MX Linux
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Buy it if you want a free, fast desktop . especially to revive old hardware or switch from Windows.
New check
Comparison
MX Linux vs Ubuntu
MX Linux and Ubuntu both land on Worth it.
Ubuntu
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Buy for servers, cloud fleets, and developer workstations . the core OS is free, polished, and battle-tested at scale.
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Worth it | Worth it |
| Best for | Reviving old hardware | Enterprise servers and cloud fleets |
| Who it's not for | Enterprises needing vendor SLAs | Windows-only apps and users (Office, Adobe) |
| Privacy | Debian-based with active patching, but a high-severity sudo CVE affected MX/antiX and the project has no dedicated security page.⁶ | Transparent CVE program with fast public patching; two 2026 local privilege-escalation CVEs and a historic Forums breach on record. |
| Support quality | Active volunteer forums, no vendor helpdesk | Paid Pro support exists; quality unverified |
| Public sentiment | Users consistently praise MX as fast, simple and efficient . especially on old hardware . while acknowledging occasional drawbacks.² | Reviewers and Reddit users broadly call Ubuntu polished, free, and reliable for servers, with gripes about switching friction and enterprise costs.10 |
| Biggest gotcha | No dedicated security page on the official site; patch news surfaces via forums and social posts⁷ | Hidden enterprise costs: support contracts, ESM subscriptions, professional services |
Pick MX Linux when
- Reviving old hardware
- Windows switchers wanting simple Linux
- Everyday home desktops
- Live USB / dual-boot use
When MX Linux is not a fit
- Enterprises needing vendor SLAs
- Apple Silicon Macs (M1 unsupported)
- Systemd-centric workflows
- Compliance-driven fleets
Pick Ubuntu when
- Enterprise servers and cloud fleets
- Developer workstations
- IoT and edge device builders
- Cost-conscious teams leaving Windows
When Ubuntu is not a fit
- Windows-only apps and users (Office, Adobe)
- Non-technical users who never want a terminal
- Teams expecting enterprise support or 15-year patches for free
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
- Ubuntu review . PCMagpcmag.comreview
- Ubuntu Reviews . G2g2.comreview
review
- Ubuntu Reviews . Capterracapterra.comreview
review
- Ubuntu Pro pricingubuntu.comofficial
- Ubuntu Securityubuntu.comofficial
- Ubuntu Expanded Security Maintenanceubuntu.comofficial