While Linux might not be the favored operating system for casual users, it’s the go-to choice for most developers and programmers. Linux is a more practical OS that was explicitly designed with programming and developers in mind.
There are over 600 Linux distros to choose from, so even experienced users may seldom struggle to find their current project's ideal flavor. Linux distributions can vary hugely from one another, even though they are based on the same source. And if you’re looking to learn more about Linux distros, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best Linux distros for developers.
1. Manjaro
Manjaro, an Arch-based Linux operating distro, aims to support various environments and a graphical installer to fulfill your requirements.
Manjaro takes out the worry of installing and administering an Arch-based system by including a solid set of custom tools and utilities. The distro is available in multiple editions with various desktop environments.
There is a KDE edition for a Qt developer, which ships with tools including the Qt Designer and Qt Assistant to help with development. Moreover, it features a utility to help users select real-time kernels. Overall, it is one of the best Linux distros for development.
2. Ubuntu
Ubuntu ranks among the most popular Linux distros one can find. It is one of the most widespread Linux distros for all sorts of users, from Linux newbies to established campaigners.
Ubuntu offers a comprehensive, user-friendly package handler. There's compatibility with Android Open Source Project, a useful addition for Android developers.
Thanks to its prevalence, one can essentially find all the programming tools and libraries in official Ubuntu repositories or a Personal Package Archive.
Ubuntu has a large community, from official forums to third-party groups. Moreover, with all the easy to use features, a slew of programming resources, Ubuntu forms an excellent Linux distro for front end developers.
3. Pop!_OS
Introduced by Linux PC manufacturer System76, Pop!_OS is a programmer and developer-friendly Linux distro. Based on Ubuntu, Pop!_OS is an excellent contemporary implementation seen as practical and functional.
Moreover, one doesn’t need to be a keyboard power-user to enjoy Pop Shell. The company calls Pop!_OS, a specialized operating system for developers and computer science professionals who use their computers to build new things.
Additionally, it supports a bunch of programming languages and useful programming tools natively. Thus, if you’re looking for a Linux distro for programming, Pop!_OS is the way to go.
4. Debian GNU
One among the oldest Linux distros out there, Debian is built with stability in mind. For a program to be included with Debian, it has to meet the Debian Free Software Guidelines.
Packages and repositories are carefully selected and tested for inclusion in the 'Stable' build, making the OS suitable for developers. Moreover, the official forum houses boundless manuals, chapters on programming languages taking you through the basics of creating a script, compiling it, and more.
Debian has one of the largest repositories of open-source software. Hence, you won’t face trouble finding your favorite programming tools and libraries.
5. openSUSE
While openSUSE doesn’t often experience the same recognition as Ubuntu and Fedora, the project produces a wonderful environment for developers. The openSUSE project offers two distros: openSUSE Leap and openSUSE Tumbleweed.
The openSUSE Leap is an LTS release that persists as an up-to-date version and guarantees stability, while Tumbleweed is a rolling release for those wanting to try out the latest software.
Moreover, it’s YaST package management is one of the significant strengths of openSUSE, making it easy to automate various tasks. The software delivery method is an additional bonus.
6. Fedora
Fedora is one of the most futuristic Linux distributions. The distro is a community-driven version from RHEL. Owned by Red Hat, it is available in several editions known as Spins.
It supports smart auto-configs and updated packages, making it a comprehensive programming operating system for developers. One of the greatest advantages of Fedora is its release cycle of nine months, bringing all the new features to the latest build.
Furthermore, Fedora only ships with open-source elements. The Fedora forum and magazines are also a very friendly stage to share your difficulties and understand how to use Fedora and its tools.
7. Arch Linux
Known for its difficult installation procedure, Arch Linux lacks an installation bundler or graphical user interface (GUI) and demands a solid grasp on the terminal and Linux commands.
A couple of its key advantages include the lack of bloatware together with the Pacman package manager. Thanks to its rolling releases, Arch Linux won't bother you with upgrades since new versions steadily update.
Moreover, if you're into penetration testing work, you can convert your Arch Linux installation into a BlackArch installation by following a couple of instructions.
8. CentOS
CentOS is a community-based modification of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s a rolling release distro that carries the same packages as RHEL.
CentOS can run RHEL-based business software built for RHEL. It also has a broad Red Hat Software Collection and CentOS repository with a powerful YUM package manager to install applications needed for development.
9. Kali Linux
Developed by Offensive Security, ethical hackers primarily fancy Kali Linux to perform penetration testing on vulnerable networks and computers.
However, it's also a great distro for developers. It comes with many pre-installed tools such as John the Ripper, OWASP ZAP, Aircrack-ng, and more. Similar to other distros, it gives the user complete control over its configuration, making it suitable for developers.
10. Raspberry Pi OS
Earlier known as Raspbian, Raspberry Pi OS is a feature-packed Linux distribution intended to work hand-in-hand with the pocket-sized computer, which has rapidly grown in popularity.
Raspberry Pi OS comes with various programming tools, including BlueJ, Geany, Python, Greenfoot, Mathematica, Node-RED, Scratch, and others, making the process more efficient. The inclusion of these tools also makes it a perfect Linux OS for learning embedded systems programming.
Choosing the Best Linux Distro for Programming
On the topic of programming and development, there's always going to be a portion of subjectivity when choosing the right Linux distro. That said, the criteria that developers should look out for is narrowing down the list according to their needs. Overall, watch out for a secure and stable distro coupled with a good user community.
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