Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian and composed mostly of free and open-source software. Ubuntu is officially released in three editions: Desktop, Server, and Core for Internet of things devices and robots. All the editions can run on the computer alone, or in a virtual machine. Ubuntu is a popular operating system for cloud computing, with support for OpenStack. Ubuntu's default desktop has been GNOME since version 17.10. Ubuntu is released every six months, with long-term support (LTS) releases every two years.
Ubuntu is developed by British company Canonical, and a community of other developers, under a meritocratic governance model. Canonical provides security updates and support for each Ubuntu release, starting from the release date and until the release reaches its designated end-of-life (EOL) date.
Quick facts
What is the latest version of Ubuntu?
The latest tracked version of Ubuntu is 24.04.5, released September 13, 2026.
How many Ubuntu releases does OS.watch track?
OS.watch tracks 47 Ubuntu releases, the earliest from 2004.