Technical variations of Linux distributions include support for different hardware devices and systems or software package configurations. Organizational differences may be motivated by historical reasons. Other criteria include security, including how quickly security upgrades are available; ease of package management; and number of packages available.

These tables compare notable distribution's latest stable release on wide-ranging objective criteria. It does not cover each operating system's subjective merits, branches marked as unstable or beta, nor compare Linux distributions with other operating systems.

General

The table below shows general information about the distributions: founder or producer, maintainer, release date, the latest version, etc.

Linux distributions endorsed by the Free Software Foundation are marked 100% Free under the System distribution commitment column.[relevant?]

DistributionFounderMaintainerInitial release yearCurrent stable versionSecurity updates (years)Release dateSystem distribution commitmentForked fromTarget audienceCostStatus
AlmaLinuxAlmaLinux OS FoundationAlmaLinux OS Foundation202110.110 years2025-11-24XRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)generalNoneActive
Alpine LinuxAlpine Linux TeamAlpine Linux Team20063.23.2?2025-12-17XLEAF Projectsecurity, lightweight, generalNoneActive
ALT LinuxALT Linux TeamALT Linux Team, ALT Linux LLC200111.1?2025-09-03XMandrake Linuxgeneral, schoolNoneActive
antiXAnticapitalistaAnticapitalista200723.2?2024-10-06XDebian, MEPISold computersNoneActive
ArchBangWillensky AristideStan McLaren2011RollingRollingRollingXArch Linux (UKM Edition)generalNoneActive
Arch LinuxJudd Vinetdev team2002RollingRollingRollingXIndependent, inspired from CRUXgeneralNoneActive
BLAGBrixton Linux Action GroupBrixton Linux Action Group2002?100% Free: GNU FSDGFedoradesktopNoneInactive
Bodhi LinuxBodhi Linux TeamBodhi Linux Team20117.0.0?2023-08-21XDebian, Ubuntudesktop, lightweightNoneActive
CanaimaCANTV / CNTI / CENTIDEL / Edelca / VIT / FUNDACITE / Free software communityCANTV / CNTI / CENTIDEL / Edelca / VIT / FUNDACITE / Free software community20078.0?2024-10-18XDebian, UbuntuGovernment of VenezuelaNoneActive
CentOSCentOS ProjectCentOS Project20038.510 years2021-11-16XRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)server, workstationNoneInactive
CentOS StreamCentOS ProjectCentOS Project2019105 years2024-12-12XUpstream of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)server, workstationNoneActive
ChakraJan Mette and Arch Linux KDEmod developersThe Chakra Project Team2010RollingRolling2017.10XArch LinuxdesktopNoneInactive
Chimera Linuxq66Chimera Linux team2021RollingRollingRollingXIndependentgeneralNoneActive
ChromeOSSundar PichaiGoogle2011146.0.7680.169Rolling2026-03-24XGentoo Linuxweb applicationsNoneActive
Clear Linux OSArjan van de VenIntel2015RollingRollingRollingXIndependentcontainer, server, desktopNoneInactive
ClearOSPeter BaldwinClearFoundation20007.8?2020-06-23XRHEL, CentOSserver, gateway, networkSome editions are free of chargeActive
CrunchBang LinuxPhilip NewboroughPhilip Newborough2008?XDebiandesktopNoneInactive
CRUXPer LidénCRUX Community20023.8?2025-04-21XIndependentgeneralNoneActive
Damn Small LinuxJohn Andrewsdev team20034.4.10?2008-11-18XDebian, Knoppixlightweight, portableNoneInactive
DebianIan MurdockDebian Project199313.4~5 years, 10 years Freexian ELTS(paid)2026-03-14Debian Social Contract and DFSG (main was 100% free, till 2022, non-free packages were optional)Independent, inspired by Softlanding Linux System (SLS)general, server, desktopNoneActive
DevuanThe "Veteran Unix Admins" (VUA)The "Veteran Unix Admins" (VUA)20166.1?2026-01-02XDebiangeneralNoneActive
DeepinWuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd.Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd.200423.1?2025-04-16XDebiangeneralNoneActive
Dragora GNU/Linux-LibreMatias A. FonzoMatias A. Fonzo20093.0-beta2?2023-04-26100% Free: GNU FSDGIndependent, inspired from SlackwaregeneralNoneInactive
dyne:bolicJaromilJaromilx20053.0.0?2011-09-08100% Free: GNU FSDGDebianmultimediaNoneInactive
Elementary OSDanielle Foréelementary LLC20118.1.1?2026-02-26XUbuntu, DebiangeneralNoneActive
Emdebian GripEmbedded Debian ProjectEmbedded Debian Project2009End-of-lifeXDebianembedded systemsNoneInactive
EndeavourOSBryan PoerwoatmodjoEndeavourOS2019Rolling?2022-09-14XArch LinuxgeneralNoneActive
Fedora LinuxFedora ProjectFedora Project2003431 year + 1 month2025-10-28Fedora Licensing GuidelinesRed Hat LinuxgeneralNoneActive
