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Ubuntu

Ubuntu

Overview

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu Linux is a Linux-based operating system for personal computers, tablets and smartphones. There is also a Server version which is used on physical or virtual servers in the data center.

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Recent Reviews

Ubuntu Linux Review

9 out of 10
January 17, 2024
I use Ubuntu Linux both client side (for personal use) and server side (in my organization). I find the operating system very …
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TrustRadius Insights

Ubuntu Linux is a versatile operating system that has found its place in a wide range of industries and applications. Organizations across …
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Ubuntu Pros and Cons

9 out of 10
May 12, 2021
Incentivized
In most of our virtual machines and servers we generally use Ubuntu Linux to address specific system requirements for clouds as well to …
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Power User OS

10 out of 10
May 10, 2021
Incentivized
Ubuntu Linux is used by employees in the organization who have elected to use it over the standard issue Macbooks. It allows us to have a …
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Product Demos

Create Ubuntu Linux VM In Azure Portal

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Linux Basics: How to change Screen Resolution in Linux (Command Line)

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Linux Basics: How to Sudo in Linux without Password

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Product Details

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an open-source operating system developed by Canonical Ltd. According to the vendor, it aims to provide a secure, reliable, and customizable platform for desktops, servers, and cloud computing. It is said to be suitable for businesses of all sizes and widely used by IT professionals, software developers, system administrators, educational institutions, and researchers. With its comprehensive application suite, multi-language support, and highly customizable interface, Ubuntu is said to cater to the diverse needs of various professions and industries, including IT, software development, education, and research.

Key Features

Secure Operating System: According to the vendor, Ubuntu is known for its robust security features, including a built-in firewall and virus protection software. It offers long-term support releases with five years of security patches and updates, ensuring ongoing protection against emerging threats.

Open Source Software: The vendor states that Ubuntu is an open-source operating system, freely available for download, use, and sharing. It fosters transparency, customization, and continuous improvement through community contributions, making it a collaborative platform.

Comprehensive Application Suite: Ubuntu comes pre-installed with a wide range of essential applications, including an office suite, web browsers, email clients, and media players. Users can access thousands of additional applications through the Ubuntu Software Centre, expanding the system's functionality.

Multi-Language Support: According to the vendor, Ubuntu is fully translated into over 50 languages, promoting inclusivity and global reach. It includes essential assistive technologies to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, enabling users to work and collaborate in their preferred language.

Highly Customizable Interface: Ubuntu offers a visually appealing interface that can be tailored to individual preferences. Users can choose from various themes, wallpapers, and desktop environments, and it supports high-definition displays, touchscreen capabilities, and touchpad gestures.

Wide Hardware Compatibility: Canonical collaborates with major hardware manufacturers to ensure compatibility with a wide range of laptops, workstations, and servers. Ubuntu is certified to work out-of-the-box with various hardware configurations, providing a reliable and hassle-free experience.

Cloud and Server Capabilities: Ubuntu is widely used in data centers and cloud environments, powering servers and virtual machines. It is claimed to be the most popular operating system in the cloud, offering scalability and flexibility for cloud-native applications and large-scale server deployments.

Internet of Things (IoT) Support: Ubuntu provides Ubuntu Core, an optimized version for IoT devices. It is fully containerized, has a low footprint, and supports advanced security features. Ubuntu Core is widely used in various IoT applications, including robotics, smart homes, and gateways.

Livepatch Service: Ubuntu Pro includes the Livepatch service, which eliminates the need for unplanned maintenance windows by patching the Linux kernel while the system runs. It reduces downtime and ensures continuous service with automatic kernel security hotfixes without rebooting.

Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM): Ubuntu offers security maintenance for the entire collection of software packages shipped with Ubuntu, providing continuous vulnerability management for critical, high, and medium CVEs. It includes security updates and kernel livepatching for high and critical CVEs, offering 10 years of security coverage for Ubuntu LTS releases.

Ubuntu Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Ubuntu Linux is a Linux-based operating system for personal computers, tablets and smartphones. There is also a Server version which is used on physical or virtual servers in the data center.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 8.6.

