Ubuntu Linux vs Windows 10 comparison

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35,318 views|32,095 comparisons
95% willing to recommend
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15,821 views|8,068 comparisons
90% willing to recommend
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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Ubuntu Linux and Windows 10 based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Operating Systems (OS) for Business solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows 10 Report (Updated: March 2024).
772,127 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution is flexible and user-friendly.""One of the most valuable features of Ubuntu Linux is how easy it is to manage. We have some monitoring solutions, so those applications are running on top of Ubuntu. So far, the applications are running in a way that's very stable, compared to other Linux versions and flavors. In terms of redundancy and the command line, it's very easy to manage.""Ubuntu doesn't use a lot of resources. So I think that's pretty cool. It's totally like Microsoft.""It has a nice user interface and provides frequent updates.""If there is a virus going into the network, it has to pass through an Ubuntu server, which can't be infected by the virus. So, there are less viruses on our systems.""Stability of our systems has only improved since moving from CentOS to Ubuntu LTS.""The main distinguishing feature between Ubuntu and other Linux distribution is that Ubuntu has excelled at user-friendliness. It's very easy to use.""As we have repositories in my country, the ease of use and the open source nature of the solution are valuable features."

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"The solution is scalable. If an organization needs to expand it out, they shouldn't run into issues doing so.""The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is easy to use, making it a user-friendly product.""It's quite simple to install. I don't think that it's a problem. It takes maybe half an hour or less to install. It depends on the specs of the PC and what you need to do in advance, like backing up your drives. At most, it takes an hour.""Windows is so widely used that almost every problem has been encountered by someone else. There are usually multiple solutions or workarounds available online. So, in that sense, the support is pretty good.""Windows 10 is easy to use.""Windows 10 is easier for people to learn than other alternative solutions. Microsoft has been doing a very good job recently with updates and integrations, such as the collaboration with Ubuntu.""The best thing about Windows 10 is that you can run anything on it.""The solution overall works well."

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Cons
"We'd like to have a bit more of a friendly user interface.""In general, Windows is easier to use and friendlier to deal with than Ubuntu.""There are some drivers that are not there encoded, however, I thought that was pretty normal. They could be more comprehensive.""Better integration between the interface of the software and the operating system itself would be a benefit in the future.""The solution is not user-friendly in comparison with Windows.""The user interface needs to be more user-friendly.""The product must enable automation using AI.""Lacks the ability for disk expansion."

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"I have some challenges with the search box. It's a good tool, but sometimes there are some problems. For example, I can't find an application that I installed earlier.""Could be easier to manage and use.""The solution’s security and stability could be improved.""The solution could improve in security, we use a third-party antivirus solution to keep it secure.""We'd always be happier if the enterprise version was a little bit lower in price.""In the beginning, the system froze a few times.""While the stability is okay, it could always be better.""The solution should offer a bit of an easier integration with authentication methods, like FIDO or FIDO2 authentication with the USB-C. They should try to simplify the process of authenticating the user. Nobody wants to remember thousands of passwords."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "​Old equipment works for at least two or three years more, which means a significant savings.​"
  • "I use the free version, so I don't have any license fees."
  • "It's an open-source solution that can be used free of charge."
  • "It is not a very expensive solution."
  • "Ubuntu pricing is reasonable."
  • "It is open source, so it is free. There is no licensing fee."
  • "It is a free product."
  • "Ubuntu is an open-source Linux operating system that can be used free of charge."
  • More Ubuntu Linux Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Windows 10 is licensed. It was included with the purchase of my laptop."
  • "For my home computer it's a lifetime license, only purchased once."
  • "I think it is fair. I haven't bought it on my own because our laptops are from the company, and our company pays for it."
  • "Windows 10 came with the computer when I bought it, so it was already licensed."
  • "The basic operating system of any hardware should be free. Therefore, it should be free. They should charge only for the enterprise level or enabling the hypervisor. They should charge for Professional Windows 10, but the basic OS should be free."
  • "I have never bought this solution myself, I generally get it with my Notebook for free. I think they are competitively priced at this moment."
  • "When we purchase a new machine, it comes with it, and we don't pay separately for the license."
  • "This solution could definitely be a little cheaper."
  • More Windows 10 Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very… more »
    Top Answer: It has a good support system for loading databases.
    Top Answer:The product must provide AI features in future releases.
    Top Answer:The solution is the back-end operating system for almost all my activities. I use it to connect with the client network and open the files in the system.
    Ranking
    Views
    35,318
    Comparisons
    32,095
    Reviews
    23
    Average Words per Review
    441
    Rating
    8.9
    Views
    15,821
    Comparisons
    8,068
    Reviews
    42
    Average Words per Review
    310
    Rating
    8.3
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Ubuntu
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    Canonical
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    Overview

    Ubuntu Linux is an powerful, easy-to-use, customizable, free, and safe open-source operating system. Some of the world’s top tech corporations, like Intel and Microsoft, rely on Ubuntu Linux to power their operations. It is an operating system that is so trusted by the tech community that it comes pre-installed on global computer vendors like HP and Dell. It is therefore little wonder that Ubuntu Desktop is the world’s most widely-used Linux workstation platform.

    Ubuntu Linux comes in a variety of derivatives that enable organizations to select the operating system type that will best meet their needs. There are four derivative types and a number of flavors. The derivative types are:

    1. Ubuntu Desktop. As indicated by the name, this derivative is specifically designed to run on laptops and desktops. That said, it is a solution that can be and is used to power other hardware-based systems, such as servers and data centers. However, without the addition of software that primes it to serve as a server program, it only functions on desktops and, as a result, only runs applications that are meant for general use. These can include applications like web browsers and multimedia programs. Users can install it through a prompt-driven process that plays out on their graphical user interfaces.

