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Compare Ubuntu and Windows 8

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Ubuntu
Ubuntu
(2,060)
4.5 out of 5
Ubuntu
By Canonical Ltd.
Windows 8
Windows 8
(522)
3.7 out of 5
Windows 8
By Microsoft
At a Glance
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Star Rating
(2,060)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (46.7% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Ubuntu
Windows 8
Windows 8
Star Rating
(522)3.7 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (44.9% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Windows 8

Ubuntu vs Windows 8

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Ubuntu easier to use, set up, and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Ubuntu overall.

  • Reviewers felt that Ubuntu meets the needs of their business better than Windows 8.
  • When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Ubuntu is the preferred option.
  • For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Ubuntu over Windows 8.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Ubuntu
No pricing available
Windows 8
No pricing available
Free Trial
Ubuntu
Free Trial is available
Windows 8
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.0
1,613
7.8
386
Ease of Use
8.6
1,626
7.5
392
Ease of Setup
8.9
635
8.1
130
Ease of Admin
8.7
571
7.6
107
Quality of Support
8.3
1,486
7.6
349
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.7
496
7.3
93
Product Direction (% positive)
9.0
1,529
6.0
378
Features by Category
Cloud Management PlatformsHide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Functionality
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Server VirtualizationHide 7 FeaturesShow 7 Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Performance
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Functionality
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Container EngineHide 9 FeaturesShow 9 Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Application Support
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
System Capability
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Security
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Operating SystemHide 4 FeaturesShow 4 Features
9.0
24
7.4
32
Memory Management - Operating System
9.7
6
8.1
8
Device Management - Operating System
9.4
6
7.5
8
Backup and Recovery - Operating System
7.2
6
8.3
8
Error Detection - Operating System
9.7
6
5.8
8
IoT Operating SystemsHide 4 FeaturesShow 4 Features
8.7
74
Not enough data
Security
8.6
19
Not enough data
9.2
19
Not enough data
8.7
18
Not enough data
8.2
18
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Windows 8
Windows 8
Ubuntu and Windows 8 are categorized as Operating System
Unique Categories
Ubuntu
Windows 8
Windows 8 has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
46.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
32.2%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
21.2%
Windows 8
Windows 8
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
44.9%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
28.7%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
26.4%
Reviewers' Industry
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Information Technology and Services
26.9%
Computer Software
24.5%
Computer & Network Security
5.0%
Higher Education
3.8%
Internet
3.2%
Other
36.7%
Windows 8
Windows 8
Information Technology and Services
20.1%
Computer Software
13.6%
Education Management
4.3%
Higher Education
4.1%
Computer & Network Security
3.4%
Other
54.6%
Most Helpful Reviews
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Michael S.
MS
Michael S.
Verified User in Insurance

I am tech savvy but I am not a developer or IT guy. I used Ubuntu when I needed a simple operating system for my newly purchased Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi's have limited memory space because your hard drive is an SD card. I only needed to run XBMC to play...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Telecommunications
GT
Verified User in Internet

* Default window manager based on unity is really weak. * Slow to adopt new technology against other rolling-release distributions.

Windows 8
Windows 8
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Eugene C.
EC
Eugene C.
Verified User in Venture Capital & Private Equity

I can download and load up the pre-release version of windows 8 from microsoft's website. I do think windows 8 works great if you have a tablet, but I'm less enthused about using it on my desktop.

Most Helpful Critical Review
Michael F.
MF
Michael F.
Verified User in Computer Software

This OS is Windows ME all over again, unless you have a touch screen computer, this OS is clunky and not meant for use.

Alternatives
Ubuntu
Ubuntu Alternatives
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Add Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Apple iOS
iOS
Add Apple iOS
Android
Android
Add Android
Windows 7
Windows 7
Add Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 8 Alternatives
Oracle Linux
Oracle Linux
Add Oracle Linux
Apple iOS
iOS
Add Apple iOS
Android
Android
Add Android
Apple OS X Mountain Lion
Apple OS X
Add Apple OS X Mountain Lion
Discussions
Ubuntu
Ubuntu Discussions
Is Ubuntu really good OS comoared to other Linux distros?
7 comments
Yannick W.
YW
Hi Avinash, The packaging system of Ubuntu is inherited from Debian and is very well structured and maintained, making it relatively seldom necessary to...Read more
What is Ubuntu Desktop used for?
5 comments
Sagheer A.
SA
Thanks you Read more
How do I run Windows Application in Ubuntu?
4 comments
Samuel L.
SL
There are several options. Basic 'wine' - W.I.N.E stands for "Wine is no emulator" - it's really a library with a binary for running windows apps...Read more
See all discussions
Windows 8
Windows 8 Discussions
Windows 8 recommended software
2 comments
Enyerber H.
EH
I recommend it 100%Read more
Tak sedikit yang penasaran dengan kelebihan Windows 8 jika dibandingkan dengan Windows sebelumnya yakni Windows 7. Berikut ini lebih lanjut informasi mengenai kelebihan Windows 8 dibanding Windows 7 yang telah dirangkum
2 comments
leo d.
LD
Because Windows 8 is the best.Read more
Is Windows 8 a good operating system?
2 comments
Anthony M.
AM
Its not bad but not the best OS. UI design is modern but has instability issues. Navigating through the UI is not user-friendly and can be confusing for most...Read more
See all discussions
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Ask Windows 8 a QuestionContact Windows 8

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Windows 8
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