As a modern, free, and popular Linux OS, Ubuntu comes in two flavors; Ubuntu Stable and Ubuntu Long-term Support (LTS). While browsing the Ubuntu website, you may wonder what the main differences are between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server and which one you should choose. Join us with this article to review Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server. First, we begin by explaining some details that clarify the essential definitions.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu comes with some other variants like Ubuntu Kylin, Cloud, Core, Ubuntu Desktop, and Ubuntu Server. If you’re used to using the command line and SSH, Ubuntu Server should be easy to understand. Other notable similarities include kernels and support. Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Desktop share the same kernel build and support from developers. Let’s take a look at this tutorial and see the major differences between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server. So, you need to know what these two are to find their difference.
Ubuntu Desktop
Ubuntu Desktop is all you need to run your office, school, home, or enterprise. Ubuntu Desktop is an open-source GUI environment, secure and free to download, easy to install, and use. Ubuntu Desktop comes with many pre-installed utilities. Additionally, Software Center allows users to download a variety of other programs available in online repositories.
This Linux distribution uses the “Terminal” command line although it has a graphical user interface (GUI). Most of the commands that were previously executed through the terminal can now be done through the GUI. Other well-known desktop interfaces such as Windows and Mac also include these capabilities.
However, using a terminal instead of a GUI still makes some tasks much more accessible. Compared to other distributions, Ubuntu Desktop offers a lot more customization options. For their installation, you can use third-party software or the terminal. The “dash” toolbar and panel are located on the left side of the Ubuntu desktop (dashboard). The Home button is located on the dashboard, which is filled with icons for your favorite programs.
The user interface is the most obvious difference between Ubuntu Server and the Desktop. The GNOME desktop environment is part of the graphical user interface on the Ubuntu desktop. The use of mouse clicks makes it easy to use.
Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Server is freely accessible for both download and use. Instead of using a GUI, it works through a command-line interface (CLI). When you start your server for the first time after installing Ubuntu Server, a blinking cursor will appear. A server operating system often does not include a graphical user interface. You will only be able to use the operating system if it is Linux based by typing commands into a terminal.
Since Server OS does not employ a graphical desktop interface, it has the advantage of requiring less RAM and processing power. Also, server operating system packages have distinct configurations.
Ubuntu Server only has minimum requirements for use. A GUI can be installed if required by Ubuntu Server users. The same app repository is used by Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Desktop.
None of the above-mentioned desktop utilities are pre-installed on Ubuntu Server as the server operating system is meant to be used independently. When installing Ubuntu Server you can install a software package specific to your server type. You can use the command line to install applications after configuring your Ubuntu server. The software packages are LAMP Server, Tomcat Java Server, OpenSSH Server, Mail Server, Samba File Server, DNS Server, Print Server, and Virtual Machine Host.
Ubuntu Server is capable of handling most of your hosting needs, but if you want to run a server for a considerable period of time, you should research different server distributions and see which one works best for you.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server; Graphical user interface
The desktop environment is the primary difference between Ubuntu Desktop and Server. Ubuntu Server does not have a graphical user interface (GUI), although Ubuntu Desktop provides one.
These servers do not require a display configuration, a mouse, or a keyboard as most servers are headless, which eliminates these input devices. For the same reason, servers are typically managed remotely using SSH. While many Linux operating systems do not, some have graphical user interfaces. Ubuntu Desktop installs a desktop environment, assuming your computer supports video output.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server; set up
Ubuntu’s graphical installer makes desktop installation easy. Without installing, you can use a live USB to experience the desktop version. But Ubuntu Server is installed differently than Ubuntu Desktop because it lacks a graphical user interface. Installing Ubuntu Desktop Like installing any other program, installing Ubuntu Server has a process-driven menu.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server; application
Several general-purpose programs are already installed on the Ubuntu desktop, including the web browser Firefox and the office productivity suite LibreOffice. On the other hand, depending on the needs of the server, Ubuntu Server offers different packages. So, Ubuntu Server can act as a file server, Samba server, web server, and email server. Bind9 and Apache2 are two more specialized packages. Ubuntu desktop apps are focused on the host machine, while Ubuntu Server packages focus more on providing client connectivity while maintaining security.
