This entry is compiled from primary sources: Linux Mint's own documentation, release notes, and licensing or pricing pages.
It has not been hands-on tested by us. Where a limit, a price or a requirement is stated below, it is the published figure at the time of writing rather than a measured result.
Anything we have not verified is left out instead of guessed at.
Linux Mint Review (2026) — Honest Take for Free Users
FreeLinux Mint Team
Linux Mint, from Linux Mint Team, is a free, open desktop Linux distribution. It is free to use, with no paywall on the core experience.
Below: what you actually get for free, where the limits sit, and who should skip it.
What it does well
- Genuinely free; the useful parts are not locked behind a paywall.
- Practical defaults; it works without a steep learning curve.
- Actively maintained by Linux Mint Team; Best Overall is a current highlight.
Pros
- No-cost entry with real features.
- Backed by Linux Mint Team, so it is actively maintained.
- Good fit for users who want a free, open desktop Linux distribution without paying.
Cons
- Deliberately conservative. Mint holds back kernel and driver updates that Ubuntu ships, which is stability for most people and a problem if your hardware is brand new.
- Cinnamon is X11-first; Wayland support exists but is still labelled experimental, which matters for HiDPI, mixed refresh rates and fractional scaling.
- Built on Ubuntu LTS, so it inherits Ubuntu's base age — packages are older than Fedora's by design.
- Smaller team than Canonical or Red Hat, so hardware enablement lands later.
What it costs
Nothing, and there is no paid edition at all — no Pro tier, no supporter licence, no upsell in the installer.
Mint runs on donations and sponsorships. That is the whole funding model, which is worth knowing when you compare it against distros that have a commercial edition to sell you.
Best alternatives
- Ubuntu — Beginners who want the most tutorials, vendor support and predictable releases (linux).
- Fedora Workstation — Curious beginners who want a clean, current Linux desktop with strong upstream defaults (linux).
- Zorin OS — Windows refugees who care about polish and a low-anxiety first boot (linux).
FAQ
Is Linux Mint free? Yes — it is free to use.
Do I need a card? No, to start.
Best for? a free, open desktop Linux distribution without paying.