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Ubuntu vs Windows 11: Essential Pros & Cons to Consider

12 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

The Windows 11 final version will be officially released soon, but many early adopters are testing the Windows Insider version, and we recently performed an in-depth review of Windows 11 build 22000.71.

Windows always had a rivalry with Linux, and we already comparedWindows 11 vs Linuxin one of our previous guides.

In today’s article, we’re going to compare Windows 11 with Ubuntu and see which is a better and more secure operating system.

Windows 11 vs Ubuntu, what are the main differences?

User interface

Windows11 comes with a fresh look that adds rounded corners to all user interface elements. Ubuntu does have some similarities withWindows11 since both have rounded corners for the user interface elements.

The new OS from Windowsmade some changes to the File Explorer so it looks more streamlined without any unnecessary clutter, so it’s somewhat similar to the file manager on Ubuntu in terms of appearance.

The dock on Ubuntu is located on the left side by default, but you can customize its position with ease, and you can even make it centered like onWindows11.

Sadly,Windows11 doesn’t offer much customization in this regard, since theTaskbar is locked in the bottom position, so you can’t move it like in previous versions ofWindows.

Start Menu has been revamped, it’s more streamlined and it shows only pinned apps and recently used files and apps. Of course, you can reveal all apps if you want to.

It’s worth mentioning thatWindows11 comes with a Snap featurethat lets you organize all your openwindowsinto 6 different layouts.

Snap groups are also present, allowing you to easily return to the previously used snap layout. Unfortunately, Ubuntu doesn’t support window snapping without third-party extensions.

Ubuntu is highly customizable, and whileyou can download themes onWindows11,it doesn’t match the capabilities of Ubuntu in this department.

As for the interface, although Ubuntu is more streamlined and minimalistic, some might find its interface dull, but that’s all up to your personal preference.

In terms of multitasking, we feel thatWindows11 is a better option since it supports window snapping out of the box.

Hardware requirements

Windows 11 hardware requirementshave been known for a while and they have sparked a bit of controversy with the requirement of aTPM chip.

Manyearly adopters reported TPM errorswhile installingWindows11, but there’s a way toinstall Windows 11 without TPM.

TPM is a requirement forWindows11, and if Microsoft fixes this workaround, you’ll have tobuy a TPM chipor invest in aTPM motherboardto be able to installthe new OS from Microsoft.

The other hardware requirements include what we could expect from a new OS, but keep in mind that certain olderCPUswon’t work withWindows11, so be sure tocheck if yourCPUis on the list of supported devices.

It’s also worth mentioning thatWindows11 will drop support for the 32-bit processors, so the only way to use it is with a compatible 64-bitCPU.

As for Ubuntu requirements, they aren’t as demanding, and the latest version of this OS should run without any problems on any dual-core PC that has a dedicated graphics card with at least 256MB memory.

This varies drastically depending on the desktop environment that you’re using, and certain distributions such as Xubuntu or Lubuntu will work on PCs that are even 10 years old.

Ubuntu doesn’t require a TPM chip and it will work with most processors, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues since Ubuntu distributions should work on any 32-bit or 64-bit PC.

When comparingWindows11 vs Ubuntu in terms of hardware requirements, Ubuntu is much more accessible. Speaking of requirements, here’s a quick rundown of bothWindows11 and Ubuntu 21.04 requirements:

Security

Windows10 was a pretty secureoperating systemsince it came with a built-in antivirus software called Windows Defender, and we expect the same fromWindows11.

If you’re not a fan of Windows Defender, you can alwaysinstall antivirus software for Windows 11for an additional layer of protection.

On the other hand, Ubuntu doesn’t require antivirus software since Linux has a considerably smaller userbase, so there’s not much malware developed specifically for Linux.

Currently,Windowsholds almost 73% of the desktop market share, while Linux holds about 2.6%. This means that theWindowsuserbase is a lot larger with more potential victims.

It’s also worth noting that Ubuntu can’t run .exe files, so even if you download a virus that is hidden in the .exe file, you can’t run it on Linux.

Lastly, all programs on Linux are run with normal user privileges, so even if your PC is infected, the application won’t have administrative or root access, so it can’t make any major changes to your PC.

Lastly, Ubuntu is open-source and privacy-oriented, so you can rest assured that it isn’t collecting your data. On the other hand,Windows 10 has privacy issues, and we’re looking to see how willWindows11 address that.

When comparingWindows11 vs Ubuntu in terms of security, Ubuntu is a better choice since it’s more secure by the design, it has less malware, and it’s open-source, with a strong focus on user privacy.

Application support

Application support is the biggest difference when comparingWindows11 to Ubuntu.Windows11 supports Win32 apps, and sinceWindowsis dominating the market share, most applications are made specifically forWindows.

Windows11 is also bringing better app support and now it will be able to run Win32, .NET, UWP, Xamarin, Electron, React Native, Java, and Progressive Web Apps with ease.

To top it off,Windows11 will bring native support for Android apps, so you should be able to run them without using Android emulators.

But what does that mean when it comes toAndroid emulators on Windows 11?

We believe that Android emulators will continue to exist, especially afterGoogle introduces Android App Bundles.

Microsoft is alsobringing a new Microsoft Store in Windows 11that should allow you to download any app type, including Android and Win32 apps alike.

This is a great move, that will allow the Microsoft Store to act as a download hub for all types of apps, similar to the Software Center that Ubuntu and other distributions have.

