This entry is compiled from primary sources: Ubuntu'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.
Ubuntu Review (2026) — Honest Take for Free Users
FreeCanonical
Ubuntu, from Canonical, 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 Canonical; Largest Ecosystem is a current highlight.
Pros
- The default answer for a reason — more tutorials, forum answers and vendor-supported packages target Ubuntu than any other desktop Linux.
- LTS releases get five years of standard security updates, and Ubuntu Pro extends that to ten years free for personal use on up to five machines.
- Hardware certification with major OEMs means laptops are more likely to just work.
- Canonical is a real company with commercial support to sell, so the release cadence is predictable.
Cons
- Snap packages are the recurring complaint. Firefox ships as a snap, first launch is noticeably slower than a native package, and Canonical redirects some
aptinstalls to snaps whether you asked or not. - The Snap Store back end is proprietary, which sits awkwardly on an otherwise open system.
- GNOME as shipped is heavily patched by Canonical, so it behaves differently from upstream GNOME.
- Six-monthly interim releases are only supported nine months — on those you are upgrading twice a year or drifting out of support.
What it costs
Nothing. Ubuntu Desktop is free and there is no paid desktop edition.
Ubuntu Pro is free for personal use on up to five machines and extends security coverage to ten years. Canonical sells the same thing to businesses, which is where the money comes from — not from you.
Best alternatives
- Linux Mint — Most Windows switchers who want a calm, familiar desktop (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 Ubuntu 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.