4.18, by visiting the Kernel section of the Manjaro Settings Manager. With Manjaro, you can manage all installation ready kernels and check their changelogs and the recommended kernel version.
- The Manjaro team ensures only to issue updates compatible with your system, so users don’t have to worry about any upgrades conflicting with their settings or even requiring clean installations.
- Also Manjaro doesn’t use Linux as a base. Instead, it uses Arch Linux. Although Arch is a fantastic distribution, installing it is difficult since you have to set up everything yourself, especially if you only intend to try Arch out briefly or if you are new to Linux. However, installing Arch is hassle free with Manjaro. Download the ISO file, copy it to a thumb drive, and install it, just as with most distributions.
Pros of Manjaro
- One of the benefits of Manjaro is it’s excellent handling of its desktop environments is its strongest feature. Instead of changing each desktop into something else, this distribution accepts each desktop for what it is. So the Manjaro’s desktop environment is the first instance of the operating system you will focus on after booting. Attractive and simple to use and you can use GNOME or any other desktop environment with movable panels, icons, and other elements.
- Great user community that welcomes everyone and is eager to assist everyone in having a pleasant digital experience. The official Manjaro forum is an excellent resource for newcomers. They also provide forums in over 29 languages for non English speakers.
- With Manjaro the updates are regular, but more importantly, these upgrades are stable. The upgrades are being handed out, so you can easily update the software without reinstalling it.
- The Calamares installer and Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) are why Manjaro is suitable for desktop users. Ideal choice for new users due to its audio codecs, latest packages, kernel and quick update to the latest release.
- With all the advantages of the Arch ecosystem and community, Manjaro is an Arch based distribution with the advantage of being significantly more user friendly than Arch. Offers outstanding features, so it is arguably one of the greatest desktop distributions. Also consumes extremely little RAM.
Cons of Manjaro
- Since Manjaro is a rolling release, it requires updates almost weekly, making it less stable. You have to manually download, confirm, and install the OS.
- Users of Manjaro experience difficulty in changing the default theme. Although changing the default dark theme is possible, it does not affect applications such as Firefox, which has the dark theme “hard coded.” Linux experts may be able to modify this, but for new users, it makes an otherwise excellent distro unusable.
- Arch Linux and its variants have a poor dependency management system. It installs a separate program that includes the necessary dependencies to handle dependencies.
Now Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference ? Let’s find out.
Differences Between Ubuntu and Manjaro
Updates
Ubuntu
Updates in Ubuntu only offers nine month support and give interim updates every six months. You can find the most recent Ubuntu updates and features in these interim releases. Additionally, every two years, Ubuntu publishes new LTS (long term support) editions which it supports and updates for the next five years.
Manjaro
Since Manjaro is a rolling release, users don’t necessarily need to download a new operating system version every time an upgrade is available. Using the Pacman Package Manager, you can automatically obtain the most recent version of Manjaro if you keep your system updated.
Package Managers
Ubuntu
To install software, Ubuntu uses APT. What is more Ubuntu comes preloaded with a ton of software, and its Personal Package Archives (PPAs) allow users to install unique packages created by independent developers.
Manjaro
To install software, Manjaro uses Pacman. Another benefit it is the access to the repository for Arch User Repository (AUR). Additionally, compared to many PPAs on Ubuntu, these supplementary packages are considerably simpler to maintain and keep care of.
Customization and Convenience
Ubuntu
Customization of Ubuntu and many other distros in the Debian family supply an extra layer of convenience by having more software out of the box. Therefore, it is easier to use and highly recommended for beginners.
Manjaro
On the other hand Manjaro comes with essential desktop apps such as a word processor, an email client, an internet browser, etc. However, Manjaro has less installed desktop apps by default to encourage users to install the needed software and apply their own customizations.
Stability
Ubuntu
Stability concept of Ubuntu’s developers is specifically tailored it to improve its stability. Famous for its lack of crashes and ability to work well with almost all the update packages you choose to install. Also, with a much longer development cycle, Ubuntu has managed to maintain an impressive streak of stability within its code.
Manjaro
Oppositely the Manjaro does not have the same level of default stability as Ubuntu. Therefore, users must be more selective about which packages they install. However, Manjaro has a higher stability limit. If incompatible updates that break the system are avoided, the system performs better under stress.
User friendliness
Ubuntu
Easy to use benefit of Ubuntu which strives to make the user experience as simple and easy as possible. As a result, Ubuntu comes the closest to imitating Windows and macOS. This is one of the reasons behind Ubuntu’s continuing popularity. Many first time users get in quickly, learn the basics and never feel the need to switch to another distro.
Manjaro
Meanwhile, Manjaro is not particularly user friendly. Instead, it emphasizes the most crucial characteristics for developers, such as speed and efficiency. Working with Manjaro is a fantastic starting point for learning about other superior Linux distributions. It is, however, far easier to use than its predecessor, Arch.
Desktop
Ubuntu
Default desktop environment of Ubuntu is a modified version of the well known GNOME desktop. Certainly not the most innovative desktop, and installing a newer version of Ubuntu will also give you a newer version of the GNOME desktop. However, it gets the job done.
Manjaro
When installing Manjaro, you have the option of three official desktop versions that are pre installed. These are XFCE, GNOME, and KDE. You can use other desktops as well, but these are the open source versions of those desktops, such as Budgie, MATE, and LXQt. These won’t have official support, and their integration and optimization may not be the best. Therefore, Ubuntu is still the superior of the two distributions in terms of desktops and their diversity.
Online Community
Ubuntu
Since Ubuntu has had a longer development cycle than Manjaro, there is naturally more user generated documentation outlining known bugs and fixes. Although the majority of the documentation is left up to the users, Ubuntu’s help center is still a fantastic resource.
Manjaro
On the other hand, Manjaro has its own wiki. This one platform pays extraordinary attention to detail, and practically all known issues and facts are written on it, making the search for answers a quick and easy procedure.
Despite the existence of this wiki, Manjaro has a thriving online community that produces information on blogs and forums. All boils down to quality vs quantity, however Manjaro does a better job of documentation and has a superior database.
This is it! Thank you for reading Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference ? We shall conclude.
Ubuntu vs Manjaro - What's the Difference ? (Pros and Cons) Conclusion
This concludes our comparison of two Linux distributions, Ubuntu and Manjaro. To sum up Ubuntu is a renowned and beginner friendly distribution that is used all around the world. While still in its early stages, Manjaro keeps up with the latest technology by delivering weekly updates and maintenance to its users.
Beneath their different names and approaches, they’re both still highly regarded Linux distributions. Ultimately, the decision between Ubuntu and Manjaro is entirely up to you because both have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
I hope you enjoyed reading Ubuntu vs Manjaro – What’s the Difference? Take a look at more Ubuntu content here.
