Opens the download page on distrib.wiki.
English edition published on .
Lubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavour using LXQt. It provides a traditional menu, panel and window interface. Compare application needs, your desired support period and the behaviour of your computer during a trial before choosing it.
Information checked and updated on .
How does Lubuntu differ from Ubuntu?
LXQt uses Qt technology for session tools, application launching and file management. Lubuntu is community-developed and uses Ubuntu archive packages, as explained in the official Ubuntu flavours overview. It is part of that ecosystem rather than an independent operating-system base.
For comparison, Ubuntu Desktop uses GNOME, Kubuntu uses KDE Plasma and Xubuntu uses Xfce. A desktop name or restrained appearance cannot predict application performance. Also consider window organisation, shortcuts, display settings and accessibility.
Which Lubuntu release should you choose?
Two starting points for a new installation at the date of this profile:
- Lubuntu 26.04 LTS, released on 23 April 2026, with support announced until April 2029. The refreshed 26.04.1 image belongs to the same branch. Prefer this schedule if you want longer intervals between version upgrades.
- Lubuntu 26.10, released on 15 October 2026, with support until July 2027. It includes LXQt 2.4 and requires an earlier upgrade. Its Wayland session is described as experimental; X11 remains the default.
The Lubuntu project advertises three years of support for its LTS releases. Do not automatically apply Ubuntu Desktop’s support periods or commercial offers to the entire Lubuntu system. Lubuntu 25.10 support ended in July 2026, so that older release is not suitable for a new internet-connected installation.
Installing the applications you need
Discover can search for, install, remove and update graphical applications. Application details include the package version and source. Check these before adding an external repository or choosing between formats; Discover does not list every command-line application.
Prepare concrete examples: documents in LibreOffice, audio and video in VLC, then your browser and professional tools. A Linux version does not guarantee compatibility with all required macros, extensions or peripherals.
Does Lubuntu suit your older computer?
Current Desktop images target Intel or AMD 64-bit PCs using the amd64 architecture. “Lightweight” does not mean those images run on a 32-bit-only processor or an ARM machine. Check the architecture before downloading.
Your browser, video calls, documents and storage also affect responsiveness. Try Wi-Fi, audio, suspend and an external monitor in the live session; a virtual machine cannot validate these real devices. Use the selection guide’s trial worksheet to record successful tasks and unresolved issues.
Then visit Download Lubuntu to select and verify an official ISO and prepare your trial media.
Linked official sources checked on 30 October 2026. No hardware tests or performance rankings are presented.