# Pop!\_OS vs Windows 11 Comparison - What are their main differences?

At a Glance

Star Rating

**Pop!\_OS** [

4.5/5(30)

](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews#reviews)

**Windows 11** [

4.5/5(4,325)

](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews#reviews)

Market Segments

**Pop!\_OS**
Small-Business (76.7% of reviews)

**Windows 11**
Small-Business (37.8% of reviews)

Pros & Cons

**Pop!\_OS**
[
Design Aesthetics (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1873808&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Easy Installation (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1873719&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Slow Updates (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1873852&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Update Frequency (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1873692&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**Windows 11**
[
User-Friendly (255)
](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1794268&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Ease of Use (244)
](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1796042&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Limited Customization (104)
](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1794536&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
High Requirements (98)
](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1796006&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

Entry-Level Pricing

**Pop!\_OS**
No pricing available

**Windows 11**
No pricing available

Summary

AI Generated Summary

AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.

- **G2 reviewers report** that Windows 11 excels in user experience, with its modern and intuitive interface being a standout feature. Users appreciate the clean design and productivity enhancements like **Snap Layouts** , which facilitate better multitasking and organization.
- **Users say** that Pop!\_OS offers a smooth and polished experience, particularly for those who value customization. Reviewers highlight its user-friendly interface and the ability to tailor workflows, making it a great choice for both new and advanced users.
- **According to verified reviews** , Windows 11 has a significant advantage in market presence and support, with a wealth of resources and community engagement. This makes it easier for users to find help and solutions, enhancing their overall experience.
- **Reviewers mention** that while Pop!\_OS is praised for its ease of use, it may not have the same level of support and resources as Windows 11. Users have noted that they sometimes face challenges in finding help, which can impact their day-to-day usability.
- **G2 reviewers highlight** that both operating systems score similarly in ease of use, but Windows 11's more extensive user base means that there are more shared experiences and solutions available, which can be beneficial for users navigating common issues.
- **Users report** that Pop!\_OS shines in its ability to provide good defaults and a ready-to-use operating system, making it appealing for those who want a straightforward setup. However, Windows 11's ease of setup and familiar interface can make it a more attractive option for users transitioning from previous versions of Windows.

Pricing

Entry-Level Pricing

**Pop!\_OS**

Pop!\_OS
No pricing available

**Windows 11**

Windows 11
No pricing available

Free Trial

**Pop!\_OS**

Pop!\_OS
No trial information available

**Windows 11**

Windows 11
No trial information available

Ratings

Meets Requirements

9.3

23

9.1

3,218

Ease of Use

9.2

23

9.2

3,256

Ease of Setup

8.8

12

9.2

1,465

Ease of Admin

8.6

6

9.0

712

Quality of Support

8.0

20

8.5

2,949

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

Not enough data

8.9

680

Product Direction (% positive)

9.5

22

8.9

3,099

Features by Category

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

Not enough data

9.1

772

Memory Management - Operating System

RAM management

Not enough data

8.7(won by default)

569

App Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Device Management - Operating System

I/O management

Not enough data

9.0(won by default)

528

Backup and Recovery - Operating System

Data backup

Not enough data

8.9(won by default)

497

Error Detection - Operating System

System operations monitoring

Not enough data

8.7(won by default)

532

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

10.0(won by default)

5

For Developers

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Desktop Interface

Not enough data

Not enough data

## Pop!\_OS vs Windows 11 FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Pop!\_OS vs Windows 11?

Pop!\_OS and Windows 11 are both highly rated operating systems, but Pop!\_OS is favored for its Linux-based design and easy installation, while Windows 11 stands out for its broad adoption and support experience.

| [Pop!\_OS](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews) | [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (30 reviews) | 4.5/5 (4322 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.8 | 9.2 |
| 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Design Aesthetics | — |

### How do the pricing models of Pop!\_OS and Windows 11 compare?

Reviewers rate Pop!\_OS and Windows 11 at parity for value, with no significant difference in price satisfaction scores.

- **Pop!\_OS:** In recent reviews, users highlight its value as a free, open-source Linux distribution that extends the life of older hardware and reduces licensing costs.
- **Windows 11:** Reviewers note that Windows 11 is typically included with new devices, and its value is enhanced by integrated productivity and security features, though hardware upgrade requirements can increase total cost of adoption.

### What are the best alternatives to Pop!\_OS and Windows 11?

Ubuntu, Fedora, and Chrome OS are the top three alternatives to Pop!\_OS and Windows 11.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pop!\_OS](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews) | 4.5/5 (30 reviews) | Small-Business | Free, open-source; extends hardware life | Design Aesthetics |
| [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) | 4.5/5 (4322 reviews) | Small-Business | Typically bundled with new devices | Modern UI/UX and productivity features |
| [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) | 4.5/5 (2400 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Strong Linux ecosystem and stability |
| [Fedora](https://www.g2.com/products/fedora/reviews) | 4.4/5 (216 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Cutting-edge features and developer focus |
| [Chrome OS](https://www.g2.com/products/chrome-os/reviews) | 4.5/5 (739 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Lightweight, cloud-centric experience |

### Which Operating System features should I prioritize when comparing Pop!\_OS and Windows 11?

Buyers should prioritize user interface design, ease of setup, hardware compatibility, security features, and integration capabilities when comparing Pop!\_OS and Windows 11.

