Deepin
Deepin is a Linux distribution developed and maintained by Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd. in China. Based on Debian stable, it is best known for its self-developed DDE (Deepin Desktop Environment), which is widely regarded as one of the most visually polished and refined desktop environments available on any operating system. The current major release series is deepin 23.
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Based on | Debian stable |
| Release cycle | Follows Debian stable; deepin 23 is the current major series |
| Default desktop | DDE (Deepin Desktop Environment) |
| Target users | Chinese and international desktop users, UI-focused users, beginners |
| Website | https://www.deepin.org |
Key Features
- Stunning DDE desktop: Smooth animations, a cohesive visual language, a macOS-inspired Dock, and a unified Control Center make DDE one of the most aesthetically pleasing desktop environments on any platform.
- Chinese application ecosystem: The Deepin App Store includes native Linux versions of WeChat, WPS Office, NetEase Cloud Music, Baidu Netdisk, and other applications commonly used in China — ready to use after installation.
- DDE is available on other distros: DDE has been ported to Arch Linux, Fedora, NixOS, and others, so you can experience the Deepin desktop without switching to the full Deepin distribution.
- deepin 23 architecture improvements: Based on Debian 12 Bookworm, deepin 23 introduces the Linglong application format for improved sandboxing and cross-distro app compatibility.
- Active open-source community: DDE and most core Deepin applications are open source, hosted on GitHub, with an active international contributor base.
Relationship to Debian
Deepin is based directly on Debian stable, drawing packages from official Debian repositories plus Deepin's own proprietary and community repositories. The DDE desktop environment, Deepin File Manager, Deepin Terminal, Deepin Screenshot, and other bundled applications are entirely self-developed and not sourced from Debian. deepin 23 aligns with Debian 12 Bookworm and follows Debian's security update track.
Getting Started
# Download the ISO from: https://www.deepin.org/en/download/
# Standard 64-bit edition supports both UEFI and legacy BIOS
# After installation, update the system
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
# Install the Deepin App Store (usually pre-installed)
sudo apt install deepin-appstore -y
# Install DDE on an existing Debian 12 system (to try the desktop)
sudo apt install dde -y
# Install WeChat Linux native version (via Deepin repository)
sudo apt install com.tencent.weixin -yWho Is It For?
- Users who prioritize a beautiful, polished desktop experience on Linux
- Chinese users who need native access to WeChat, WPS, and other local applications
- Users migrating from Windows or macOS who want a familiar, visually appealing interface
- Developers and designers who are interested in Linux desktop UI innovation
Related Links
- Website: https://www.deepin.org
- Download: https://www.deepin.org/en/download/
- Wiki: https://wiki.deepin.org
- DDE source code: https://github.com/linuxdeepin
- Community forum: https://bbs.deepin.org
Next Steps
Return to the Debian Derivatives overview to explore other Debian-based distributions.