Whether you're switching from Windows, diving into development, or just exploring Linux for the first time — your desktop experience matters. And that's exactly where Pop!_OS and Linux Mint come into play.

Think of Pop!_OS as your modern digital workspace — minimal, fluid, and productivity-first. Created by System76, it’s tailored for those who value streamlined multitasking, GPU support, and keyboard-driven navigation. It’s not flashy — it’s focused.

On the flip side, Linux Mint brings a cozy, familiar vibe. It's the go-to if you're looking for something stable, clean, and easy to understand. Everything feels where it should be — especially if you're coming from Windows. With its Cinnamon desktop, it's crafted to make everyday tasks smooth and frustration-free.

What is Pop!_OS?

Pop!_OS is a free, open-source Linux distribution developed by System76, an American computer manufacturer. It’s based on Ubuntu, but adds its own unique spin: a clean, productivity-focused desktop, tiling window management, and optimized hardware support — especially for NVIDIA GPUs and modern laptops.

It’s tailored for developers, creators, gamers, and power users, but still accessible enough for curious beginners.

Pros of Pop!_OS

1. Optimized for Performance
   Ships with separate ISOs for NVIDIA and Intel/AMD — no driver hassles, just install and go.
2. Auto-Tiling & Pop Shell
   Built-in tiling window manager makes multitasking seamless — a keyboard-driven dream.
3. Excellent Security Out of the Box
   Full disk encryption during install, firmware updates via LVFS, and up-to-date kernel support.
4. Great for Hybrid Graphics
   Easy GPU switching (NVIDIA Optimus), perfect for laptops with dual graphics.
5. Developer-Friendly
   Pre-installed dev tools, good support for containers, workspaces, and keyboard shortcuts.
6. Minimal Yet Modern UI
   Clean GNOME-based desktop without clutter — it looks sharp and feels fast.

Key Cons of Pop!_OS

1. Less Built-In Customization (Without Extensions)
   GNOME limits visual tweaks unless you install third-party tools or extensions.
2. Learning Curve for Tiling Workflow
   New users may need time to adjust to tiling behavior and keyboard-driven navigation.
3. Heavier on System Resources
   Compared to XFCE/MATE desktops (like in Linux Mint), it needs more RAM and CPU.
4. Smaller Community than Ubuntu/Mint
   While growing fast, it’s still not as widely used — fewer tutorials or third-party guides.
5. Not Built for Touch Users
   Though GNOME supports touch, it's not deeply optimized for tablets or convertible devices.

Pop!_OS is a fantastic choice if you want a Linux distro that feels fast, clean, and built for serious work or gaming — especially with modern hardware. But if you prefer a more traditional, heavily customizable, or beginner-oriented setup, you might find it a bit too streamlined out of the box.

What is Linux Mint?

Linux Mint is a popular, free, and open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu (and also offers a Debian-based edition). It's designed to be easy to use, stable, and familiar, especially for users transitioning from Windows.

Its flagship desktop — Cinnamon — gives a traditional look with a taskbar, start menu, and system tray, making it highly approachable for newcomers. Mint focuses on usability, performance, and simplicity, with a philosophy of “just work out of the box.”

Key Pros of Linux Mint

1. Traditional and User-Friendly Interface
   Cinnamon, MATE, and XFCE desktops offer a familiar layout — easy for Windows users.
2. Fully Equipped Out of the Box
   Comes with pre-installed apps like LibreOffice, VLC, media tools, and codecs — no need to hunt for essentials.
3. Lightweight & Efficient
   Especially in MATE/XFCE editions — runs fast even on older or low-end hardware.
4. Highly Customizable
   Cinnamon allows users to tweak menus, panels, themes, and extensions without extra tools.
5. Stable & Secure
   Built on Ubuntu LTS, with a focus on stability — ideal for long-term setups.
6. Update Manager with Safety Levels
   Helps beginners avoid breaking things — ranks updates by safety to prevent system issues.

Key Cons of Linux Mint

1. Less Modern Under the Hood
   While polished, it sticks to classic desktop paradigms — no tiling or touch-oriented workflows.
2. Slightly Outdated Software in Repos
   Sticking with stability means some apps may lag behind latest versions.
3. Less Optimized for Gaming Out of the Box
   No dedicated ISO with NVIDIA drivers — requires manual setup compared to Pop!_OS.
4. Not Tailored for Power Users or Developers
   Great for general use, but lacks built-in tools for workflows like tiling, advanced automation, or hybrid graphics.
5. Weak Touchscreen Support
   The Cinnamon desktop isn’t designed for gestures or tablet-style usage.

