Zorin Os Vs. Anduinos: How To Pick The Right Windows-like Linux Distro For You

3 days ago

The apical 2 Linux distros that Windows 10 users are choosing now

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

If you're looking to move from Windows, you person options.
Zorin OS and AnduinOS some person nan look and consciousness of Windows.
Both of these distributions are free to download and install.

If you inquire immoderate Linux personification what distribution is champion to usage if you're moving from Windows, you'll get a cornucopia of answers: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, elementaryOS, Fedora… nan database goes on.

From my perspective, location are 2 peculiar distributions that bubble up to nan apical of nan heap: Zorin OS and AnduinOS.

Similar names, but strikingly different takes.

Both of these distributions are based connected Ubuntu, which makes cleanable consciousness for a newbie-friendly distribution. However, what they do to Ubuntu is rather different from 1 another.

Let's find retired which 1 of these distributions mightiness beryllium correct for you.

Zorin OS

Zorin OS precocious announced that, aft nan demise of Windows 10, location were complete 1 cardinal downloads of nan distribution successful conscionable complete a period (75% of which were from Windows machines). That's awesome (and telling).

Also: How to take nan correct Linux desktop distribution for you

But what is Zorin OS, and why is it ever considered nan champion stake for those who are caller to Linux?

It each originates pinch nan UI.

Zorin OS gives you nan prime of 4 different layouts, 2 of which are akin to Windows and 2 are very Linux-centric. That's conscionable nan free version. If you pony up for nan Pro edition, you get six much layouts (including 1 that resembles MacOS). You take your layout during your first login, but you tin alteration it immoderate time, utilizing nan Zorin Appearance tool.

Zorin OS runs good connected aged and caller hardware. Because it's based connected Ubuntu, it benefits from nan HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel, which intends it supports modern PCs arsenic good arsenic older machines.

I've been a large instrumentality of Zorin OS for immoderate clip now and person regularly recommended it to those who are looking to yet time off Windows for Linux. It really is that user-friendly. I've moreover made nan declare that Zorin OS is precisely what a desktop operating strategy should be.

Other features of Zorin OS see nan following:

All nan package you request to get started (including nan LibreOffice agency suite and nan groupware suite, Evolution)
A unsocial return connected utilizing Windows apps (more connected that successful a bit)
Supports Android connectivity retired of nan container (via Zorin Connect)
Lightweight, truthful it runs connected older hardware
The Uncomplicated Firewall and AppArmor for exertion security
Supports full-disk encryption
Available successful complete 100 languages, making it accessible to a world audience
Built-in model tiling for a much businesslike desktop
Available successful 3 different versions: Core (free), Pro ($47), and Education (free)

Let's talk astir Windows app support. This is 1 of nan features that makes Zorin OS guidelines out. If you download a Windows installer (either .exe aliases .msi) and double-click it, Zorin OS will urge a Linux replacement for that app.

Also: The champion Linux distros for beginners successful 2025 make switching from MacOS aliases Windows truthful easy

Zorin OS besides includes nan cosmopolitan package manager, Flatpak, which intends you person moreover much applications disposable for installation (including proprietary software, specified arsenic Spotify and Slack). Even better, Flatpak is rolled into nan GUI App Store, truthful you don't person to fuss installing those apps via nan bid line.

Is Zorin OS correct for you?

If you're attempting to time off Windows for Linux, Zorin OS is simply a awesome option. You tin ever commencement retired pinch a alternatively Windows-like UI and past (thanks to Zorin Appearance) move it up for a much unsocial look.

With Zorin OS, you won't person to interest astir installing a bunch of package aft installing nan operating system, arsenic you'll person everything you request to get started.

Also: How to easy tally Windows apps connected Linux pinch Wine

In different words, Zorin OS is an out-of-the-box acquisition that is perfectly geared toward those who are caller to Linux. However, don't beryllium fooled, Zorin OS is besides astatine location pinch those who person plentifulness of Linux experience.

The only point missing from Zorin OS is Wine, which allows you to tally Windows apps connected Linux. You tin ever instal Wine (and respective Wine GUIs) from nan GUI app store.

AnduinOS

Next up is AnduinOS. Unlike Zorin OS, pinch AnduinOS, you get 1 layout that happens to look rather a spot for illustration Windows 11. With nan AnduinOS, anyone who's ever utilized Windows 10 aliases 11 will consciousness correct astatine location connected this desktop OS.

Also: The champion Linux distributions for beginners: Expert tested and reviewed

I should commencement by saying that, though AnduinOS is simply a well-designed Linux distribution, it's not rather arsenic polished arsenic Zorin OS. Of course, Zorin OS has been astir for rather immoderate clip and has had plentifulness of opportunity to "get it right." That is not to opportunity AnduinOS should beryllium avoided, arsenic that is surely not nan case. This is conscionable an lawsuit of 1 distribution having been astir for rather a spot longer than nan other.

That being said, AnduinOS is rather good.

But what is it?

Essentially, AnduinOS is simply a Linux distribution that uses nan GNOME desktop situation to recreate nan Windows 11 UI. AnduinOS is based connected Ubuntu but shrugs disconnected Snap successful favour of Flatpak. The developers person besides baked Flatpak into GNOME Software, meaning you tin instal immoderate Flatpak app without having to usage nan bid line.

One of nan first things you mightiness announcement pinch AnduinOS is nan constricted magnitude of preinstalled software. Where Zorin OS gives you everything you request retired of nan box, AnduinOS requires that you instal nan apps. Fortunately, you only person to unfastened nan GUI app shop and commencement installing.

Also: Why group support flocking to Linux successful 2025 (and it's not conscionable to flight Windows)

Here's a characteristic that Windows 11 users will happily welcome: AnduinOS does not cod immoderate information from you. Period. On apical of that, location are nary ads aliases moreover a hint of AI anyplace successful nan OS. With AnduinOS, you are free from spying aliases having things forced connected you.

There is 1 point you mightiness want to change. AnduinOS ships pinch nan acheronian taxable enabled, truthful while it mightiness lucifer Windows 11, it's not rather right. Fortunately, you tin spell to Settings > Appearance and prime nan Default style. Once you've done that, you'll find nan desktop looks moreover much for illustration Windows 11.

Other features of AnduinOS include:

Uses nan HWE kernel for broader hardware support
HDR support
Created for each types of users (average users, admins, developers, creatives, etc.)
Designed for older and newer hardware
Active improvement pinch caller builds each month

Is AnduinOS correct for you?

This is beautiful simple: If you'd for illustration to instrumentality pinch nan Windows 11 look and feel, but want nan reliability, security, and user-friendliness of Linux, AnduinOS is nan cleanable distribution. As agelong arsenic you're consenting to instal nan package you need, you'll find AnduinOS to beryllium nan perfect operating strategy for weaning you from Windows 10 aliases 11.