With Windows 10’s support window closed and hundreds of millions of older PCs facing an uncomfortable upgrade choice, two Ubuntu‑based desktops —
Linux Mint and
Zorin OS — have become the easiest, most pragmatic alternatives for everyday Windows users. Both aim to deliver a low‑friction transition, but they approach the problem differently: Mint doubles down on a conservative, familiar experience that “just works,” while Zorin aggressively packages visual polish, migration tooling, and layout switching to make the desktop
feel like home. The practical difference matters: one prioritizes familiarity and stability, the other prioritizes immediacy and first‑boot delight.
Background / Overview
Both distributions are built on the same upstream foundation —
Ubuntu LTS — which gives them shared strengths: extensive driver support, predictable security updates, and access to huge software repositories. From that common base they diverge in product positioning.
- Linux Mint targets users who want a conservative, stable desktop with minimal surprises. It ships with the Cinnamon desktop by default (with MATE and Xfce available), a Windows‑style layout, and a heavy emphasis on privacy and control.
- Zorin OS targets Windows switchers who want immediate visual familiarity plus migration helpers. Zorin’s Appearance tool lets you change the desktop layout in one click; its release cadence and UI customizations aim to lower cognitive friction for users moving off Windows. Zorin OS 18 shipped with a modernized UI and received strong attention the day it launched.
Both distros are privacy‑forward: neither includes intrusive telemetry by default and both encourage user control over cloud integrations and data flows. That said, the choice between them is more about
how you want that desktop to behave on day one than about raw technical capability.
What changed after Windows 10 EOL — why this comparison matters
The end of mainstream Windows 10 support created a real, practical decision point for billions of devices. Zorin timed the release of Zorin OS 18 for October 14, 2025 — the same day Microsoft cut mainstream support — and reported unusually heavy download activity in the immediate launch window. Independent press coverage noted Zorin reached roughly 100,000 downloads in a little over 48 hours, with a large share coming from Windows systems; that surge is a signal of migration interest, not a technical endorsement. Treat marketing download counts as context; always pilot your specific hardware and workflows. Linux Mint has long been a top choice for Windows migrants and remains one of the most installed desktop Linux distributions. Its longevity and active community make it a low‑risk pick for most home users and small offices. The Mint project explicitly emphasizes a minimal‑telemetry stance and an out‑of‑the‑box experience designed to “just work.”
Desktop and first‑impression differences
Linux Mint: familiarity and conservative polish
Linux Mint’s flagship is the
Cinnamon desktop. It deliberately mirrors classic PC desktop metaphors: a bottom panel, a start‑menu style application launcher, a system tray, and desktop shortcuts. That layout reduces training time for Windows users and minimizes cognitive friction on day one. Cinnamon is built by the Mint team, integrated tightly with Mint’s ecosystem, and is conservative in behavior by design — fewer surprises, fewer user‑facing configuration traps.
Practical upsides:
- Very low learning curve for Windows users.
- Timeshift snapshots and a careful Update Manager reduce the chance of updates breaking a working system.
- Efficient on older hardware — MATE/Xfce spins are especially light, Cinnamon itself remains optimized for modern modest‑spec machines.
Zorin OS: visual polish, layout switching, migration helpers
Zorin OS treats the desktop as part of the migration experience. The
Zorin Appearance tool lets you choose layouts that mimic Windows 10/11, macOS, or other paradigms; Zorin Pro expands that list further. Each layout is heavily styled and refined so the environment looks professionally finished out of the box. That attention to immediate appearance is the chief practical reason many non‑technical users find Zorin reassuring. Zorin also includes a
Windows installer detection feature: when a user double‑clicks an .exe or .msi file from Windows, Zorin will attempt to offer a native alternative or suggest the best way to run the program (native replacement, Wine/Bottles/Proton, or virtualization). That triage reduces guesswork and onboarding friction.
Practical upsides:
- Switch layouts instantly to match user muscle memory.
- Installer detection and migration assistant lower the “will my apps run?” anxiety.
- Zorin Connect provides plug‑and‑play Android phone integration for notifications, file transfer, and remote control.
Hardware support and kernel strategy
Both distributions inherit Ubuntu LTS’s advantages: long support windows and access to Canonical’s Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernels, which backport newer kernel versions and drivers into LTS releases. For real‑world device compatibility this is a crucial detail: the kernel and driver stack determine whether you’ll get immediate Wi‑Fi, GPU, and peripheral support without manual work.
