Link copied to clipboard

# CentOS vs Linux Mint Comparison - What are their main differences?

Share
[
Export
](/compare/centos/linux-mint/export.csv)

CentOSLinux Mint[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**CentOS** [

4.4/5(425)

](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews#reviews)

**Linux Mint** [

4.5/5(190)

](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**CentOS**
No pricing available

**Linux Mint**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**CentOS**
2 months

Based on 57 responses

**Linux Mint**
2 months

Based on 11 responses

Return on Investment

**CentOS**
12 months2 months sooner

Based on 48 responses

**Linux Mint**
14 months

Based on 10 responses

Perceived Cost

**CentOS**
$$$$$

**Linux Mint**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**CentOS**
12%

**Linux Mint**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**CentOS**
[
Reliability (16)
](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1466824&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Stability (14)
](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1466522&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Outdated Technology (7)
](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2167300&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Lack of Support (5)
](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1467265&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**Linux Mint**
[
User-Friendly (11)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510389&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Stability (9)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1951816&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Driver Issues (4)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510613&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Limited Apps/Store (3)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510608&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

Integrations

**CentOS**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_aa32fa23598dc6c153bb17435c1c1d13/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016.png "Product Avatar Image")

ActiveDirectory Domain...

](https://www.g2.com/products/activedirectory-domain-controller-for-windows-2016/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9d00048205a466c174da3c77093a1336/apache-maven.png "Product Avatar Image")

Apache Maven

](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-maven/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_875175039c275eab2eed735a56ad8cee/chrome-os.jpeg "Product Avatar Image")

Chrome OS

](https://www.g2.com/products/chrome-os/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_bde6cd3bdabd1f16c41327bd71f4dee5/cpanel.png "Product Avatar Image")

cPanel

](https://www.g2.com/products/cpanel/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/integrations)

**Linux Mint**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_690e90c5de441951cf5715b08b1d5420/arduino-ide.png "Product Avatar Image")

Arduino IDE

](https://www.g2.com/products/arduino-ide/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_13aba37ae908d9cf29a2452925257ccc/visual-studio-code.jpeg "Product Avatar Image")

Visual Studio Code

](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_bed616139052a54ed9edfb8911a5b7bc/windows-7.png "Product Avatar Image")

Windows 7

](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-7/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/integrations)

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**CentOS**

9.1

9.1342

**Linux Mint**

8.9

8.9153

Ease of Use

**CentOS**

8.5

8.5343

**Linux Mint**

9.0

9.0152

Ease of Setup

**CentOS**

8.5

8.5220

**Linux Mint**

9.2

9.270

Ease of Admin

**CentOS**

8.5

8.5205

**Linux Mint**

8.7

8.737

Quality of Support

**CentOS**

8.1

8.1286

**Linux Mint**

8.3

8.3143

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**CentOS**

8.6

8.6162

**Linux Mint**

8.2

8.234

Product Direction (% positive)

**CentOS**

8.3

8.3321

**Linux Mint**

8.2

8.2146

Features

Operating System[Hide 14 FeaturesShow 14 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.8

26

8.8

31

Memory Management - Operating System

RAM management

9.2

18

9.6(won by 0.4)

23

App Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Management - Operating System

I/O management

9.0

18

9.2(won by 0.2)

18

Backup and Recovery - Operating System

Data backup

8.1(won by 0.1)

13

8.0

20

Error Detection - Operating System

System operations monitoring

8.9(won by 0.7)

20

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.2

20

Additional Functionality

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Interface

Not enough data

Not enough data

Resource Allocation

Not enough data

Not enough data

System Updates

Not enough data

Not enough data

For Developers

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Desktop Interface

Not enough data

Not enough data

Show 1 feature category with incomplete data

AWS Marketplace[Hide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

Autonomous Task Execution

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multi-step Planning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Cross-system Integration

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![CentOS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565579/centos.svg "CentOS")](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews)

CentOS

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

31.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

38.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

30.0%

[![Linux Mint](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3146bdd0defa39278b58727400f0a807/linux-mint.jpg "Linux Mint")](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews)

Linux Mint

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

54.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

32.4%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

13.2%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

31.4%

54.4%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

38.6%

32.4%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

30.0%

13.2%

Reviewers' Industry

[![CentOS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565579/centos.svg "CentOS")](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews)
CentOS

Information Technology and Services

30.2%

Computer Software

15.5%

Computer & Network Security

5.7%

Telecommunications

4.2%

Internet

3.7%

Other

40.6%

[![Linux Mint](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3146bdd0defa39278b58727400f0a807/linux-mint.jpg "Linux Mint")](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews)
Linux Mint

Information Technology and Services

25.7%

Computer Software

20.8%

Computer & Network Security

5.5%

Consumer Goods

4.4%

Newspapers

4.4%

Other

39.3%

FAQs

## CentOS vs Linux Mint FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between CentOS vs Linux Mint?

CentOS is distinguished by its enterprise-grade stability and RHEL compatibility, while Linux Mint stands out for its user-friendly interface and suitability for desktops and older hardware.

| [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (425 reviews) | 4.5/5 (191 reviews) |
| Mid-Market | Small-Business |
| 8.5 | 9.2 |
| 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Stability | User-Friendly |

### How do the pricing models of CentOS and Linux Mint compare?

Linux Mint is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its cost-free, user-friendly experience.

- **CentOS:** Reviewers highlight that CentOS eliminates enterprise OS licensing costs and provides a free, stable alternative to RHEL, but note its discontinuation and limited formal support as trade-offs.
- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers consistently praise Linux Mint for being completely free to install and use, with no licensing required, and for extending the life of older hardware, making it a strong value choice.
- **Switching reasons:** Recent reviews mention users moving to Linux Mint for its ease of use, cost savings, and suitability for both new and older devices.

