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Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a free Linux desktop operating system built around the LXQt desktop.

Place
#30 of 44
Score
5.8
Lubuntu's website

What Lubuntu is

Lubuntu is a free Linux desktop operating system built around the LXQt desktop. It is available as an installable ISO for desktop PCs and laptops, and the project also mentions Raspberry Pi. The listed default applications for the 26.10 beta include Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC, Featherpad, and Discover Software Center. Discover lets users download additional applications for free. Lubuntu supports common images, music, films, spreadsheets, text documents, and internet radio streams; ubuntu-restricted-extras can add codecs for less common formats. LTS releases receive three years of support, and Lubuntu 26.04.1 LTS is listed through April 2029. Interim releases receive nine months. The 26.10 beta offers an experimental Wayland session while X11 remains default, with warnings about missing features and substantial theming issues. Manuals, Matrix chat, bug reporting, and download-integrity guidance are provided.

Good

  • Free installable Linux desktop
  • LXQt-based lightweight environment
  • Discover installs additional applications
  • Supports common media and document formats
  • LTS support listed through April 2029

Watch out

  • Wayland session is experimental in beta
  • Beta has substantial theming issues
  • Interim releases receive nine months support
  • Requires manual codec installation for some formats

Who it suits

It suits users wanting a lightweight Linux desktop for PCs or laptops, with Raspberry Pi also mentioned. Release choice matters for support duration and beta features.

Verdict

Lubuntu offers a lightweight LXQt desktop with familiar applications and an application center. Choose an LTS release for the listed longer support period, and treat the beta Wayland session as experimental.

Plans and prices

From Lubuntu's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
LubuntuFreeLinux operating system · desktop 64-bit ISO · 26.04.1 LTS supported until April 2029

The facts

Each one read from Lubuntu's own pages, with the date it was checked.

Where it runs

Additional apps
The homepage says users can download additional applications for free through Discover Software Center.checked 11 Oct 2001

What it does

Codecs
The homepage says users can install ubuntu-restricted-extras for additional codecs, including for less common file formats.checked 11 Oct 2001
Community support
The project invites users to join its Matrix chat, report bugs, and seek help filing bug reports.checked 11 Oct 2001
Documentation
The project provides stable, LTS, and development versions of the Lubuntu Manual, which covers installation and system use.checked 11 Oct 2001
Download verification
The downloads page recommends the magnet link for auto-verified downloads and advises checking download integrity using SHA256SUMS.checked 11 Oct 2001
File compatibility
Lubuntu says it supports common formats including images, music, films, spreadsheets, text documents, and internet radio streams.checked 11 Oct 2001
Hardware
Lubuntu says it offers ISOs for standard PCs, laptops, and Raspberry Pi, and that its QA team checks releases across architectures.checked 11 Oct 2001
Included software
The 26.10 beta release lists LXQt, Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC, Featherpad, and Discover Software Center among its default applications.checked 11 Oct 2001
Interim support
The 26.10 beta announcement says the interim release is expected to receive nine months of support, until July 2027.checked 11 Oct 2001
Known beta issues
The 26.10 beta announcement warns that some features may not work in its Wayland session and that it has substantial theming issues.checked 11 Oct 2001
LTS support
The downloads page lists Lubuntu 26.04.1 LTS as supported until April 2029.checked 11 Oct 2001
Purpose
Lubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor using the LXQt desktop, designed as a lightweight but functional Linux distribution.checked 11 Oct 2001
Security guidance
The downloads page advises users to verify download integrity and ensure downloads come from an official source.checked 11 Oct 2001
Wayland status
The 26.10 beta includes an experimental Wayland session, while X11 remains the default desktop display server.checked 11 Oct 2001

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