Light-weight Linux distribution

File:Lynx (web browser).png

In the extreme case - user can use a computer without a GUI and even browse the internet in a terminal, without images, in Lynx, on a weak computer

A light-weight Linux distribution is a Linux distribution that uses lower memory and processor-speed requirements than a more "feature-rich" Linux distribution. The lower demands on hardware ideally result in a more responsive machine, and allow devices with fewer system resources (e.g. older or embedded hardware) to be used productively. The lower memory and processor-speed requirements are achieved by avoiding software bloat, i.e. by leaving out features that are perceived to have little or no practical use or advantage, or for which there is no or low demand.

The perceived weight of a Linux distribution is strongly influenced by the desktop environment included with that distribution.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Accordingly, many Linux distributions offer a choice of editions. For example, Canonical hosts several variants ("flavors") of the Ubuntu distribution that include desktop environments other than the default GNOME or the deprecated Unity. These variants include the Xubuntu and Lubuntu distributions for the comparatively light-weight Xfce and LXDE / LXQt desktop environments.

The demands that a desktop environment places on a system may be seen in a comparison of the minimum system requirements of Ubuntu 10.10 and Lubuntu 10.10 desktop editions, where the only significant difference between the two was their desktop environment. Ubuntu 10.10 included the Unity desktop, which had minimum system requirements of a 2 GHz processor with 2 GB of RAM,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while Lubuntu 10.10 included LXDE, which required at least a Pentium II with 128 MB of RAM.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Overview of some distributions

• ArchBang – inspired by CrunchBang Linux but based on the Arch Linux distribution instead of Debian.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• DebianDog<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> - Debian Live CD shaped after Puppy Linux. It is packaged with JWM and IceWM, or Openbox and Xfce. Debian structure and behaviour are untouched.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• LinuxConsole - a lightweight system for old computers made to be easy for youth and casual users.
• MiniOS<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> - a debian based live system with various Desktop Environments.

• Parabola GNU/Linux-libre - an Arch-based lightweight system endorsed by the Free Software Foundation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• postmarketOS – a derivative of Alpine Linux designed primarily for smartphones
• Arch-based distros: Mabox, Archcraft, and Archman.

