Pop!_OS is developed by System76, a company that sells Linux computers, and the distribution doubles as the software half of that hardware business while remaining free for everyone. It builds on Ubuntu but diverges visibly: automatic window tiling can be toggled for a keyboard-driven layout, workspaces are arranged for fast switching, and a separate ISO ships with proprietary NVIDIA drivers preinstalled for machines that need them. System76 has invested in its own desktop direction, developing COSMIC, an environment written in Rust, to succeed its customized GNOME experience. Recovery is treated as a feature, with a refresh-install option that reinstalls the system while preserving user files. Packages come from Ubuntu's ecosystem plus Pop's own repositories, with Flatpak integrated into its shop. Developers, gamers, and creators on modern hardware form the core audience. OpenFactory lets you test the tiling workflow from a browser before deciding.
Select a version of Pop!_OS to try online:
| 22.04: |
|---|
Need Pop!_OS for more than a quick browser preview?
The buttons above launch an ephemeral browser VM, perfect for kicking the tires. Paid plans unlock the things you'd actually use it for:
- ✓Persistent VMs you can SSH into and customize
- ✓Snapshots, your own packages, a downloadable ISO
- ✓Fleet deployment to your own machines (on-prem or cloud)