- Zorin OS 18 ships on an Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base with a newer kernel (Linux 6.14) in its release line, increasing out‑of‑the‑box compatibility for newer GPUs and Wi‑Fi chips. That’s one reason reviewers reported fewer driver headaches on modern hardware.
- Linux Mint follows Ubuntu’s HWE strategy as well. Mint’s point releases (22.x series) receive hardware enablement updates that improve support for recent components without sacrificing the LTS stability most users want. Check exact kernel versions in Mint’s release notes when buying new hardware.
Practical guidance:
- If you have very new hardware (latest Wi‑Fi/ARM devices, bleeding‑edge GPUs), confirm the kernel version in the distro’s release notes and test via a Live USB.
- If you’re reviving an older laptop, both distros are good choices — use Mint’s MATE/Xfce or Zorin Lite to reduce RAM pressure.
Applications, Windows compatibility, and gaming
Both distros provide the same core Linux application ecosystem: apt/Ubuntu repos, Flatpak/Flathub, and Snap where supported. Your choice here is primarily about
presentation and migration helpers.
- Zorin explicitly bundles Wine tooling and a Windows App Support layer (now shipping with Wine 10 in Zorin OS 18), plus a detection system that suggests alternatives when it sees a Windows installer. That reduces guesswork for non‑technical users but does not magically run every Windows app — kernel‑mode drivers and anti‑cheat systems remain blockers.
- Mint also supports Wine, Proton, and Proton‑like tooling for games (Heroic, Lutris) but approaches them without the extra migration scaffolding; you’ll install and configure compatibility layers manually or via community guides.
Gaming note: Proton/Steam play and Lutris have dramatically improved Windows game compatibility on Linux, but titles requiring kernel‑level anti‑cheat or specific Windows drivers will still require a Windows VM or a retained Windows host. Always test your favorite game(s) from a live session or VM before committing.
Privacy, telemetry, and data practices
Privacy is a top‑level differentiator for many switching users. Both projects position themselves as privacy‑respecting:
- Linux Mint states plainly on its site that it does not collect telemetry and that the OS is designed to give the user control; Mint’s philosophy is “your computer, your rules.” That stance is central to Mint’s appeal.
- Zorin also markets itself as privacy‑respecting and explicitly avoids telemetry and intrusive data collection in default installs. Zorin emphasizes local features (like Zorin Connect) that work on local networks rather than cloud‑first telemetry.
Caveat: integrated web services (OneDrive, Google Online Accounts) inevitably touch third‑party cloud providers’ policies. Zorin’s OneDrive integration mounts accounts via GNOME Online Accounts — useful for browsing but not a drop‑in replacement for Windows’ Files On‑Demand selective sync model. Test offline file needs carefully before you rely on cloud integrations for mission‑critical workflows.
Support, upgrades and lifecycle
- Zorin OS 18 is an LTS‑based release with a declared support window through at least 2029; Zorin markets it as suitable for deployments in homes, schools, and small orgs that want predictable patching. Zorin’s team also offers a paid Pro edition that bundles extra layouts and installation support as a one‑time purchase.
- Linux Mint 22.x point releases are based on Ubuntu LTS and maintain predictable update channels; Mint’s Update Manager and included tools like Timeshift make conservative upgrades easy for less technical households. Mint emphasizes long‑term stability in its project messaging.
For enterprise or regulated environments, neither distribution is a turnkey replacement for a managed Windows fleet: plan pilots, imaging workflows, and consider paid support or a third‑party integrator for scale deployments. Community support for both projects is robust, but large‑scale rollouts need formal SLAs and acceptance testing.
Cost and the Pro model
Both distros offer free Core/Lite/Education editions. Zorin’s
Pro edition is a paid, one‑time purchase (commonly priced near
$47.99 / €47.99 in the storefronts reported across multiple outlets) that bundles additional layouts, a curated creative suite, and optional installation support. Pro is essentially a convenience and funding model for Zorin’s team; all Pro apps remain available for free to install via the Core edition’s software store. Linux Mint is fully free for end users; donations and sponsors sustain its development. For organizations that require commercial support, third‑party vendors can provide managed services around Mint or Zorin, but the upstream project itself remains community‑funded.
