elementary OS vs Linux Mint
| elementary OS | Linux Mint | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | — | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Device types | PCs and Macs; Apple Silicon and Raspberry Pi devices are listed as ARM download targets | desktop computers, laptop computers |
| CPU architectures | Intel or AMD 64-bit; ARM 64-bit | — |
| Built-in management | AppCenter and System Settings provide app and OS updates; automatic OS updates can be enabled | Update Manager; centralized software updates |
| App compatibility | Curated AppCenter apps; Flatpak sideloading from third-party sources | Software manager; access to software packages; dual-boot installation alongside Windows |
| Deployment models | Installable on physical computers; ISO installation media; OEM installation and custom disk imaging | Installation on desktop and laptop computers; live USB |
| Support lifecycle | — | LTS releases are supported for 5 years; Linux Mint 22.3 is supported until April 2029. |
Both are listed in Best Operating Systems. On Inferse, elementary OS scores higher on our published basis.