Linux Distributions#
A comprehensive lookup of Linux distributions the operator may meet or choose. Two views of the same set: the first slices by family (packaging ancestry, where commands and conventions transfer); the second slices by category (the role the distro is built for).
For prose framing on what a distro is and how the families differ, see Distributions. For a broader operating-system list (BSDs, Windows, macOS), see Operating Systems.
Debian#
Debian and its descendants. apt / dpkg, .deb packages,
GNU userland, glibc.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Debian |
upstream |
server, desktop |
the upstream of the family; renowned stability; long release cycle |
Ubuntu |
Debian |
desktop, server, cloud |
most-deployed Linux on cloud and desktop; LTS every 2 years |
Linux Mint |
Ubuntu |
desktop |
desktop-friendly Cinnamon / MATE / Xfce editions |
LMDE |
Debian |
desktop |
Linux Mint Debian Edition; Mint without Ubuntu |
Pop!_OS |
Ubuntu |
desktop, gaming, dev |
System76; tiling extensions; NVIDIA-friendly ISO |
elementary OS |
Ubuntu |
desktop |
Pantheon DE; macOS-like aesthetic |
Zorin OS |
Ubuntu |
desktop |
Windows-like layout for migrants |
Kali Linux |
Debian |
security, pentest |
offensive-security toolchain; rolling |
Parrot OS |
Debian |
security, pentest, privacy |
pentest plus privacy-hardened “Home” edition |
BackBox |
Ubuntu |
security, pentest |
lightweight pentest distro |
Tails |
Debian |
privacy, live |
amnesic live OS; routes traffic through Tor |
Whonix |
Debian |
privacy |
two-VM Tor isolation (Gateway + Workstation) |
Raspberry Pi OS |
Debian |
SBC, embedded |
the standard image for Raspberry Pi hardware |
Proxmox VE |
Debian |
hypervisor |
virtualization platform (KVM + LXC) |
Devuan |
Debian |
server, desktop |
Debian without systemd (sysvinit / OpenRC / runit) |
MX Linux |
Debian |
desktop, lightweight |
Xfce / KDE; popular on DistroWatch |
antiX |
Debian |
lightweight, live |
sysvinit; runs on very old hardware |
Q4OS |
Debian |
desktop, lightweight |
Trinity / Plasma; Windows-like |
Linux Lite |
Ubuntu |
desktop, lightweight |
Xfce; Windows-migrant focus |
BunsenLabs |
Debian |
desktop, lightweight |
Openbox; CrunchBang continuation |
KNOPPIX |
Debian |
live |
the original live-CD distro |
AV Linux |
Debian |
multimedia, audio |
real-time kernel; pro-audio toolchain |
Vanilla OS |
Debian / Ubuntu |
immutable, desktop |
atomic image-based desktop (ABRoot) |
Endless OS |
Debian |
desktop, offline |
offline-first; flatpak-based applications |
SparkyLinux |
Debian |
desktop, lightweight |
rolling and LTS editions |
PureOS |
Debian |
desktop, libre |
FSF-endorsed; Purism hardware |
TrueNAS SCALE |
Debian |
storage, NAS |
successor to TrueNAS CORE; ZFS + Kubernetes apps |
Red Hat#
The RHEL family. dnf / rpm, .rpm packages, glibc, SELinux
in enforcing mode by default.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Fedora Workstation |
upstream |
desktop |
leading-edge desktop; six-month cadence |
Fedora Server |
upstream |
server |
server edition of Fedora |
Fedora CoreOS |
Fedora |
immutable, container host |
successor to CoreOS Container Linux |
Fedora Silverblue |
Fedora |
immutable, desktop |
rpm-ostree GNOME desktop |
Fedora Kinoite |
Fedora |
immutable, desktop |
rpm-ostree KDE desktop |
Fedora Sway Atomic |
Fedora |
immutable, desktop |
rpm-ostree Sway tiling-WM desktop |
RHEL |
Fedora |
server, enterprise |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux; subscription |
CentOS Stream |
RHEL |
server |
rolling RHEL upstream; replaces classic CentOS |
Rocky Linux |
RHEL |
server |
bug-for-bug RHEL rebuild after CentOS pivot |