FreespireLindows.com, Inc.PC/OpenSystems LLC200110?2023-12-07X?desktopNoneActive
Gentoo LinuxDaniel RobbinsGentoo Foundation, Inc.2002RollingRollingRollingGentoo Social ContractEnoch LinuxgeneralNoneActive
Guix SystemLudovic CourtèsLudovic Courtès, Ricardo Wurmus, the Guix community20121.4.0Rolling2022-12-19100% Free: GNU FSDGIndependent, inspired by NixOSgeneralNoneActive
gNewSenseBrian Brazil and Paul O'MalleySam Geeraerts with sponsorship from the Free Software Foundation20064.0?2016-05-02100% Free: GNU FSDGDebiangeneral, serverNoneInactive
GrmlMichael ProkopThe Grml Team20052025.08?2025-08-16XDebianlive, maintenance, security, network, forensic, accessibilityNoneActive
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libreHyperbola FoundersHyperbola Founders20170.4.43 years (stable), 5 years (old stable)2024-01-05100% Free: GNU FSDG followed in Hyperbola Social ContractArch LinuxgeneralNoneActive
IPFireMichael TremerIPFire Project20042.29 - Core Update 197Rolling2025-9-19XIndependentfirewall, router, securityNoneActive
Kali LinuxMax Moser, Mati Aharoni, Martin J. MuenchOffensive Security20132026.1?2026-03-24XDebianauditing, forensic, security, networkNoneActive
KnoppixKlaus Knopperdev team20009.3?2022-05-05XDebianliveNoneActive
KororaChris SmartDev Team200526?2017-09-16XFedoradesktopNoneInactive
LibreCMCLibreCMC teamLibreCMC team20101.5.14?2023-10-03100% Free: GNU FSDGMerged from LibreWRTembedded systemsNoneActive
LinspireLinspire, Inc.Linspire, Inc.200114 SP2?2025-02-22X??CommercialActive
Linux MintClement Lefebvredev team200622.35 years (main editions); ~3 years (LMDE)2026-01-13XDebian (LMDE), Ubuntu (main editions)desktopNoneActive
Linux LiteJerry BezenconLinux Lite Team20127.8?2026-01-31XUbuntudesktopNoneActive
MageiaMageia Communitymageia.org201091 year2023-09-04XMandriva LinuxgeneralNoneActive
Mandriva LinuxMandrakesoft S.A.Mandriva S.A.19982011.0?2011-08-28XRed Hat LinuxgeneralSome editions are free of chargeInactive
Manjaro LinuxRoland Singerdev team2012RollingRollingRollingXArch LinuxgeneralNoneActive
MEPISWarren WoodfordMEPIS LLC200311.9.92?2013-08-10XDebiandesktop, serverNoneInactive
Miracle LinuxCybertrust JapanCybertrust Japan2000910 years2022-11-01XRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)serverNoneActive
Musix GNU+LinuxMusix teamMusix team20083.0.1?2014-03-13100% Free: GNU FSDGDebianmultimediaNoneInactive
MX LinuxMX Linux teamMX Linux team201325.15 years2026-01-19XDebian, MEPIS, antiXdesktopNoneActive
NetrunnerBlue Systemsdev team200926as per Debian2026-04-02XDebiandesktopNoneActive
NixOSEelco Dolstra and Armijn HemelNixOS Foundation200325.110.5 years2025-11-30X–general, server, desktopNoneActive
Novell Open Enterprise ServerNovellNovell, Inc. dev team20032023?2022-10XSUSE Linux Enterprise ServerserverCommercialActive
OpenELECStephan Raue, OpenELEC TeamOpenELEC Team20118.0.4?2017-06-04XKodimultimediaNoneInactive
openSUSESUSE LinuxopenSUSE Project200616.01.5 years2025-10-01XSlackware, Jurixgeneral, desktopNoneActive
OpenWrt?OpenWrt team200725.12.2?2026-03-27XIndependentembedded systemsNoneActive
OpenMandriva LxOpenMandriva AssociationOpenMandriva Association20136.0?2025-04-20XMandriva LinuxgeneralNoneActive
Oracle LinuxOracle CorporationOracle Corporation200610.1?2025-12-02XRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)serverNoneActive
Parabola GNU/Linux-libreParabola HackersParabola Hackers2009RollingRolling2021-08-11100% Free: GNU FSDG followed in Parabola Social ContractArch LinuxgeneralNoneActive
PardusScientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK)TÜBİTAK200525.0?2025-11-25XGentoo (2011.2) DebiangeneralNoneActive
Parrot OSLorenzo "Palinuro" FaletraParrot Dev Team20137.1Rolling2026-02-11XDebiansecurity, desktopNoneActive
ParsixAlan BaghumianParsix Project20058.15?2017-01-25XDebiandesktopNoneInactive
Parted MagicPatrick VernerParted Magic LLC.20072025_09_18?2025-09-18XIndependentlive, maintenanceCommercialActive
PCLinuxOSBill Reynoldsdev team20032025.09Semi-rolling2025-09-20XMandriva LinuxdesktopNoneActive
Pop! OSCarl RitchellSystem76201724.04 LTS2 years for LTS releases. 2–3 months after the next release for other releases.2025-12-11XUbuntudesktop, laptopNoneActive
PentooMichael Zanetta, Rick Farina, Jens PranaitisPentoo20052019.1?2019-01-17XGentoo Linuxauditing, securityNoneActive
PorteusFanthomPorteus20105.01?2023-09-26XSlackwarelightweight, portableNoneActive
Puppy LinuxBarry KaulerPuppy Foundation20039.5?2020-09-17XIndependent, inspired from Vector linuxlightweight, portableNoneActive
