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Linux Distributions: Difference between revisions

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A Linux distribution (Sometimes abbreviated as a 'distro') comprises of some form of the [[Kernel|Linux Kernel]], an init system (Such as systemd), [[GNU]] tools and libraries, documentation, a [[Package Manager]] and several other types of software. Often to provide a desktop e<bdi>xperience</bdi> a display server (Such as [[XOrg|Xorg]] or a [[Wayland]] Compositor like Kwin), a [[DE / WM|Desktop Environments or Window Managers]] (Such as [[Gnome|GNOME]]) and other programs may be included with the distribution or are installable from [[Repository (Repo)|Repositories]].
A Linux distribution (Sometimes abbreviated as a 'distro') consists of some form of the [[Kernel|Linux Kernel]], an [[Init System]] (Such as [[systemd]]), the [[GNU]] tools and libraries, documentation, a [[Package Manager]] and several other types of software. Often to provide a desktop e<bdi>xperience</bdi> a display server (Such as [[XOrg]] or a [[Wayland]] Compositor like Kwin), a [[Desktop Environment]] or [[Window Manager]] (Such as [[GNOME]] or [[i3]]) and other programs may be included with the distribution or are installable from [[Repository|Repositories]].


== List of Linux Distributions ==
== List of Linux Distributions ==
This is in no way an all inclusive list of [[Linux]] distributions and mostly covers the more notable ones, for a more comprehensive list of distributions see [https://distrowatch.com Distrowatch] or the [[wikipedia:List_of_Linux_distributions|Wikipedia Article]]. Distributions are grouped by which distribution they are based on. Distributions in ''italics'' are abanonded.
This is in no way an all inclusive list of [[Linux]] distributions and mostly covers the most popular ones. For a more comprehensive list of distributions, see [https://distrowatch.com Distrowatch] or the [[wikipedia:List_of_Linux_distributions|Wikipedia Article]]. Distributions are grouped by which distribution they are based on, and those in ''italics'' are abandoned.