AlmaLinux |
RHEL |
server |
bug-for-bug RHEL rebuild |
Oracle Linux |
RHEL |
server |
Oracle’s RHEL-compatible distro; UEK kernel option |
Amazon Linux 2023 |
Fedora |
server, cloud |
AWS-tuned; default on EC2 |
Qubes OS |
Fedora templates |
security, compartmentalisation |
Xen-based; per-VM trust domains |
Photon OS |
upstream |
container host, server |
VMware container host |
Bluefin |
Fedora |
immutable, desktop |
Project Bluefin; cloud-native developer desktop |
Bazzite |
Fedora |
immutable, gaming |
SteamOS-like Fedora atomic image |
Aurora |
Fedora |
immutable, desktop |
Project Bluefin variant; KDE |
Scientific Linux |
RHEL |
server (legacy) |
Fermilab + CERN RHEL rebuild; EOL 2020 |
CentOS (classic) |
RHEL |
server (legacy) |
replaced by CentOS Stream; EOL 2024 |
Arch#
Arch and derivatives. pacman, source-built or pre-built packages,
rolling release.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Arch Linux |
upstream |
desktop, server |
rolling; minimalist; large user-maintained AUR |
Manjaro |
Arch |
desktop |
delayed Arch; user-friendly installer |
EndeavourOS |
Arch |
desktop |
thin Arch installer; close to upstream |
Garuda Linux |
Arch |
desktop, gaming |
Btrfs + Zsh defaults; gaming-tuned editions |
SteamOS 3 |
Arch |
gaming |
Valve; Steam Deck OS; KDE |
BlackArch |
Arch |
security, pentest |
2800+ pentest tools as Arch repository overlay |
Artix |
Arch |
desktop, server |
Arch without systemd (OpenRC / runit / s6 / dinit) |
ArcoLinux |
Arch |
desktop, educational |
learn-Arch progression of editions |
Archcraft |
Arch |
desktop, lightweight |
tiling-WM rices out of the box |
Chakra |
Arch |
desktop |
KDE-only; semi-rolling |
Hyperbola |
Arch |
libre |
FSF-style libre derivative; OpenRC |
Parabola |
Arch |
libre |
FSF-endorsed Arch derivative |
SUSE#
SUSE and openSUSE. zypper / rpm, .rpm packages, AppArmor
default.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
openSUSE Leap |
SUSE |
server, desktop |
stable; aligned with SLES |
openSUSE Tumbleweed |
SUSE |
rolling |
rolling; tested via openQA |
SLES |
upstream |
server, enterprise |
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server |
openSUSE MicroOS |
SUSE |
immutable, container host |
transactional updates; Btrfs snapshots |
openSUSE Aeon |
MicroOS |
immutable, desktop |
GNOME atomic desktop (formerly MicroOS Desktop GNOME) |
openSUSE Kalpa |
MicroOS |
immutable, desktop |
KDE atomic desktop |
GeckoLinux |
openSUSE |
desktop |
openSUSE remix with sane defaults |
Gentoo#
Source-based distros. portage / emerge, USE flags, custom
compile-time choices.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Gentoo |
upstream |
desktop, server |
source-based; OpenRC default, systemd optional |
Funtoo |
Gentoo |
desktop, server |
Daniel Robbins fork; metro tooling |
Calculate Linux |
Gentoo |
desktop, server |
binary Gentoo with prebuilt profiles |
Pentoo |
Gentoo |
security, pentest |
hardened pentest live distro |
ChromeOS |
Gentoo |
desktop, kiosk |
Google; Chromebooks |
ChromeOS Flex |
ChromeOS |
desktop, kiosk |
Google; install on existing x86 hardware |
Alpine#
The musl + busybox + apk lineage. Tiny base images and security focus.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Alpine Linux |
upstream |
container, server, embedded |
musl libc; busybox; OpenRC; ~5 MB base image |
postmarketOS |
Alpine |
mobile |
Alpine on phones and tablets; long-life support |
Adelie Linux |
upstream (musl) |
desktop, server |
musl-based with traditional Unix toolchain |
Wolfi |
upstream (glibc) |
container |
Chainguard’s distroless-aimed glibc base |
Slackware family#
The oldest still-active Linux family.