PureOSTodd WeaverPurism200910.3Stable and Rolling2023-06-14100% Free: GNU FSDGDebiangeneral, security, privacyNoneActive
Qubes OSJoanna RutkowskaInvisible Things Lab20124.3.0?2025-12-21XXen and Fedorasecurity by compartmentalization, desktopNoneActive
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Red HatRed Hat200210.112 years2025-11-12XRed Hat Linux, FedorageneralCommercialActive
Red Hat LinuxRed HatRed Hat19950.9 alias Shrike?1994-10-31X–server, workstationNoneInactive
Rocks Cluster DistributionUCSD Supercomputing Center, ClustercorpUCSD Supercomputing Center, Clustercorp20007.0?2017-12-01XRed Hat Linuxserver, workstationNoneActive
Rocky LinuxRocky Enterprise Software FoundationRocky Enterprise Software Foundation202110.110 years2025-11-25XRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)generalNoneActive
ROSA?LLC NTC IT ROSA201113.1?2025-11-25XMandrivaserver, generalNoneActive
Sabayon LinuxFabio Erculianidev team200519.03?2019-03-31XGentoo LinuxgeneralNoneInactive
Salix OSCyrille Pontvieux, George Vlahavas, Pierrick Le Brun, Thorsten MühlfelderSalix team2009?XSlackwaregeneralNoneActive
Scientific LinuxCERN, Fermilabdev team20047.9?2020-10-20XRed Hat Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)server, workstationNoneInactive
SlackwarePatrick Volkerdingdev team199315.0?2022-02-02XSoftlanding Linux System (SLS)generalNoneActive
SlaxTomas MatejicekTomas Matejicek200212.2.0?2023-10-10XDebian, Slackware (until Slax 9)liveNoneActive
SliTaz GNU/LinuxChristophe Lincolndev team2008RollingRolling2020-02-23XIndependentportableNoneActive
SolusIkey Dohertydev team2005RollingRolling2021-07-11XPardus LinuxdesktopNoneActive
SolydXKArjen Balfoortdev team201312Debian packages as per Debian2023-12-04XDebiandesktopNoneActive
SparkyLinux?Sparky Linux team20128.2?2026-02-16XDebiangeneral, video gamesNoneActive
Source Mage GNU/LinuxRyan Abrams, Eric Schabelldev team2002?Source Mage Social ContractSorcerergeneralNoneActive
SteamOSValveValve20133.7.20?XDebian (2.0) Arch Linux (3.0)video gamesNoneActive
SUSE Linux EnterpriseSUSESUSE200016.0 SP513 years per version2023-06-20Common code base for x86-64, Power, System z, Arm64Slackware, Jurixedge, workstation, server, supercomputerCommercialActive
Tails?Tails Development Team20097.6.2–2026-04-15XDebiansecurity-focused aimed for anonymity and privacyNoneActive
Tiny Core LinuxRobert ShingledeckerTeam Tiny Core200917.0?2026-02-10XIndependent, inspired from Damn Small LinuxportableNoneActive
Trisquel GNU/LinuxRubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)200512.03 years2026-04-11100% Free: GNU FSDGUbuntu LTSdesktopNoneActive
TurnKey GNU/LinuxAlon Swartz, Liraz SiriTurnKey GNU/Linux Team200818.0Debian packages as per Debian; TurnKey packages for life of current major version (plus backports per request)2023-09-14Debian Social Contract and DFSGDebianserver based software appliance library aiming to balance security and ease of useNoneActive
Ubuntu and derivativesCanonical Ltd.Canonical Ltd.200425.10 24.04.4 LTSStandard releases 9 months, LTS releases 5 years. Flavor LTS releases 3 or 5 years. Ubuntu Pro 10 years.2025-10-09 2026-02-12XDebiangeneral, server, desktop, supercomputer, IBM mainframeNoneActive
Univention Corporate ServerUnivention GmbHUnivention GmbH20045.2-5up to 6 months for free Core Edition; up to 7 years if maintenance is purchased, see:2026-03-10XDebianhome, business, and schoolCore Edition is free of chargeActive
UtutoDiego Saravia, Daniel OliveraUTUTO dev team2000XS 2012?2012-04-27100% Free: GNU FSDGUtuto XS: Gentoo Linux, Ututo UL: UbuntugeneralNoneInactive
VectorLinuxRobert S. Langedev team1999?XSlackwaredesktopNoneInactive
Void LinuxJuan Romero PardinesJuan RP and contributors2008RollingRolling2022-10-17XIndependent, partially inspired by FreeBSD/NetBSDgeneralNoneActive
WebconvergerKai HendryWebconverger Limited200735.0?2016-05-19XDebiankiosk software, digital signageCommercialInactive
XandrosXandros IncorporatedXandros Incorporated20014.2?2007-07-26XCorel Linux?CommercialInactive
ZentyaleBox TechnologieseBox Technologies20058.0?2024-02-26XDebian, Ubuntusmall business serverSome editions are free of charge?
ZenwalkJean-Philippe Guillemindev team2004current-250116?2025-01-16XSlackwaregeneralNoneActive
Zorin OSZorin GroupZorin Group200918.1?2026-04-15XUbuntugeneral, desktopZorin OS Lite & Core are free, while Business and Ultimate are paidActive
DistributionFounderMaintainerInitial release yearCurrent stable versionSecurity updates (years)Release dateSystem distribution commitmentForked fromTarget audienceCostStatus

