The distro is MX Linux. It ranked third in DistroWatch’s Page Hit Ranking when How-To Geek published its article on August 28, 2026, placing it above Ubuntu and Fedora in that particular ranking. That measures visits to DistroWatch distribution pages—not installed users, downloads, or market share. The ranking is a dated snapshot, not proof that more people use MX Linux.
What the popularity claim actually measures
DistroWatch’s Page Hit Ranking tracks interest in distribution pages on its site. How-To Geek reported MX Linux at number three on August 28, 2026. That supports the narrow claim that MX ranked above Ubuntu and Fedora in that DistroWatch view at that time; it does not establish a larger user base. How-To Geek’s report describes the ranking and its limits.
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There is no reliable comparative figure here for active installations, total downloads, or market share across MX Linux, Ubuntu, and Fedora. “More popular” therefore needs the metric and date attached to it.
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Three reasons MX Linux draws interest
1. Desktop editions for different hardware profiles
MX Linux offers Xfce, KDE, and Fluxbox editions. The project characterizes Xfce as a midweight desktop with broad hardware support, KDE as a Plasma desktop for a wide range of 64-bit machines, and Fluxbox as a lightweight option suited to older or lower-capacity hardware. It also offers an Xfce Advanced Hardware Support edition. These are project descriptions, not guarantees that a particular computer will work flawlessly. MX Linux’s download page lists its editions and their intended profiles.
#1 Best Overall
- MX Linux is a cooperative venture between the antiX and MX Linux communities. It is a family of operating systems that are designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance. MX’s graphical tools provide an easy way to do a wide variety of tasks, while the Live USB and snapshot tools inherited from antiX add impressive portability and remastering capabilities.
- Xfce is our flagship. It is a midweight desktop environment that aims to be fast and low-resource, while still being attractive and user-friendly. It augments the native Xfce configuration with unique features.
- KDE is well known for its advanced desktop “Plasma” and a wide variety of powerful applications.
- Fluxbox unites the speed, low resource use and elegance of Fluxbox with the toolset from MX Linux. The result is a lightweight and fully functional system that has many unique features.
- MX Linux 25 – Latest Stable Release. Preloaded with MX Linux 25, one of the most popular and lightweight Linux distributions, built on a stable Debian base for speed, reliability, and long-term support.
2. Graphical utilities for common system tasks
MX includes graphical system tools for tasks such as managing boot options and repositories. Its documentation also describes the MX Package Installer. That can make routine administration more approachable for people who prefer menus to command-line instructions, though it is not a promise that every task can be done without a terminal. The MX Linux wiki documents the project’s tools and help resources.
3. A portable Live USB workflow
The project describes running MX from a Live USB and remastering a live system. This lets a user try the distribution or carry a configured live environment on removable storage rather than installing it as the computer’s main operating system. The official material establishes the use case, but not a universal USB capacity or speed requirement. MX Linux’s system documentation covers its live-system capabilities.
Rank #2
- 1. 9-in-1 Linux:32GB Bootable Linux USB Flash Drive for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Linux Mint cinnamon 22, MX Linux xfce 23, Elementary OS 8.0, Linux Lite xfce 7.0, Manjaro kde 24(Replaced by Fedora Workstation 43), Peppermint Debian 32bit (being replaced by MX Linux 32bit) for older PC, Pop OS 22, Zorin OS core xfce 17. The versions you received might be latest than above as we update them to latest/LTS when we think necessary.
- 2. Try or install:Before installing on your PC, you can try them one by one without touching your hard disks.
- 3. Easy to use: These distros are easy to use and built with beginners in mind. Most of them Come with a wide range of pre-bundled software that includes office productivity suite, Web browser, instant messaging, image editing, multimedia, and email. Ensure transition to Linux World without regrets for Windows users.
- 4. Support: Printed user guide on how to boot up and try or install Linux; please contact us for help if you have an issue. Please press "Enter" a couple of times if you see a black screen after selecting a Linux.