Distribution |
Base |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Slackware |
upstream |
server, desktop |
longest-running Linux distro (1993); BSD-style init |
Salix OS |
Slackware |
desktop |
one-app-per-task philosophy |
Slax |
Debian (legacy Slackware) |
live |
portable live OS |
Independent / new#
Distros that don’t trace ancestry to the families above, plus newer container-first systems.
Distribution |
Family / model |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
NixOS |
Nix |
desktop, server, immutable |
functional, declarative configuration; atomic upgrades |
GNU Guix System |
Guix |
desktop, server |
Scheme-based functional package manager |
Void Linux |
independent |
desktop, server |
rolling; runit init; xbps; glibc and musl flavours |
Solus |
independent |
desktop |
independent rolling; eopkg |
Clear Linux |
independent |
server, performance |
Intel-tuned; bundle-based packaging |
KaOS |
independent |
desktop |
KDE-only on Qt |
Tiny Core Linux |
independent |
lightweight, live |
11 MB ISO; modular extensions |
Puppy Linux |
varies (Slacko, Bionic, …) |
lightweight, live |
desktop-focused live OS |
KISS Linux |
independent |
minimalist |
source-based; under 1 GB system |
Mageia |
Mandriva fork |
desktop, server |
community continuation of Mandriva |
OpenMandriva Lx |
Mandriva fork |
desktop |
rolling and fixed editions |
ROSA Linux |
Mandriva fork |
desktop, server |
Russian Mandriva continuation |
ALT Linux |
independent (RPM) |
desktop, server |
Russian RPM-based family; apt-rpm |
Talos Linux |
independent |
immutable, Kubernetes |
API-managed Kubernetes-only OS |
Bottlerocket |
independent |
immutable, container host |
AWS container host; image-based |
Flatcar Container Linux |
CoreOS continuation |
immutable, container host |
Kinvolk; CoreOS Container Linux successor |
k0sOS / k3OS |
independent |
immutable, Kubernetes |
Kubernetes-only OS images (k3OS EOL) |
OpenWrt |
independent |
router, embedded |
the standard router / network-appliance Linux |
LibreCMC |
OpenWrt |
router, libre |
FSF-endorsed OpenWrt fork |
DD-WRT |
independent |
router, embedded |
older router firmware; closed-source components |
Build frameworks (not OS)#
Toolchains that produce a custom Linux image rather than ship a distribution. Listed here because operators meet them in embedded and container work.
Project |
Output |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Yocto / OpenEmbedded |
custom image (rpm / deb / ipk) |
the industry-standard embedded-Linux build system |
Buildroot |
custom image |
simpler than Yocto; common on hobbyist SBCs |
distroless |
container image (no shell) |
Google’s minimal language-runtime images |
Chainguard Images |
container image (Wolfi) |
signed minimal images for the supply chain |
Categories at a glance#
Same distros, sliced by what the operator picks them for.
