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MX Linux Review

Worth it

Should I use MX Linux?

Midweight Simple Stable Desktop OS - mxlinux.org

· 1 month ago

Buy it if you want a free, fast desktop — especially to revive old hardware or switch from Windows. Skip it if you need vendor support, certified security, or systemd-native tooling.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~40 public sources: DistroWatch ratings, MX forum threads, Reddit discussions, NVD/CVE records and official site pages.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free download

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Physical DVD (third-party)$4.59–$14.99

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

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

No dedicated security page on the official site; patch news surfaces via forums and social posts

medium

Support is volunteer forums; no SLA, response quality varies

medium

Debian-stable base means older packages; version upgrades need manual migration steps

low

Free to download, but third-party DVDs cost $4.59–$14.99 — never pay for it

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 8.1/10 average from 832 DistroWatch reader reviews
  • Described by users as simple, fast and intuitive
  • Runs efficiently on old hardware like a 2010 Sony VAIO
  • Was the most downloaded Linux desktop distro
  • Free and community-funded; no licenses or subscriptions

Cons

  • Forum critics cite several real drawbacks vs mainstream distros
  • Ships without systemd; some modern tooling needs workarounds
  • No vendor support — forums and volunteers only
  • M1 Mac support remains unsolved

Sources & method

- 8 sources - Debian-based with active patching, but a high-severity sudo CVE affected MX/antiX and the project has no dedicated security page.

official x2review x4security x2
  • CVE-2020-10587 (CVSS 7.8), High-severity sudo vulnerability affecting antiX Linux / MX Linux.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 8

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Completely free, donation-funded, no paid tiers
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Reviewers call it simple, fast, intuitive
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Midweight; bundled MX Tools, not a powerhouse
  • Support quality: 3/5. Active volunteer forums, no vendor helpdesk
  • Security posture: 3/5. Debian base, but past CVE and thin security page
  • 8.1/10 DistroWatch rating 832 reader reviews
  • $0 Starting price Free download, donation-funded
  • Yes Free tier Entire OS is free
  • Most downloaded Linux desktop Peak popularity TechRepublic, 2021

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
Full analysis

Based on ~40 public sources: DistroWatch ratings, MX forum threads, Reddit discussions, NVD/CVE records and official site pages.

Free, fast Debian-based desktop. Great for old PCs and Windows switchers; no vendor support, so not for managed fleets.

Methodology

Based on ~40 public sources: DistroWatch ratings, MX forum threads, Reddit discussions, NVD/CVE records and official site pages.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. MX Linux on DistroWatchdistrowatch.com
    review
  2. 829 reader reviews of MX Linuxdistrowatch.com
    review
  3. Distrowatch Top 5 review: MX Linuxghacks.net
    review
  4. Contribute / Donate — MX Linuxmxlinux.org
    official
  5. MX FAQsmxlinux.org
    official
  6. CVE-2020-10587 Detail — NVDnvd.nist.gov
    security
  7. MX Linux security pagemxlinux.org
    security
  8. Addressing a Negative Review of MX 23.3 on DistroWatchforum.mxlinux.org
    review

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