• Home Page, Headlines
 • DW Weekly, Comments
 • Packages, Package Management
 • Glossary, FAQ, Mobile Site
 • Search, Sitemap
 • Major Distributions
 • Submit Distribution
 • Upcoming Releases
 • About DistroWatch
 • Beginner's Guide
 • Torrents, Page Hit Ranking
 • Advertise

elementary OS RSS Feed DistroWatch.com: elementary OS

elementary OS


Last Update: 2026-02-28 00:43 UTC


elementary OS is an Ubuntu-based desktop distribution. Some of its more interesting features include a custom desktop environment called Pantheon and many custom apps including Photos, Music, Videos, Calendar, Terminal, Files, and more. It also comes with some familiar apps like the Epiphany web browser and a fork of Geary mail.

Popularity (hits per day): 12 months: 19 (554), 6 months: 19 (563), 3 months: 21 (533), 4 weeks: 27 (448), 1 week: 36 (458)

Average visitor rating: 5.1/10 from 175 review(s).


elementary Summary
Distribution elementary OS
Home Page https://elementary.io/
Mailing Lists --
User Forums --
Alternative User Forums MastodonDiscord
Documentation https://elementary.io/docs/learning-the-basics
Screenshots DistroWatch Gallery
Screencasts
Download Mirrors https://elementary.io/DistroWatch Torrent Archive
Bug Tracker https://bugs.launchpad.net/elementary
Related Websites GitHub
Reviews 8.x: Diolinux (Portuguese) • FOSS ForceLinux JournalDistroWatchFOSS Force
7.x: MichlFranken (German) • DistroWatchMichlFranken (German)
6.x: DistroWatchHeise (German)
5.x: DistroWatchCMS CriticLinux JournalDistroWatchHeise (German)
0.4: DedoimedoDistroWatchThe Tao of MacDedoimedo
0.3: DistroWatchLinux.com
0.2: Pro-Linux (German) • derStandard (German) • BinaryTidesWordpressLWNLinux Za Sve (Croatian) • WEB UP8LinuxBSDosWordpress
0.1: DedoimedoLWNBlogspotTech Drive-inMuyComputer (Spanish) • OMG! Ubuntu!
Where To Donate, Buy or Try https://store.elementary.io/The Linux Shop

Recent Related News and Releases
  Releases announcements with download links and checksums:
 • 2025-12-22: Distribution Release: elementary OS 8.1
 • 2025-03-19: Distribution Release: elementary OS 8.0.1
 • 2024-11-26: Distribution Release: elementary OS 8.0
 • 2023-10-03: Distribution Release: elementary OS 7.1
 • 2023-01-31: Distribution Release: elementary OS 7.0
 • 2021-12-20: Distribution Release: elementary OS 6.1
 • 2021-08-10: Distribution Release: elementary OS 6.0
 • 2021-06-16: Development Release: elementary OS 6.0 Beta 2
 • 2021-05-01: Development Release: elementary OS 6.0 Beta
 • 2020-05-02: Distribution Release: elementary OS 5.1.4
 • 2020-02-07: Distribution Release: elementary OS 5.1.2
 • 2019-12-03: Distribution Release: elementary OS 5.1
 • More elementary releases...

  Headlines:
 • 2025-02-26 elementary seeks new ideas
 • 2024-02-07 elementary OS 8 to split system and application updates
 • 2023-11-07 elementary OS outlines plans for version 8
 • 2023-07-07 elementary OS introduces new warnings in software centre to protect privacy
 • 2023-04-06 elementary OS improves sideloading experience
 • 2023-03-06 elementary OS offers new file manager and network widget improvements
 • 2022-12-02 elementary OS team fixes delta updates
 • 2022-11-04 elementary provides Flatpak, GNOME updates
 • 2022-10-06 elementary OS fixes Gala regressions, introduces software centre features
 • 2022-09-07 elementary OS explores responsive designs
 • More elementary headlines...

Table Notes and Explanations

(Please refer to the table below.)
  • Select view:
  • To compare the software in this project to the software available in other distributions, please see our Compare Packages page.
  • Notes: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The Apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "plasma-desktop" package and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.
  • Colour scheme: green text = latest stable version, red text = development or beta version. The function determining beta versions is not 100% reliable due to a wide variety of versioning schemes.
TUXEDO
TUXEDO Computers

TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!

Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.

*NEW* NovaCustom
TUXEDO Computers

NovaCustom PrivacyGuard Laptops - Escape from Big Tech

The NovaCustom PrivacyGuard Laptop is ideal for anyone who prioritizes privacy. Comes with Dasharo coreboot open source firmware and Zorin OS Pro, free from influence of Big Tech.

Star Labs

Star Labs Systems | Laptops designed for Linux

Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.


Advertisement


Feature 8.1.1
circe
7.1
horus
6.1
jolnir
6.0
odin
5.1.7
hera
5.0
juno
0.4.1
loki
0.3.2
freya
0.2
luna
0.1
jupiter
Feature
Release Date 2026-02-27 2023-10-03 2021-12-20 2021-08-10 2020-08-14 2018-10-16 2017-05-17 2015-12-09 2013-08-11 2011-04-01 Release Date
End Of Life                     End Of Life
Price (US$) Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Price (US$)
Image Size (MB) 3100-3200 2600-2700 2200-2300 2200-2300 1400-1500 1400-1500 1000-1100       Image Size (MB)
Free Download ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO Free Download
Installation elementary Installer elementary Installer elementary Installer elementary Installer Ubiquity Ubiquity Ubiquity Ubiquity Ubiquity Ubiquity Installation
Default Desktop Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon Pantheon GNOME Default Desktop
Default Browser Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Epiphany Default Browser
Package Format deb, flatpak deb, flatpak deb, flatpak deb, flatpak deb, flatpak deb deb deb deb deb Package Format
Package Management apt apt apt apt apt apt apt apt apt apt Package Management
Release Model Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Release Model
Office Suite -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- GOffice Office Suite
Processor Architecture x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 i386, x86_64 i386, x86_64 i386 Processor Architecture
Init Software systemd systemd systemd systemd systemd systemd systemd Upstart Upstart Upstart Init Software
Journaled File Systems Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Btrfs, ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS ext4, JFS, ReiserFS, XFS Journaled File Systems
Multilingual Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes         Multilingual
Full Package List 8.1.1 7.1 6.1 6.0 5.1.7 5.0 0.4.1 0.3.2 0.2 0.1 Full Package List
Package 8.1.1
circe
7.1
horus
6.1
jolnir
6.0
odin
5.1.7
hera
5.0
juno
0.4.1
loki
0.3.2
freya
0.2
luna
0.1
jupiter
Package
alsa-lib (1.2.15.3) 1.2.11 1.2.6 1.2.2 1.2.2 1.1.3 1.1.3 1.1.0 1.0.27.2 1.0.25 1.0.23 alsa-lib (1.2.15.3)
amdgpu (25.0.0) 23.0.0 22.0.0 19.1.0 19.1.0 19.1.0 18.0.1 -- -- -- 8.780 amdgpu (25.0.0)
apparmor (5.0.0) 4.0.1 3.0.4 2.13.3 2.13.3 2.12 2.12 2.10.95 2.8.95 2.7.102 -- apparmor (5.0.0)
apt (3.3.0) 2.8.3 2.4.10 2.0.6 2.0.6 1.6.12 1.6.3 1.2.20 1.0.1 0.8.16 0.8.3 apt (3.3.0)
bash (5.3) 5.2.21 5.1 5.0 5.0 4.4.18 4.4.18 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.1 bash (5.3)
bind (9.20.22) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- bind (9.20.22)
chromium (148.0.7778.167) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- chromium (148.0.7778.167)
cinnamon (6.6.8) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- cinnamon (6.6.8)
cups (2.4.19) 2.4.7 2.4.1 2.3.1 2.3.1 2.2.7 2.2.7 2.1.3 1.7.2 1.5.3 1.4.4 cups (2.4.19)
e2fsprogs (1.47.4) 1.47.0 1.46.5 1.45.5 1.45.5 1.44.1 1.44.1 1.42.13 1.42.9 1.42 1.41.12 e2fsprogs (1.47.4)
ffmpeg (8.1.1) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ffmpeg (8.1.1)
firefox (150.0.3) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 42.0 -- -- firefox (150.0.3)
