5 Paid and Donation-Based Linux Distros

Did you know that some Linux distros actually ask you for your money? So what features do they offer to compete against absolutely free alternatives? Here are five paid Linux distros to help you get an idea of the premium Linux world.

While Linux is praised for being free and powerful, it can also be hard to customize and maintain. This is what paid distros try to solve by offering premium layouts, pre-configured tools, extended security updates, or enterprise-grade support. In this roundup, I’ve put together a diverse list of five premium distributions to give you an idea of what you’re getting for the money and who each distro is best suited for.

5

Zorin OS Pro

Zorin OS Pro is the premium version of my favorite free Windows-like Linux distro—Zorin OS! The free version already allows you to switch between a Windows 7 or XP-like layout (among others) using the Zorin Appearance app. By upgrading to the Pro version, you unlock six new premium layout options, including ones that look like Windows 11 and macOS.

Now, Zorin OS is based on GNOME. As such, you could theoretically recreate these layouts yourself, potentially for free, by installing different GNOME extensions, GTK themes, and icon packs. However, it would take hours of tinkering, and it still won’t be as seamless as using the Zorin Appearance app. It is for this convenience that Zorin OS Pro charges you a one-time premium fee of $47.99.

I should also mention that Zorin OS Pro ships with a collection of pre-configured professional creativity and productivity tools. Again, you could download and configure these apps yourself, but at the expense of your time, especially if you’re new to Linux and aren’t familiar with many open-source tools. Zorin OS helps you save time hunting down and configuring these apps, so you simply jump in and start using them for the work at hand.

Benefits of Using Zorin OS Pro

Why Zorin OS Pro Might Not Be for You

• The premium features can potentially be replicated by experienced Linux users, not making it worth the investment.
• As an Ubuntu-based distro, new Zorin OS versions are released months, sometimes years, after an Ubuntu LTS release.

4

Linspire

Similar to Zorin OS Pro, Linspire is another premium Debian and Ubuntu-based distro focused on making Linux simple for new users. It offers a robust driver database to ensure compatibility with a wide selection of hardware. It also comes bundled with a bunch of essential apps, media codecs, and security tools, so you don’t need to worry about finding and installing stuff yourself.

Now, the Linspire team acknowledges that most users—who know what they’re doing—can install these apps, tools, and packages on Ubuntu and potentially get them to work like Linspire. However, the distro is targeting users who don’t have the technical know-how to do so—also, no one to help them. It ships with everything a regular user would need to do basic PC tasks. It’s for this convenience they are charging a premium one-time payment of $29.99 or $59.99 for a 12-month support subscription.

It’s also worth noting that Linspire is certified by Oracle and IBM to host and deploy their respective cloud technologies, which makes them a great option for enterprise use. In fact, the distro is actually most popular in schools and small to medium-sized businesses, where institutions can’t hire a dedicated IT department but require stable and reliable systems for their day-to-day work.

Benefits of Using Linspire

• The monthly support subscription gets you helpdesk access.
• With up to seven years of support, you don’t need to worry about upgrading your OS.
• Everything works out of the box.

Why Linspire Might Not Be for You

• Most tweaks and changes are easily replicable by experienced Linux users.
• Visually, the themes, color schemes, icon packs, create a dated aesthetic.

Related

Which Linux Distro is Right for You? A Beginner’s Guide

Find the perfect Linux distro for your needs.

3

Archcraft Prime

Archcraft Prime is another distro that charges a premium for tons of uniquely designed layout themes that can not only change how the distro looks but also your workflow. However, unlike Zorin OS Pro, this is based on Arch Linux, and it ditches heavy desktop environments (e.g., GNOME or KDE Plasma) in favor of window managers— minimal and lightweight software for controlling the placement and appearance of windows on your desktop.

Now, there is a free version, simply called Archcraft, that ships with 15 custom themes based on Openbox and bspwn. However, with the premium version, you unlock over 25 unique themes for all the popular window managers, including i3wm, Sway, and Hyprland. Furthermore, you can mix and match the different theme elements, giving you potentially unlimited theme variations. All of this is made available to you for a one-time payment of $55.55. However, if you don’t want all the themes for all the window managers, then you can get just a specific one for $5.99.

