Linux Download : Top 10 Free Linux Distributions for Desktop and Servers

All the Linux distributions are either derivative of GNU/Linux ( OS made up of Linux Kernel developed by Linus Torvalds and GNU software repository) or derived from other Linux derivatives.

Desktop distributions comes with Graphical user interface enabled by default &   aimed at individual users and most of the administration work can be done using GUI. Good for new users and running Linux-based graphical applications.

Server Distribution are for more advanced users who are familiar with Linux command line as Graphical Interface is not enabled by default in most of the server distributions. Server distributions comes with web servers like apache  and networking packages like DNS and useful for running backend services , work as web server or DNS Server.

Here is the list of top 10 Linux distributions to free download latest version of Linux operating system with links to Linux documentation and home pages.

1. Mint

Linux Mint is a Ubuntu-based distribution. It provides out-of-the-box solution and include browser,media supports Java and lots of other components. Features custom desktop and menus and it is compatible with Ubuntu software repositories.

Download http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Home Page http://linuxmint.com/

Documentation :http://community.linuxmint.com/

2. Debian

Formally known as Debian GNU/Linux, Debian is free operating system that uses the Linux kernel . It is supported by programmers world wide who has created more than 50,000 packages under Debian project.

Download : http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist

Home Page : http://www.debian.org/

Documentation : http://www.debian.org/doc/

3. Ubuntu

“Ubuntu” means “humanity to others” in African language. Ubuntu is free Linux operating system for desktops. Community and professional support is available

Download Mirrors : http://www.ubuntu.com/download/

Home Page : http://www.ubuntu.com/

Documentation : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation

4. openSUSE

S.u.S.E. is a German acronym for “Software und System-Entwicklung” (software and systems development)
OpenSUSE is based on Linux and it is the community project sponsored by SUSE and others companies .

Download Mirrors –http://software.opensuse.org/
, http://mirrors.opensuse.org/list/all.html

Home Page – http://www.opensuse.org/

Documentation – http://en.opensuse.org/Portal:Documentation

5. Manjaro

Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on Arch Linux ( i686/x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution). It focus on user-friendliness and accessibility, available in both 32 and 64 bit versions and it is suitable for newcomers as well as experienced Linux users.

Download Mirrors – http://manjaro.org/get-manjaro/

Home Page – http://manjaro.org/

Documentation – http://wiki.manjaro.org/

6. Fedora

Fedora is a Linux distribution based on GNU/Linux developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and owned by Red Hat.

Download – https://getfedora.org/
https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mirrormanager/mirrors

Home Page https://getfedora.org/

Documentation http://docs.fedoraproject.org/

7. elementary

elementary Linux is based on Ubuntu desktop distribution with some custom apps including Music, Photos, Videos, Calendar along with Epiphany web browser.

Download – http://elementary.io/

Home Page – http://elementary.io/

Documentation – https://elementary.io/docs/learning-the-basics

8. Zorin

Linux alternative to windows, Zorin OS is an Ubuntu based Linux distribution. It has windows like interface and allows to run many program similar to windows and has an application which lets user run windows programs. Ideal for beginners starting with Linux OS.
Distribution Zorin OS

Download –  http://zorin-os.com/free.html

Home Page – http://www.zorin-os.com/

Documentation –  https://zorinos.com/help/

9. CentOS

Centos is named after Community ENTerprise Operating System.
CentOS is opensource enterprise class operating system build Red Hat Enterprise Linux by Red Hat.

Download –  http://www.centos.org/download/
, http://www.centos.org/download/mirrors/

Home Page – http://www.centos.org/

Documentation – http://wiki.centos.org/

10. Arch

Arch Linux is based on GNU/Linux available in i686- and x86_64-optimised Linux distribution and provided ability to build custom installation and new packages an d share them by Arch Linux Repository.

Download – http://www.archlinux.org/download/

Home Page – http://www.archlinux.org/

Documentation –  http://wiki.archlinux.org/