Linux Mint Explained: What It Is, How It Compares to Ubuntu, and Whether It’s Ubuntu’s Successor
Linux is a family, not a single operating system. That family has cousins, offshoots, and a few quirky geniuses who moved into a cabin and started their own commune. Linux Mint is one of the most popular “desktop-friendly” members of that family—especially for people who want a system that feels comfortable, familiar, and doesn’t demand that they become a terminal wizard by sundown.
If you’ve heard Mint described as “Ubuntu, but better,” or wondered whether Mint is “the next Ubuntu,” you’re not alone. Mint is closely related to Ubuntu, but that relationship is often misunderstood. This post breaks it down cleanly: what Linux Mint is, what it’s trying to achieve, how it differs from Ubuntu, and the big question: is Linux Mint a successor to Ubuntu?
What Is Linux Mint?
Linux Mint is a free, desktop-focused operating system designed for laptops and PCs, built to feel smooth “out of the box” with a complete set of everyday apps.
That “out of the box” phrase matters. Mint’s goal is not just to be Linux—it’s to be Linux that normal humans can install and use quickly:
- A familiar desktop layout (especially in its flagship Cinnamon edition)
- Practical defaults (media support, usability-first tools, sensible configuration)
- A focus on comfort and stability rather than constant reinvention
Mint is especially popular among:
- Windows switchers who want a familiar workflow
- People who value stability and long support cycles
- Users who don’t want major UI changes every few months
A Quick Snapshot of Linux Mint Editions
Linux Mint comes in three main editions, each defined mostly by its desktop environment (the graphical interface you interact with). The official Mint installation guide describes these “flavours” and their intent:
- Cinnamon Edition – the most full-featured, modern, and Mint’s “signature” experience. Cinnamon is primarily developed by the Linux Mint project.
- MATE Edition – more traditional and typically lighter than Cinnamon.
- Xfce Edition – the lightest, aimed at older hardware or users who want maximum speed and simplicity.
What about LMDE?
There’s also LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition). This is Mint built on Debian rather than Ubuntu. The Mint project describes LMDE as aiming to be as similar as possible to Mint, but without using Ubuntu, with the package base provided by Debian instead.
That detail becomes important when we talk about Mint’s relationship to Ubuntu.
What Is Ubuntu’s Relationship to Linux Mint?
Linux Mint (main edition) is Ubuntu-based
Most people using Linux Mint are using the Ubuntu-based editions. Linux Mint 22, for example, uses an “Ubuntu Noble” package base (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS / Noble Numbat).
Mint also documents that Linux Mint 22 follows an LTS strategy and receives updates until 2029.
So what does “Ubuntu-based” actually mean in practical terms?
- Mint relies heavily on Ubuntu’s ecosystem for core packages and compatibility.
- Many apps built for the matching Ubuntu base tend to work well on Mint (because the underlying package foundation is shared).
- Mint then adds its own layers: desktop experience, tools, configuration choices, and some packages.
Ubuntu’s release model helps explain Mint’s
Ubuntu releases on a six-month cycle, with regular interim releases and long-term support (LTS) versions.
Mint typically prefers building on Ubuntu’s LTS base to emphasize stability and long support windows, rather than tracking every interim Ubuntu release. (You’ll see this in Mint’s version strategy and support timelines.)
Is Linux Mint the Successor to Ubuntu?
No—Linux Mint is not Ubuntu’s successor. It’s better described as a downstream distribution that uses Ubuntu as an upstream base (for most Mint editions), while offering a different set of priorities and user experience.
Calling Mint a “successor” implies Ubuntu is being replaced or that Mint is the official continuation of Ubuntu. That isn’t how the Linux ecosystem works here:
- Ubuntu is actively developed and continues its own roadmap and releases.
- Mint is a separate project with a separate team and a separate vision.
- Mint benefits from Ubuntu’s infrastructure and compatibility, but it doesn’t “inherit” Ubuntu’s mission or act as an official next step.
A better mental model: “Ubuntu is a platform; Mint is a curated experience on top”
Think of Ubuntu as providing a large, well-supported foundation—hardware enablement, package availability, documentation, enterprise options, and a massive user ecosystem. Mint uses that foundation to deliver a desktop experience that many people find more traditional and immediately comfortable.