    2. Ubuntu Server. This version of Ubuntu differs from Ubuntu Desktop in a number of ways. The first is that, as suggested by the product name, it is designed for use on an organization’s servers. It is for this reason that Ubuntu Server supports applications that are more focused on the operations of the server and the network that it runs. This differs from Ubuntu Desktop in that Desktop is basically only concerned with the device that is running it. Their methods of installation also differ, as Ubuntu Server has no graphical user interface. Instead, it is installed by way of a process-driven menu.

    3. Ubuntu Core. Ubuntu Core is a stripped-down version of Linux that is specifically designed to handle embedded device projects.

    4. Ubuntu Cloud. The designers of Ubuntu Cloud focused on providing users with a highly secure and versatile operating system that they can run on the public cloud.

    Ubuntu Linux Benefits

    Some of the ways that organizations can benefit by deploying Ubuntu Linux’s open-source operating system include:

    • Ease of installation and use. Ubuntu Linux is simple for beginners to install and then use. Anyone who has some knowledge of computer systems should be able to deploy Ubuntu Linux. The user interface is as simple to use as those available to users of Windows or macOS.
    • Customization. Users of Ubuntu Linux have access to many different flavors of the operating system. This enables them to customize it so that it best meets their operational needs.
    • Operational flexibility. Users can install Ubuntu Linux onto a wide variety of device types. Windows and Mackintosh computers and devices are both fully compatible with this operating system.

    Ubuntu Linux Features

    • Data security. Ubuntu Linux employs various security practices and features that enable users to safeguard their data against malware attacks.
    • Applications. Users have access to a wide variety of applications that can easily be downloaded for use on Ubuntu.

    • Hardware autoconfiguration. The hardware drivers that users need in order to configure the hardware correctly so that Ubuntu Linux can be properly installed come built -in to the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Ubuntu Linux is an operating system that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Two of its major advantages are the high level of security that it offers applications that run on it and the low level of maintenance that it actually requires system administrators to do once it has been deployed.

    Franco P., the founder and CEO of Applied Labs, writes, “When you have this relationship with Linux and you start working with very secure environments, there's less possibility of being directly attacked by a group of hackers. You will lose less data and you will have a more reliable ecosystem.”

    The principal cloud architect at a wholesaler and distributor writes, “With Ubuntu Linux, you can set it and forget it. It requires a low amount of administrative overhead.

    Windows 10 is one of Microsoft’s most advanced operating systems for personal computers (PCs), tablets, and other similar devices. To date this operating system is active on more than 1.3 billion personal computers worldwide.

    Windows 10 has many features that make it arguably the most popular operating system for PCs on the planet. Included in these are a wealth of security features designed to stop malware from compromising both devices and networks. It has integrations for various multifactor authentication as well as non-password-reliant login technologies such as iris scanning. These keep networks safe from the moment that a user logs in. It also has security tools which not only identify, isolate, and remove threats, but also limit the damage that they can cause.

    Benefits of Windows 10

    Some of the benefits of using Windows 10 include:

    • A wide array of security features that proactively protect your system from malware of all kinds. The Windows Defender Exploit Guard feature constantly scans your system’s background for threats. It identifies, isolates, and removes the malware from your infected network. It can also quarantine infected devices to stave off an outbreak of infection across your network.
    • Allows you to browse the web in a way that protects your network from cyber-threats, enabling you to browse the internet from the confines of a virtual machine. If your device becomes infected, the malware will be unable to spread beyond the virtual machine that it has already infected.
    • The ability to synchronize multiple devices so that you can work from anywhere at any time. Windows 10’s Timeline feature enables you to save your work in a Microsoft application. You can then access this saved work on another Windows 10 device and continue from wherever you left off.

    Reviews from Real Users

    The Windows 10 operating system stands out from the competition for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its ability to secure users from digital threats and its main app management screen, which gives users the ability to easily manage their applications.

    One PeerSpot user who is the founder, president, and COO at an analyst firm, noted Windows 10’s impressive security suite when they wrote, “My impression is that the security via Windows Defender is good enough that I no longer feel a need for another third-party security solution, which had always been the case in the past. I think that perception still holds true.”

    Mike K., a collaboration specialist at a comms service provider, takes note of the main app management screen when he writes, “I like the main window pane where you can sort your mostly used and different types of apps, such as OneDrive, Google Chrome, and Access. I can just open up the main window, and those apps are right there at my fingertips.”

    Sample Customers
    Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
    Information Not Available
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company18%
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company13%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Educational Organization9%
    University9%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Manufacturing Company12%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company12%
    Educational Organization9%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    Government8%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business49%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise37%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise59%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business40%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise39%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise58%
    Buyer's Guide
    Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows 10
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows 10 and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    772,127 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Ubuntu Linux is ranked 2nd in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 133 reviews while Windows 10 is ranked 7th in Operating Systems (OS) for Business with 258 reviews. Ubuntu Linux is rated 8.6, while Windows 10 is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Ubuntu Linux writes "A stable and free solution that is easy to deploy and has a user-friendly GUI". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Windows 10 writes "User-friendly, easy to setup and manage domain ". Ubuntu Linux is most compared with Rocky Linux, Oracle Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Windows Server and Flatcar Container Linux, whereas Windows 10 is most compared with Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Oracle Solaris, openSUSE Leap and Rocky Linux. See our Ubuntu Linux vs. Windows 10 report.

    See our list of best Operating Systems (OS) for Business vendors.

    We monitor all Operating Systems (OS) for Business reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.