Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Debian VS Fedora

Compare Debian VS Fedora and see what are their differences

Debian logo Debian

Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Fedora logo Fedora

Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12
  • Fedora Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-11

Debian features and specs

  • Stability
    Debian is known for its rock-solid stability, making it a preferred choice for servers and critical systems that require long-term reliability.
  • Package Availability
    Debian offers a vast repository of packages, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of software and tools without needing third-party sources.
  • Security
    Debian has a strong focus on security with timely updates and a dedicated security team, providing a secure environment for users.
  • Community Support
    Debian has a large and active community, providing extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Flexibility
    Debian is highly configurable and supports multiple architectures, allowing it to be used on various hardware platforms and for diverse use cases.
  • Free and Open Source
    Debian adheres strictly to the principles of free software, ensuring that users have freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS)
    Debian provides long-term support for its stable releases, making it a suitable option for systems that require extended maintenance.

Possible disadvantages of Debian

  • Older Software Versions
    Due to its focus on stability, Debian tends to use older, well-tested versions of software, which may lack some of the latest features and updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation process for Debian can be complex and intimidating for new users compared to more user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Debian has a slower release cycle which may result in longer wait times for new features, updates, and support for newer hardware.
  • Resource-Intensive Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Debian can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly for users who are not familiar with its system.
  • Less Focus on Desktop Experience
    Debian's strong focus on stability and server use means that desktop users might find it less polished and user-friendly compared to distributions specifically tailored for desktop environments.

Fedora features and specs

  • Cutting-edge Software
    Fedora is known for its bleeding-edge updates, incorporating the latest software versions, kernel updates, and features soon after they are released. This makes it ideal for users who want the newest technology.
  • Strong Security
    Fedora includes strong security features, such as SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) by default, which provides advanced security policies and mitigates various types of attacks.
  • Developer Friendly
    Fedora offers a rich array of developer tools and software, making it a preferred choice for developers. It supports a wide range of programming languages and development environments.
  • Red Hat Sponsorship
    Fedora is backed by Red Hat, which adds a level of reliability, professionalism, and a stable foundation that many Linux distributions do not have.
  • Community Support
    Fedora has a robust community of users and developers who contribute to its development and provide assistance through forums, mailing lists, and other forms of support.
  • Modularity
    Fedora's modular repository allows users to choose different versions of software packages, accommodating the specific needs of various users and use cases.
  • Workstation Edition
    Fedora offers a Workstation edition that is specifically tailored for personal computers, offering a polished and user-friendly desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages of Fedora

  • Frequent Updates
    The cutting-edge nature of Fedora means frequent updates, which can be overwhelming for users who prefer a more stable and less frequently changing system.
  • Short Life Cycle
    Fedora has a relatively short life cycle of approximately 13 months for each release, meaning users need to upgrade more frequently compared to some other distributions.
  • Software Compatibility
    Due to its focus on free and open-source software, Fedora may not include some proprietary drivers and codecs by default, which may require additional setup to install.
  • Learning Curve
    While Fedora is user-friendly, it might have a steeper learning curve for new Linux users compared to more beginner-oriented distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Limited Corporate Support
    Unlike Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Fedora does not come with official corporate support, which can be a drawback for business users who require enterprise-level technical support.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Some users might experience hardware compatibility issues, especially with very new hardware, due to the rapid pace of updates and the lack of proprietary drivers.

Debian videos

Debian 10 "Buster" Full Review and My Thoughts

More videos:

  • Review - Debian 10 Review (GNOME)
  • Review - Debian 10 "Buster" Review! Excited for THIS

Fedora videos

omplete Guide: How to Download, Install and Review Fedora 38 Linux on VirtualBox 2023

More videos:

  • Review - Fedora 31 Workstation Review & Gnome 3.34.1 Walkthrough - Linux Distro Reviews
  • Review - Fedora 31 Review | Should You Use It? Find Out!
  • Review - Fedora Workstation 31 Full Review
  • Review - Fedora 34 Reviewed: A Great GNOME distro that's worth checking out!
  • Review - Fedora 34 | This is the ABSOLUTE Best Linux Distro of 2021 Yet (NEW RELEASE!)
  • Review - Review - Fedora Workstation 33 (and why you should avoid it)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Debian and Fedora)
Operating Systems
36 36%
64% 64
Linux
36 36%
64% 64
Linux Distribution
38 38%
62% 62
Distributions
55 55%
45% 45

