Comparison of Linux distributions

Template:Short description Template:Multiple issues Template:Use dmy dates 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> are marked 100% Free under the System distribution commitment column. Template:Sort-under

Distribution	Founder	Maintainer	Initial release year	Current stable version	Security updates (years)	Release date	System distribution commitment	Forked from	Target audience	Cost	Status
Template:Rh | AlmaLinux	AlmaLinux OS Foundation	AlmaLinux OS Foundation	2021	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Alpine Linux	Alpine Linux Team	Alpine Linux Team	2006	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	LEAF Project	security, lightweight, general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ALT Linux	ALT Linux Team	ALT Linux Team, ALT Linux LLC	2001	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Mandrake Linux	general, school	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | antiX	Anticapitalista	Anticapitalista	2007	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, MEPIS	old computers	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ArchBang	Willensky Aristide	Stan McLaren	2011	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Proprietary	Arch Linux (UKM Edition)	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Arch Linux	Judd Vinet	dev team	2002	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Proprietary	Independent, inspired from CRUX	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | BLAG	Brixton Linux Action Group	Brixton Linux Action Group	2002	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Fedora	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Bodhi Linux	Bodhi Linux Team	Bodhi Linux Team	2011	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, Ubuntu	desktop, lightweight	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Canaima	CANTV / CNTI / CENTIDEL / Edelca / VIT / FUNDACITE / Free software community	CANTV / CNTI / CENTIDEL / Edelca / VIT / FUNDACITE / Free software community	2007	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, Ubuntu	Government of Venezuela	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | CentOS	CentOS Project	CentOS Project	2003	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	server, workstation	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | CentOS Stream	CentOS Project	CentOS Project	2019	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2021-12-03	Template:Proprietary	Upstream of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	server, workstation	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Chakra	Jan Mette and Arch Linux KDEmod developers	The Chakra Project Team	2010	Rolling	Rolling	2017.10	Template:Proprietary	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Chimera Linux	q66	Chimera Linux team	2021	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Proprietary	Independent	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ChromeOS	Sundar Pichai	Google	2011	Template:Wikidata	Rolling	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Gentoo Linux	web applications	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Clear Linux OS	Arjan van de Ven	Intel	2015	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Proprietary	Independent	container, server, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ClearOS	Peter Baldwin	ClearFoundation	2000	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	RHEL, CentOS	server, gateway, network	Template:Partial	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | CrunchBang Linux	Philip Newborough	Philip Newborough	2008	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | CRUX	Per Lidén	CRUX Community	2002	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Damn Small Linux	John Andrews	dev team	2003	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, Knoppix	lightweight, portable	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Debian	Ian Murdock	Debian Project	1993	Template:Wikidata	~5 years,<ref name="DebianSupportPeriod" group="g" /> 10 years Freexian ELTS(paid)	Template:Wikidata	Template:Partial (main was 100% free, till 2022,<ref name="Explaining Why We Don't Endorse Other Systems">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="General Resolution: non-free firmware: results">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> non-free packages were optional)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Independent, inspired by Softlanding Linux System (SLS)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	general, server, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Debian Edu		Debian Project	2004	Template:Wikidata	~3 years<ref name="DebianSupportPeriod" group="g"/>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Partial	Debian	schools	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Devuan	The "Veteran Unix Admins" (VUA)	The "Veteran Unix Admins" (VUA)	2016	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary<ref name="DevuanISO" group="g"/>	Debian	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Deepin	Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd.	Wuhan Deepin Technology Co., Ltd.	2004	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre	Matias A. Fonzo	Matias A. Fonzo	2009	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Independent, inspired from Slackware	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | dyne:bolic	Jaromil	Jaromilx	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Debian	multimedia	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Elementary OS	Danielle Foré	elementary LLC	2011	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Ubuntu, Debian	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ELinOS	SYSGO	SYSGO	1999	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent	embedded systems	Template:Partial	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Emdebian Grip	Embedded Debian Project	Embedded Debian Project	2009	Template:Wikidata	End-of-life	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	embedded systems	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | EndeavourOS	Bryan Poerwoatmodjo	EndeavourOS	2019	Rolling	Template:Dunno	2022-09-14	Template:Proprietary	Arch Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Fedora Linux	Fedora Project	Fedora Project	2003	Template:Wikidata	1 year + 1 month	Template:Wikidata	Template:Partial<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Red Hat Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Freespire	Lindows.com, Inc.	