The most common users of Ubuntu are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(294)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Ubuntu Linux is a versatile operating system that has found its place in a wide range of industries and applications. Organizations across various sectors rely on Ubuntu for their internal applications, hosting servers, local development workstations, and virtual machines. The platform provides a consistent and efficient platform for development and IT departments, ensuring seamless deployment and maintenance of workstations and servers. Additionally, Ubuntu's popularity extends to data science projects, where it serves as an ideal choice for web app deployment.

Many users appreciate Ubuntu's maturity and robust community support, making it their preferred operating system for Machine Learning Engineering needs. Ubuntu's extensive support for Machine Learning packages further solidifies its position as the go-to solution for organizations requiring such capabilities. Moreover, Ubuntu finds application in specific system requirements in clouds and proof-of-concept projects, where it is used in virtual machines and servers.

Ubuntu's appeal transcends organizational needs as well. Many professionals and employees prefer Ubuntu over other operating systems for work purposes, allowing them to have a diverse fleet of devices for testing and bug isolation. Engineers benefit from Ubuntu's streamlined automated deployment capabilities for applications and client apps. Furthermore, Ubuntu shines when it comes to serving as web servers, database servers, and various other servers within organizations.

Ubuntu Linux stands out as a stable platform with strong community support, making it the main driver for desktops in many scenarios. Its popularity is rooted in providing a reliable base with long-term support releases, accessibility for new users, easy package management, and a dedicated user base. The advantages of Ubuntu extend beyond desktop use; it is commonly chosen as an operating system for web servers in the Amazon cloud and virtualized instances in corporate networks.

The versatility of Ubuntu Linux becomes evident when considering its varied applications across multiple industries. It is leveraged as the primary operating system for multimedia rooms to manage AV materials and handle streaming video or television recording. Additionally, Ubuntu finds purpose in open-source solutions, security purposes, and other appropriate Linux situations. Telephony platforms also benefit from Ubuntu's dependable platform, which facilitates the rapid deployment of telephony integrations and web apps while ensuring granular security access to telephony components.

Educational and research institutions embrace Ubuntu Linux for its compatibility with artificial intelligence, programming, robotics, and embedded systems. Furthermore, it is utilized effectively in high-stakes testing, finance, and software development sectors due to its intuitive interface and ease of learning. Ubuntu's lightweight nature, wide software and hardware support, and a large user base make it a preferred choice in various sectors, including high-stakes testing, finance, and software development.

In addition to its wide range of applications, Ubuntu Linux has proven to be a cost-effective solution for both desktop and laptop usage. It offers superior performance and compatibility with Windows and Mac OS, making it an attractive option for individuals seeking an alternative operating system. Ubuntu's lightweight nature allows it to breathe new life into older hardware by providing a modern interface, improved responsiveness, and access to open-source applications.

Notably, Ubuntu Linux serves as a reliable and affordable server platform for businesses. It is commonly used for running important software packages, such as web servers, VPN servers, file servers, and other server appliances. Its stability and modern software versions make it an ideal choice for organizations in need of dependable setup and maintenance.

Ubuntu Linux also thrives in the field of software development. It is widely utilized by developers for various tasks ranging from individual application development to test and production servers. With its developer-friendly features and intuitive interface, Ubuntu simplifies the development process and meets the requirements of software developers effectively.

Moreover, Ubuntu Linux finds application in specific use cases such as multi-tier backup implementations, web server testing, network monitoring, wikis, hosting websites, VPN servers, and more. Its robust capabilities make it an indispensable tool for researchers engaged in computationally intensive work.

Overall, Ubuntu Linux continues to gain popularity due to its versatility across multiple industries and its ability to solve various computing needs. With its stable platform, strong community support, wide range of applications, and cost-effectiveness, Ubuntu offers users a reliable operating system that enhances productivity and extends the lifespan of devices.