- **User Interface Design:** Pop!\_OS is cited for design aesthetics (1 all-time mention); Windows 11 is praised for its modern UI/UX in recent reviews.
- **Ease of Setup:** Pop!\_OS scores 8.8; Windows 11 scores 9.2.
- **Hardware Compatibility:** Pop!\_OS is noted for supporting older hardware in recent reviews; Windows 11 requires newer hardware (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot) as cited in multiple reviews.
- **Security Features:** Windows 11 is frequently highlighted for improved security defaults and features in recent reviews.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Windows 11 is mentioned for Microsoft 365 and Teams integrations (40+ all-time mentions for Microsoft 365).

### What are the pros and cons of Pop!\_OS vs Windows 11?

Pop!\_OS is strongest for its Linux-based design and easy installation, while Windows 11 excels in modern UI/UX and productivity features.

- **Pop!\_OS strengths:** Design aesthetics (1 all-time mention), easy installation (1 all-time mention), stability (1 all-time mention), and strong Linux/Ubuntu base (1 all-time mention).
- **Pop!\_OS trade-offs:** Slow updates (1 all-time mention), update frequency (1 all-time mention), limited package availability for niche tools, and occasional hardware compatibility issues.
- **Windows 11 strengths:** Modern UI/UX, Snap Layouts for multitasking, strong Microsoft 365 and Teams integration (40+ all-time mentions for Microsoft 365), improved security features, and broad software compatibility.
- **Windows 11 trade-offs:** High hardware requirements, less customization in some UI areas, frequent updates, and occasional performance issues on older hardware.

### Is Pop!\_OS or Windows 11 better for small businesses?

Windows 11 is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its dominant presence in the small-business segment and reviewer sentiment.

- **Pop!\_OS:** Small-Business segment; reviewers highlight its value for extending older hardware and reducing costs, but note some friction with package availability and setup for specialized tools.
- **Windows 11:** Small-Business segment; reviewers consistently cite its ease of use, strong integration with Microsoft 365, and robust security as key benefits for small business environments.

### Which Operating System platform has better integrations?

Windows 11 is favored for integrations, with extensive reviewer-cited support for Microsoft 365 and related tools.

- **Pop!\_OS:** In recent reviews, integrations are mentioned qualitatively, especially for development tools and NVIDIA drivers, but no third-party integration reaches the publish threshold.
- **Windows 11:** Microsoft 365 (40+ all-time mentions), Microsoft Outlook (5 all-time mentions), and Microsoft Teams are frequently cited as integrated tools in recent reviews.

### How do Pop!\_OS and Windows 11 compare on customer support?

Windows 11 and Pop!\_OS are rated at near-parity for Quality of Support, with scores of 8.5 and 8.0 respectively, which is below the materiality threshold for a clear winner.

- **Pop!\_OS:** Reviewers describe support as generally positive, with scores ranging from 3.0 to 7.0, and note that community resources are helpful for troubleshooting.
- **Windows 11:** Reviewers report consistent support experiences, with many citing helpful documentation, built-in guidance, and responsive updates, reflected in scores from 3.0 to 7.0.

### Which is easier to implement, Pop!\_OS or Windows 11?

Windows 11 has a slight edge in Ease of Setup, scoring 9.2 versus Pop!\_OS's 8.8, but both are rated highly by reviewers.

- **Pop!\_OS:** Reviewers highlight straightforward installation, especially for users familiar with Linux, but note some friction for first-time Linux users and when configuring specialized tools.
- **Windows 11:** Reviewers consistently praise the easy and fast setup process, especially on new hardware, with many citing a smooth onboarding experience and clear setup steps.

Reviews

Reviewers' Company Size

[![Pop!_OS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8dce445768276637aa2685763e8e4e33/pop-_os.jpg "Pop!\_OS")](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews)

Pop!\_OS

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

76.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

13.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

10.0%

[![Windows 11](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_13aba37ae908d9cf29a2452925257ccc/windows-11.jpeg "Windows 11")](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews)

Windows 11

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

37.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

32.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

29.6%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

76.7%

37.8%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

13.3%

32.6%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

10.0%

29.6%

Reviewers' Industry

[![Pop!_OS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8dce445768276637aa2685763e8e4e33/pop-_os.jpg "Pop!\_OS")](https://www.g2.com/products/pop-_os/reviews)
Pop!\_OS

Computer Software

33.3%

Information Technology and Services

23.3%

Computer & Network Security

13.3%

Internet

6.7%

Financial Services

6.7%

Other

16.7%

[![Windows 11](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_13aba37ae908d9cf29a2452925257ccc/windows-11.jpeg "Windows 11")](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews)
Windows 11

Information Technology and Services

21.5%

Computer Software

13.7%

Higher Education

3.8%

Computer & Network Security

3.6%

Education Management

3.3%

Other

54.2%

Alternatives

**Pop!\_OS Alternatives**

 ![Fedora](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565578/fedora.svg "Fedora")

[
Fedora
](/products/fedora/reviews)

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

[
Linux Mint
](/products/linux-mint/reviews)

 ![Kubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4142e4a97d85c2f629c386f2e56e754a/kubuntu-devs-kubuntu.jpg "Kubuntu")

[
Kubuntu
](/products/kubuntu-devs-kubuntu/reviews)

 ![Xubuntu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_de014331b7c59c0e1b06d60d43a1867b/xubuntu.jpg "Xubuntu")

[
Xubuntu
](/products/xubuntu/reviews)

**Windows 11 Alternatives**

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

[
Ubuntu
](/products/ubuntu/reviews)

 ![Chrome OS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_875175039c275eab2eed735a56ad8cee/chrome-os.jpeg "Chrome OS")

[
Chrome OS
](/products/chrome-os/reviews)

 ![Fedora](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565578/fedora.svg "Fedora")

[
Fedora
](/products/fedora/reviews)

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

[
Linux Mint
](/products/linux-mint/reviews)

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