The Best Voyager Alternatives for Your Desktop Needs
Voyager Live, an Xubuntu distribution, offers a unique desktop experience with its Xfce environment, Avant Window Navigator, Conky, and extensive visual customisation. While it provides a robust and visually appealing system, users often seek alternatives for various reasons, including different desktop environments, specific feature sets, or community support. If you're looking for a fresh take on your Linux experience, exploring a Voyager alternative can open up a world of possibilities.
Top Voyager Alternatives
Whether you prioritize stability, cutting-edge features, or a specific user interface, there's a Linux distribution out there that can perfectly replace Voyager Live. Here are some of the top contenders:
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a widely popular Debian Linux-based open-source operating system known for its user-friendliness and extensive community support. As a direct alternative to Voyager, which is built on Xubuntu (an Ubuntu flavor), Ubuntu offers a similar foundation but with its GNOME desktop environment, providing a different aesthetic and workflow. It's Free, Open Source, and available for Windows and Linux, featuring customizable options, a robust package manager (APT), and strong security and privacy.
Debian
Debian is the foundational open-source operating system that many distributions, including Voyager's base (Xubuntu is based on Ubuntu, which is based on Debian), are built upon. It's a fantastic Voyager alternative for users who prioritize stability, flexibility, and a truly free operating system. Available for Free, Open Source, Windows, Linux, Windows S, BSD, and Self-Hosted platforms, Debian boasts features like rolling releases, low memory usage, and a powerful package manager, making it highly customizable and secure.
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions, offering a modern, elegant, and comfortable experience. It serves as an excellent Voyager alternative, particularly for those coming from a Windows background, thanks to its Windows-like interface (especially with the Cinnamon desktop). It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, featuring out-of-the-box functionality, a built-in file manager, strong community support, and a focus on privacy and security with no tracking.
Manjaro Linux
Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. For users seeking a rolling release model and access to the vast Arch User Repository, Manjaro offers a compelling Voyager alternative. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, providing excellent stability, customizability, and being lightweight. It also offers ARM support and strong security features.
elementary OS
elementary OS is a fast, free, and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu, making it a strong contender as a Voyager alternative for users who appreciate a refined and macOS-like user interface. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, focusing on a distraction-free UI and providing an out-of-the-box experience with Flatpak support for applications.
Xubuntu
Given that Voyager Live is an Xubuntu distribution, Xubuntu itself is the most direct and natural Voyager alternative. It offers the same stable, light, and configurable Xfce desktop environment without the added customizations of Voyager. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, ideal for users who loved Voyager's core but prefer a cleaner, more standard Xfce experience.
Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an official flavor of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma Desktop, providing a powerful, flexible, and visually rich desktop environment. As a Voyager alternative, it's perfect for users who want to stay within the Ubuntu ecosystem but desire a different desktop experience than Xfce. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, leveraging the stability of Ubuntu with the extensive features of KDE Plasma.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system that uses the minimal LXDE/LXQT desktop, making it an excellent Voyager alternative for older hardware or users who prioritize performance and resource efficiency. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based (derived from Ubuntu and Debian), offering a clean, customizable, and easy-to-use user interface.
Ubuntu MATE
Ubuntu MATE provides a stable, easy-to-use operating system with a configurable MATE desktop environment, offering a traditional desktop metaphor. It's a great Voyager alternative for those seeking a lightweight yet feature-rich experience that is familiar and highly customizable. It's Free, Open Source, and Linux-based, also offering ARM support.
Solus
Solus is a Linux distribution built from scratch, exclusively for desktop systems, offering a unique approach to package management and a focus on curated desktop environments like Budgie. As a Voyager alternative, it provides a rolling release model and is known for its performance, making it a good choice for users seeking a modern, fast, and lightweight system with strong security and privacy.
Ultimately, the best Voyager alternative depends on your individual needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize a specific desktop environment, system performance, community support, or cutting-edge features, the diverse world of Linux distributions offers a perfect match for every user. Explore these options to find the ideal operating system that enhances your computing experience.