flatpak (1.16.6) 1.14.6 1.12.7 1.12.2 1.10.2 1.6.3 -- -- -- -- -- flatpak (1.16.6)
freetype (2.14.3) 2.13.2 2.11.1 2.10.1 2.10.1 2.8.1 2.8.1 2.6.1 2.5.2 2.4.8 2.4.2 freetype (2.14.3)
gcc (16.1.0) -- -- -- -- -- 7.3.0 5.3.1 4.8.2 4.6.3 4.4.4 gcc (16.1.0)
gimp (3.2.4) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- gimp (3.2.4)
git (2.54.0) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- git (2.54.0)
glibc (2.43) 2.39 2.35 2.31 2.31 2.27 2.27 2.23 2.19 2.15 2.12.1 glibc (2.43)
gnome-shell (50.1) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- gnome-shell (50.1)
grub (2.14) 2.12 2.06 2.04 2.04 2.02 2.02 2.02beta2 2.02beta2 1.99 1.98 grub (2.14)
gtk (4.22.4) 4.14.5 4.6.9 3.24.20 3.24.20 3.22.30 3.22.30 3.18.9 3.14.15 3.4.2 2.22.0 gtk (4.22.4)
httpd (2.4.67) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- httpd (2.4.67)
inkscape (1.4.4) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- inkscape (1.4.4)
kmod (34.2) 31 29 27 27 24 24 22 15 -- -- kmod (34.2)
krita (6.0.1) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- krita (6.0.1)
LibreOffice (26.2.3) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- LibreOffice (26.2.3)
Package 8.1.1
circe
7.1
horus
6.1
jolnir
6.0
odin
5.1.7
hera
5.0
juno
0.4.1
loki
0.3.2
freya
0.2
luna
0.1
jupiter
Package
libselinux (3.10) 3.5 3.3 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.2.2 2.1.0 2.0.94 libselinux (3.10)
linux (7.0.8) 6.17 6.2 5.11 5.11 5.4 4.15 4.8 3.19 3.2 2.6.35 linux (7.0.8)
mariadb (12.2.2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- mariadb (12.2.2)
mate-desktop (1.28.2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- mate-desktop (1.28.2)
mesa (26.0.7) 25.2.8 23.0.4 21.0.3 21.0.3 20.0.8 18.0.5 12.0.6 10.5.9 9.0.3 7.9git mesa (26.0.7)
mysql (9.7.0) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- mysql (9.7.0)
nautilus (50.1) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2.32.2 nautilus (50.1)
NVIDIA (595.71.05) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 260.19.06 NVIDIA (595.71.05)
openjdk (26.0.1) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- openjdk (26.0.1)
openssh (10.3p1) 9.6p1 8.9p1 8.2p1 8.2p1 7.6p1 7.6p1 7.2p2 6.6p1 5.9p1 5.5p1 openssh (10.3p1)
openssl (4.0.0) 3.0.13 3.0.2 1.1.1f 1.1.1f 1.1.1 1.1.0g 1.0.2g 1.0.1f 1.0.1 0.9.8o openssl (4.0.0)
perl (5.42.2) 5.38.2 5.34.0 5.30.0 5.30.0 5.26.1 5.26.1 5.22.1 5.18.2 5.14.2 5.10.1 perl (5.42.2)
php (8.5.6) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- php (8.5.6)
plasma-desktop (6.6.5) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- plasma-desktop (6.6.5)
postfix (3.11.3) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- postfix (3.11.3)
postgresql (18.4) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- postgresql (18.4)
Python (3.14.5) 3.12.3 3.10.6 3.8.2 3.8.2 3.6.7 3.6.7 2.7.11 2.7.5 2.7.3 2.6.6 Python (3.14.5)
qt (6.11.1) 5.15.13 5.15.3 5.12.8 5.12.8 5.9.5 5.9.5 5.5.1 -- -- -- qt (6.11.1)
samba (4.24.2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4.1.6 3.6.3 3.5.4 samba (4.24.2)
systemd (260.1) 255.4 249.11 245.4 245.4 237 237 229 -- -- -- systemd (260.1)
thunderbird (150.0.2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- thunderbird (150.0.2)
vim (9.2) 9.1 8.2 8.1 8.1 8.0 8.0 7.4 7.4 7.3 -- vim (9.2)
vlc (3.0.23) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- vlc (3.0.23)
wayland (1.25.0) 1.22.0 1.20.0 1.18.0 1.18.0 1.16.0 1.14.0 1.9.0 1.6.0 -- -- wayland (1.25.0)
xfdesktop (4.20.2) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- xfdesktop (4.20.2)
xorg-server (21.1.22) 21.1.12 21.1.4 1.20.13 1.20.11 1.20.8 1.19.6 1.18.4 1.15.1 1.11.4 1.9.0 xorg-server (21.1.22)

