Virtual machines are incredibly helpful in the modern computing environment. They allow you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, create test environments, and more without having to buy a separate machine.

© everything possible/Shutterstock.com

With virtual machines, you can turn one computer into many. With each additional machine, you can run any operating system from within another operating system, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues or conflicting software.

Unlike Windows, Linux is an open-source OS and doesn’t belong to one company. It is developed by a huge community of programmers and users worldwide. The goal of the Open Source movement is to allow anyone with interest to contribute to the improvement of the software.

The best part about it is choosing what you want to install, configure and edit on your computer. This means there will be no restrictions, allowing you to use your machine any way you want.

So, if you were wondering which Linux distro is best for VMs, we provide some great options so that you can pick the best fit for you.

#7: Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server is a Debian-based distribution that aims to be a lightweight, user-friendly operating system. It can be used to run applications on the server side and create a virtual machine (VM) that can run any Linux distribution.

Ubuntu is widely regarded as one of the best Linux distros for VMs. It has been used by many companies and organizations in their IT environments.

The reason why so many people use it is because of its stability and reliability. It has a number of features that make it an ideal choice for server virtualization, including high availability features and advanced networking capabilities.

Ubuntu Server also provides all the standard server tools you need, including SSH access management, system monitoring tools, configuration management features, and storage management software. This makes it easy to get your virtual machine up and running quickly without having to set up all these things yourself or wait for someone else to do them for you (which can take days).

#6: elementary OS

Elementary OS is an operating system that aims to combine the ease of use of a desktop OS with the power of a server-grade OS. It’s based on Ubuntu and was created by the same team that created it.

It has a modern look and feel, and its interface is designed to be fast and simple and greatly resembles macOS. It also has a lot of great features that make it ideal for use as a server or in small businesses.

This operating system has been designed specifically for virtual machines, but it also works well on your computer if you’re looking for something simple and easy to use. The elementary OS comes with a lot of pre-installed software, including applications like mail, photos, music, calendar, and code.

It also includes numerous tools to help you customize your computer’s settings. Elementary OS also has many customization options available to customize your operating system’s look.

The theme can be customized by selecting different colors or changing the background image on the desktop screen. Many other themes are also available for download online, allowing you to change what it looks like on your desktop screen.

#5: Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is a modern distribution that features a user-friendly graphical interface. It is designed for desktop and mobile devices, and it can be used on any computer, from an old laptop to a powerful gaming machine.

The Manjaro Linux Desktop has several flavors, including the standard Xfce version, KDE Plasma version, Cinnamon & MATE edition, and GNOME 3 (Mate Edition). Each of these comes with different pre-installed applications, but you can always install more if you choose.

Manjaro Linux is based on Arch Linux, which means it has a rolling release model that makes frequent updates easy to manage. This keeps your system up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates. It also allows you to easily install new software packages when they are released.

#4: Fedora

Fedora is a free, open-source operating system developed by the community-supported Fedora Project. First released in 2003, it has grown rapidly in popularity over time, mainly because of its inclusion of free and open-source software.

It offers a wide range of options for different types of users. It’s especially popular with developers, but it also works well for those who want to use it as a desktop operating system. Fedora is available in two editions: Workstation and Server.

The Workstation edition is designed for advanced users who run multiple applications simultaneously or perform complex tasks. The Server edition is more suited for those who want to run multiple applications on one machine but don’t have the time or interest to learn how to install software through RPM files or other non-standard methods.

Fedora is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions (64-bit versions are not recommended if you’re planning on using your computer with virtual machines). Fedora includes a plethora of tools and utilities that can help you manage your online presence. It even lets you build websites using HTML5 & CSS3 technologies.

One of the most notable features of Fedora is that users can access packages from multiple versions simultaneously. It features one of the best package managers on any platform with RPM or DNF, which makes it easy to keep packages up to date without having to go through long downloading times. Overall, this distro makes updates easy to find and install, which saves you a lot of stress.

#3: Raspberry Pi OS

Raspberry Pi is a popular Linux distro for the Raspberry Pi desktop. It’s lightweight and fast, with a wide variety of applications to suit any need. It also has a full range of desktop packages, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.

With its intuitive menus, Raspberry is a great choice if you’re new to Linux or want an easy way to use your Raspberry Pi. It’s also one of the most widely used operating systems for Raspberry Pis because there are so many tutorials and guides available.

The best part about this distro is how easy it is to set up and use. You can download it from its website or use the apt-get command to install it on your Linux server (or even in a VM).