Strengths — a side‑by‑side summary
- Linux Mint (strengths)
- Minimal learning curve for Windows users.
- Conservative updates and Timeshift snapshots reduce the chance of downtime.
- Strong community and documentation, making troubleshooting easier for beginners.
- Zorin OS (strengths)
- Outstanding first‑boot polish and one‑click layout switching reduce retraining time.
- Migration helpers (installer detection, OneDrive mounted browse, Zorin Connect) ease the transition.
- Newer kernel/driver stack in Zorin 18 improves compatibility with recent hardware.
Risks, caveats and where each distro can trip you up
- Neither distro will run kernel‑mode Windows drivers or fix vendor‑locked peripherals. If your workflow depends on special Windows drivers (medical devices, proprietary hardware, certain enterprise printers), you must test or retain a Windows VM. This limitation is the single biggest migration blocker in real deployments.
- Gaming: titles that require kernel anti‑cheat or low‑level Windows drivers may not run under Proton/Wine. Test each title.
- Cloud sync semantics: Zorin’s OneDrive mount is convenient but differs from Windows’ selective sync. If your work requires local file availability identical to Windows, validate offline behavior.
- Download and marketing claims: early download spikes — while real — are not guarantees of long‑term suitability or supportability. Treat them as signals of interest, not technical endorsement; evaluate on hardware and application compatibility.
A practical migration playbook (step‑by‑step)
- Inventory
- List every app and peripheral you rely on, ranked by criticality. Include printers, scanners, USB dongles, and any vendor‑supplied utilities.
- Backup
- Create a full disk image and copy essential data to an external drive or cloud. Keep the image until you’re fully confident.
- Live test
- Boot both Linux Mint and Zorin from USB on the target hardware. Verify Wi‑Fi, sound, webcam, GPU acceleration, printing, and the behavior of OneDrive and other cloud mounts.
- Pilot
- Pick a non‑critical machine for a week‑long pilot. Migrate a single user and document breakage and fixes. Keep a Windows VM for any stubborn applications.
- Rollout
- Once confident, schedule a phased rollout, automate backups and timeshift snapshots, and provide a remote‑assist path for non‑technical users.
Which one should you pick?
- Use Linux Mint if:
- You want the smallest possible learning curve and a classic, no‑friction desktop that behaves like Windows.
- You prioritize a conservative update policy, strong community help, and the absolute minimum of surprise.
- Use Zorin OS if:
- You want immediate visual familiarity and migration features that actively guide users away from Windows expectations (installer detection, OneDrive browse, layout switching).
- You prefer a more modern look by default and value built‑in phone integration (Zorin Connect) and curated out‑of‑the‑box apps.
Both choices protect privacy better than default consumer Windows installations and help extend the life of hardware that would otherwise become e‑waste — pick on the basis of first impression, then validate with a pilot.
Final analysis — strengths, hazards and a pragmatic recommendation
Both Linux Mint and Zorin OS are mature, practical replacements for many Windows 10 users. They arrive from the same technical lineage and offer similar real‑world performance and compatibility, but the emotional and training impacts differ:
- Mint is the pragmatic, low‑maintenance choice that minimizes disruption and support calls. It’s ideal for households and small offices that want a predictable desktop with minimal retraining.
- Zorin is the persuasive, migration‑focused choice that reduces cognitive friction through polished aesthetics and migration tooling. It’s ideal for first‑time switchers who want their computer to look and behave like what they already know on Day One. Zorin OS 18’s launch showed how effective this approach can be: the release drew significant attention and downloads at release, underscoring the demand for an approachable, visually familiar Linux option.
Practical closing advice:
- Boot both from a Live USB and exercise your most important workflows.
- Keep a Windows VM for mission‑critical legacy software.
- If you care most about not retraining users, choose Mint; if you care most about reducing initial anxiety and creating a “looks like home” environment, choose Zorin. Either way, treat the first install as a pilot, not a permanent leap.
Both distributions are excellent and actively maintained alternatives that will extend the useful life of aging hardware, reduce licensing costs, and offer a more privacy‑respecting desktop for everyday computing. Test, pilot, and migrate deliberately — the technical transition is now easier than it has ever been, but the organizational and workflow validations still matter.
Source: ZDNET
Linux Mint vs. Zorin OS: I compared the two Windows alternatives, and here's my advice