Alternatives to Peppermint OS
A minimal Xfce Linux distribution based on Debian or Devuan that lets you choose your own applications. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Peppermint OS
A minimal Xfce Linux distribution based on Debian or Devuan that lets you choose your own applications.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Peppermint OS.
Linux Mint
A desktop Linux operating system designed to work out of the box, with a lightweight Xfce edition.
Linux Mint ships common apps preinstalled and offers an Xfce edition, so you get a fuller out-of-the-box setup instead of Peppermint's minimal package set.
Xubuntu
A community-developed Ubuntu flavour with the lightweight Xfce desktop for everyday use.
Xubuntu keeps the Xfce desktop but moves to an Ubuntu base with long-term support until 2029, and it is heavier than minimal distributions.
MX Linux
A midweight desktop Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, built with antiX components and MX tools.
MX Linux is a midweight Debian Stable distribution with antiX components and MX tools, aimed at staying responsive on modest hardware.
Lubuntu
An official Ubuntu flavour with the LXQt desktop, designed to be fast and lightweight.
Lubuntu swaps Xfce for the lightweight LXQt desktop on an Ubuntu base and includes everyday apps out of the box.
antiX
A fast, lightweight live Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, without systemd or elogind.
antiX is a lighter Debian Stable live distribution without systemd or elogind, using lightweight window managers rather than a full desktop environment.
BunsenLabs Linux
A Debian-based distribution with a preconfigured, lightweight Openbox desktop, continuing CrunchBang Linux.
BunsenLabs Linux stays on Debian but uses a preconfigured Openbox desktop instead of Xfce, which takes some learning for newcomers.
Q4OS
A lightweight Debian-based desktop Linux distribution aimed at ease of use and less powerful hardware.
Q4OS is a lightweight Debian-based desktop aimed at ease of use on less powerful hardware, with tools to remove unneeded components and an ARM edition.
SparkyLinux
A fast, customizable Debian-based Linux distribution offered in several versions for different uses.
SparkyLinux is a Debian-based distribution offered in several editions for different uses, with regular quarterly and monthly updates.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Peppermint OS as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Bodhi Linux
A lightweight Ubuntu-based Linux distribution with the Moksha desktop, derived from Enlightenment.
Peppermint OS offers a minimal Xfce desktop on a Debian or Devuan base with a very small default package set, so you install most applications yourself.
Puppy Linux
A family of small Linux distributions for home computers, sharing the same Puppy tools.
Peppermint OS is a minimal Xfce distribution on a Debian or Devuan base where you install most applications yourself.
Void Linux
An independent rolling-release Linux distribution with its own XBPS package manager and the runit init system.
Peppermint OS offers a minimal Xfce system on Debian or Devuan, the latter avoiding systemd, with a small default package set you extend yourself.
Zorin OS Lite
An Xfce-based edition of the Zorin OS Linux distribution intended for older and lower-powered PCs.
Peppermint OS keeps an Xfce desktop on a Debian or Devuan base with a very small default package set, leaving application choice to you.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Linux Lite
A lightweight, beginner-friendly Linux distribution for older computers and people moving from Windows.