Linux Mint is a fantastic Linux distro if you want something that just works, feels familiar, and runs well on almost any machine — especially older ones. It’s a great daily driver for regular users, beginners, and those who like a traditional desktop feel. But if you're looking for more cutting-edge features, GPU-ready gaming, or advanced workflows — you might find it a bit too safe.

#1 Key Similarities Between Pop!_OS and Linux Mint

✔ Ubuntu-Based Core
Both are built on top of Ubuntu LTS, meaning they share the same base system, APT package manager, repositories, and long-term support cycle.

✔ DEB Package Support
Use .deb packages, support PPAs, and leverage the same APT-based software ecosystem — including Snap (Pop!_OS) and Flatpak (Mint by default).

✔ Strong Security & Stability
Regular security updates, dependable upstream maintenance, and full disk encryption support during installation.

✔ Beginner-Friendly
Designed to be user-accessible — minimal terminal usage required for daily tasks, and both include GUI-based update managers and settings tools.

✔ Excellent Hardware Compatibility
Thanks to the Ubuntu base, both support a wide range of hardware — laptops, desktops, and peripherals — with minimal post-install tweaking.

✔ Active Communities & Support
Both distros have active forums, community wikis, and long-standing user bases — making it easier to find help or guides online.

✔ Easy System Updates
GUI update tools make it simple to install updates without touching the terminal — Mint's Update Manager and Pop!_Shop handle it smoothly.

✔ Pre-Installed Software for Daily Use
While the actual selection differs, both come with essential software like browsers, text editors, and media players out of the box.

While Pop!_OS and Linux Mint offer very different experiences on the surface, their shared Ubuntu base ensures they both provide a stable, user-friendly, and well-supported Linux environment — making either a safe choice depending on your style and needs.

#2 Key Differences between Pop!_OS and Linux Mint

2.1 Target User

Pop!_OS is designed with developers, creators, and power users in mind. Its keyboard-first workflow, auto-tiling window manager (Pop Shell), workspaces, and minimal distractions make it a great environment for coding, multitasking, and focused work. It's also optimized for GPU-heavy tasks — useful for AI, ML, or design work — and ships with essential development libraries pre-installed.

Linux Mint caters to general desktop users, offering a mouse-friendly, classic interface that's simple and intuitive. While developers can absolutely use it, it doesn't offer advanced tiling, workflow tools, or hardware optimizations out of the box — you’d need to set those up manually.

Pop!_OS is more tuned for development-focused workflows, while Linux Mint prioritizes comfort, familiarity, and simplicity for everyday desktop users. 

2.2 Desktop Environment

Pop!_OS uses a modern take on GNOME, enhanced with Pop Shell — a keyboard-focused extension that brings smart window tiling, dynamic workspaces, and clean minimalism. It feels fast, futuristic, and built for productivity.

Linux Mint gives you a choice: the sleek and familiar Cinnamon, the ultra-light XFCE, or the classic MATE desktop — all offering a traditional, easy-to-understand layout with a start menu, taskbar, and system tray. It's designed for comfort and clarity, especially if you're coming from Windows.

If you want a futuristic, workflow-driven interface — go with Pop!_OS.
If you're after a familiar and smooth desktop that just feels like home — Linux Mint makes a great match.

2.3 Tiling Window Manager

Pop!_OS comes with a built-in auto-tiling window manager (Pop Shell), making multitasking effortless. Windows snap into place automatically, and switching between apps is lightning-fast with keyboard shortcuts — no dragging, no clutter, just pure workflow efficiency.

Linux Mint sticks to the classic floating window style, where you manually move and resize windows like in traditional desktops. There’s no built-in tiling, but it’s familiar, straightforward, and ideal for users who prefer mouse-based interaction.

Pop!_OS is tailored for power users who love keyboard-driven multitasking, while Linux Mint is a better match if you prefer the traditional drag-and-drop window experience.

2.4 Hardware Optimization

Pop!_OS is built with performance in mind — it even offers a separate NVIDIA ISO that comes preloaded with proprietary drivers. If you have a hybrid GPU laptop (Intel + NVIDIA), Pop!_OS handles GPU switching out of the box, making it incredibly smooth for gaming, rendering, or ML workloads.