==== Arch Based ====
==== Arch Based ====
[[Arch Linux]] is an independent distribution focused on the KISS ''(Keep It Simple, Stupid)'' principle that focuses on being lightweight and flexible.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
!Beginner Friendly %
|-
|-
|EndeavourOS<ref>https://endeavouros.com/</ref>
|[[Arch Linux]]
|Arch but simplified for new users providing an easy way to install and setup with a lot of friendly GUI tools to update/rank mirrors and easily update system without requiring any Arch Linux experience.
|An independent distribution focused on the KISS ''(Keep It Simple, Stupid)'' principle that focuses on being lightweight and flexible.
|80%
|-
|-
|ArcoLinux<ref>https://arcolinux.com/</ref>
|[[Manjaro]]
|Basically simplified Arch Linux but with a lot of themes, customization and plenty of Desktop Environments, Window Managers and configurations. A good distribution for tinkerers.
|An Arch-based rolling release distribution with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility. Its aim is to be easy to set up and use.
|55%
|-
|-
|Manjaro<ref>https://manjaro.org/</ref>
|[[EndeavourOS]]
|A once loved community project that had the best graphical AUR package management system that still is decent but causes a lot of package breakages<ref>https://forum.manjaro.org/t/something-is-just-breaking-my-installation/92088<nowiki/>https://forum.manjaro.org/t/update-breaks-the-manjaro-os/56107<nowiki/>https://www.reddit.com/r/ManjaroLinux/comments/gt89rj/manjaro_breaking_and_stability_issues/</ref> and somehow cyber attacks at the AUR repository (via pamac).<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/archlinux/comments/mz3biz/is_the_aur_down_for_everyone/<nowiki/>https://www.linux.org/threads/manjaro-accidently-ddosed-the-aur.34248/</ref>
|An Arch-based distribution that aims to be as user-friendly as Manjaro, but is closer in nature to Arch Linux overall. It aims to offer a decent amount of common applications used on Arch as well as including the Calamares installer.
|25%
|-
|-
|Artix Linux<ref>https://sourceforge.net/projects/artix-linux/</ref>
|[[Artix]]
|This is what people like to call a, "protest distro". It is basically Arch Linux but without <code>systemd</code>. Yeah, not much else. It's installer is quite confusing and causes a lot of new users to have issues.
|A fork of Arch Linux, which avoids the usage of [[systemd]]. In its stead, it offers four alternative init systems in the pursuit of simplicity: OpenRC, [[runit]], [[dinit]], and [[s6]]. Each of them have their distinct differences, but the general goal stays the same: an init system should serve the purpose of an init system, complying to [[POSIX|POSIX standards]].
|30%
|-
|Garuda Linux<ref>https://sourceforge.net/projects/garuda-linux/</ref>
|One of the more fancy Arch Linux based distributions where you get a lot of cool themes with their desktop environments and certain window managers. You can however get all the themes that Garuda provides literally anywhere else on the internet but hey if you want to save time customizing, Garuda gives you a good out-of-the-box impression of Arch Linux with a very nice and simple installation process. It is Arch Linux but more easy to setup.
|60%
|-
|SteamOS<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/steamos</ref>
|Not much important here but a notable distribution for those who use Steam handhelds, it is based on Arch Linux.
|N/A (it is not a desktop OS)
|}
|}
==== Debian Based ====
==== Debian Based ====
[[Debian]] is an independent distribution developed by the community-supported Debian Project which is developed openly and distributed freely.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
!Beginner Friendly %
|-
|-
|Ubuntu<ref>https://ubuntu.com/</ref>
|[[Debian]]
|A very popular distribution that once was the best of them all but nowadays has been subtly ignored from the community due to the lack of Canonical's (parent company) decisions. You can still use it but it has a lot of things you would want to get rid of (snaps, telemetry, etc)
|An independent distribution developed by the community-supported Debian Project which is developed openly and distributed freely.
|85%
|-
|[[Kali Linux]]
|A Debian-based distribution made for security auditing and penetration testing. Has multiple versions, all of which serve different discrete purposes - they offer a "full" [[ISO]] with all of their security tools available.
|-
|[[Ubuntu]]
|A distribution based on Debian developed by Canonical who provides commercial support for releases on desktops, servers and IOT devices.
|-
|-
|LMDE (Linux Mint)<ref>https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php</ref>
|[[ParrotOS]]