Raspberry Pi OS has many features that make it ideal for developers and hobbyists who want to quickly get started with their projects. It comes with most of the basic tools you’ll need if you’re trying to build something cool (like an IoT device).

But it also includes some special features that make it stand out among other distros. It’s even got a built-in editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete support.

This makes Raspberry Pi OS one of the best Linux distributions for beginners. Especially those who want to develop their own IoT devices or other projects requiring lots of development tools.

#2: Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a lightweight and easy-to-use Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It’s designed for older computers but still works well on newer ones. It has a very small footprint and is easy to install.

The developers made sure that Lubuntu had a lot of useful software pre-installed, including most of the common applications like LibreOffice and Firefox. They have also added their own programs, such as the lightweight web browser Midori.

Lubuntu is great if you want to try out Linux because there’s no need to get rid of anything else on your hard drive to install it. You don’t need any special hardware either because Lubuntu can run perfectly on just about any computer, including older models with limited RAM capacity or old laptops that have been in storage for years.

It uses the LXQt desktop environment in place of Ubuntu’s GNOME desktop, which is lightweight and easy to use. It also has great support for themes, so plenty of options are available if you want to change things up a bit. However, if you want something more powerful than Lubuntu, you should consider looking at other distributions, such as Fedora or OpenSUSE.

#1: Linux Mint

Linux Mint is one of the more popular distributions, with a reported 20% of users using it as their primary distro. It’s based on Ubuntu, one of the most popular distros in the world, but it has a different desktop environment.

The MATE desktop makes Linux Mint unique from other distributions. It gives users a classic look familiar to many Windows users and others who have used older versions of Mac OS X or previous generations of GNOME.

It also comes with pre-installed LibreOffice, so you can start working immediately. What’s more, you get software such as Firefox, Thunderbird, and GIMP installed by default. Linux Mint is great for beginners because it’s easy to install and set up, but it’s also powerful enough for experienced users who want control over their system.

Linux Mint has been around since 2006, and it’s been an incredibly stable distribution even through the ups and downs in the Linux ecosystem over the past few years. It’s also very popular among developers who want to create software without worrying about stability or compatibility issues.

How to Choose the Best Linux Distro for VM: Step by Step

When looking for the best Linux distro for virtual machines, you want to make sure that you choose one that works with all of your existing software and hardware. Also, that it’s easy to set up and use, and has a good community support system. Here are some things to look out for when choosing which Linux distro is right for your needs:

Ease of Use

The best Linux distros for virtual machines have to be easy to use. You need a simple and intuitive distro. It will allow you to start working quickly. It can become overwhelming if a distro has too many bells and whistles.

Compatibility

You want a Linux distro compatible with the hardware and software you’re using in your virtual machine environment. That way, you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues. These can be frustrating if they occur during setup or maintenance. Also, ensure that the Linux Distro you choose can be updated easily if new versions come out.

Support

Consider how well-supported the Linux Distro you’re considering is by other users and developers. This will give you an idea of how long it will take before there are any issues with bugs or support requests, especially if they involve security vulnerabilities.

Because these systems are complex, it’s important that all users feel like they’ve been heard and taken care of. Make sure that no matter how small your request may seem, someone will be available anytime.

Hardware Requirements

The most important thing is that your virtual machine has enough memory. This will allow it to run the operating system without crashing. The minimum amount of RAM in each distro can be found on its website.

If you’re using a VM with 4GB of RAM, it’s best not to install any applications that require more than that. Otherwise, there won’t be enough room for them all.

You’ll need more memory for larger VMs, but if all you need is a lightweight testing environment, having less RAM might be fine. Another important hardware factor is how much processing power your computer has. This indicates how fast it can respond and how many cores (CPUs) it has.

You also want to ensure that the operating system will work well with all the other components in your computer, like graphics cards, if they have onboard video processing capabilities or storage devices with built-in controllers.

The Best Linux Distro for VM: Bottom Line

Linux is the best operating system for virtual machines because it’s free and open source, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying for software or licensing fees. It also has a large community of developers constantly working on new features and tools that make working with Linux in your VM easier.

The best distros for virtual machines are those that allow you access to the latest software versions and support. Evaluating your needs before picking the right Linux distro for VM is important.

Remember that each distro has different features and abilities, which can make it better suited for certain tasks than others. So, it’s best to know about those features beforehand, so you know exactly what you’re getting into when installing it.

Up Next

  • The 10 Best Linux Distro for Plex: Reviewed and RankedTop 10 Best Linux Distro for TouchscreenTop 9 Best Linux Distro for Email Server: Reviewed and RankedBest Linux Distros for Server: Reviewed and Ranked