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Maple Linux is powered by Debian

We have used Linux for nearly thirty years to build apps, websites and more. We remember Corel Linux, and felt it was time for Canada to have its own distribution again.

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The Debian project logo

Powered by Debian. Built in Canada.

Debian is one of the oldest and best maintained Linux distributions, and has formed the basis for distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Without the Debian project, Maple Linux would not be possible. We are excited to use Debian as a base to build an exciting future for Canada’s open source community.
The flag of Canada

Strengthening Canada’s digital sovereignty

Having a trustworthy, privacy-respecting operating system mattered to our team, and we believe it matters to Canada. This project is just getting started — check in often, and if you can, help us find and fix bugs.

How to contribute

Our approach: lean and minimalistic

We are a small team, so we approached this project as a very lean and minimalistic distribution. We want Maple Linux to be easy for our users, and easy for our team to maintain.

When you first boot Maple Linux it will look exactly like a Debian live session. Once you launch the installer you will see Maple Linux branding, and once installation is complete and you reboot, you will see a complete Maple Linux experience.

Maple Linux Core read me

Tux, the Linux mascot

What you get

  • Fast

    You don’t need the latest and greatest hardware to enjoy Maple Linux. Computers that are five years old or older can run it perfectly fine.

  • Free

    Like Debian, Maple Linux is 100% free for anyone to use. Personal, institutional or commercial. If you need enterprise support, contact us.

  • Powered by Debian

    Debian has built a reputation for stability and quality. For these reasons we selected the Debian project as the base for Maple Linux.

  • Privacy focused

    Maple Linux was modelled on Canadian and EU (GDPR) privacy standards. No telemetry, no phoning home, no distracting ads. Just install, and enjoy.

  • Customizable

    Maple Linux comes bundled with the Cinnamon desktop. Want something different? Install from the standard Debian repositories to suit your need.

  • Reliable

    Linux powers the Internet, AI, and millions of desktop computers globally. Reliability is at its core, and it allows projects like ours to exist.

Worried about moving to Maple Linux? Don’t be

It is easy and it is free. If you get stuck, read the documentation. And if you are a Canadian non-profit or charity, our team will walk you through a migration entirely free of charge.

Documentation and support

So, why should you switch today?

  • Keep your own data

    Stop using an operating system that eats up resources just to harvest your data. Maple Linux isn’t here to steal your data or distract you with ads. We are here to help you work.

  • Save on IT costs

    Anyone can use our software for free. Maple Linux can browse the web, open your office documents, edit images and much more.

  • Increase the lifespan of your hardware

    Maple Linux runs well on older PCs — even ones five years old or more. The only core requirement is a 64-bit x86 CPU.

About us

Maple Open Tech is a partnership between SSP Media (opens in a new tab) and Mika Software (opens in a new tab). Based in Canada, our mission is to develop software products for the global market that respect Canadian privacy and data sovereignty standards.

We also maintain MaplePress (opens in a new tab) — a service built on Go and Cassandra, designed to increase WordPress hosting efficiency by up to 30%.

Contact the team

The SSP Media and Mika Software logos

Frequently asked questions about Maple Linux

What is Maple Linux?
Maple Linux is a free, Debian-based Linux distribution made for Canadian users by Maple Open Tech in Southwold, Ontario. The current release, Maple Linux Core 1.4.5.7 (Southwold), came out on 7 May 2026 and is built on Debian 13 “Trixie” with the Cinnamon desktop. It is about 98% pure Debian: every change is a small Debian package, and the rest is Debian as its developers ship it.
Is Maple Linux free?
Yes. Maple Linux is free to download and use for personal, institutional and commercial purposes. Its own components are released under the MIT License, and the Debian packages it includes keep their original licenses. If your organization needs enterprise support, contact the team.
Who makes Maple Linux?
Maple Linux is made by Maple Open Tech, a partnership between SSP Media and Mika Software based in Southwold, Ontario, Canada. The team has used Linux for nearly thirty years, and started Maple Linux because Canada had not had a distribution of its own since Corel Linux.
How is Maple Linux different from Debian?
Maple Linux is Debian with Canadian defaults and a finished desktop. It ships with English and Canadian French locales set up, the America/Toronto time zone, Canadian keyboard layouts first, CIRA Canadian Shield DNS in the live session, and a branded Calamares installer and Cinnamon desktop. Because it stays close to Debian, it receives Debian’s security updates. The read me lists every package the team adds.
Does Maple Linux collect my data?
No. Maple Linux has no telemetry, does not phone home and shows no ads. It was modelled on Canadian and EU (GDPR) privacy standards, and its live session resolves names through CIRA Canadian Shield, a privacy-focused, malware-blocking DNS service run in Canada.
Does Maple Linux support French?
Yes. Maple Linux ships with both English and Canadian French locales pre-configured, so you can work in either of Canada’s official languages from the first boot.
What are the system requirements for Maple Linux?
Maple Linux needs a 64-bit x86 (amd64) processor, 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended) and 20 GB of free disk space, and it boots on both UEFI and legacy BIOS computers. To install it you also need a USB drive of at least 8 GB. It runs well on PCs that are five years old or older.
What software comes with Maple Linux?
Maple Linux comes with the Cinnamon desktop, the LibreWolf web browser, the LibreOffice office suite, Thunderbird for email, Krita and Inkscape for graphics, and VLC for media. Anything else can be installed from the standard Debian repositories.
How do I install Maple Linux?
Download the Maple Linux ISO (a little under 5 GB) or its torrent from the download page, check it against the published SHA-512 checksum and GPG signature, and write it to a USB drive with a tool such as balenaEtcher or Rufus. Boot the computer from the USB drive, try the live session, then run the installer. The installation guide walks through each step on Windows, macOS and Linux.
How does Maple Linux get updates?
Maple Linux updates through apt, like any Debian system: Debian’s packages come from Debian, and Maple Linux’s own packages come from the Maple APT repository at apt.maplelinux.ca. If you are upgrading from version 1.2, add the Maple APT sources once, as described on the download page, and later upgrades arrive with the rest of your updates.
Can my organization switch to Maple Linux?
Yes. Maple Linux is free for institutional and commercial use, and the team offers enterprise support. Canadian non-profits and charities can have a migration walked through with them entirely free of charge. Email hello@mapleopentech.ca with what you run today.
How do I report a bug in Maple Linux?
Open an issue on the Maple Linux Core repository on Codeberg (opens in a new tab), where the whole of Maple Linux Core’s source is also published. The contribute page lists the other ways to help: spreading the word, and donating servers or funds.

Want to contribute, or interested in enterprise support?

Development time, mirrors, funding, or a bug you have found — all of it helps. Maple Linux is a small team, and the fastest way to reach us is email.

hello@mapleopentech.ca Get occasional updates