Debian Version Comparison Guide
About this page
This page provides a detailed comparison of the main differences between Debian 13 (Trixie), Debian 12 (Bookworm), and Debian 11 (Bullseye) to help you choose the most suitable version.
📋 Version Overview
| Version Info | Debian 13 (Trixie) | Debian 12 (Bookworm) | Debian 11 (Bullseye) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Status | Testing | Current Stable | Old Stable |
| Release Date | Mid-2025 (est.) | June 2023 | August 2021 |
| End of Support | ~5 years post-release | June 2028 | August 2026 |
| Linux Kernel | ~6.8 | 6.1 LTS | 5.10 LTS |
| GNOME Version | 46 | 43 | 3.38 |
⚙️ Core Components & Dev Tools
| Software/Tool | Trixie (Debian 13) | Bookworm (Debian 12) | Bullseye (Debian 11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCC | 13.x | 12.2 | 10.2 |
| LLVM/Clang | 16+ | 14.0 | 11.0 |
| Python | 3.12+ (expected) | 3.11 | 3.9 |
| Node.js | 20.x | 18.13 | 12.22 |
| Go | 1.21+ | 1.19 | 1.15 |
| Rust | 1.70+ | 1.63 | 1.48 |
| PHP | 8.3 (expected) | 8.2 | 7.4 |
🎯 Version Selection Guide
By Use Case
🖥️ Desktop User:
- For Stability: Choose Debian 12 (Bookworm). It offers well-tested software, excellent stability, and is ideal for daily work and study.
- For Cutting-Edge: Try Debian 13 (Trixie) if you want the latest desktop environments and apps, but be prepared for potential instability.
💻 Developer:
- Modern App Development: Choose Debian 13 (Trixie). It includes the latest compilers, runtimes, and libraries for developing new features.
- Enterprise/Stable Dev: Choose Debian 12 (Bookworm). It strikes a great balance between stability and modern software.
🖧 Server Administrator:
- New Deployments: Highly recommend Debian 12 (Bookworm). As the current stable release, it has the latest security patches and a 5-year support cycle.
- Maintaining Old Systems: If you are still on Debian 11 (Bullseye), it will receive security support until 2026, but new projects should consider upgrading.
Upgrade Path
- From Debian 11: It is recommended to upgrade directly to Debian 12. This is the officially recommended and smooth upgrade path.
- From Debian 12: For production environments, it's best to stay on Debian 12 until Debian 13 is released and has matured. For development and testing, consider upgrading to Debian 13 (Testing).
Want to check a specific software version? Visit packages.debian.org | View Installation Guide →