PC/OpenSystems LLC	2001	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Template:Dunno	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Gentoo Linux	Daniel Robbins	Gentoo Foundation, Inc.	2002	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Partial	Enoch Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Guix System	Ludovic Courtès	Ludovic Courtès, Ricardo Wurmus, the Guix community	2012	Template:Wikidata	Rolling	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Independent, inspired by NixOS	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | gNewSense	Brian Brazil and Paul O'Malley	Sam Geeraerts with sponsorship from the Free Software Foundation	2006	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Debian	general, server	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Grml	Michael Prokop	The Grml Team	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	live, maintenance, security, network, forensic, accessibility	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre	Hyperbola Founders	Hyperbola Founders	2017	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free	Arch Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Kali Linux	Max Moser, Mati Aharoni, Martin J. Muench	Offensive Security	2013	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	auditing, forensic, security, network	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Knoppix	Klaus Knopper	dev team	2000	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	live	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Korora	Chris Smart	Dev Team	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Fedora	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | LibreCMC	LibreCMC team	LibreCMC team	2010	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Merged from LibreWRT	embedded systems	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Linspire	Linspire, Inc.	Linspire, Inc.	2001	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Linux Mint	Clement Lefebvre	dev team	2006	Template:Wikidata	5 years (main editions); ~3 years (LMDE)	Template:Wikidata Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian (LMDE), Ubuntu (main editions)	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Linux Lite	Jerry Bezencon	Linux Lite Team	2012	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Ubuntu	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Mageia	Mageia Community	mageia.org	2010	Template:Wikidata	1 year	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Mandriva Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Mandriva Linux	Mandrakesoft S.A.	Mandriva S.A.	1998	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Linux	general	Template:Partial	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Manjaro Linux	Roland Singer	dev team	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Proprietary	Arch Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | MEPIS	Warren Woodford	MEPIS LLC	2003	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	desktop, server	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | MIRACLE LINUX	Cybertrust Japan	Cybertrust Japan	2000	Template:Wikidata	10 years	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	server	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Musix GNU+Linux	Musix team	Musix team	2008	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Debian	multimedia	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Netrunner	Blue Systems	dev team	2009	Template:Wikidata	as per Debian	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | NixOS	Eelco Dolstra and Armijn Hemel	NixOS Foundation	2003	Template:Wikidata	0.5 years	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	–	general, server, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Novell Open Enterprise Server	Novell	Novell, Inc. dev team	2003	2023	Template:Dunno	2022-10	Template:Proprietary	SUSE Linux Enterprise Server	server	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | OpenELEC	Stephan Raue, OpenELEC Team	OpenELEC Team	2011	8.0.4	Template:Dunno	2017-06-04	Template:Proprietary	Kodi	multimedia	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | openSUSE	SUSE Linux	openSUSE Project	2006	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Slackware, Jurix	general, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | OpenWrt	Template:Dunno	OpenWrt team	2007	Template:Wikidata<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent	embedded systems	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | OpenMandriva Lx	OpenMandriva Association	OpenMandriva Association	2013	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Mandriva Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Oracle Linux	Oracle Corporation	Oracle Corporation	2006	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	server	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Parabola GNU/Linux-libre	Parabola Hackers	Parabola Hackers	2009	Rolling<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Rolling	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Free	Arch Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Pardus	Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK)	TÜBİTAK	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Gentoo (2011.2) Debian	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Parrot OS	Lorenzo "Palinuro" Faletra	Parrot Dev Team	2013	Template:Wikidata	Rolling	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	security, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Parsix	Alan Baghumian	Parsix Project	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Parted Magic	Patrick Verner	Parted Magic LLC.	2007	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent	live, maintenance	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | PCLinuxOS	Bill Reynolds	dev team	2003	2022.12	Semi-rolling	2022-12-12	Template:Proprietary	Mandriva Linux	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Active
Template:Rh | Pop! OS	Carl Ritchell	System76	2017	Template:Wikidata	2 years for LTS releases. 2–3 months after the next release for other releases.	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Ubuntu	desktop, laptop	Template:Free	Template:Active
Template:Rh | Pentoo	Michael Zanetta, Rick Farina, Jens Pranaitis	Pentoo	2005	2019.1	Template:Dunno	2019-01-17	Template:Proprietary	Gentoo Linux	auditing, security	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Porteus	Fanthom	Porteus	2010	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Slackware	lightweight, portable	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ProteanOS		Libiquity	2011	Rolling	Rolling	Rolling	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Template:Dunno	embedded	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Puppy Linux	Barry Kauler	Puppy Foundation	2003	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent, inspired from Vector linux	lightweight, portable	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | PureOS	Todd Weaver	Purism	2009	Template:Wikidata	Stable and Rolling	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Debian	general, security, privacy	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Qubes OS	Joanna Rutkowska	Invisible Things Lab	2012	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Xen and Fedora	security by compartmentalization, desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	