Efficient and Resourceful: Users have consistently praised Ubuntu Linux for its efficiency and resourcefulness, allowing them to extend the life of aging hardware and meet smaller demands such as word processing and web browsing. Several users have stated that Ubuntu has helped them save money by eliminating the need for expensive hardware upgrades.

Large Support Community: The vast user base of Ubuntu has resulted in a large support community that is easily accessible. Many users appreciate the convenience of being able to gather information and find solutions to their requirements through web searches. This active support community has been a valuable resource for troubleshooting issues and finding answers quickly.

Stability and Reliability: Ubuntu Linux is highly regarded for its stability and reliability, with many users noting that they rarely encounter bugs or issues. This consistent performance has provided peace of mind to users, particularly those working on professional projects that require a stable environment.

Confusing User Interface: Many users have expressed frustration with the confusing user interface of Ubuntu Linux, stating that it makes tasks cumbersome and difficult to navigate. The lack of intuitive design and inconsistent placement of settings and options have been major pain points for users.

Challenging App Store Search Function: Numerous users have mentioned that the app store search function in Ubuntu barely works, making it extremely challenging to find and install desired software. Users often struggle with inaccurate search results or an inability to locate specific applications, resulting in a frustrating experience.

Lack of Support for Popular Middleware like cPanel: Some users consider the absence of support for popular middleware like cPanel as a drawback. This limitation restricts their ability to easily manage websites or servers using familiar tools, forcing them to explore alternative solutions or adapt to different interfaces.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 39)
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Subhan Raj | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
It's better than macOS and Windows, while the Kali Linux was made for different purposes, so there can't be a head to head comparison between Kali and Ubuntu. As far as the macOS and Windows, the Ubuntu is better, first, it's a FOSS software, and second, it has better support for development.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Ubuntu Linux has the best packages useful to develop projects that require high data processing and agility
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Other alternatives for Ubuntu are Windows, Mac, Fedora, Mint Linux, Debian etc. While Ubuntu is free to use, Windows is an expensive OS, while for Mac you need to buy expensive Apple Hardware. I haven't had the chance to use other distributions of Linux, but as far as I know, Ubuntu is the easiest and most intuitive to use.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
So the main reason behind selecting Ubuntu among others was the easy implementation of services in it. Apart from that, as compared to other Linux its GUI is far more better to use and learn. The support of Debian packages and other software implementations are also great in it.
May 10, 2021

Power User OS

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Ubuntu Linux gives the user more control over the workings of the computer and provides fewer interruptions to a productive workday. It also does not intrude with long updates constantly for dubious features for a work environment. Long term support also means that the hardware can work for longer in a consistent state.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Sometimes I also use Linux CentOS but Ubuntu Linux is widely used, so software and other debugging guides are easily available on the web for Ubuntu Linux. It's also very easy to install Ubuntu Linux on new system and have it running in no time. Also, graphics of Ubuntu Linux are improving in new releases, and that's a good thing.
Gaurav Masand | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Ubuntu Linux was preferred over Windows because
  • Lots of customizable options make it easy to control running processes
  • Deployment of applications and micro services is easy when integrated with Docker, and Docker itself is not easy to use with Windows
  • Applications are easily scalable in case of traffic surge or drop
April 13, 2021