Ubuntu and other Linux distributions can’t handle Win32 apps, and the only way to run them on Ubuntu is to use a compatibility layer called Wine.

While Wine works withWindowsapps, it’s not the most reliable solution. The same goes for gaming, and while Ubuntu can run certain games, don’t expect all games to run smoothly like onWindows11.

Ubuntu does have alternative versions for all majorWindowsapps, but those alternatives might not be always as good as theirWindowscounterparts.

On the other hand,Windowshas aWindowsSubsystem for Linux, andWindows 10 can run Windows GUI apps, so expect that to be the case withWindows11 as well.

If we compareWindows11 vs Ubuntu and the app support, it’s clear thatWindows11 is the winner since it supports Win32 apps as well as Android apps.

However, if you prefer free and open-source software, Ubuntu might be a better choice, but keep in mind that you might have to say goodbye to some of your favoriteWindowssoftware.

Ease of use

Windows11 is incredibly simple to use, and if you usedWindows10 or any other version, you won’t feel any different when usingWindows11.

The new interface is streamlined, the Start Menu is decluttered, and Live Tiles are replaced with widgets, and since they have their separate panel, they won’t take any space in your Start Menu.

The good news about this feature is thatyou can easily disable any widgets, and thus customize your experience even more than changing the wallpaper and sound scheme.

Ubuntu is a bit more complex, and it does have a learning curve. Theoperating systemdoes require a basic knowledge of the Terminal, so be sure that you know at least the basic commands.

The Terminal is used for installing apps and dependencies, and sometimes you need to use the Terminal to change certain settings.

This might sound daunting at first, and it’s not as hard as it sounds, but it does require getting used to it. On the other hand,Windows11 doesn’t rely on the command line at all, and you can change most settings from the GUI.

Of course, advanced users can use the command line to change settings onWindows11, but most average users won’t ever have to open the command line, which isn’t the case with Ubuntu.

If we compareWindows11 vs Ubuntu in terms of ease of use, we would have to say thatWindowsis much simpler to use, since it doesn’t require you to use the command line.

On the other hand, if you’re an advanced user and you’re no stranger to the command line, perhaps Ubuntu would be perfect for you.

Pricing

Windows11 is proprietary software which means that you need to purchase a license to install it on a single PC. If you have multiple PCs in your home, this means that you need to purchase multiple licenses.

However,Windows10 users should be able todownload Windows 11 as a free upgrade, while the new users will have to purchase the license. So far, no information is available about pricing, but hopefully, Microsoft will disclose that soon.

The same goes for software on theWindowsplatform, and while there are many open-source and freeware applications, the majority of apps require a license if you want to use them.

On the other hand, Ubuntu is completely free, and you don’t have to purchase any license to use it, plus you can install it on as many computers as you want, both for personal and commercial use.

Most applications on the Linux platform are also open-source and free which means that no license is required, so you can use them almost without any restrictions.

If your main concern is the price, Ubuntu is a better choice since it’s completely free, and it can be installed on multiple PCs without any restrictions.

However, if you already have aWindows10 license, you should be able to upgrade toWindows11 for free.

Can you run Ubuntu on Windows?

Yes, you can run Ubuntu onWindowsbyusing virtual machine software. Do keep in mind that this method might be demanding on your hardware because you’ll be running Ubuntu insideWindows.

A better method would be to run Ubuntu from Live USB ordual boot Windows and Ubuntu.

Depending on your system configuration this option could work, or it could cause system instability, so make sure toget more information on this subject before making a decision.

Can Android apps work on Ubuntu?

Ubuntu doesn’t have native support for Android apps likeWindows11. However, it can still run Android apps by usingspecialized software such as Anbox.

It is safe to say that if you’re planning on using both Android apps and the native system applications, it would be recommended that you try Windows 11, which offers native support for Android.

Added to this, if you’replanning on developing Android apps in Ubuntu, you can rest assured that it is possible without any issues.

What is the best version of Ubuntu to use?

This is entirely up to the user’s preference, and all versions of Ubuntu are more or less the same, with the only difference being the desktop environment.

The original Ubuntu and Kubuntu are the best-looking Ubuntu distributions, but our personal favorite is Lubuntu due to its modest hardware requirements.

Making a decision about which Ubuntu to choose will be entirely defined by your needs, but no matter what option you choose, it will probably not disappoint you.

Conclusion

Ubuntu andWindows11 have their share of similarities, most notably in the user interface with its minimalistic design and rounded corners.

Another similarity is the dedicated app store that you can use to discover and download software.

Other than that, the twooperating systemsare completely different in terms of app support, security, and privacy.

Ubuntu offers better compatibility with older PCs, it’s more secure, but it can’t runWindowsapps without jumping through hoops, and it’s can’t handle gaming as efficiently asWindows.

Ubuntu comes with a learning curve, so if you’re not a fan of the command line, maybe Ubuntu isn’t for you.

There’s no clear winner inWindows11 vs Ubuntu comparison, and it all falls to your needs and personal preferences.

If we would need to make a clear choice, we’d have to go withWindows11 since it’s easier to use, plus, the better application support suits our needs better.

What is youroperating systemof choice? Let us know in the comments below.

Ubuntu vs Windows 11: Essential Pros & Cons to Consider#

Windows 11 vs Ubuntu, what are the main differences?#

User interface#

Hardware requirements#

Security#

Application support#

Ease of use#

Pricing#

Can you run Ubuntu on Windows?#

Can Android apps work on Ubuntu?#

What is the best version of Ubuntu to use?#

Conclusion#