Red Hat	Red Hat	2002	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Linux, Fedora	general	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Red Hat Linux	Red Hat	Red Hat	1995	Template:Wikidata alias Shrike	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	–	server, workstation	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh class="table-rh" | Rocks Cluster Distribution	UCSD Supercomputing Center, Clustercorp	UCSD Supercomputing Center, Clustercorp	2000	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Linux	server, workstation	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Rocky Linux	Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation	Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation	2021	Template:Wikidata	10 years	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | ROSA	Template:Dunno	LLC NTC IT ROSA	2011	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Mandriva	server, general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Sabayon Linux	Fabio Erculiani	dev team	2005	Template:Wikidata<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Gentoo Linux	general	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Salix OS	Cyrille Pontvieux, George Vlahavas, Pierrick Le Brun, Thorsten Mühlfelder	Salix team	2009	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Slackware	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Scientific Linux	CERN, Fermilab	dev team	2004	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Red Hat Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)	server, workstation	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Slackware	Patrick Volkerding	dev team	1993	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Softlanding Linux System (SLS)	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Slax	Tomas Matejicek	Tomas Matejicek	2002	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, Slackware (until Slax 9)	live	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | SliTaz GNU/Linux	Christophe Lincoln	dev team	2008	Rolling	Rolling	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Proprietary	Independent	portable	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Solus	Ikey Doherty	dev team	2005	Rolling	Rolling	2021-07-11	Template:Proprietary	Pardus Linux	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | SolydXK	Arjen Balfoort	dev team	2013	Template:Wikidata<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Debian packages as per Debian	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | SparkyLinux	Template:Dunno	Sparky Linux team	2012	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	general, video games	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Source Mage GNU/Linux	Ryan Abrams, Eric Schabell	dev team	2002	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Partial	Sorcerer	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | SteamOS	Valve	Valve	2013	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian (2.0) Arch Linux (3.0)	video games	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | SUSE Linux Enterprise	SUSE	SUSE	2000	Template:WikidataSP5<ref name=map111>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2023-06-20	Common code base for x86-64, Power, System z, Arm64	Slackware, Jurix	edge, workstation, server, supercomputer	Template:No<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Tails	Template:Dunno	Tails Development Team	2009	Template:Wikidata	–<ref name="Tails Releases" group="g"/>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	security-focused aimed for anonymity and privacy	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Tiny Core Linux	Robert Shingledecker	Team Tiny Core	2009	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Independent, inspired from Damn Small Linux	portable	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Trisquel GNU/Linux	Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)	Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)	2005	Template:Wikidata	3 years	Template:Wikidata	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Ubuntu LTS	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | TurnKey GNU/Linux	Alon Swartz, Liraz Siri	TurnKey GNU/Linux Team	2008	Template:Wikidata	Debian packages as per Debian; TurnKey packages for life of current major version (plus backports per request)	Template:Wikidata	Template:Partial	Debian	server based software appliance library aiming to balance security and ease of use	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Ubuntu and Derivatives<ref name="ubuntu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Canonical Ltd.	Canonical Ltd.	2004	Template:Wikidata Template:Wikidata	Standard releases 9 months, LTS releases 5 years. Flavor LTS releases 3 or 5 years. Ubuntu Pro 10 years.	Template:Wikidata Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	general, server, desktop, supercomputer, IBM mainframe	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Univention Corporate Server	Univention GmbH	Univention GmbH	2004	Template:Wikidata	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	home, business, and school	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Ututo	Diego Saravia, Daniel Olivera	UTUTO dev team	2000	XS 2012	Template:Dunno	2012-04-27	Template:Free<ref name="GNU FSDG" />	Ututo XS: Gentoo Linux, Ututo UL: Ubuntu	general	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | VectorLinux	Robert S. Lange	dev team	1999	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Slackware	desktop	Template:Free	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Void Linux	Juan Romero Pardines	Juan RP and contributors	2008	Rolling	Rolling	2022-10-17	Template:Proprietary	Independent, partially inspired by FreeBSD/NetBSD	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Webconverger	Kai Hendry	Webconverger Limited	2007	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian	kiosk software, digital signage	Template:No	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Xandros	Xandros Incorporated	Xandros Incorporated	2001	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	2007-07-26	Template:Proprietary	Corel Linux	Template:Dunno	Template:No	Template:Site inactive
Template:Rh | Zentyal	eBox Technologies	eBox Technologies	2005	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Debian, Ubuntu	small business server	Template:Partial	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Zenwalk	Jean-Philippe Guillemin	dev team	2004	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Slackware	general	Template:Free	Template:Site active
Template:Rh | Zorin OS	Zorin Group	Zorin Group	2009	Template:Wikidata	Template:Dunno	Template:Wikidata	Template:Proprietary	Ubuntu	general, desktop	Template:Partial	Template:Site active
Distribution	Founder	Maintainer	Initial release year	Current stable version	Security updates (years)	Release date	System distribution commitment	Forked from	Target audience	Cost	Status