Linux Mint, while compatible with most hardware, requires manual installation of NVIDIA drivers and doesn't include built-in hybrid graphics switching. It works well once set up, but it needs a bit of extra effort to optimize for gaming or GPU-intensive tasks.

If you're running modern hardware or dual GPUs, Pop!_OS gives you a plug-and-play experience, while Linux Mint may need a few extra steps to reach the same level of performance.

2.5 System Resources

Pop!_OS uses GNOME, which brings a sleek and modern interface — but it comes at a cost. It tends to use more RAM and CPU, especially with animations, extensions, and background services. It runs best on mid to high-end systems.

Linux Mint is much more resource-efficient, especially in its XFCE and MATE editions. Even the Cinnamon version is lighter than GNOME, making Mint a great choice for older PCs, low-spec laptops, or users who want a snappy experience without heavy hardware.

Pop!_OS is smooth but expects more power under the hood, while Linux Mint is designed to stay responsive — even on modest hardware.

2.6 Gaming Readiness

Pop!_OS is practically game-ready from the start — thanks to its dedicated NVIDIA ISO, pre-installed drivers, and excellent hybrid GPU support. Add Steam or Lutris, and you're up and running with minimal tweaks.

Linux Mint can handle gaming too, but you'll need to manually install NVIDIA drivers and possibly tweak some settings for performance. It's fully capable, just not as pre-configured for gaming workloads.

Pop!_OS gives gamers a head start with GPU drivers and performance tweaks built-in, while Linux Mint takes a bit more setup before it’s ready to play.

2.6 Touchscreen & Gesture Support

Pop!_OS, powered by GNOME, offers better touchscreen integration — with support for gestures like swiping between workspaces, pinch-to-zoom, and smooth touch navigation. It’s not perfect, but it’s usable on convertibles and touch-enabled laptops.

Linux Mint provides basic touchscreen functionality, such as tap-to-click and basic scrolling, but lacks gesture support and polish. The Cinnamon desktop isn’t designed with touch in mind, so the experience feels limited and more mouse-centric.

Pop!_OS handles touchscreens more gracefully with GNOME’s gesture support, while Linux Mint is better suited for traditional keyboard-and-mouse setups.

2.7 Customization Approach

Pop!_OS offers a clean, minimal interface by default, but customization is limited unless you dive into GNOME extensions and third-party tools. You can tweak it — but it takes extra effort and know-how.

Linux Mint, especially with Cinnamon, shines in built-in customization. You can easily change themes, icons, panel layouts, and desktop behavior — all through user-friendly settings, no extensions required.

If you love personalizing your desktop out of the box, Linux Mint gives you the tools upfront, while Pop!_OS keeps things sleek but expects you to dig deeper for tweaks.

#3 Advanced Differences between Pop!_OS and Linux Mint

3.1 Package Management Preferences

Pop!_OS includes Flatpak support out of the box, allowing users to install software from Flathub without any extra setup. Snap is not preinstalled, but you can manually enable it by installing snapd via terminal. This gives users full control over which universal packaging system they prefer, without forcing either one.

Linux Mint, on the other hand, embraces Flatpak by default and intentionally disables Snap support due to philosophical differences with Snap’s closed-source backend and automatic installation behavior. While Snap can be re-enabled, it goes against Mint’s default policy and requires manual intervention.

Pop!_OS keeps things flexible, letting you decide what to use, while Linux Mint takes a firm stance — promoting Flatpak and blocking Snap for a more transparent and user-controlled experience.

3.2 System Upgrades & Maintenance Philosophy

Pop!_OS, developed by System76, follows a progressive and innovation-driven update model. It builds on Ubuntu LTS but includes System76’s own enhancements — such as Pop Shell, firmware manager, and soon the fully independent COSMIC desktop (written in Rust). The development pace is faster, with frequent feature updates, and the upcoming COSMIC DE aims to give Pop!_OS complete control over the desktop experience.

Linux Mint focuses on stability, predictability, and user confidence. It releases only when ready, often lagging slightly behind Ubuntu LTS to ensure extra testing and polish. The Update Manager emphasizes safety — assigning risk levels to updates and giving users more control over when and what to update. No major surprises, just a dependable, well-curated system.