Technical

The table below shows the default file system, but many Linux distributions support some or all of ext2, ext3, ext4, Btrfs, ReiserFS, Reiser4, JFS, XFS, GFS2, OCFS2, and NILFS. It is possible to install Linux onto most of these file systems. The ext file systems, namely ext2, ext3, and ext4 are based on the original Linux file system.

File systems have been developed by companies to meet their specific needs, by hobbyists, or adapted from Unix, Microsoft Windows, and other operating systems. Linux has full support for XFS and JFS, FAT (the DOS file system), and HFS, the main file system for the Macintosh. Support for Microsoft Windows NT's NTFS file system has been developed and is now comparable with other native Unix file systems. CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs' ISO 9660 and Universal Disk Format (UDF) are supported.

Unlike other operating systems, Linux and Unix allow any file system regardless of the medium it is stored on, whether that medium is a magnetic disk, an optical disk (CD, DVD, etc.), a USB flash memory key, or even contained within a file located on another file system. Similarly, many C compilers (mainly GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)), init systems (mainly sysvinit), desktop environments and window managers are widely supported.

DistributionDefault Linux kernelDefault file systemDefault init systemInstall-time desktop environment or window manager selectionReproducible builds
Alpine LinuxBinary blobsext4openrcnoneIn progress
ALT LinuxBinary blobsext3systemdKDE Plasma Workspaces, XfceNo
Arch LinuxBinary blobsnonesystemdAwesome, bspwm, Budgie, Cinnamon, COSMIC, CuteFish, Deepin, Enlightenment, GNOME, Hyprland, i3, KDE, LXQt, MATE, Qtile, Sway, XfceIn progress
BLAGLinux-libreext3sysvinitGNOMENo
Bodhi LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdMoksha (Enlightenment fork)No
CanaimaBinary blobs?systemdGNOME, KDE Plasma and XfceNo
CentOSBinary blobsxfssystemdGNOMENo
ChakraBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
Chimera LinuxBinary blobsnonedinitGNOME, KDE PlasmaNo
Clear Linux OS???GNOME
ClearOSBinary blobsext3systemdnone (Web based)No
CoreOSBinary blobsext4systemdNoneNo
CrunchBang LinuxBinary blobsext4sysvinitOpenboxNo
Damn Small LinuxBinary blobsext3sysvinitJWMNo
DebianLinux-libre(debian) with separate non-free binary blobs hosted and sponsored.ext4systemdGNOME, KDE, Xfce, LXDEIn progress
DevuanBinary blobsext4sysvinitXfceNo
Dragora GNU/Linux-LibreLinux-libreext4runitXfceNo
dyne:bolicLinux-libre?systemdGNOMENo
FedoraBinary blobsbtrfssystemdGNOME (default Workstation Edition), Spins for: KDE, Xfce, Cinnamon, MATE (with Compiz), i3, LXQt, LXDE, Phosh, Sway and BudgieIn progress
FuntooBinary blobsnoneopenrcNoneNo
GentooBlobs are available, but not added by default. To accept any license considered nonfree through Portage, file edits are needed.noneopenrcAwesome, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, KDE, LXDE-Meta, Openbox, XBMC and Xfce (live DVD)No
gNewSenseLinux-libre(debian), and (unlike Debian) blobs cannot be installedext3sysvinitGNOMENo
Guix SystemLinux-libre, Hurd (in progress)ext4GNU ShepherdGNOME, Xfce, MATE, Enlightenment, Openbox, awesome, i3, ratpoison, EXWMYes
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libreLinux-librenoneopenrcnoneNo
IPFireBinary blobsext4sysvinitN/ANo
Kali LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdGNOMENo