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.

Distribution	Default Linux kernel	Default file system	Default init system	Install-time desktop environment or window manager selection	Reproducible builds
Template:Rh | Alpine Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	openrc	Template:No2 none	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | ALT Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext3	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces, Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | Arch Linux	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	Awesome, bspwm, Budgie, Cinnamon, COSMIC, CuteFish, Deepin, Enlightenment, GNOME, Hyprland, i3, KDE, LXQt, MATE, Qtile, Sway, Xfce<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | BLAG	Template:Free	ext3	sysvinit	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Bodhi Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	Moksha (Enlightenment fork)	Template:No
Template:Rh | Canaima	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	Template:Dunno	systemd	GNOME, KDE Plasma and Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | CentOS	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	xfs	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Chakra	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | Chimera Linux	Template:Proprietary	none	dinit	GNOME, KDE Plasma	Template:No
Template:Rh | Clear Linux OS	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	GNOME
Template:Rh | ClearOS	Template:Proprietary	ext3	systemd	Template:No2 none (Web based)	Template:No
Template:Rh | CoreOS	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	None	Template:No
Template:Rh | CrunchBang Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	sysvinit	Openbox	Template:No
Template:Rh | Damn Small Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext3	sysvinit	JWM	Template:No
Template:Rh | Debian	Template:Partial	ext4	systemd	GNOME, KDE, Xfce, LXDE<ref name=cdimage.debian.org>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Devuan	Template:Proprietary	ext4	sysvinit	Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre	Template:Free	ext4	runit	Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | dyne:bolic	Template:Free	Template:Dunno	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Fedora	Template:Proprietary	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	GNOME (default Workstation Edition), Spins for: KDE, Xfce, Cinnamon, MATE (with Compiz), i3, LXQt, LXDE, Phosh, Sway and Budgie	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Funtoo	Template:Proprietary	none	openrc	None	Template:No
Template:Rh | Gentoo	Template:Partial <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	none	openrc	Awesome, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, KDE, LXDE-Meta, Openbox, XBMC and Xfce (live DVD)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No
Template:Rh | gNewSense	Template:Free<ref name="debian-linux">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	ext3	sysvinit	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Guix System	Template:Free<ref name="guix kernel">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	ext4	GNU Shepherd	GNOME, Xfce, MATE, Enlightenment, Openbox, awesome, i3, ratpoison, EXWM	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre	Template:Free	none	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No2	Template:No
Template:Rh | Kali Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Knoppix	Template:Proprietary	xfs	microknoppix	LXDE	Template:No
Template:Rh | LibreCMC<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Proprietary	ext4	busybox-init	Template:No2 none	Template:No
Template:Rh | Linux Mint<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	ext4	systemd	MATE, Cinnamon, KDE 4, XFCE	Template:No
Template:Rh | Mageia	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Mandriva Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | Manjaro Linux	Template:Proprietary	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	Xfce, KDE, GNOME<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No
Template:Rh | MEPIS	Template:Proprietary	ext4	sysvinit	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | MIRACLE LINUX	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Musix GNU+Linux<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Free	ext4	initscripts	LXDE	Template:No