It’s worth noting that customizing window managers is a lot more work compared to desktop environments where you need to write scripts and tweak config files. Creating layouts that look as good as they do on Archcraft will not only require decent technical know-how, but also a fine eye for designing user interface, color theory, and more. This makes Archcraft Prime well worth the price if you like how it looks and feels.

Benefits of Using Archcraft

• As an Arch-based distro, you get AUR (Arch User Repository) support that gives you access to thousands of apps.
• It follows a rolling release model that ships new software updates as soon as they’re released.
• As a super-lightweight distro, it can be used to breathe life into old hardware with limited specs.

Why Archcraft Might Not Be for You

• The unique layout and user workflow can feel alien and hard to learn.
• As an Arch-based distro, it requires routine system maintenance.
• You’ll need to be comfortable using the terminal and editing config files to properly use the distro.

2

Ubuntu Pro

Technically speaking, Ubuntu Pro is not a distro but rather a subscription. By default, Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases are only supported for five years, whereas non-LTS versions are supported for nine months. This means, at the latest, you can wait five years before you need to upgrade your Ubuntu PC. While this timeframe is sufficient for most desktop users, servers or enterprise users would benefit from longer support. Upgrading Ubuntu point releases usually involves updating or replacing many of the core packages and utilities, which can cause compatibility issues with the apps or software that run on the system.

This is where Ubuntu Pro comes in, promising 10 years of comprehensive security updates and critical patches for the OS as well as over 25,000 development tools and packages. There’s also an option for 24/7 enterprise-grade support in case something goes wrong, and you need technical assistance. Now the good news is that Ubuntu Pro is free for personal use, on up to five systems. According to the Ubuntu Pro pricing page, it starts costing you once you need support for more than five systems or access to enterprise-grade facilities.

Benefits of Using Ubuntu Pro

• 10 years of comprehensive support with critical patches and security updates for both the OS and packages you use.
• Transparent pricing structure means you know exactly what you’re getting into.
• Generous free-tier giving extended 10 years of support for regular users.

Why Ubuntu Pro Might Not Be for You

• It doesn’t make sense if you want access to new software and updates.
• It requires you to create a user account with Canonical.

Related

I’m a Distro-Hopper, But Here’s Why I Come Back to Ubuntu Every Time

It’s the most popular distro for a reason.

1

RHEL & SLES: Enterprise Grade Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) are the two flagship commercial Linux distros targeting large corporations. Both distros are very stable, reliable, and specifically curated for enterprise-grade mission-critical workflows, albeit following distinct approaches and philosophies.

RHEL largely dominates the North American market with an emphasis on extensive hardware certification and deep integration with popular tools like OpenShift and Ansible. It ships with the SELinux security framework, which makes it a very secure platform for running enterprise-level solutions. On the other hand, SLES is mostly popular in European markets, particularly the EMEA region, thanks to its German origin and long-standing partnership with European enterprises. It offers excellent performance in SAP environments and has arguably one of the best system-admin tools—YaST!

Benefits of Using Enterprise-Grade Linux

• Direct support from people who have made the distro.
• Thoroughly tested packages rarely cause system instability.
• Either bundles in, or supports all necessary enterprise-grade software.

Why Enterprise-Grade Linux Might Not Be for You

• Subscriptions can get very expensive, especially if you’re a small to medium-sized business and not an enterprise.
• Unless deploying specific IT solutions like web apps, these distros might be overkill for a simple office desktop.

Related

5 Popular Linux Distributions and Who They’re Meant For

Which popular Linux distro is meant for you?

Which Distro Should You Choose?

If you’re a regular desktop user and want a system that just works without bothering you with any technical nonsense, then of the paid Linux distros out there, both Linspire and Zorin OS Pro are good options. I’d personally lean towards Zorin OS Pro because of its better customization options, but then again, Linspire is more affordable and has a subscription model for users seeking technical assistance. However, if you’re an experienced Linux user who feels comfortable with code snippets and working in the terminal and loves unique desktop layouts, pick Archcraft!

For businesses, Ubuntu Pro is a solid choice if you run a small to medium-sized business and need an OS for your workstation or server. RHEL and SLES are reserved for mission-critical enterprise use cases. RHEL is ideal for users in the states who already use Red Hat solutions. SLES is better for companies in the EMEA region, especially if they work in SAP environments.