KnoppixBinary blobsxfsmicroknoppixLXDENo
LibreCMCBinary blobsext4busybox-initnoneNo
Linux MintBinary blobsext4systemdMATE, Cinnamon, KDE 4, XFCENo
MageiaBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOMENo
Mandriva LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
Manjaro LinuxBinary blobsnonesystemdXfce, KDE, GNOMENo
MEPISBinary blobsext4sysvinitKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
Miracle LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdGNOMENo
Musix GNU+LinuxLinux-libreext4initscriptsLXDENo
MX LinuxBinary blobsext4sysvinitFluxbox, KDE and XfceNo
NixOSBinary blobs or Linux-librenonesystemdGNOME or KDE Plasma (Default), CDE, Cinnamon, Enlightment, Kodi, Lumina, LXQt, MATE, Pantheon, Phosh, RetroArch, Xfce, Xterm. 40 window managersIn progress
OpenELECBinary blobsSquashFSshell scriptXBMC Media CenterNo
openSUSEBinary blobsbtrfssystemdKDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME, XfceIn progress
OpenWrtBinary blobsoverlayfs+SquashFS/JFFS2procdnoneIn progress
Parabola GNU/Linux-libreLinux-librenoneopenrc or systemdnoneNo
PardusBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
ParsixBinary blobsext4systemdGNOMENo
PCLinuxOSBinary blobsnonesysvinitKDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME, LXDE, Xfce, Enlightenment, OpenboxNo
PentooBinary blobsSquashFSopenrcEnlightenmentNo
PorteusBinary blobs?sysvinitKDE, LXDE, Xfce, Openbox, Razor-qtNo
Puppy LinuxBinary blobsSquashFS containing ext2busybox-initJWMNo
PureOSLinux-libre(debian). Binary blobs are not hosted and discouraged while can be manually installed.ext4systemdGNOMENo
Red Hat Enterprise LinuxBinary blobsxfssystemdGNOMENo
Rxart DesktopBinary blobsext3?KDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
Sabayon LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOMENo
Scientific LinuxBinary blobsext4sysvinit, systemdGNOMENo
SlackwareBinary blobs?RC.d and sysvinit compatibleKDE, XFCE Fluxbox, Blackbox, fvwm2 twmNo
SlaxBinary blobsSquashFSsysvinitKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
SliTaz GNU/LinuxBinary blobsext3busybox-initOpenboxNo
SolusBinary blobsext4systemdBudgie, Gnome, MATE, KDENo
Source Mage GNU/LinuxBinary blobsext2simpleinit-msbnoneNo
SteamOSBinary blobsbtrfs, ext4systemdSteam, KDE PlasmaNo
SUSE Linux Enterprise DesktopBinary blobsbtrfssystemdGNOMENo
TailsVanilla Linux?systemdGNOMEReproducible ISO and USB images
TrisquelLinux-libre?systemdMATENo
TurnKey GNU/LinuxBinary blobsext4systemdnone - headless server by design; provides Webmin for administrationNo
Ubuntu–EdubuntuBinary blobsext4systemdGNOMENo
Ubuntu GNOMEBinary blobsext4systemdGNOME 3No
Ubuntu MATEBinary blobsext4systemdMATENo
KubuntuBinary blobsext4systemdKDE Plasma WorkspacesNo
XubuntuBinary blobsext4systemdXfceNo
LubuntuBinary blobsext4systemdLXQtNo
UtutoUtuto XS (stable) is de-blobbed with Linux-libre tools. Ututo UL (development) uses Linux-libre. Ututo UL means "Ubuntu-Libre"ext3systemdGNOMENo
VectorLinuxBinary blobsReiserFSsysvinitKDE, Openbox, Fluxbox, IceWM, XfceNo
Void LinuxBinary blobsnonerunitnoneNo
WebconvergerBinary blobsgitfssysvinitdwm enforcing a Browser-only interfaceNo
XBMC LiveBinary blobsext3systemdXBMC Media CenterNo
ZentyalBinary blobsext4systemdLXDENo
ZenwalkBinary blobsext4sysvinitXfceNo
DistributionDefault Linux kernelDefault file systemDefault init systemInstall-time desktop environment or window manager selectionReproducible builds