Template:Rh | NixOS	Template:Proprietary or Linux-libre<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	none	systemd	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | OpenELEC	Template:Proprietary	SquashFS	shell script	XBMC Media Center	Template:No
Template:Rh | openSUSE	Template:Proprietary	btrfs	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME, Xfce	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | OpenWrt	Template:Proprietary	overlayfs+SquashFS/JFFS2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No2 none	Template:No2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Parabola GNU/Linux-libre	Template:Free	none	openrc or systemd	Template:No2 none	Template:No
Template:Rh | Pardus	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | Parsix	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | PCLinuxOS	Template:Proprietary	none	sysvinit	KDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME, LXDE, Xfce, Enlightenment, Openbox	Template:No
Template:Rh | Pentoo	Template:Proprietary	SquashFS	openrc	Enlightenment	Template:No
Template:Rh | Porteus	Template:Proprietary	Template:Dunno	sysvinit	KDE, LXDE, Xfce, Openbox, Razor-qt	Template:No
Template:Rh | Puppy Linux	Template:Proprietary	SquashFS containing ext2	busybox-init	JWM	Template:No
Template:Rh | PureOS	Template:Free	ext4	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Red Hat Enterprise Linux	Template:Proprietary	xfs	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Rxart Desktop	Template:Proprietary	ext3	Template:Dunno	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | Sabayon Linux	Template:Proprietary	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces, GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Scientific Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Slackware	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	Template:Dunno	RC.d and sysvinit compatible	KDE, XFCE Fluxbox, Blackbox, fvwm2 twm	Template:No
Template:Rh | Slax	Template:Proprietary	SquashFS	sysvinit	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | SliTaz GNU/Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext3	busybox-init	Openbox	Template:No
Template:Rh | Solus	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	Budgie, Gnome, MATE, KDE	Template:No
Template:Rh | Source Mage GNU/Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext2	simpleinit-msb	Template:No2 none	Template:No
Template:Rh | SteamOS	Template:Proprietary	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	Template:Proprietary	Template:No
Template:Rh | SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Tails	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	Template:Dunno	systemd	GNOME	Template:Partial success<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | Trisquel	Template:Free	Template:Dunno	systemd	MATE	Template:No
Template:Rh | TurnKey GNU/Linux	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	none - headless server by design; provides Webmin for administration	Template:No
Template:Rh | Ubuntu/Edubuntu	Template:Proprietary<ref name="common-distros" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | Ubuntu GNOME	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	GNOME 3	Template:No
Template:Rh | Ubuntu MATE	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	MATE	Template:No
Template:Rh | Kubuntu	Template:Proprietary	ext4<ref name="10.10 release" />	systemd	KDE Plasma Workspaces	Template:No
Template:Rh | Xubuntu	Template:Proprietary	ext4<ref name="10.10 release" />	systemd	Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | Lubuntu	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	LXQt	Template:No
Template:Rh | Ututo	Template:Free	ext3	systemd	GNOME	Template:No
Template:Rh | VectorLinux	Template:Proprietary	ReiserFS	sysvinit	KDE, Openbox, Fluxbox, IceWM, Xfce	Template:No
Template:Rh | Void Linux	Template:Proprietary	none	runit	Template:No2 none	Template:No
Template:Rh | Webconverger	Template:Proprietary	gitfs	sysvinit	dwm enforcing a Browser-only interface	Template:No
Template:Rh | XBMC Live	Template:Proprietary	ext3	systemd	XBMC Media Center	Template:No
Template:Rh | Zentyal	Template:Proprietary	ext4	systemd	LXDE	Template:No
Template:Rh | Zenwalk	Template:Proprietary	ext4	sysvinit	Xfce	Template:No
Distribution	Default Linux kernel	Default file system	Default init system	Install-time desktop environment or window manager selection	Reproducible builds