|LMDE is Linux Mint Debian Edition, it is essentially Linux Mint but directly based on Debian rather than Ubuntu. A very nice pick for beginners.
|A Debian-based distribution comparable to Kali Linux, Parrot is designed for security, privacy, and development - one of its distinguishing features is that it is geared more towards daily use than Kali. ParrotOS has all the tools that are available in Kali Linux while also adding its own.
|90%
|-
|-
|Linux Mint<ref>https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php</ref>
|[[TailsOS]]
|The regular Linux Mint that features Ubuntu at it's core but stripped of all bad decisions of Canonical, it provides a lot of convenient features (printer support, etc) and is a quite stable distribution.
|A distribution focused towards maximizing privacy through anonymity using [[TOR]]. It is meant to be used - albeit responsibly! - to circumvent censorship in oppressive governments or even individual situations, allowing the user to regain control of their right to possess digital freedom.  
|95%
|-
|-
|Pop!_OS<ref>https://pop.system76.com/</ref>
|[[Devuan]]
|One of the most ease to use distribution for any MacOS user who switches to Linux. It is made by System76 and assures a cozy, nice-looking distribution. It has not been updated in a while but their COSMIC Desktop Environment is almost finished, as soon as it does it will take become the best again. It also has amazing NVIDIA support and has a very nice application installing software.
|A fork of Debian, which avoids the usage of [[systemd]].
|N/A (it is 2 years old right now and an update is yet to be pushed)
|-
|-
|Rhino Linux<ref>https://rhinolinux.org/</ref>
|[[ZorinOS]]
|One of the more recent ones, Rhino Linux (made by AJ) is a rolling release distribution that focuses on the ease of users, it has its own package manager (started as a wrapper) that installs and updates both from apt (which in this case is nala, a better frontend) and pacstall (their own in-house replacement to AUR). Overall, an awesome distribution for anyone looking for an arch-like alternative. It also features its own Unicorn Desktop Environment that is based of XFCE and looks quite nice. It's package manager is named <code>rpk</code> which is Rhino Packager. It will update your whole system with ease. It is very easy to install and a drop-in replacement to people coming from MacOS
|An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution designed especially for newcomers to Linux.  
|80%
|-
|-
|Devuan<ref>https://www.devuan.org/</ref>
|[[Pop!_OS]]
|It is yet another "protest distribution". Similar to Artix except it is Debian or in other words it is Debian without <code>systemd</code>. Yeah, that's it!
|Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution developed by computer retailer system76 designed to have minimal amounts of [[bloat]].
|30%
|-
|-
|PeppermintOS<ref>https://peppermintos.com/</ref>
|[[Slax]]
|A very easy to use Debian-based stable distribution allowing a very minimal setup, it also has ISOs with Devuan base.
|A portable persistent distribution based off Slackware or Debian meant to be ran on CDs/DVDs or USBs.
|60%
|}
|}
==== Fedora Based ====
==== Gentoo Based ====
[[Fedora]] is a community supported distribution sponsored by RHEL. It aims to provide the latest software while maintaining a completely Free Software system.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
!Beginner Friendly %
|-
|-
|Nobara Project<ref>https://nobaraproject.org/</ref>
|[[Gentoo]]
|"The Nobara Project, to put it simply, is a modified version of Fedora Linux with user-friendly fixes added to it." - Nobara Team
|A highly flexible source-based distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software.
|90%
|-
|-
|QubesOS<ref>https://www.qubes-os.org/</ref>
|[[ChromeOS]]
|A very sophisticated distribution that ensures each app being in it's own whole virtual system which gives you the most privacy out of any distribution. It is very resource-taking for that reason too but you do get the most security (or as it says on the website, "Reasonable security").
|A locked up operating system developed by Google. It was initially designed to be used on Chromebooks.
|15%
|-
|-
|VanillaOS<ref>https://vanillaos.org/</ref>
|[[Funtoo]]
|An immutable distribution that prevents any user to cause package breakages, what it means is that the whole system after being setup in the regular form is locked permanently only allowing new virtual machines to take up disk space, it's primary source of applications is from the Fedora's immutable package manager or a better Distrobox GUI to allow you to use software from any distribution.
|A Gentoo fork, meant to make the usage of Gentoo simpler.