Instruction set architecture support

Linux kernel portability to instruction set architectures other than x86, was an early feature added to the kernel.

Distributionx86x86-64armia64ppcppc64sparc32sparc64hppaloongarch64mipsshs390s390xalpham68kriscv
Alpine LinuxYesYesYesNoNoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoriscv64 3.20+
Arch LinuxUnofficial Official discontinued 2017-11-08YesUnofficialNoDiscontinued unofficial port, UnofficialUnofficialNoNoNoUnofficialNoNoNoNoNoNoUnofficial
BackTrackDiscontinued from BackTrack 5 and superseded by Kali LinuxDiscontinued from BackTrack 5 and superseded by Kali LinuxDiscontinued from BackTrack 5 and superseded by Kali LinuxNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
BLAGYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Bodhi LinuxLegacy branch onlyYesDiscontinued 2013-10-23NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
BOSS LinuxYesYes?NoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
CentOSAltArchYesAltArchDiscontinued 3.5-3.8 4.1-4.7Beta, Discontinued 4.0AltArchBeta 4.2NoNoNoNoNoDiscontinued 3.5-3.8 4.1-4.7Discontinued 3.5-3.8 4.1-4.7Discontinued 4.2-4.3NoNo
ChakraNoYes?NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Chimera LinuxNoYesYesNoNoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Clear Linux OS?Yes??NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
CRUXYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
DebianDiscontinued 1.1-12.12Yes 4.0+Yes 2.2+Discontinued 3.0-7.0Discontinued 2.2-8YesDiscontinued 2.1-4.0Discontinued -7Discontinued 3.0-5.0Official port requestedDiscontinued 3.0-12.12In progressDiscontinued 3.0-7Yes 7+Discontinued 2.1-5.0Discontinued 2.0-3.1Officially testing
DevuanDiscontinued 6.0YesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Dragora GNU/Linux-LibreYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
dyne:bolicYes[citation needed]No[citation needed]NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
FedoraDiscontinued from Fedora 30YesYesDiscontinued from Fedora 9Discontinued from Fedora 17YesNoInactive from Fedora 12NoIn progressInactive from Fedora 13NoNoYesNoNoIn progress
FinnixDiscontinued 110YesNoNoDiscontinued 110Discontinued 110NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
GentooYesYesYesDiscontinued 2024-08-14YesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
gNewSenseYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Guix SystemYesYesYes, ARMv7 and AArch64NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoIn progress
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libreYesYesNoNoNoIn progressNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoIn progress
IPFireDiscontinued in 2021YesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoUnder Development
Kali LinuxDiscontinued 2024.4YesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
LibreCMCNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes XBurstNoNoNoNoNoNo
Manjaro LinuxUnofficialYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
MEPISYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Miracle LinuxDiscontinued 8.0YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Musix GNU+LinuxYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
MX LinuxDiscontinued 25YesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
NixOSUnofficialYesYesNoUnofficialUnofficialNoNoNoNoNoNoUnofficialUnofficialNoUnofficialUnofficial
OpenELECYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
openSUSE LeapNoYesv7 64NoNoppc64leNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
openSUSE TumbleweedYesYesv6 v7 64NoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoRV64G
OpenWrtYesYesYesNoYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Oracle LinuxDiscontinued 7.0YesNoDiscontinued 5NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Parabola GNU/Linux-libreYesYesYes, ARMv7NoNoTest releaseNoNoNoNoDiscontinuedNoNoNoNoNoTest release
Red Flag LinuxDiscontinued 8.0Discontinued 8.0NoDiscontinued 3NoDiscontinued 3NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Red Hat LinuxDiscontinued 9.0NoNoDiscontinued 7.1-7.2Test release 5.1NoDiscontinued 4.0-4.2 5.1-6.2Test release 5.1NoNoTest release 5.1NoDiscontinued 7.2YesDiscontinued 2.1-7.1Test release 5.1No
Red Hat Enterprise LinuxDiscontinued 2.1-6Yes 3+YesDiscontinued 2.1-5Yes 3+Yes 3+NoNoNoNoNoNoDiscontinued 3-4Yes 3+NoNoNo
Sabayon LinuxDiscontinuedYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Scientific LinuxYesYesNoDiscontinued 3-4NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
SHRNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
SlackwareYesYesYesNoNoNoDiscontinued ?NoNoNoNoNoDiscontinued ?Discontinued ?Discontinued 8.1NoNo
SolusNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Source Mage GNU/LinuxYesYesNoNoYesNoNoNoNo?NoNoNoNoNoNoNo
SUSE Linux Enterprise ServerYesYesAArch64 onlyYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNo
Trisquel GNU/LinuxDiscontinued 10.0YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
TurnKey GNU/LinuxSelected ISOs availableYesNo - but under development by communityNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, LubuntuDiscontinued from Ubuntu 20.04YesYes, including 64-bit ARMv8-ANoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoUbuntu only, 16.04+NoNoNo
UtutoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoIn progressNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Void LinuxYesYesYesNoUnofficialUnofficialNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
XBMCbuntuYesNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Yellow Dog LinuxNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Distributionx86x86-64armia64ppcppc64sparc32sparc64hppaloongsonmipsshs390s390xalpham68kriscv

Package management and installation

Information on features in the distributions. Package numbers are only approximate. Some distributions like Debian tend to separate tools into different packages – usually stable release, development release, documentation and debug. Also counting the source package number varies. For Debian and RPM Package Manager (RPM) based entries it is just the base to produce binary packages, so the total number of packages is the number of binary packages. For Arch based entries, it is additional.