Instruction set architecture support

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

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 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.

Distribution	Free software repositories	Approximate number of pre-compiled packages	Approximate number of source packages	Default package management tool(s)	Package format	Default installer	Graphical installation process	Netinstall	Netboot
Template:Rh | Alpine Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>apk list command, Alpine Linux v3.13</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	apk	.apk	setup-alpine	Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | ALT Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	APT (APT-RPM), RPM	RPM		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Arch Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts from AUR<ref name="Arch Linux AUR repository">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Pacman	.pkg.tar.zst<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> and archinstaller<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | BLAG	Template:Free	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	RPM, yum, APT	RPM		Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Bodhi Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.dpkg	Ubiquity	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Canaima	Template:Partial	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	debian-installer	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | CentOS	Template:Partial	Template:NtsTemplate:Efn<ref>yum list all command, CentOS Linux 8</ref>	Template:Dunno	RPM, yum/up2date	RPM	Anaconda	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Chakra	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Pacman (will be replaced by Akabei in future)	.pkg.tar.xz		Template:Partial	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Chimera Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts	apk	.apk	None	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No
Template:Rh | ClearOS	Template:Partial	Template:Efn	Template:Dunno	RPM, yum	RPM		Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Clear Linux OS	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Swupd	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | CrunchBang Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Debian	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref name="debian">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:NtsTemplate:Efn	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Devuan	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre	Template:Free	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	pkgsystem	.tlz	Template:Dunno	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | dyne:bolic	Template:Free	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Fedora	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	DNF, yum, PackageKit	RPM	Anaconda	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Gentoo	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>eix -- -bin$ command, Gentoo Linux (8 April 2025)</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn	Portage	.ebuild, .tbz2	None (third-party install scripts only)	Template:YesTemplate:Efn	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | gNewSense	Template:Free	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Template:Rh | Guix System	Template:Free	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts	Guix	.scm, .go	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No
Template:Rh | Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre	Template:Free	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	Pacman	.pkg.tar.lz	None (third-party install scripts only)	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Knoppix	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb		Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | LibreCMC	Template:Free	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno		Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Linux Mint	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Ubiquity	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Mageia	Template:Partial	Template:Nts (i586), Template:Nts (x86-64)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	urpmi, rpmdrake	RPM	DrakX	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Mandriva Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	urpmi, rpmdrake	RPM	DrakX	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Manjaro Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Dunno	Template:Efn<ref name="Arch Linux AUR repository"/>	Pacman	.pkg.tar.xz	Calamares<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | MEPIS	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	MEPIS Install	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | MIRACLE LINUX	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts	RPM, yum, dnf	RPM	Anaconda	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Template:Rh | Musix GNU+Linux	Template:Free	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | NixOS	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	nix	.nix	Calamares	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Rh | OpenELEC	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref name="OpenELEC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	XBMCbuntu addon manager, own and 3rd party addons	.zip		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | openSUSE	Template:Partial	Template:Nts with PackMan<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Nts	YaST, Zypper	RPM	YaST	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | OpenWrt	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	opkg	.ipk	-	Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Parabola GNU/Linux-libre	Template:Free	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	Pacman	.pkg.tar.xz	None (third-party install scripts only) or Calamares	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Pardus	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Debian-Installer	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Parsix	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Nts	APT	.deb		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | PCLinuxOS	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	APT, RPM	RPM		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Puppy	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	PupGet, DotPup	.pup, .pet		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Red Hat Enterprise Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts (plus Template:Nts from EPEL<ref name="Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>)	Template:Dunno	RPM, yum	RPM	Anaconda	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Rxart	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Sabayon Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Efn	Template:Dunno	Portage, Entropy	ebuild, .tbz2	Calamares	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Scientific	Template:Partial	Template:Efn	Template:Dunno	APT/yum	RPM		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Slackware	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts from SlackBuilds<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	slackpkg	tgz, .txz, .tlz, .tbz	bash script<ref>found this in /usr/lib/setup/setup</ref>	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Slax	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	none	.lzm			Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | SliTaz GNU/Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	Tazpkg	.tazpkg	tazinst	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Solus	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	eopkg	.eopkg	os-installer	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Source Mage GNU/Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts	Sorcery Package Manager	src		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | SUSE Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts	YaST, Zypper	RPM	YaST	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Tiny Core Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	ab, tce-load	tcz	tc-install, core2usb	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Tiny SliTaz	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	tazpkg		Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Trisquel	Template:Free	Template:Nts<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	Ubiquity	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | TurnKey GNU/Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" /> (plus ≈30 custom packages)	Template:NtsTemplate:Efn (currently TurnKey only supplies source code for custom packages)	APT	.deb	DI-Live (custom fork of Debian Installer)	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu	Template:Partial	Template:NtsTemplate:Efn<ref name="debian" /><ref name="ubuntu-all">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:NtsTemplate:Efn	APT	.deb	Ubiquity	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | Ututo	Template:Free	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	UTUTO Package Manager	ebuild	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Vector Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	slapt-get, gslapt, installpkg	tgz		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Void Linux	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Nts	xbps	.xbps	ncurses script	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Template:Rh | XBMC Live	Template:Partial	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb		Template:No	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Zentyal	Template:Partial	Template:Efn<ref name="debian" />	Template:Dunno	APT	.deb	dpkg	Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Template:Rh | Zenwalk	Template:Partial	Template:Nts	Template:Dunno	netpkg, installpkg, upgradepkg	tgz, txz		Template:Yes	Template:Dunno	Template:Dunno
Distribution	Free software repositories	Approximate number of pre-compiled packages	Approximate number of source packages	Default package management tools	Package format	Default installer	Graphical installation process	Netinstall	Netboot