Pop!_OS is evolving fast — ideal for users who want the latest tools and a forward-looking desktop, while Linux Mint offers a calm, controlled upgrade path that favors stability over constant change.

3.3 Firmware & Driver Updates

Pop!_OS includes built-in support for firmware updates via LVFS (Linux Vendor Firmware Service), integrated with the Firmware Manager. It allows users to easily update system firmware, BIOS, and other components — especially on supported hardware — all through a user-friendly interface. This is particularly useful for laptops and modern hardware.

Linux Mint does not include native LVFS integration. While it can technically support LVFS (since it’s based on Ubuntu), it doesn’t ship with a dedicated firmware updater by default. Users must rely on Ubuntu’s fwupd command-line tools or install GNOME Firmware manually if needed — not as seamless or prominent as in Pop!_OS.

Pop!_OS offers a more complete and user-friendly solution for firmware updates out of the box, while Linux Mint leaves it to the user to configure and manage firmware support manually if required.

3.4 File System & Installer

Pop!_OS uses a custom installer built by System76 — it’s clean, fast, and designed with both simplicity and power in mind. One standout feature is full-disk encryption by default during a "Clean Install", using LUKS for secure disk encryption. It also supports advanced partitioning and includes recovery features, giving you a secure and flexible setup out of the box.

Linux Mint uses Ubuntu’s Ubiquity installer, known for being easy and beginner-friendly. It guides users smoothly through setup, but it doesn’t enable full-disk encryption by default. To configure advanced setups like encrypted volumes or custom partitions, you’ll need to use the “Something Else” option — which may feel a bit technical for newcomers.

Pop!_OS offers a more modern and security-oriented installer with default encryption, while Linux Mint focuses on a simpler, user-friendly experience with fewer advanced options exposed by default.

3.5 Wayland vs X11 (Display Server Protocol)

Pop!_OS currently runs on X11, but System76 is actively developing a new COSMIC desktop written in Rust, which is expected to support Wayland. This shift will bring benefits like smoother touch input, improved gesture support, better fractional scaling, and enhanced security — making it more aligned with the future of Linux desktops.

Linux Mint continues to use X11 exclusively and has no announced plans to adopt Wayland. The Mint team prioritizes stability, compatibility, and performance — especially for older hardware and graphics stacks — over adopting newer technologies that may still be evolving.

Pop!_OS is preparing for a Wayland-powered future, while Linux Mint stays grounded in the proven reliability of X11 — a key distinction if you care about gestures, touchscreen accuracy, or future-proofing.

3.6 Built-in Recovery Partition (Pop!_OS Exclusive)

Pop!_OS includes an option to create a dedicated recovery partition during installation. This allows users to reinstall or repair their system directly from the boot menu — no need for external USB drives. It's especially useful for laptops, remote setups, or when you're in a pinch without a bootable stick.

Linux Mint does not include a built-in recovery partition. System recovery typically relies on using a live USB to reinstall the OS or restoring system snapshots via Timeshift, which focuses more on configuration rollback than full system recovery.

Pop!_OS offers a more self-contained recovery system, making it easier to restore without extra tools, while Linux Mint requires external media or prior backups for recovery.

#4 Use Case Summary — Which One to Choose?

If you're deciding between Pop!_OS and Linux Mint, it really comes down to your personal workflow, hardware setup, and comfort level with Linux.

Choose Pop!_OS if you:

✔ Work in development, design, or data science and want a productivity-focused setup.

✔ Use NVIDIA or hybrid GPU laptops and want plug-and-play performance.

✔ Prefer a keyboard-centric, tiling window manager and modern UI.

✔ Value built-in recovery tools, firmware updates, and future-ready technologies like Wayland.

✔ Want a clean system that doesn’t lock you into vendor tools, giving you full control.

Choose Linux Mint if you:

✔ Are a beginner or switching from Windows and want something immediately familiar.

✔ Prefer a traditional desktop layout with point-and-click navigation.

✔ Need a system that works smoothly on older or low-spec hardware.

✔ Want easy customization and stability over bleeding-edge features.

✔ Rely on local backup tools like Timeshift and prefer a conservative update model.

Pop!_OS feels like a streamlined workstation built for creators and power users.
Linux Mint feels like a home desktop — reliable, familiar, and ready for daily life.