DistributionFree software repositoriesApproximate number of pre-compiled packagesApproximate number of source packagesDefault package management tool(s)Package formatDefault installerGraphical installation processNetinstallNetboot
Alpine LinuxFree, and nonfree13,888?apk.apksetup-alpineNo?iPXE
ALT LinuxFree, and nonfree8,300?APT (APT-RPM), RPMRPMYes??
Arch LinuxFree, and nonfree13,75194,227 from AURPacman.pkg.tar.zstandNoYesiPXE
BLAGFree only10,000?RPM, yum, APTRPMYesNoNo
Bodhi LinuxFree, and nonfree?APT.dpkgUbiquityYes??
CanaimaFree, and nonfree??APT.debdebian-installerYes??
CentOSFree, and nonfree6,813?RPM, yum/up2dateRPMAnacondaYesYes?
ChakraFree, and nonfree3,074CCR: 5,342Pacman (to be replaced by Akabei in future).pkg.tar.xzPackage manager in development??
Chimera LinuxFree, and nonfree12,8262,648apk.apkNoneNoYesNo
ClearOSFree, and nonfree?RPM, yumRPMNo??
Clear Linux OS???Swupd?????
CrunchBang LinuxFree, and nonfree?APT.debYes??
DebianFree, and nonfree171,93728,923APT.debDebian-InstallerYesYesPXE
DevuanFree, and nonfree?APT.debDebian-InstallerYesYesPXE
Dragora GNU/Linux-LibreFree only484?pkgsystem.tlz?NoNoNo
dyne:bolicFree only??APT.debDebian-InstallerYesNoNo
FedoraFree, and nonfree68,41941,996DNF, yum, PackageKitRPMAnacondaYesYes?
GentooFree, and nonfree11819,105Portage.ebuild, .tbz2None (third-party install scripts only)YesYesPXE
gNewSenseFree only??APT.debDebian-InstallerYesYesNo
Guix SystemFree only20,57120,571Guix.scm, .goguix system initYesYesNo
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libreFree only6,128?Pacman.pkg.tar.lzNone (third-party install scripts only)NoYes?
IPFireFree, and nonfree??pakfirecustom formatIPFire installerNoNoYes
KnoppixFree, and nonfree?APT.debNo??
LibreCMCFree only826???NoNoNo
Linux MintFree, and nonfree?APT.debUbiquityYes??
MageiaFree, and nonfree17,283 (i586), 11,409 (x86-64)8,834urpmi, rpmdrakeRPMDrakXYesYes?
Mandriva LinuxFree, and nonfree22,600?urpmi, rpmdrakeRPMDrakXYes??
Manjaro LinuxFree, and nonfree?Pacman.pkg.tar.xzCalamaresYesYesiPXE
MEPISFree, and nonfree?APT.debMEPIS InstallYes??
Miracle LinuxFree, and nonfree7,1092,899RPM, yum, dnfRPMAnacondaYesYesNo
Musix GNU+LinuxFree only1,819?APT.debDebian-InstallerYesNoNo
MX LinuxFree, and nonfree?APT.debGazelle InstallerYesNoNo
NixOSFree, and nonfree129,926124,166nix.nixCalamaresYesYesYes
OpenELECFree, and nonfree140?XBMCbuntu addon manager, own and 3rd party addons.zipYes??
openSUSEFree, and nonfree42,236 with PackMan34,000YaST, ZypperRPMYaSTYesYes?
OpenWrtFree, and nonfree2,000?opkg.ipk-No??
Parabola GNU/Linux-libreFree only23,000?Pacman.pkg.tar.xzNone (third-party install scripts only) or CalamaresYesYes?
PardusFree, and nonfree4,000?APT.debDebian-InstallerYes??
ParsixFree, and nonfree14,900APT.debYes??
PCLinuxOSFree, and nonfree12,000?APT, RPMRPMYes??
PuppyFree, and nonfree700?PupGet, DotPup.pup, .petYes??
Red Hat Enterprise LinuxFree, and nonfree3,000 (plus 9,155 from EPEL)?RPM, yumRPMAnacondaYes??
RxartFree, and nonfree?APT.debYes??
Sabayon LinuxFree, and nonfree?Portage, Entropyebuild, .tbz2CalamaresYes??
ScientificFree, and nonfree?APT/yumRPMYes??
SlackwareFree, and nonfree2,2927,705 from SlackBuildsslackpkgtgz, .txz, .tlz, .tbzNoYesYes
SlaxFree, and nonfree2,050?none.lzm??
SliTaz GNU/LinuxFree, and nonfree3,381?Tazpkg.tazpkgtazinstYesiPXEiPXE
SolusFree, and nonfree9,500?eopkg.eopkgos-installerYesNoNo
Source Mage GNU/LinuxFree, and nonfree1188,876Sorcery Package ManagersrcYes??
SUSE LinuxFree, and nonfree24,09411,385YaST, ZypperRPMYaSTYes??
Tiny Core LinuxFree, and nonfree25,160?ab, tce-loadtcztc-install, core2usbYes??
Tiny SliTazFree, and nonfree50?Web sitetazpkgNo?iPXE
TrisquelFree only52,748?APT.debUbiquityYesYes?
TurnKey GNU/LinuxFree, and nonfree(plus ≈30 custom packages)21,041 (currently TurnKey only supplies source code for custom packages)APT.debDI-Live (custom fork of Debian Installer)NoNoNo
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, XubuntuFree, and nonfree110,06624,474APT.debUbiquityYesYesPXE
UtutoFree only5,000?UTUTO Package Managerebuild??NoNo
Vector LinuxFree, and nonfree??slapt-get, gslapt, installpkgtgzYes??
Void LinuxFree, nonfree and multilib6,0006,719xbps.xbpsncurses scriptYesYesNo
XBMC LiveFree, and nonfree??APT.debNo??
ZentyalFree, and nonfree?APT.debdpkgYes??
ZenwalkFree, and nonfree2,000?netpkg, installpkg, upgradepkgtgz, txzYes??
DistributionFree software repositoriesApproximate number of pre-compiled packagesApproximate number of source packagesDefault package management toolsPackage formatDefault installerGraphical installation processNetinstallNetboot