Security features

Distribution	Compile time buffer checks	Mandatory access control	Software executable space protection	grsecurity	RSBAC
Template:Rh | Alpine Linux	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Arch Linux	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | BLAG	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Android (operating system)	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Optional	Template:Optional	Template:Optional
Template:Rh | Clear Linux OS	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Debian	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes optional	Template:Optional	Template:Optional
Template:Rh | Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | dyne:bolic	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Fedora	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Gentoo	Template:Optional	Template:Optional	Template:Yes optional	Template:Optional	Template:Optional
Template:Rh | gNewSense	Template:Unknown	Template:YesTemplate:Efn	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Guix System	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | LibreCMC	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Mandriva	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes
Template:Rh | MIRACLE LINUX	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes	Template:Unknown	Template:No	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Musix GNU+Linux	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Parabola GNU/Linux-libre	Template:Unknown	Template:Optional	Template:Unknown	Template:Optional	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Slackware	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Optional
Template:Rh | SUSE Linux	Template:Yes	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:No	Template:No
Template:Rh | Solus	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Unknown	Template:No	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Trisquel	Template:Unknown	Template:YesTemplate:Efn	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Rh | Ubuntu	Template:Yes<ref name="ubuntu_security_feature">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Yes <ref name="ubuntu_security_feature"/>	Template:Yes optional	Template:Optional	Template:Optional
Template:Rh | Ututo	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown

Apple Silicon Support

Distribution	Direct Install	Working Virtualisation	Community Version
Kali	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:N/A
Ubuntu	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:N/A
Fedora	Template:Unknown	Template:Yes<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:N/A

See also

• Comparison of netbook-oriented Linux distributions
• Comparison of operating systems
• DistroWatch
• List of Linux distributions

External links

• Linux free distros (Free Software Foundation)
• Repository tracking
• The LWN.net Linux Distribution List – Categorized list with information about each entry.
• Distrowatch – Announcements, information, links and popularity ranking for many Linux distributions.
• Linux Distros – Information and ISO files for many oldest Linux distributions.

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