|45%
|}
|}
==== Gentoo Based ====
==== Red Hat Based ====
[[Gentoo]] is a highly flexible source-based distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
!Beginner Friendly %
|-
|-
|ChromiumOS<ref>https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/</ref>
|[[RHEL|Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)]]
|Yeah, all of you saw that coming, ChromiumOS despite using a heavily modified Gentoo base, it is still... a Gentoo base.
|A commercial - once open to the public and now proprietary<ref>[https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/23/red_hat_centos_move/ Red Hat strikes a crushing blow against RHEL downstreams] The Register. Retrieved 24 June 2023.</ref> - distribution developed by Red Hat for the enterprise market.
|85%
|-
|-
|ChromeOS Flex<ref>https://chromeos.google/products/chromeos-flex/</ref>
|[[Fedora]]
|Same here, it is a very heavily modified Gentoo kernel for laptops or PCs that are not ChromeOS compatible hardware.
|A community supported distribution sponsored by Red Hat. It aims to provide the latest software while maintaining a completely Free Software system. It serves as an upstream for RHEL.
|85%
|-
|-
|Funtoo<ref>http://www.funtoo.org/Welcome</ref>
|[[Rocky Linux]]
|Funtoo is a community-developed Linux meta-distribution evolved from Gentoo, best optimized for performance on latest Intel or AMD hardware.
|A community managed distribution designed to be 100% compatible with RHEL. It aims to provide a production-grade enterprise operating system for users.
|20%
|-
|-
|Xenia Linux<ref>https://xenialinux.com/</ref>
|[[Alma Linux]]
|An immutable modern distribution to get an up-to-date and stable desktop with pre-built ISOs including DEs.  Really easy to install if you know some extent of Gentoo.
|A community-grounded distribution for production use. It aims to be stable while offering easy server setup for those who need to get a system running as fast and easily as possible.
|25%
|}
==== Red Hat Enterprise Based ====
[[RHEL|Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)]] is a commercial distribution developed by Red Hat for the enterprise market.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
|[[CentOS Stream]]
|-
|A rolling release distribution sponsored by Red Hat which is positioned as a midstream between Fedora Linux and RHEL.
|
|
|}
|}
==== Slackware Based ====
==== Slackware Based ====
Slackware is a highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting-edge software and automated tools.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
|-
|-
|
|[[Slackware]]
|
|A highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting-edge software and automated tools.
|-
|[[Slax]]
|A portable persistent distribution based off Slackware or Debian meant to be ran on CDs/DVDs or USBs.
|}
|}
==== openSUSE Based ====
==== openSUSE Based ====
openSUSE is a community-developed distribution sponsored by SUSE. It maintains a strict policy of ensuring all code in the installs will be from FOSS solutions.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Distribution !! Description
! Distribution !! Description
|-
|-
|
|[[openSUSE]]
|
|A community-developed distribution sponsored by SUSE. It maintains a strict policy of ensuring all code in the installations will be from FOSS solutions.
|}
|}
==== Ubuntu Based ====
Ubuntu is a distribution based on [[Debian]] developed by Canonical who provides commercial support for releases on desktops, servers and IOT devices.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Distribution !! Description
|-
|
|
|}
==== Other Independent Distributions ====
==== Other Independent Distributions ====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 156: Line 113:
| [[NixOS]]
| [[NixOS]]
|A distribution built around the Nix package manager, which provides atomic upgrades, rollbacks, and a declarative configuration model.
|A distribution built around the Nix package manager, which provides atomic upgrades, rollbacks, and a declarative configuration model.
|-
|[[Alpine Linux]]
|An independent distribution centered around security through minimalism. Not only is it used for [[Docker]] containers, but it is entirely free of GNU utilities.
|-
|[[Void Linux]]
|A distribution that focuses on quickly installing, updating and removing software, the main feature being support for the musl and glibc implementations.
|-
|[[Puppy Linux]]
|A group of distributions designed to be small and full-featured.
|-
|[[GNU Guix System]]
|A rolling release distribution created by GNU built around the Guix package manager and based on the Linux-libre kernel.
|}
|}
[[Category:Linux Distributions]]
[[Category:Linux Distributions]]

