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Ubuntu vs Debian

Versions, support lifecycles and key facts side by side. Dates update automatically from the release data.

AttributeUbuntuDebian
TypeLinux distributionLinux distribution
Project statusActiveActive
DeveloperCanonicalThe Debian Project
Based onDebian—
First release20 Oct 200415 Sep 1993
Release cadenceEvery 6 months (April, October); LTS every 2 yearsAbout every 2 years (no fixed date)
Newest releaseUbuntu 26.10 · released Oct 2026Debian 13 · released Aug 2025
Latest LTSUbuntu 26.04 LTS—
Supported versions42
Longest supportUbuntu 26.04 LTS — until May 2031Debian 13 — until Jun 2030
OS familyLinuxLinux
Package format.deb (APT), Snap.deb (dpkg, APT)
Init systemsystemdsystemd
Default desktopGNOMEGNOME (KDE, Xfce and others at install)
Architecturesamd64, arm64, armhf, ppc64el, s390x, riscv64amd64, arm64, armel, armhf, i386, ppc64el, riscv64, s390x
Support9 months (interim), 5 years (LTS), 10 years with Ubuntu Pro (more with the Legacy add-on)About 3 years of security updates, then 2 years of LTS
LicenseFree software (GPL and others)Free software (Debian Free Software Guidelines)
OriginIsle of Man / United KingdomGlobal volunteer project
Guides on TecAdmin422 guides160 guides

Supported versions today

Ubuntu

  1. 26.10 Until Jul 2027
  2. 26.04 LTS Until May 2031
  3. 24.04 LTS Until May 2029
  4. 22.04 LTS Until Jun 2027

Debian

  1. 13 Until Jun 2030
  2. 12 Until Jun 2028

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