- 5. Compatibility: Except for MACs,Chromebooks and ARM-based devices, works with any brand's laptop and desktop PC, legacy BIOS or UEFI booting, Requires enabling USB boot in BIOS/UEFI configuration and disabling Secure Boot is necessary for UEFI boot mode. Packing: The bootable USB drive comes in a colored PET/CPP zipper bag with instructions on how to get started. The box pictured is not included.
How MX Linux handles releases and software freshness
MX Linux is built from Debian Stable repositories and follows a stable-release model rather than a rolling one. The project says major-version changes follow Debian Stable releases, with point releases in between. This favors a release-based foundation; it does not mean every package is the newest version available. The MX Linux FAQ and wiki explain the project’s release approach.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe project announced MX 25.3 “Infinity” on September 20, 2026. Its release announcement lists updated Debian kernels and a newer Liquorix kernel for the Xfce AHS edition; kernel details can change with later releases. Check the official MX Linux news page for the latest release information.
Rank #3
- ✅For beginners, refer image-7, its a video boot instruction, and image-6 is "boot menu Hot Key list"
- ✅16-IN-1, 64GB Bootable USB Drive 3.2 , Can Run Linux On USB Drive Without Install, All Latest versions.
- ✅Including Windows 11 64Bit & Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon)、Kali 2026.02、Ubuntu 26.04、Zorin Pro 18、Tails 7.8.1、Debian 13.5.0、Garuda 2026.03、Fedora Workstation 44、Manjaro 25.06、Pop!_OS 22.04、Solus 2026.04、Archcraft 26.05、Neon 2026.06、Fossapup 9.5、Sparkylinux 8.3, All ISO has been Tested
- ✅Supported UEFI and Legacy, Compatibility any PC/Laptop, Any boot issue only needs to disable "Secure Boot"
How to decide whether MX Linux fits your needs
- Consider MX if you want a Debian Stable-based system, a choice of desktop profiles, bundled graphical utilities, or a live USB workflow.
- Choose an edition based on the machine and desktop you want. Xfce, KDE, Fluxbox, and Xfce AHS have different intended profiles; consult the project’s edition descriptions rather than treating them as a compatibility guarantee.
- Look elsewhere if your priority is a rolling release or always-newest packages. MX does not describe itself as a rolling distribution.
- Do not use DistroWatch’s page ranking to decide which distro has the most users. It measures page interest on that site, not adoption.
The ranking alone cannot establish that MX is categorically better than Ubuntu or Fedora. A fair choice depends on the desktop, release cadence, and workflow you need; the evidence here does not provide a like-for-like comparison of their support periods, hardware compatibility, or installed-user totals.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: Easy to install and use, with a familiar desktop experience.
- Pre-loaded MX-Linux OS Live Boot & Installation Windows-Like Interface UEFI & Legacy BIOS Compatible Fast & Secure Reusable USB Drive Step-by-Step Installation Guide Lifetime Technical Support via Messaging
- Modern Desktop Experience: Features an improved menu, better keyboard handling, updated applets, and a polished user experience
- Excellent Backwant Hardware Compatibility.
- Pre-Installed productivity software applications: include web browser, full office suite, media players, backup tools, software manager, and system utilities right out of the box.
Rank #4
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: Easy to install and use, with a familiar desktop experience.
- Pre-loaded MX-Linux OS Live Boot & Installation Windows-Like Interface UEFI & Legacy BIOS Compatible Fast & Secure Reusable USB Drive Step-by-Step Installation Guide Lifetime Technical Support via Messaging
- Modern Desktop Experience: Features an improved menu, better keyboard handling, updated applets, and a polished user experience
- Excellent Backwant Hardware Compatibility.
- Pre-Installed productivity software applications: include web browser, full office suite, media players, backup tools, software manager, and system utilities right out of the box.
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