Comparison

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Distribution	Minimum system requirements	Desktop / Window manager	Based on	Package manager	Image size	Purpose	Latest release year	Maintainer	Created	Founder
Template:Rh | Absolute Linux	CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 64 MB 1+ GB suggested<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	iceWM	Slackware	XPKGTOOL	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Desktop	2023	Absolute Linux Team	2007	Absolute Linux Team
Template:Rh | Alpine Linux	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	BusyBox, musl	APK	8 MB (container), 130 MB (disk)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Alpine Linux development team	2010	LEAF Project members
Template:Rh | antiX	CPU: Intel/AMD X86 RAM: 256 MB <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	MEPIS < Debian	Synaptic<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	700 MB Base, 1000 MB Full, 310 MB Core	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Anticapitalista	2007	Anticapitalista
Template:Rh | Bodhi Linux<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	CPU: 32 bit 500 MHz (non-PAE) RAM: 512 MB <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Drive: 5 GB	Moksha (a fixed E17)	Ubuntu < Debian	APT	575 MB (Standard), 1024 MB (AppPack)	Desktop	2023	Bodhi Linux team	2011	Bodhi Linux team
Template:Rh | BunsenLabs Linux	RAM: 256 MB to run X<ref name="BunsenLabs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1 GB for Firefox 2+ GB recommended	OpenBox	Debian Stable	Synaptic, APT, dpkg	674 MB (i386, no PAE) 1100 MB (i386, AMD64)<ref name="BunsenLabs"/>	LiveCD, LiveDVD, lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Core maintainers	2015	Core maintainers
Template:Rh class="table-rh" |CrunchBang Linux	CPU:x86/ARM RAM: 1 GB Drive: 2.1 GB.	OpenBox	Debian	dpkg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Lightweight Desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Philip Newborough (corenominal)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Philip Newborough (corenominal)
Template:Rh class="table-rh" |CRUX	CPU: x86-64 (AMD Athlon 64, Intel Core, Intel Atom) or newer processors RAM: 192 MB (2017)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	OpenBox	-	pkgutils	1773 MB	BSD / experienced users, lightweight	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Core maintainers	2002	Per Lidén
Template:Rh | Damn Small Linux	CPU: 486dx RAM: 8 MB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Fluxbox, JWM	Template:Sdash	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	700 MB	Desktop	2024		2005	John Andrews, et al.
Template:Rh | Elive	CPU: 32 bit 500 MHz (non-PAE) RAM: 512 MB <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Enlightenment	Debian	APT	3000 MB	Desktop	2024	Samuel F. Baggen	2005	Samuel F. Baggen
eLxr	RAM: 512MB CPU: 500 MHz Storage: 1 GB	None by default, but Xfce is supported	Debian Stable	apt	300 MB	Edge to Cloud	2024	eLxr.org and Wind River	2024	eLxr.org
Template:Rh | FunOS	CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 512 MB Hard drive: 8 GB	JWM	Ubuntu LTS	APT	1800 MB	Lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	FunOS team	2024	FunOS team
Gentoo Linux	RAM: 32 MB	None by default, but you can install any	Template:Sdash	Portage	400 MB	Desktop, server, source-based, advanced	Rolling release		2002	Daniel Robbins
Template:Rh | GoboLinux	RAM: 128 MB RAM 1000+ MB for full graphic<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> CPU: x86_64	Awesome	Template:Sdash		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Desktop	2020	GoboLinux team	2003	Hisham Muhammad and André Detsch
Template:Rh | Knoppix	RAM: 32 MB text, 512 MB LXDE. 1 GB recommended<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> CPU: 486	LXDE	Debian	dpkg	701 MB	Live	2022		2000	Klaus Knopper
Template:Rh | Lightweight Portable Security		iceWM	Arch Linux		390 MB	Secure live operating system	2021	United States Department of Defense	2011	United States Department of Defense
Template:Rh | Linux Lite	CPU: Intel/AMD 1GHz dual core 64bit RAM: 2 GB (2025)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Drive: 20 GB	Xfce	Ubuntu LTS	APT	2900 MB	Desktop (Windows users)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Jerry Bezencon	2013	Jerry Bezencon
Template:Rh | Lubuntu	No minimum system requirements provided.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	LXQt	Ubuntu	APT	3300 MB	Lightweight desktop	2024	Lubuntu team	2009	Lubuntu team
Template:Rh | LXLE	RAM: 1 GB (2022)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> CPU: 64-bit (2022)	LXDE	Ubuntu LTS	APT	1300 MB	Older computers, intermediate users	2022	LXLE team	2012	Ronnie
Template:Rh | Nanolinux	RAM: 64 MB (2017)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> CPU: 486	SLWM on Nano-X	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> MicroCore Linux with BusyBox.		19 MB	Lightweight, Runs on RAM, advanced	2015	Georg Potthast	Template:Sdash	Georg Potthast
Template:Rh | OpenWrt	CPU: x86 and over 50 router platforms RAM: 32 MB (2018)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 64 MB recommended	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Sdash	opkg	6 MB	SOHO Routers	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	OpenWrt developers	2004