SSH is already set up on the Ubuntu server so that remote systems can easily connect to it. On Ubuntu Desktop, SSH must be explicitly enabled.
Performance
To free up resources for server-related operations, Ubuntu Server does not need to run a desktop environment. Because of this, it works more efficiently than Ubuntu Desktop. If you install Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server on two identical machines with default configurations, the server will always run better than the desktop.
When Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Desktop are installed on two identical machines with default settings, the server will always run better than the desktop. But things change when software is involved.
Hardware Requirement
You need at least 4 GB of RAM to run Ubuntu Desktop because it has a graphical user interface. Should have 20 GB or more disk space. For Ubuntu Server, this is when things start to get interesting. It lacks a graphical user interface. Little system resources are used by the command line interface. As a result, Ubuntu Server can easily run on a computer with 512 MB of RAM and 5 GB of disk space.
The web service you run affects the server’s RAM and disk space. If a web application requires at least 2 GB of RAM, you should have that much RAM. But in the most straightforward cases, even 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM might be enough.
Utilization
Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server are mostly different in terms of usage. Choose an Ubuntu server if it is specifically for deploying web services. Note that using Terminal requires some familiarity with the Linux command line. If you want to use Ubuntu as a standard PC like Windows, choose an Ubuntu desktop.
If you want to use it to learn Linux commands, Docker, or even a simple (but local) LAMP server installation, stick with Ubuntu Desktop. Ubuntu Server is superior to Ubuntu Desktop for a server. A superior option for everyday computing is Ubuntu Desktop.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server; support
If you’re wondering if there’s a difference between support for the Ubuntu Server and Desktop versions, the answer is no. Prior to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, the support cycle for Ubuntu desktop editions was three years. A service period of five years was advantageous to their server associates.
Ubuntu desktop and server editions now have a five-year support cycle for the 12.04 LTS release.
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server; Kernel
You can ask if Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server use the same kernel. Yes. Both desktop and server versions of Ubuntu have been using the same kernel since version 12.04 was released. This claims that even though the default installations change, you can still personalize your Ubuntu flavor to suit your taste. The basic Ubuntu kernel is the same in both Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server, so variations in the default installation do not prevent additional software packages from being installed.
When should you use Ubuntu Desktop and when should you choose Ubuntu Server?
So far, you have reviewed the main differences between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server. A detailed comparison of some important options is done to help you decide which one is your priority to understand which one meets your needs. At the end of this article, we will explain why and when to choose between these two comparisons. what are you ready?
When to choose Ubuntu Desktop
If you use your computer frequently, install Ubuntu Desktop. Applications for multimedia are available in various formats. Additionally, its installation process and GUI are simple. By configuring the server software, you can use any Ubuntu desktop as an Ubuntu server.
When to choose Ubuntu Server
If you want to run your server headless, choose Ubuntu Server on Desktop Edition. Since these two versions of Ubuntu use the same kernel, you always have the option of installing a GUI later. Additionally, the Ubuntu Server package works well for special types of servers included. For example, you can create a web server or email server using Ubuntu Server.
Choose strategies for your project that involve the least amount of work. Use your Ubuntu Server packages if they are present to configure your Ubuntu desktop environment. Or, in a different scenario, do you need a GUI in addition to the server software that is not offered by the default server installation? OK, install Ubuntu Desktop and install your required software.
Conclusion
Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server is fully checked. Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server is now fully explained. So, it is not difficult to decide when to choose one of them according to your preferences and needs. If you need a reliable server with a command-line interface, choose “Ubuntu Server”. Additionally, Ubuntu Server works best on specific types of servers when packages are present. When building an email server or web server, for example, you can consider Ubuntu Server. On the other hand, “Ubuntu Desktop” is a fantastic option for you if you want access to a desktop environment that has a great GUI and pre-installed applications!