Ubuntu as a developer

Balázs Kiss | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
A viable, free, widely used alternative to any modern operating systems on the market. Ubuntu [Linux] is constantly improved, has an enormous user base, a very good community. It's one of the most advanced Linux distributions of today, and can be highly customized to the point that almost any requirement can be filled with it.
Mauricio E Gleizer | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Windows 10: Expensive, with more security problems, more difficult to keep updated and less variety of free / open source applications. Its use encourages bad information security practices.
OpenSuse Linux: A different distribution at source (Suse Linux), use of rpm packages (with fewer repositories and incompatible with Ubuntu Linux dpkg packages), and whose main objective is to be a "testing ground" for its paid version / professional, SUSE enterprise Linux.
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We chose Ubuntu largely because of the large user base and because desktop setups can be easy to learn for people used to Windows computers and, of course, other distributions of Linux. Not a single one of the people we work with has had formal education or training with computers, so it is essential that the operating system(s) we use be easy to use. Ubuntu suits us particularly for that reason: it even has a great deal of printed information available.
For security purposes, we tested Kali Linux as well, but found that, for our purposes, Kali Linux did not offer enough advantages. Our first candidate was Red Hat Enterprise Linux, but we wanted to stick to completely open source software.
For end users, Windows Server would have been the most familiar, but we were not able to afford it and most of the users of the software we rely upon most, Moodle, use some Linux distribution, so we stuck with Ubuntu Linux. We were also not able to afford the licensing for Windows and were not able to plan for any price increases or changes in licensing that may come along. We found Linux versions most flexible and useful for the plans we have made.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I've used other Linux distributions like Debian, Mint, Suse, Slackware, and others. I also ran OpenBSD as my primary OS for more than 3 years. We maintain FreeBSD based servers as well. Other than Debian, the supported hardware and packages doesn't seem as good as with Ubuntu Linux.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We mainly chose Ubuntu Linux for its broad compatibility and package availability. Where we have a choice we prefer to deploy software on a Linux platform rather than Windows. Ubuntu is supported by our backup software and we find that updates typically complete without errors. Support has been good when we have needed them, although I can say the same for Red Hat as well, our previous distribution. We do use Suse and CentOS for some appliances where we do not have the choice of distribution. I have found those to be serviceable as well, although we don't have the latitude for package install or patching as much with them as with Ubuntu Linux.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
SUSE is a European-based Linux system company, I have used it extensively over a couple of months and it's stable. I have always loved CentOS and for the past 4 years, I have used this OS as my primary workstation OS. You just don't need to reboot the system ever, it just is so so stable. I would definitely recommend this over Ubuntu, however, it is a bit heavier on memory than Ubuntu. So even if you compare all of these guys, I would say Ubuntu is just smoother than all of the above OS, however, stability wise, CentOS wins.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We compared against Windows 10, Manjaro, and Fedora. Windows 10 lost on cost, and even usability versus Ubuntu. Manjaro and Fedora are both bleeding edge, providing great features but lacking the stability offered by Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the best of both worlds for us, providing us a clean modern interface and still being stable and well tested enough to use as the main driver for the majority of our employees.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Prior to selecting Ubuntu Linux, we looked at CentOS Linux. Obviously, both are distributions of Linux, with Ubuntu hailing from the Debian lineage, where CentOS is derived from RHEL. Ultimately, we decided on Ubuntu because it's a bit more user-friendly. However, we could have just as easily gone with CentOS due to its ability to leverage RHEL packages as necessary.
Christian Shaheen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
If I had to pick one server OS to use forever it would be Windows but I'm glad I don't have to do that because these are both great OSes. Ubuntu has many strengths such as being free, it's package management system, and its ability to seemingly run forever if left untouched. Windows, on the other hand, does many things that Ubuntu has struggled with for years such as a quality user interface, simple file server services, simple file management, and, of course, compatibility.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We chose Ubuntu because it has lower licensing fees and better free support. We like Debian-based distributions in general, and Ubuntu in particular. Other Debian-based distros we use include Kali and Mint. We've also done trials on Fedora on the desktop, but found that Ubuntu made more sense and was easier to support.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
While the major Linux releases are all fairly mature and stable, I find Ubuntu to be the release I turn to the most. It has a consistent look and feel that spans across the various versions of Ubuntu, which I really like. It is easy to install and configure, and updates are easy.
Leonel Quinteros | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Historically Ubuntu has been one step forward from Red Hat and CentOS distributions about software versions and tools usability. In the last years they've caught up and it's very comparable, but at this point, my decision was already made and I will continue choosing Ubuntu, even when I work with many CentOS instances across organizations. Windows Server is a niche option for me now. It only makes sense for LAN servers to use Active Directory and deploy Windows workstations across an organization. Other than that, even Microsoft is pushing .NET Core to run on any platform, so there is no reason to host .NET software on Windows Servers anymore.
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