Live media

DistributionSize of media (MB)RAM use (MB)Boots from CDBoots from DVDInstallable live CD/DVDInstallable from USB
Alpine Linux63 (Virtual) 1,019 (Xen)min 96 GUI 2,048YesYesYesYes
Arch Linux742min 80YesYesYesYes
AUSTRUMI426YesYesYesYes
BLAG Linux and GNU696?YesNo?
Bodhi Linux1,02480YesYesYesYes
CentOS603 (Minimal) 4,096 (DVD)YesYesYes (installable since 6.0)Yes
Chakra2,150NoYesYesYes
Chimera Linux649 to 1,223?YesYesYesYes
Clear Linux OS4,443?????
Damn Small Linux50+24 to 64YesYesYesYes
Debian1,420Up to 2,048YesYesYesYes
Devuan868YesYesYesYes
Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre655?Yes???
dyne:bolic1,650?up to version 2.xYes??
Fedora1,434256 to 1,024YesYesYesYes
Gentoo260 (Minimal) 2,048 (Live DVD)up to 128YesYesYesYes
gNewSense1,200512??Yes?
Grml46032 to 128YesNoYesYes
Guix System814233NoYesYesYes
Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre1,124?up to version 0.3.xYesYesYes
IPFire≈650≈512YesYesNoYes
Knoppix CD700128 to 320YesYesOnly DVD edition is maintained
Knoppix DVD4,813128 to 500NoYes
LibreCMC??NoNoNoNo
Mandriva Linux One700128 to 768YesYesYesYes
Manjaro Linux473 to 2,200256 to 1,024YesYesYesYes
MEPIS700 to 4,000128 to 512YesYesYesYes
Musix GNU+Linux2,000?NoYesYesYes
MX Linux1,600 to 2,700512 to 1,024NoYesYesYes
Nanolinux18≈64YesYesYesYes
NixOS780 (Minimal) 1,700 (Plasma) 2,200 (GNOME)?YesYesYesYes
openGEU700192 to 512YesYes
openSUSE (Not 42.1)700128 to 768YesYesYesYes
OpenWrtmin 4min 16NoNoNoNo
Parabola GNU/Linux-libre400 to 3,300?YesYesYesYes
Pardus1,256 to 1,276256 to 1,024YesYesYesYes
PCLinuxOS130 to 70096 to 512YesYesYesYes
Pentoo666 and 70048 to 96YesYesBy handBy hand
Porteus224 to 373min 36??YesYes
Puppy Linux (Slacko)23532 to 192YesYesYesYes
Puredyne542YesYesYesYes
Sabayon Linux Live CD695YesYesYesYes
Sabayon Linux Live DVD2,400NoYesYesYes
Scientific Linux431 to 2,300640YesYesYesYes
Slackware2,60064 to 1,024YesYesYesYes
Slax20096 to 320YesYesYes
Solus1,2001,024NoYesYesYes
SystemRescueCD459YesYesYesYes
SliTaz GNU/Linux5048 to 256YesYesYesYes
Tails≈900≈1,024NoYesYesYes (when run from DVD)
Tiny Core Linux17 (Core) 248 (Core Plus)28 to 128YesYesYesYes
Tiny SliTaz1.444YesYesBy SliTazBy SliTaz
Trisquel1,500384YesYesYesYes
TurnKey GNU/Linux Core (base) appliance ISO212~173YesYesYesYes
Ubuntu1,700384YesYesYesYes
Edubuntu2,900YesYesYes
Kubuntu1,400384YesYesYesYes
Xubuntu1,200256YesYesYesYes
Ututo3,500?NoYesYes?
XBMC Live700256 to 1,024YesNoYesYes
Zentyal600256YesYesYesYes
DistributionSize of media (MB)RAM use (MB)Boots from CDBoots from DVDInstallable live CD/DVDInstallable from USB

Security features

DistributionCompile time buffer checksMandatory access controlSoftware executable space protectiongrsecurityRSBAC
Alpine LinuxYesUnknownPaXDiscontinued in 3.8.0Unknown
Arch LinuxUnknownSELinux(Unofficial),AppArmorUnknownUnknownUnknown
BLAGUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
Android (operating system)YesYes, since Android MarshmallowOptionalOptionalOptional
Clear Linux OSUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
DebianYesSELinux, AppArmorPaX optionalOptionalOptional
Dragora GNU/Linux-LibreUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
dyne:bolicUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
FedoraYesSELinuxExec ShieldNoNo
GentooOptionalSELinux, AppArmorPaX optionalOptionalOptional
gNewSenseUnknownSELinux, AppArmorUnknownUnknownUnknown
Guix SystemUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
IPFireYesNoNoDiscontinued in 2018No
LibreCMCUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
MandrivaUnknownAppArmorUnknownUnknownYes
Miracle LinuxUnknownSELinuxUnknownNoUnknown
Musix GNU+LinuxUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown
Parabola GNU/Linux-libreUnknownOptionalUnknownOptionalUnknown
SlackwareUnknownAppArmor, tomoyoUnknownUnknownOptional
SUSE LinuxYesAppArmorHardware NX and other methods in mainline kernel and toolchainNoNo
SolusYesAppArmorUnknownNoUnknown
TrisquelUnknownSELinux, AppArmorUnknownUnknownUnknown
UbuntuYesSELinux, AppArmorPaX optionalOptionalOptional
UtutoUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown

Apple Silicon Support

DistributionDirect installWorking virtualisationCommunity version
KaliUnknownYes—N/a
UbuntuUnknownYes—N/a
FedoraUnknownYes—N/a
Red HatUnknownYes—N/a

See also

Notes

External links

  • (Free Software Foundation)
  • – Categorized list with information about each entry.
  • – Announcements, information, links and popularity ranking for many Linux distributions.
  • – Information and ISO files for many oldest Linux distributions.