Reader Ratings
Reader supplied reviews for elementary OS

Average rating
5.1
from 175 review(s)



What are your thoughts on elementary OS?
Please include a few pros and a few cons, along with your overall impression of the operating system.
Our FAQ page has tips on writing a good mini-review.

Version:

Rating:    out of 10

Your review (minimum 250 words):




Past reviews - sort by:

Version: 8.1.1
Rating: 4
Date: 2026-05-13
Country: Vietnam
Votes: 3


Aside from the interface syncing well with their own DE, I don't see anything particularly special. I have an AMD Radeon 520 Mobile, but eOS is only slightly better than some other distributions. The main difference is that it at least correctly identifies the GPU model, although it still fails to recognize the VRAM properly.

Furthermore, this is the worst overall distribution I've used in the last five years. Performance is slow, and applications often freeze. For example, when I'm using Brave and the terminal, then open another application like Resources, Resources freezes and I can't kill the process. The application simply becomes unstable.

If I restart the system while an app is frozen like that, eOS also freezes on the restart screen. Sometimes it even loops a short audio clip from an application I had already closed, repeating endlessly. Restarting again often causes the same freeze.

I probably should have reported these issues to the developers instead of writing all of this here, but the bugs and the overall lack of appeal of the distribution have been genuinely frustrating. At this point, there is nothing really motivating me to describe these problems to the developers in detail.


Was this review helpful? Yes No
Version: 8.1.1
Rating: 8
Date: 2026-05-12
Country: United States
Votes: 0


Installed on the Windows 11 work laptop we had inherited when they went belly up. Easy install and the interface is very clean and snappy. Installed R and RStudio outside of the App Home (flathub), but used the App Home for a bunch of other things I was really happy to see, including Jellyfin (media server) and Vassal (board gaming engine).

“It behaves as expected” is honestly some of the highest praise you can give a Linux distribution in this day and age. I wanted something simple, easy, and fast and elementary hits all these notes.

If you are coming from Windows, it’s almost certainly one of the easier transitions to make. The biggest adjustment would likely be using a browser that is much much better than what you are fleeing on Windows.


Was this review helpful? Yes No
Version: 8.1.1
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-24
Country: United States
Votes: 0


Haven't had any issues on my Lenovo laptop since installing it, it was a quick and easy install and my Laptop has been running 10x faster than windows 11 and honestly looks 10x better. I am currently trying to test it out on my ThinkCentre mini pc and seeing how it runs, will update the score if I feel any differently. I did have to swap out a couple of the apps like others have mentioned. Like Firefox and VLC and that's just because I am used to the ecosystem/GUI and has nothing to do with the usability of the preinstalled apps.


Was this review helpful? Yes No

See all 175 reader reviews of elementary OS...



Copyright © 2001 - 2026 Atea Ataroa Limited. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Privacy policy. Change privacy settings.
DistroWatch.com is hosted at Copenhagen.

Contact, corrections and suggestions: Jesse Smith

Tips: bc1qxes3k2wq3uqzr074tkwwjmwfe63z70gwzfu4lx
lnurl1dp68gurn8ghj7ampd3kx2ar0veekzar0wd5xjtnrdakj7tnhv4kxctttdehhwm30d3h82unvwqhhxarpw3jkc7tzw4ex6cfexyfua2nr
86fA3qPTeQtNb2k1vLwEQaAp3XxkvvvXt69gSG5LGunXXikK9koPWZaRQgfFPBPWhMgXjPjccy9LA9xRFchPWQAnPvxh5Le
PayPal.me/distrowPatreon.com/distrowatch