What is Ubuntu?
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system based on Linux, the same kind of software that controls everything from smartphones to most of the servers on the internet. An operating system is the main program of a computer: it handles startup, manages memory, the processor and files, and acts as the bridge between the user, the applications and the hardware. Ubuntu does that job completely, but with one important difference compared with other options: anyone can download it, install it, use it and study it without paying for licenses or special permissions.
Since its first release in 2004, Ubuntu has become one of the most popular Linux distributions on the planet and the gateway to free software for millions of people. This article explains what Ubuntu is in plain terms, who it is for, what its main features are, how it differs from Windows, how you can try it without installing it, and when it makes sense to choose it.
What it means that Ubuntu is a Linux distribution
Linux is the kernel: the part of the system that talks directly to the hardware. On top of that kernel, different projects build complete operating systems called distributions. Ubuntu is one of those distributions: it takes the Linux kernel and combines it with applications, a desktop, installation tools and software repositories to form a system that is ready to use. It is based on another distribution called Debian, known for its stability, and it is developed and maintained by the company Canonical together with an international community of contributors.
The name Ubuntu comes from an African word that can be translated as "I am because we are." That idea of community is not decorative: the system is distributed under open-source licenses, which means its source code is public, anyone can examine it, modify it and share it, and no single company has to keep existing for the software to survive.
Who Ubuntu is for
Ubuntu is aimed at a much wider audience than people usually assume. You do not need to be a computer expert to use it, although it is also highly valued by professionals. Its most common users include:
- People looking for an alternative to Windows or macOS: those who want a system with no license cost, built-in updates and no need to buy a new computer.
- Developers and programmers: Ubuntu comes with programming tools, a terminal, package managers and container support built in, which makes it a standard working environment in the software industry.
- Server administrators: a large share of the world's web servers runs on Linux, and Ubuntu Server is one of the most widely used options for companies and projects of every size.
- Students and curious users: it is a practical way to learn how an operating system works from the inside and to become familiar with free software.
- Owners of older computers: with its lighter variants, Ubuntu gives a second life to machines that can no longer handle the heavier systems.
Main features of Ubuntu
What sets Ubuntu apart is not a single function but a set of design choices that make it comfortable for the average user and powerful for the technician:
- Ease of use: the installer guides the process in a few steps, the desktop is tidy and the app store lets you install programs with one click, no commands required.
- Security: every user works with limited permissions, programs are installed from reviewed official repositories and, because its market share is smaller than Windows', it receives far fewer targeted viruses and malicious programs.
- Constant updates: the system and its applications are updated periodically and automatically, including security patches, at no extra cost.
- Free and open-source software: the operating system and the vast majority of its programs can be used, copied and shared without paying licenses.
- Respect for privacy: because it does not depend on selling advertising, Ubuntu does not need to track user activity to fund itself.
- Performance: it uses fewer resources than other systems for equivalent tasks, which shows on machines with little memory or modest processors.
- Huge community: because it is so popular, almost any question already has an answer in forums, official documentation and help sites in several languages.
Differences between Ubuntu and Windows
The most frequent comparison is with Windows, because it is the system preinstalled on most desktop computers. The table below summarizes the most relevant differences for anyone thinking about making the switch:
| Aspect | Ubuntu | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free: you download and use it without paying a license, even in businesses | Requires a paid license, usually included in the computer's price or purchased separately |
| Customization | Very high: you can change the desktop, the themes and even the entire graphical environment | Moderate: colors, wallpapers and some settings can be changed, with clear limits |
| Viruses and malware | Less exposed: strict permissions and less targeted malware; caution is still necessary | It is the main target of malware because it is the most widespread system; it requires antivirus and constant care |
| Available software | Thousands of free programs in the Ubuntu store; some commercial titles, such as certain design and video-editing programs, are missing | The largest offering of commercial software and video games on the market |
Choosing between the two depends on your needs: Windows offers the greatest compatibility with commercial programs and games, while Ubuntu offers a free, lighter system with full control over the machine.
Ubuntu releases and its desktop
Ubuntu versions are numbered according to the year and month of release. For example, version 24.04 corresponds to the year 2024 and the month of April. Every two years, in April, an LTS (long-term support) version is released, receiving updates and security fixes for five years or more; these are the versions recommended for most users and for companies. Between one LTS and the next, intermediate releases are published for those who want the newest features even though support is shorter.
The desktop included by default in Ubuntu is called GNOME. It is a clean, modern environment with an activities panel, an overview of applications and simple behavior designed so that users find everything at hand. Ubuntu is also the base of other flavors with alternative desktops, such as Kubuntu with KDE or Xubuntu with Xfce, the latter recommended for computers with limited resources.
How to try Ubuntu without installing it
One of Ubuntu's great advantages is that you can try it fully before installing it and without touching the files on your computer. The most common method is the so-called live USB:
- Download the image: you get the Ubuntu ISO file from its official website, free of charge.
- Create the bootable USB: with a free tool such as Rufus or BalenaEtcher you write the image onto a USB stick of a few gigabytes.
- Boot from the USB: restart the computer and tell it to boot from the drive; nothing on the disk is erased or modified.
- Test the system: Ubuntu opens in a trial mode with all its applications, so you can browse the web, check hardware compatibility and decide at your own pace.
- Install it if you want: if you like the result, the same USB lets you install it alongside the current system or replace it, both in a guided way.
Another option is running it inside a virtual machine, that is, as a window within the current system, ideal for those who want to experiment without restarting the computer.
When Ubuntu makes sense
There are situations where Ubuntu is especially convenient:
- Reviving old computers: an aging PC can run smoothly again because Ubuntu and its lighter variants demand few resources.
- Programming and software development: the terminal, support for programming languages and automation tools make Ubuntu the daily system of many development teams.
- Running servers: websites, databases and cloud services rely heavily on Linux; with Ubuntu you can manage your own server or prepare to work with those of the big platforms.
- Saving money: with no license fees, the cost of the system is zero, which matters for households and for organizations with many machines.
- Caring about privacy and free software: anyone who prefers to understand what their system does and to keep the freedom to modify it finds a natural ally in Ubuntu.
The community behind Ubuntu
Much of Ubuntu's success is explained by its community. Thousands of people collaborate voluntarily by testing releases, translating the system into dozens of languages, writing documentation and answering questions on forums such as Ask Ubuntu, one of the most active question-and-answer sites in the software world. That support network makes Ubuntu especially friendly for those taking their first steps with Linux: it is very hard to run out of answers when you face a problem, because someone has almost always solved it before.
In short, Ubuntu is a free, secure and complete operating system that shows you do not have to pay to get quality software. Whether you want to renew an old computer, get started with programming or set up a server, trying it costs nothing: download it, test it from a USB drive and, if you like it, install it in a few minutes. Anyone looking for a serious alternative to commercial systems finds in Ubuntu a solid starting point, backed by years of development and by one of the largest communities in the technology world.