Latest revision as of 10:29, 30 October 2024

A Linux distribution (Sometimes abbreviated as a 'distro') consists of some form of the Linux Kernel, an Init System (Such as systemd), the GNU tools and libraries, documentation, a Package Manager and several other types of software. Often to provide a desktop experience a display server (Such as XOrg or a Wayland Compositor like Kwin), a Desktop Environment or Window Manager (Such as GNOME or i3) and other programs may be included with the distribution or are installable from Repositories.

List of Linux Distributions

This is in no way an all inclusive list of Linux distributions and mostly covers the most popular ones. For a more comprehensive list of distributions, see Distrowatch or the Wikipedia Article. Distributions are grouped by which distribution they are based on, and those in italics are abandoned.

Arch Based

Distribution Description
Arch Linux An independent distribution focused on the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle that focuses on being lightweight and flexible.
Manjaro An Arch-based rolling release distribution with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility. Its aim is to be easy to set up and use.
EndeavourOS An Arch-based distribution that aims to be as user-friendly as Manjaro, but is closer in nature to Arch Linux overall. It aims to offer a decent amount of common applications used on Arch as well as including the Calamares installer.
Artix A fork of Arch Linux, which avoids the usage of systemd. In its stead, it offers four alternative init systems in the pursuit of simplicity: OpenRC, runit, dinit, and s6. Each of them have their distinct differences, but the general goal stays the same: an init system should serve the purpose of an init system, complying to POSIX standards.

Debian Based

Distribution Description
Debian An independent distribution developed by the community-supported Debian Project which is developed openly and distributed freely.
Kali Linux A Debian-based distribution made for security auditing and penetration testing. Has multiple versions, all of which serve different discrete purposes - they offer a "full" ISO with all of their security tools available.
Ubuntu A distribution based on Debian developed by Canonical who provides commercial support for releases on desktops, servers and IOT devices.
ParrotOS A Debian-based distribution comparable to Kali Linux, Parrot is designed for security, privacy, and development - one of its distinguishing features is that it is geared more towards daily use than Kali. ParrotOS has all the tools that are available in Kali Linux while also adding its own.
TailsOS A distribution focused towards maximizing privacy through anonymity using TOR. It is meant to be used - albeit responsibly! - to circumvent censorship in oppressive governments or even individual situations, allowing the user to regain control of their right to possess digital freedom.
Devuan A fork of Debian, which avoids the usage of systemd.
ZorinOS An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution designed especially for newcomers to Linux.
Pop!_OS Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution developed by computer retailer system76 designed to have minimal amounts of bloat.
Slax A portable persistent distribution based off Slackware or Debian meant to be ran on CDs/DVDs or USBs.

Gentoo Based

Distribution Description
Gentoo A highly flexible source-based distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software.
ChromeOS A locked up operating system developed by Google. It was initially designed to be used on Chromebooks.
Funtoo A Gentoo fork, meant to make the usage of Gentoo simpler.

Red Hat Based

Distribution Description
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) A commercial - once open to the public and now proprietary[1] - distribution developed by Red Hat for the enterprise market.
Fedora A community supported distribution sponsored by Red Hat. It aims to provide the latest software while maintaining a completely Free Software system. It serves as an upstream for RHEL.
Rocky Linux A community managed distribution designed to be 100% compatible with RHEL. It aims to provide a production-grade enterprise operating system for users.
Alma Linux A community-grounded distribution for production use. It aims to be stable while offering easy server setup for those who need to get a system running as fast and easily as possible.
CentOS Stream A rolling release distribution sponsored by Red Hat which is positioned as a midstream between Fedora Linux and RHEL.

Slackware Based

Distribution Description
Slackware A highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting-edge software and automated tools.
Slax A portable persistent distribution based off Slackware or Debian meant to be ran on CDs/DVDs or USBs.

openSUSE Based

Distribution Description
openSUSE A community-developed distribution sponsored by SUSE. It maintains a strict policy of ensuring all code in the installations will be from FOSS solutions.

Other Independent Distributions

Distribution Description
NixOS A distribution built around the Nix package manager, which provides atomic upgrades, rollbacks, and a declarative configuration model.
Alpine Linux An independent distribution centered around security through minimalism. Not only is it used for Docker containers, but it is entirely free of GNU utilities.
Void Linux A distribution that focuses on quickly installing, updating and removing software, the main feature being support for the musl and glibc implementations.
Puppy Linux A group of distributions designed to be small and full-featured.
GNU Guix System A rolling release distribution created by GNU built around the Guix package manager and based on the Linux-libre kernel.
  1. ↑ Red Hat strikes a crushing blow against RHEL downstreams The Register. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
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