8.1/10
DistroWatch rating
832 reader reviews
Report
Should I Use MX Linux?
Midweight Simple Stable Desktop OS
Worth it
Worth itBuy it if you want a free, fast desktop — especially to revive old hardware or switch from Windows.
Free, fast Debian-based desktop. Great for old PCs and Windows switchers; no vendor support, so not for managed fleets.
Confidence: Medium
$0
Starting price
Free download, donation-funded
Yes
Free tier
Entire OS is free
Most downloaded Linux desktop
Peak popularity
TechRepublic, 2021
Value for money
5
Completely free, donation-funded, no paid tiers
Ease of use
4
Reviewers call it simple, fast, intuitive
Feature depth
3
Midweight; bundled MX Tools, not a powerhouse
Support quality
3
Active volunteer forums, no vendor helpdesk
Security posture
3
Debian base, but past CVE and thin security page
Pros
Cons
Gotchas
- highNo dedicated security page on the official site; patch news surfaces via forums and social posts⁷
- mediumSupport is volunteer forums; no SLA, response quality varies⁴
- mediumDebian-stable base means older packages; version upgrades need manual migration steps⁵
- lowFree to download, but third-party DVDs cost $4.59–$14.99 — never pay for it
Best for
- Reviving old hardware
- Windows switchers wanting simple Linux
- Everyday home desktops
- Live USB / dual-boot use
Not for
- Enterprises needing vendor SLAs
- Apple Silicon Macs (M1 unsupported)
- Systemd-centric workflows
- Compliance-driven fleets
Pricing
Free download
$0
- Full desktop OS
- MX Tools suite
- All editions (Xfce, KDE, Fluxbox)
Physical DVD (third-party)
$4.59–$14.99
- Same OS on disc
- For machines without fast internet
Security
Debian-based with active patching, but a high-severity sudo CVE affected MX/antiX and the project has no dedicated security page.
- CVE-2020-10587 (CVSS 7.8)High-severity sudo vulnerability affecting antiX Linux / MX Linux.⁶
What users say
Users consistently praise MX as fast, simple and efficient — especially on old hardware — while acknowledging occasional drawbacks.
“It is simple, fast and intuitive.”
“This is a very efficient distro”
Alternatives
Compare MX Linux with each alternative.
Linux Mint
Friendlier for Windows switchers; bigger community, systemd default.
MX Linux vs Linux MintUbuntu
Mainstream choice with optional commercial support.
MX Linux vs UbuntuDebian
Same stable base, better fit for servers.
MX Linux vs DebianantiX
Even lighter sibling distro for very old machines.
Full analysis
Based on ~40 public sources: DistroWatch ratings, MX forum threads, Reddit discussions, NVD/CVE records and official site pages.
Sources
- MX Linux on DistroWatchdistrowatch.comreview
- 829 reader reviews of MX Linuxdistrowatch.comreview
- Distrowatch Top 5 review: MX Linuxghacks.netreview
- Contribute / Donate — MX Linuxmxlinux.orgofficial
- MX FAQsmxlinux.orgofficial
- CVE-2020-10587 Detail — NVDnvd.nist.govsecurity
- MX Linux security pagemxlinux.orgsecurity
- Addressing a Negative Review of MX 23.3 on DistroWatchforum.mxlinux.orgreview
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