### What are the best alternatives to CentOS and Linux Mint?

According to G2, the top three alternatives to CentOS and Linux Mint are Windows 11, Ubuntu, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) | 4.4/5 (425) | Mid-Market | Free, eliminates licensing costs | Stability |
| [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) | 4.5/5 (191) | Small-Business | Completely free, no license required | User-Friendly |
| [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) | 4.5/5 (4322) | Small-Business | — | Familiar interface and broad compatibility |
| [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) | 4.5/5 (2400) | Small-Business | — | Open source and strong community support |
| [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) | 4.6/5 (977) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade reliability and support |

### Which Operating System features should I prioritize when comparing CentOS and Linux Mint?

Buyers comparing CentOS and Linux Mint should prioritize stability, ease of setup, user-friendliness, support quality, and compatibility.

- **Stability:** CentOS (14 all-time mentions), Linux Mint (9 all-time mentions)
- **Ease of Setup:** CentOS (8.5), Linux Mint (9.2)
- **User-Friendliness:** CentOS (Ease of Use 8.5, 8 all-time mentions), Linux Mint (Ease of Use 9.0, 11 all-time mentions)
- **Quality of Support:** CentOS (8.1), Linux Mint (8.3)
- **Compatibility:** CentOS (RHEL compatibility, 8 all-time mentions), Linux Mint (Compatibility, 5 all-time mentions)

### What are the pros and cons of CentOS vs Linux Mint?

CentOS is strongest in stability and enterprise compatibility, while Linux Mint excels in user-friendliness and performance on older hardware.

- **CentOS strengths:** Stability (14 all-time mentions), reliability (16), RHEL compatibility (8), security (5), free/no cost (3), community support (6), easy setup (4)
- **CentOS trade-offs:** Outdated technology (7), lack of support (5), slow updates (5), limited availability (4), system instability (4), GUI and multimedia limitations
- **Linux Mint strengths:** User-friendly (11), stability (9), speed/performance (7), lightweight size (6), regular updates (6), reliability (6), compatibility (5), easy setup (5), free/no cost (5), strong community support (6)
- **Linux Mint trade-offs:** Driver issues (4), limited apps/store (3), outdated technology (3), slow updates (3), usage difficulty for some new users (3)

### Is CentOS or Linux Mint better for small businesses?

Linux Mint is the better fit for small businesses, as it is most popular in the Small-Business segment and is praised for its ease of use and low resource requirements.

- **CentOS:** Most popular in the Mid-Market segment, with reviewers noting its enterprise-grade stability and cost savings but also mentioning its discontinuation and limited support for new installations.
- **Linux Mint:** Most popular in the Small-Business segment, with reviewers highlighting its user-friendly interface, minimal setup, and ability to extend the life of older hardware, making it ideal for small business environments.

### Which Operating System platform has better integrations?

CentOS is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing more frequent and diverse integration use cases.

- **CentOS:** Integrates with Make (56 all-time mentions), MySQL (13), and Kubernetes (4), with reviewers highlighting its suitability for server and application hosting environments.
- **Linux Mint:** Integrates with Windows 7 (5 all-time mentions) and Arduino IDE (recent review mention), with reviewers noting its compatibility for desktop and development use cases.

### How do CentOS and Linux Mint compare on customer support?

CentOS and Linux Mint are rated within 0.2 points on Quality of Support, indicating near parity (CentOS 8.1, Linux Mint 8.3).

- **CentOS:** Reviewers describe community-driven support, with some noting limited formal support after discontinuation but strong peer assistance for server environments.
- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers highlight a large, active community and responsive peer support, with many citing helpful documentation and ease of finding solutions for common issues.

### Which is easier to implement, CentOS or Linux Mint?

Linux Mint is rated higher for Ease of Setup, with a 0.7-point advantage over CentOS (Linux Mint 9.2, CentOS 8.5).

- **CentOS:** Reviewers note straightforward installation for those familiar with Linux, but mention that setup can be less intuitive for beginners and that recent discontinuation impacts new deployments.
- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers consistently praise its simple, guided installation process, minimal setup requirements, and suitability for both new and older hardware, making it accessible for users with varying technical backgrounds.

Alternatives

**CentOS Alternatives**

 ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu")

[
Ubuntu
](/products/ubuntu/reviews)

 ![Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3042cb71cbf8ba9820007715c12aea60/red-hat-enterprise-linux.jpg "Red Hat Enterprise Linux")

[
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
](/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews)

 ![Windows 7](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565509/windows-7.svg "Windows 7")

[
Windows 7
](/products/windows-7/reviews)

 ![macOS Sierra](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487566982/apple-macos-sierra.svg "macOS Sierra")

[
macOS Sierra
](/products/apple-macos-sierra/reviews)

**Linux Mint Alternatives**

 ![Windows 11](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_13aba37ae908d9cf29a2452925257ccc/windows-11.jpeg "Windows 11")

[
Windows 11
](/products/windows-11/reviews)

 ![Ubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b0cb18835a92aa4bb723c4d488c6400/ubuntu.svg "Ubuntu")

[
Ubuntu
](/products/ubuntu/reviews)

 ![Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3042cb71cbf8ba9820007715c12aea60/red-hat-enterprise-linux.jpg "Red Hat Enterprise Linux")

[
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
](/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews)

 ![Windows 7](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565509/windows-7.svg "Windows 7")

[
Windows 7
](/products/windows-7/reviews)