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

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IBM iLinux Mint[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**IBM i** [

4.4/5(72)

](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews#reviews)

**Linux Mint** [

4.5/5(189)

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

Pricing

**IBM i**
No pricing available

**Linux Mint**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**IBM i**
2 months

Based on 8 responses

**Linux Mint**
2 months

Based on 11 responses

Return on Investment

**IBM i**
15 months

Based on 7 responses

**Linux Mint**
14 months1 month sooner

Based on 10 responses

Perceived Cost

**IBM i**
$$$$$

**Linux Mint**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**IBM i**
Not enough reviews yet

**Linux Mint**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**IBM i**
[
Reliability (8)
](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1925102&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Security Features (4)
](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2114225&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Skill Requirements (6)
](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1925116&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Outdated Technology (4)
](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2219063&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)[
Linux/Ubuntu OS (9)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510536&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Driver Issues (5)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510613&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Limited Apps/Store (4)
](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1510608&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

Integrations

**IBM i**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6c4bfa1e15dab610bce745ebd738340d/assure-mimix.png "Product Avatar Image")

Assure MIMIX

](https://www.g2.com/products/assure-mimix/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6c4bfa1e15dab610bce745ebd738340d/assure-mimix-for-aix.png "Product Avatar Image")

Assure MIMIX for AIX

](https://www.g2.com/products/assure-mimix-for-aix/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6c4bfa1e15dab610bce745ebd738340d/assure-quickedd.png "Product Avatar Image")

Assure QuickEDD

](https://www.g2.com/products/assure-quickedd/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_acfacb10defcb7ba1f24588de278593a/erpbynet.png "Product Avatar Image")

ERPbyNet

](https://www.g2.com/products/erpbynet/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/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

**IBM i**

8.9

8.944

**Linux Mint**

8.9

8.9152

Ease of Use

**IBM i**

8.6

8.645

**Linux Mint**

9.0

9.0151

Ease of Setup

**IBM i**

8.5

8.533

**Linux Mint**

9.2

9.270

Ease of Admin

**IBM i**

8.7

8.724

**Linux Mint**

8.7

8.737

Quality of Support

**IBM i**

8.4

8.443

**Linux Mint**

8.3

8.3142

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**IBM i**

8.6

8.623

**Linux Mint**

8.2

8.234

Product Direction (% positive)

**IBM i**

9.1

9.138

**Linux Mint**

8.2

8.2145

Features

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

9.5

19

8.8

31

Memory Management - Operating System

RAM management

9.8(won by 0.2)

15

9.6

23

App Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Management - Operating System

I/O management

9.5(won by 0.3)

14

9.2

18

Backup and Recovery - Operating System

Data backup

9.6(won by 1.6)

14

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

8.0

20

Error Detection - Operating System

System operations monitoring

9.2(won by 1.0)

17

 (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

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![IBM i](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_32ed3d24b93d61880532053231351dc6/ibm-ibm-i.png "IBM i")](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews)

IBM i

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

20.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

47.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

31.7%

[![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.)

54.1%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

32.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

13.3%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

20.6%

54.1%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

47.6%

32.6%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

31.7%

13.3%

Reviewers' Industry

[![IBM i](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_32ed3d24b93d61880532053231351dc6/ibm-ibm-i.png "IBM i")](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews)
IBM i

Information Technology and Services

24.1%

Computer Software

12.1%

Banking

8.6%

Financial Services

6.9%

Accounting

5.2%

Other

43.1%

[![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

25.8%

Computer Software

20.3%

Computer & Network Security

5.5%

Consumer Goods

4.4%

Newspapers

4.4%

Other

39.6%

FAQs

## IBM i vs Linux Mint FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Linux Mint vs IBM i?

Linux Mint is favored for its user-friendly, lightweight desktop experience, while IBM i is recognized for its integrated, highly reliable business platform.

| [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) | [IBM i](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews): 4.5/5 (191 reviews) | G2 Rating (reviews): 4.4/5 (69 reviews) |
| Largest Segment: Small-Business | Largest Segment: Mid-Market |
| Ease of Setup score: 9.2 | Ease of Setup score: 8.5 |
| Quality of Support score: 8.3 | Quality of Support score: 8.3 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: User-Friendly (11 all-time mentions) | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Reliability (8 all-time mentions) |

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

Linux Mint is considered the stronger value, with reviewers expressing higher satisfaction on price and cost-related dimensions.

- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers consistently highlight that Linux Mint is completely free to install and use, with no license required, and praise its cost-saving benefits for both individuals and businesses.
- **IBM i:** Reviewers note IBM i's reliability and integrated architecture but frequently mention higher costs, including licensing and hardware expenses, as a trade-off for its enterprise-grade features.
- **Switching Reason:** Several reviewers cite cost savings and the elimination of licensing fees as key reasons for choosing Linux Mint over commercial alternatives.

### What are the best alternatives to Linux Mint and IBM i?

The top 3 alternatives to Linux Mint and IBM i are Windows 11, Ubuntu, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Linux Mint](https://www.g2.com/products/linux-mint/reviews) | 4.5/5 (191 reviews) | Small-Business | Free to install and use | User-Friendly (11 all-time mentions) |
| [IBM i](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-ibm-i/reviews) | 4.4/5 (69 reviews) | Mid-Market | Higher cost, enterprise-grade | Reliability (8 all-time mentions) |
| [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) | 4.5/5 (4322 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Familiar interface and broad compatibility |
| [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) | 4.5/5 (2400 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Open-source flexibility and strong community |
| [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) | 4.6/5 (977 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise support and security |

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

Buyers should prioritize user experience, reliability, security features, ease of setup, and cost when comparing Linux Mint and IBM i.

- **User Experience:** Linux Mint has 11 all-time mentions for user-friendliness; IBM i has 3 all-time mentions for ease of use.
- **Reliability:** Linux Mint has 6 all-time mentions for reliability; IBM i has 8 all-time mentions for reliability.
- **Security Features:** Linux Mint has multiple mentions for security and privacy; IBM i has 4 all-time mentions for security features and 4 for security/safety.
- **Ease of Setup:** Linux Mint scores 9.2; IBM i scores 8.5.
- **Cost:** Linux Mint is consistently cited as free; IBM i is noted for higher cost in recent reviews.

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

Linux Mint's headline strength is user-friendliness, while IBM i's is reliability for mission-critical workloads.

- **Linux Mint strengths:** User-friendly (11 all-time mentions), lightweight size (6), stability (9), free/no cost (5), strong community support (6), compatibility (5), easy setup (5), speed/performance (7).
- **Linux Mint trade-offs:** Driver issues (4), limited apps/store (3), outdated technology (3), slow updates (3), usage difficulty for advanced features (3).
- **IBM i strengths:** Reliability (8 all-time mentions), security features (4), stability (4), easy setup (3), powerful features (3), integrated architecture, high uptime.
- **IBM i trade-offs:** Skill requirements (6), outdated technology (4), high cost (3), unfriendly interface (3), usage difficulty (2).

### Is Linux Mint or IBM i better for small businesses?

Linux Mint is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its largest segment and reviewer sentiment.

- **Linux Mint:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight its cost savings, ease of use, and suitability for older hardware, making it ideal for small business environments.
- **IBM i:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers note its reliability and security but mention higher costs and complexity, which may be less suitable for small businesses.

### Which Operating System platform has better integrations?

Linux Mint is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions than IBM i.

- **Linux Mint:** Integrates with Windows 7 (5 all-time mentions) and Arduino IDE (recent review mention).
- **IBM i:** No specific third-party integration tools are cited in recent reviews.

### How do Linux Mint and IBM i compare on customer support?

Linux Mint and IBM i are rated at parity on Quality of Support, both scoring 8.3, indicating similar reviewer satisfaction.

- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers frequently mention strong community support and helpful documentation, with 6 all-time mentions for community support.
- **IBM i:** Reviewers highlight responsive and knowledgeable customer support, with several noting satisfaction with support experiences in recent reviews.

### Which is easier to implement, Linux Mint or IBM i?

Linux Mint and IBM i score within 0.7 points on Ease of Setup, with Linux Mint at 9.2 and IBM i at 8.5, indicating both are considered easy to implement by reviewers.

- **Linux Mint:** Reviewers consistently describe the setup process as straightforward, quick, and suitable for both beginners and experienced users, with 5 all-time mentions for easy setup.
- **IBM i:** Reviewers note that initial setup is simple and efficient, especially for enterprise environments, though some mention a learning curve for advanced features.

Alternatives

**IBM i Alternatives**

 ![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)

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

[
Ubuntu
](/products/ubuntu/reviews)

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

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

 ![Oracle Linux](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3f5575e82b67a95d23834e8db8dabb67/oracle-linux.png "Oracle Linux")

[
Oracle Linux
](/products/oracle-linux/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)