While Windows and macOS are the most widely used desktop operating systems, they don't offer much in the way of personalisation. Linux, on the other hand, is a fully customisable OS, allowing you to tailor your software to your liking. However, it's not that simple. Linux is a blanket term for a group of popular and versatile operating systems, or distros, and knowing where to begin can be complicated, even for the most seasoned of developers. The Linux Kernel is built on the open source foundation, which has proved to be extremely popular with developers and engineers. This is partly because they can tweak and share the code it's built with giving Linux more of an ongoing collaborative feel. As such, there are different versions of the software which are known as 'distros' (short for distributions). Regardless of the distro you use, however, it still uses the same fundamental Linux code structure. Distros are incredibly lightweight and can be launched from a CD or USB using your computer's BIOS instead of uninstalling your usual OS. All that's left to ask is which Linux distro to use? There are many to chose from and we've pulled together some of the best available today, to help you pick the one that suits you best. The key point is that regardless of the distro you use, it will still use the same fundamental Linux code structure and, given the sheer variety of distros, there's bound to be something that will appeal to your needs - so long as the distro is still being updated.

Most distros are also incredibly lightweight and can be launched from a CD or USB using your computer's BIOS, rather than having to uninstall your current OS. This means that you can safely test out the Linux distro at any time, before restarting your machine to revert back to your old OS. That then raises the question of what Linux distro to choose. With so many to choose from, we've rounded up some of the more accomplished distros available today to help you decide which will suit your needs best. Best desktop distros Desktop PCs are where Linux first got started, and it's here that it maintains the largest and most vibrant fanbase. If you're looking to make a change from the two main desktop software providers, these are the best all-purpose distros. Zorin OS Zorin OS is based upon the Ubuntu distribution, meaning it's compatible with everything Ubuntu works with, including all the libraries and repositories used by the Linux distro. Zorin OS it's an increasingly popular way of getting Linux on machines because it features a graphical installation process UI, making it easier for newbies to get up and running with the alternative OS. Some have even compared it to the closest alternative to the Windows OS, that will come as a welcome relief to those a little nervous about jumping ship. And for those that love a bit of personalisation, Zorin OS also ships with a theme changer that allows you to change some of the colours and styles of icons and the desktop. Download here Elementary OS Linux has a bit of a reputation for focusing on function over form, and having a basic, unattractive look. While this is undoubtedly true of some distros, some look downright gorgeous. Elementary OS is one such example, combining a macOS-style aesthetic with a chic minimalist approach.

The distro comes with a minimum of pre-installed apps, but also features its own storefront for downloading software. Some of these apps are paid-for, but many are offered for free, or on a pay-what-you-want system. Download here Arch Linux No list of the best Linux distros would be complete without mentioning Arch, widely considered to be the distro of choice for Linux veterans. One of the reason it's so popular, however, is that it's very complex, requiring a large amount of technical know-how to properly set up and configure. It also doesn't give you much to work with. The Arch packages provide the bare bones of the operating system - there isn't even a graphical desktop environment included with it. You can install any desktop you like over the top of it (along with all sorts of other groovy software and tools) but Arch itself is pared down to the bone. Download here Ubuntu Ubuntu is by far the best known Linux distro, and with good reason. Canonical, its creator, has put a lot of work into making Ubuntu feel as slick and polished as Windows or macOS, which has resulted in it becoming one of the best-looking distros available. Ubuntu is compatible with a huge range of hardware and software, and Canonical makes sure it's kept regularly updated. It's the closest thing Linux has to a 'mainstream' distro, suitable for both personal and business use. Download here Mint While Linux Mint is actually based on Ubuntu, there are some differences. For starters, Mint's desktop environment is reminiscent of older Windows versions like Windows 7 and Windows XP, while Ubuntu is more minimalistic and Apple-esque. There's also the issue that while Ubuntu is backed by Canonical, Mint is entirely operated and maintained by the community, through individual volunteers, partner companies and corporate sponsors. This means that support for Mint may be slightly less reliable than with other distros.

Download here Fedora If you want to be at the absolute bleeding edge of Linux, then Fedora is the distro for you. New technologies are integrated into the software as soon as possible, resulting in some of the most innovative features of any distro. It even boasts Linus Torvalds - creator of the Linux kernel - as a user. The downside of this is that support cycles are short - Fedora versions are only supported for one month after the launch of the next-but-one version, with around six months between version launches. The upgrading process is generally painless however and doesn't require full re-installation. Download here Best enterprise server distros Desktop PCs might be where Linux is most popular, but its use in business servers is one of the main reasons that open source software still makes money. These are the best distros to put at the heart of your datacenter. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Red Hat Enterprise Linux - or RHEL, for short - is the company's server-based operating system. While it's offered to developers for free, Red Hat makes its money selling support services and subscriptions to companies that want to implement the software in production environments. As Red Hat's primary product, it's kept regularly updated with new features and security patches. With recent releases in particular, the company has been ramping up support for cloud services, containers and automation. Download here SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Much like RHEL, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is an open-source Linux distro that's specifically targeting business and datacenter use-cases. As such, integration, compliance and interoperability are high on the list of priorities. SUSE is also investing in software-defined networking and storage, as well as cloud tools like OpenStack. As with Red Hat, the software itself is free, while associated support contracts are charged. Download here Debian Rather than corporate-run Linux distributions like RHEL and SLES, Debian is primarily operated by the Linux community. This makes it somewhat more flexible than its business-focused counterparts.