Why LMDE exists is your biggest clue
LMDE exists so Mint can deliver its experience without being dependent on Ubuntu. The Mint project explicitly frames LMDE as Mint “without using Ubuntu,” built on Debian instead.
That’s not what a “successor” looks like. That’s what an independent project does when it wants to keep its options open.
Key Differences Between Linux Mint and Ubuntu
Mint and Ubuntu are close relatives, but they diverge in the parts users actually feel day to day: interface, packaging choices, and how “opinionated” the defaults are.
1) Desktop experience: Cinnamon vs GNOME (and the “feel” of the system)
Ubuntu’s desktop identity is strongly tied to GNOME (in its default edition), while Mint’s identity is strongly tied to Cinnamon, which is developed by the Mint team and built around a more traditional desktop metaphor.
If you want a desktop that behaves more like classic Windows—taskbar, application menu, system tray—Mint’s Cinnamon often feels instantly familiar.
2) Stability and long-term support emphasis
Mint 22 is explicitly positioned as an LTS release supported until 2029, using an Ubuntu LTS base.
Ubuntu also offers LTS releases, but it additionally ships interim releases every six months.
Mint tends to appeal to users who want fewer surprises and fewer “big workflow shifts.”
3) System snapshots and safer updating culture
Linux Mint integrates Timeshift as a system snapshot tool and explicitly recommends automating snapshots (daily and at boot) so users can roll back if an update causes issues.
Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings (system restore), not act as a full personal-data backup tool.
That distinction is crucial: it’s “undo system change,” not “save all your photos forever.”
4) App delivery: Flatpak friendliness and Snap differences
Mint has built-in Flatpak support (and has for years). Flathub’s setup guidance even notes that Flatpak support is built into Linux Mint 18.3 and newer—no special setup required.
Snap is the spicier topic. Snapcraft’s own documentation states that from Linux Mint 20 onwards, installing Snap is blocked by a nosnap.pref file (unless a user intentionally changes that).
What this means in practice:
- On Ubuntu, Snaps are a normal part of the default software story.
- On Mint, Flatpak is often the preferred “universal app” route, and Snap is something users opt into intentionally.
This isn’t about “right vs wrong.” It’s about project philosophy: Mint often prioritizes user control and predictable system behavior, while Ubuntu prioritizes an integrated ecosystem approach.
5) “Out of the box” convenience
Mint explicitly aims to be comfortable, modern, and easy to use, and to ship with the apps most people need.
Ubuntu is also beginner-friendly, but Mint tends to lean harder into the “everything feels ready immediately” aesthetic—especially for users who prefer a classic desktop layout.
Who Should Choose Linux Mint?
Linux Mint is a strong choice if you care about:
- A familiar, traditional desktop workflow (especially Cinnamon)
- A stable base and long support timelines
- Easy updating with system snapshot safety nets
- Flatpak-friendly app installation
Mint is often recommended for Windows switchers because it reduces the “culture shock” without hiding the power of Linux.
Who Should Choose Ubuntu Instead?
Ubuntu may be better if you care about:
- Being on the distro that many third-party Linux desktop guides assume by default
- Canonical’s enterprise ecosystem (cloud, server, management tooling)
- Ubuntu’s specific desktop direction and integrations
- Wider “official support” story for certain commercial environments (depending on your use case)
In short: Ubuntu is a big, widely standardized platform; Mint is a curated desktop experience built (mostly) on that platform.
Final Verdict: Mint Isn’t Ubuntu’s Successor—It’s Ubuntu’s Most Popular “Alternate Personality”
Linux Mint isn’t trying to replace Ubuntu or become its heir. Mint is a distinct project that uses Ubuntu LTS as a stable foundation (in its main editions) while offering a different philosophy: comfort, traditional desktop ergonomics, and “it just works” polish.
The existence of LMDE reinforces that Mint’s identity is independent: Mint wants to deliver the Mint experience whether Ubuntu is the base or not.
So the real answer to “Is Mint Ubuntu’s successor?” is:
No—but if you’re looking for a calmer, more familiar Ubuntu-based desktop experience, Mint is one of the strongest options available.