Template:Rh | PCLinuxOS	CPU: 64-bit (from 2016) RAM: 2 GB (2020)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	KDE, MATE, XFCE	Mandrake	APT-RPM	1000-3800 MB	Live	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Bill Reynolds	2003	Bill Reynolds
Template:Rh | Peppermint Linux OS	CPU: x86 RAM: 1 GB. 4 GB recommended<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	XFCE	Debian, Devuan	APT	1332 MB	Desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Peppermint, LLC	2010	Peppermint, LLC
Template:Rh | Porteus	CPU: 32 bit RAM: 36 MB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	(multiple)	Slackware	USM	260 MB (LxQt)	Lightweight, portable (with persistence)<ref name="Linux with persistence" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Porteus	2010	Fanthom
Template:Rh | Puppy Linux	RAM: 256 MB (2017)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	JWM-2.3.2	Ubuntu LTS from Puppy 6	Puppy Package Manager	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Portable (with persistence),<ref name="Linux with persistence" /> lightweight<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Puppy Foundation	2003	Barry Kauler
Template:Rh | Q4OS	CPU: Intel / AMD 64bit RAM: 256 Mb / 1 GB Hard drive: 3 GB / 5 GB	Plasma/Trinity	Debian	APT	1464 MB	Lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Q4OS team	2013	Q4OS team
Template:Rh | Salix OS	RAM: 512 MB CPU: Intel Pentium III 1 GHz<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Hard drive: 8 GB	MATE, KDE, Xfce, Fluxbox, Openbox	Slackware	slapt-get	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	George Vlahavas	2009	George Vlahavas, Thorsten Mühlfelder and Cyrille Pontvieux
Template:Rh | Slax	RAM:256MB without web browser	KDE till Slax 8 Fluxbox since Slax 9	Slackware till Slax 8 Debian from Slax 9	APT	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Portable	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Tomas Matejicek	2002	Tomas Matejicek
Template:Rh | SliTaz	RAM: 24 MB loram-cdrom<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> 128 MB loram 256 MB standard	Openbox	Template:Sdash	TazPkg	50 MB	Portable. Live (no persistence by default)<ref>persistence can be added rather easily, though</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	dev team	2008	Christophe Lincoln
Template:Rh | SparkyLinux	CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit	LXQt, MATE, Xfce and KDE	debian LTS	APT	1900 MB LXQt; KDE 2100 MB	Lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	SparkyLinux team	2012	SparkyLinux team
Template:Rh | Tiny Core Linux	CPU: 486DX RAM: 46 MB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	FLTK/FLWM, none, or you can install any		appbrowser (GUI) tce (CLI)	11 MB (Core), 16 MB (TinyCore), 106 MB (CorePlus)	Portable, advanced	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Tiny Core team	2009	Robert Shingledecker
Template:Rh | Tiny SliTaz	CPU: 486DX RAM: 4 MB 8 MB recommended	None (VNC viewer or headless server)	SliTaz	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Down to 800 KB, likely a 1.44 MB floppy	Portable. Live (no persistence by default)	2021	dev team	2016	Pascal Bellard
Template:Rh | Trisquel Mini	RAM: 256 MB CPU: 64-bit CPU for latest version <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	LXDE	Ubuntu LTS	APT	1200 MB	Free software: desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)	2005	Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam)
Template:Rh | TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library	RAM: 256 MB 2017<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	None (headless server) - Includes Webmin admin UI	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	dpkg	212 MB (Core)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	TurnKey Linux team	2008	Alon Swartz, Liraz Siri
Template:Rh | VectorLinux Light	RAM: 64 MB Light edition 96 MB Standard 256MB Live<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Several / IceWM	Slackware	slapt-get	618 MB	Desktop	2017	Template:Sdash	2001	Template:Sdash
Template:Rh | Void Linux	CPU: ARMv6 Pentium 4 (SSE2) RAM: 96 MB Hard drive: 350 MB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Sdash	XBPS	250 MB (i686, without desktop environment)	Desktop/embedded	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (rolling release)	Void Linux Team, Void Linux Community	2008	Juan Romero Pardines
Template:Rh | Xubuntu	CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 1 GB Hard drive: 8.6 GB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Xfce	Ubuntu	APT	1660 MB	Lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Xubuntu team	2008	Xubuntu team
Template:Rh | Zenwalk		Xfce	Slackware	netpkg	974 MB	Desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	development team	2004	Jean-Philippe Guillemin
Template:Rh | Zorin_OS (Core)	CPU: Intel/AMD 1 Ghz 64bit RAM: 1.5 GB Hard drive: 15 GB<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Xfce	Ubuntu LTS	APT	3.8 GB	Lightweight desktop	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Zorin Group	2008	Zorin Group
Distribution	Minimum system requirements	Desktop / Window manager	Based on	Package manager	Image size	Purpose	Latest release year	Maintainer	Created	Founder

See also

• Minimalism (computing)
• Software bloat
• Comparison of lightweight web browsers
• List of Linux distributions that run from RAM
• List of live CDs

References

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