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Developer Tools · head to head

Helix vs Linux Mint

Helix logo

Helix

Developer Tools

Post-modern modal text editor for the terminal, written in Rust

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Linux Mint logo

Linux Mint

Operating Systems

Ubuntu-based Linux distribution built for familiarity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Helix no official GUI application yet, so it requires comfort with terminal workflows.; Linux Mint based on Ubuntu LTS, so packages are deliberately older than rolling distributions
  • They diverge on capability: Helix covers Multiple Selections, Linux Mint covers Cinnamon desktop.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helix and Linux Mint actually diverge.

Attributes where Helix and Linux Mint differ
AttributeHelixLinux Mint
Pricing modelopen-sourceOpen source, no licence fee
Platformslinux, mac, windowsLinux, Desktop
CategoryDeveloper ToolsOperating Systems

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Helix

  • Multiple Selections
  • Tree-sitter Syntax Trees
  • Built-in LSP Support
  • Fuzzy File Finder
  • Project-wide Search

Only in Linux Mint

  • Cinnamon desktop
  • Codecs included
  • Ubuntu package base
  • Update manager

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Helix

  • Editing code over SSH or in tmux sessionsnot Linux Mint
  • Working with syntax-aware selection and navigationnot Linux Mint
  • Getting IDE-like completion and diagnostics without plugin setupnot Linux Mint
  • Lightweight, low-resource code editing on laptopsnot Linux Mint

Linux Mint

  • Moving a desktop or laptop off Windows with minimal retrainingnot Helix
  • Reviving older hardware that struggles with current Windows releasesnot Helix
  • Everyday desktop use where stability matters more than the newest packagesnot Helix

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Helix

  • No official GUI application yet, so it requires comfort with terminal workflows.
  • Plugin ecosystem is far smaller than Vim's or Neovim's, limiting customization.
  • Keybindings differ from both Vim and Kakoune, adding a learning curve for users of either.
  • Configuration is more limited than Neovim's Lua-based extensibility.

Linux Mint

  • Based on Ubuntu LTS, so packages are deliberately older than rolling distributions
  • Cinnamon is less polished on fractional scaling and multi-monitor setups than GNOME or KDE
  • Smaller team than Ubuntu or Fedora, which shows in the pace of security response for its own components
  • Wayland support has lagged behind the major desktops

Pricing, plan by plan

Helix

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor, no paid tiers

Linux Mint

Free
  • Linux MintFree
    • Full operating system
    • All updates
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Helix if

  • You need multiple selections.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on linux, mac, windows.
  • You also want tree-sitter syntax trees.
Helix review

Choose Linux Mint if

  • You need cinnamon desktop.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Desktop.
  • You also want codecs included.
Linux Mint review

Questions people ask

Is Helix or Linux Mint better?
Neither clearly leads. Helix starts at Free and Linux Mint at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helix or Linux Mint?
Helix starts at Free and Linux Mint at Free.
Does Helix or Linux Mint run on more platforms?
Helix runs on linux, mac, windows. Linux Mint runs on Linux, Desktop.
Can I use Helix for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Helix best used for?
Helix is most often used for editing code over ssh or in tmux sessions, working with syntax-aware selection and navigation, getting ide-like completion and diagnostics without plugin setup, lightweight, low-resource code editing on laptops. Of those, editing code over ssh or in tmux sessions and working with syntax-aware selection and navigation are not what Linux Mint is typically brought in for.
What can Helix do that Linux Mint cannot?
Helix covers Multiple Selections, Tree-sitter Syntax Trees, Built-in LSP Support, Fuzzy File Finder. Linux Mint covers Cinnamon desktop, Codecs included, Ubuntu package base, Update manager.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Helix: Is Helix free to use?

Yes, Helix is free and open source, licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0), with no paid tiers or subscriptions.

Source
Linux Mint: Is Linux Mint free?

Yes, entirely free and open source, funded by donations and sponsors.

Helix: How do I install Helix?

Install via your operating system's package manager, or download pre-built binaries from GitHub Releases; the nightly version requires building from source.

Source
Linux Mint: Is Linux Mint good for beginners?

It is one of the most commonly recommended distributions for people leaving Windows, because the desktop layout is conventional and media codecs are installed by default.

Helix: Does Helix support plugins?

Not yet. Helix currently has no plugin system, though the project intends to add one eventually; it instead ships with built-in LSP and tree-sitter support out of the box.

Source
Linux Mint: Can I run Ubuntu software on Linux Mint?

Yes. Mint is built on Ubuntu and uses its repositories, so nearly all Ubuntu packages and instructions apply.

Helix: How do I configure Helix?

Helix ships with sane modern defaults requiring much less config-file fiddling than Vim, though settings can still be customized in a config.toml file.

Source
Helix: Where can I get help or support?

Support is community-driven via GitHub for code and issues, the Matrix chat for discussion, and OpenCollective for funding ongoing development.

Source
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