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Debian and Fedora

Debian Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Currently, Debian runs the FreeBSD kernel or Linux kernel. Debian was developed by many volunteers who are managing this operating system amazingly. The significant advantage of Debian is its vast software support. Learn – Install Debian 12 Bullseye on VirtualBox
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
The Debian Project adheres to a rigorous set of principles, the Debian Social Contract. It outlines its relationship with the community and underlines its dedication to delivering a free and secure high-quality operating system. This contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines ensure that the software within Debian's repositories respects your privacy and freedom.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian has a Testing branch, similar to a beta version, it is an intermediary stage between Debian's unstable and stable branches. The Testing branch is intended for users who want a balance between access to newer software and a relatively stable system. Debian Testing gets new features and fixes before the stable Debian release, allowing users who are comfortable...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Debian is what Ubuntu is based on, making it one of the oldest Linux distributions. It was released and developed in 1993. For a long time, the abundance of software packages for Debian was unsurpassed and it is still notable. Commercial programs are easy to install. Installation, maintenance and usage are intuitive and not particularly difficult for both Windows and Mac...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Debian OS also offers a different variant for users to choose from and made the rolling release option available.
Source: techcult.com

Fedora Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
It is available in different editions: Workstations for everyday use, CoreOS for container-focused OS, Server for server-related systems, Fedora Cloud for private and public clouds, and IoT for IoT-related work. Fedora is good for desktop users or developers who want RPM Linux with the latest features.
12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
And since Fedora is open-source, it also has a few community versions called Spins. Some of the popular spins are Plasma, Xfce, LXQT, MATE, and Cinnamon. Overall, Fedora might not be the best option for absolute beginners, but it’s great for those who know their way around Linux. Besides, Fedora’s got one of the most active distro communities on Reddit. Hence, if something...
Source: beebom.com
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Fedora is a popular, community-driven Linux distro known for its emphasis on new features and technologies, open source collaboration, and strong ties to the upstream software development communities (RHEL). It aims to provide a platform for both desktop and server users, offering the latest software while maintaining a balance between innovation and stability. Fedora users...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Fedora is a free alternative to RHEL but does not provide long-term support. The focus of the operating system is primarily on up-to-dateness, which may come at the expense of stability. Fedora is equally suitable for servers and desktops and uses RPM (known from Red Hat) for package management.
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Considering all this, Fedora is not intimidating to beginners and could be a great first-time Linux experience.
Source: techcult.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Fedora should be more popular than Debian. It has been mentiond 124 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Debian mentions (66)

  • Coding on a Chromebook
    The terminal is actually a Debian terminal. Debian is a version (distribution) of Linux, so if you've used it or Ubuntu before, you'll be very familiar with the commands. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Can I contribute to a redesign of the Debian website?
    Can't figure out debian.org? Then you probably won't figure out the distribution either. The website is perfectly fine, if you know how to read and think. They have mainly been focusing on making Debian stable, so it's more about reading manuals than expecting user-friendliness from it. There's loads of userfriendly-focused linux distributions out there. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: over 1 year ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Fedora mentions (124)

  • what are some good laptops to buy?
    I am using HP Omen. I easily open it, clean it and change the thermal paste every 3 months (they have detailed guides on YouTube). My laptop had another SSD slot and I upgraded it with a new Samsung 1TB SSD and I am looking to upgrade the RAM from 16 GB to 64GB soon. Since I do not like Windows, I have installed Fedora on it. If I want I can turn in into a Hackintosh and install macOS too. The possibilities are... Source: over 1 year ago
  • How do I remove this Ubuntu Pro ad from apt?
    You can find the solution at https://getfedora.org /s. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Fedora Project has a new website!
    It looks.. Awesome way better than getfedora.org kudos to the website developers. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Telemetr(ule)y
    Install Fedora (or one of it's spins. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Quick question about Fedora website
    Fedoraproject.org is it a legit website or is getfedora.org the only website ? Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Debian and Fedora, you can also consider the following products

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

Windows 10 - Windows 10 unveils new innovations & is better than ever. Shop for Windows 10 laptops, PCs, tablets, apps & more. Learn about new upcoming features.

elementary OS - A fast and open replacement for Windows and macOS. Pay what you want or download for free.