Security and offensive#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Kali Linux |
Debian |
the standard pentest distro |
Parrot OS Security |
Debian |
pentest with privacy hardening |
BlackArch |
Arch |
large pentest tool catalog as a repo overlay |
BackBox |
Ubuntu |
lightweight pentest |
Pentoo |
Gentoo |
hardened compile-time pentest live |
Forensics and DFIR#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
SIFT Workstation |
Ubuntu |
SANS forensics; runs as VM or overlay |
REMnux |
Ubuntu |
malware reverse-engineering toolset |
Security Onion |
Ubuntu |
NSM / SIEM platform (Suricata, Zeek, Elastic) |
Tsurugi Linux |
Ubuntu |
DFIR live distro |
CAINE |
Ubuntu |
Italian forensics live distro |
Kodachi |
Xubuntu |
anti-forensics / anonymity live |
Privacy and anonymity#
Distribution |
Model |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Tails |
Debian, live, amnesic |
all traffic via Tor; leaves no trace |
Whonix |
Debian, two-VM |
Gateway + Workstation Tor isolation |
Qubes OS |
Fedora templates, Xen |
per-VM compartmentalisation of trust |
Kodachi |
Xubuntu, live |
anonymity live distro |
Parrot OS Home |
Debian |
daily-driver hardened edition |
Immutable and atomic#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Fedora Silverblue / Kinoite / Sway Atomic |
Fedora |
rpm-ostree desktop |
Fedora CoreOS |
Fedora |
container host |
openSUSE MicroOS / Aeon / Kalpa |
openSUSE |
transactional updates |
Vanilla OS |
Debian / Ubuntu |
ABRoot atomic desktop |
Bluefin / Aurora / Bazzite |
Fedora atomic |
dev / KDE / gaming variants |
NixOS |
Nix |
declarative + atomic upgrades |
GNU Guix System |
Guix |
declarative + atomic upgrades |
Talos Linux |
independent |
Kubernetes-only image |
Bottlerocket |
independent |
AWS container host |
Flatcar Container Linux |
CoreOS continuation |
container host |
Server and enterprise#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Debian |
upstream |
long-cycle server standard |
Ubuntu Server LTS |
Debian |
five-year support; cloud default |
RHEL |
Fedora |
subscription enterprise standard |
Rocky Linux |
RHEL |
free RHEL rebuild |
AlmaLinux |
RHEL |
free RHEL rebuild |
Oracle Linux |
RHEL |
free; UEK kernel option |
openSUSE Leap / SLES |
SUSE |
SUSE community / enterprise |
Amazon Linux 2023 |
Fedora |
AWS default |
Cloud and container host#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Alpine Linux |
upstream |
tiny base image; the container default |
Wolfi |
upstream (glibc) |
Chainguard distroless-aimed |
distroless |
build framework |
language-runtime images with no shell |
Photon OS |
upstream |
VMware container host |
Fedora CoreOS |
Fedora |
Ignition + rpm-ostree |
Flatcar Container Linux |
CoreOS continuation |
Ignition + image-based |
Bottlerocket |
independent |
AWS-managed container host |
Talos Linux |
independent |
Kubernetes-only |
Embedded, SBC, IoT#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Raspberry Pi OS |
Debian |
the Pi reference image |
Yocto / OpenEmbedded |
build framework |
vendor-grade embedded image builder |
Buildroot |
build framework |
simpler embedded image builder |
Alpine Linux |
upstream |
common on routers, IP cameras, edge |
OpenWrt |
independent |
the standard router Linux |
postmarketOS |
Alpine |
long-life support for older phones |
Lightweight and low-resource#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
antiX |
Debian |
sysvinit; runs on very old hardware |
MX Linux |
Debian |
Xfce / KDE; popular lightweight choice |
Tiny Core Linux |
independent |
11 MB ISO; modular |
Puppy Linux |
varies |
sub-300 MB live |
BunsenLabs |
Debian |
Openbox; CrunchBang continuation |
Linux Lite |
Ubuntu |
Xfce; Windows-migrant focus |
Q4OS |
Debian |
Trinity / Plasma; legacy hardware |
Sparky Linux Minimal |
Debian |
minimal Sparky edition |
Gaming#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
SteamOS 3 |
Arch |
Steam Deck OS |
Bazzite |
Fedora atomic |
desktop / handheld gaming image |
Garuda Linux |
Arch |
tuned defaults; gaming editions |
Pop!_OS |
Ubuntu |
System76; NVIDIA-friendly ISO |
Nobara Project |
Fedora |
gaming-focused Fedora remix |
Multimedia and audio#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu Studio |
Ubuntu |
audio / video / graphics tools |
AV Linux |
Debian |
real-time kernel; pro-audio |
KX Studio |
Ubuntu |
tools and packaging on top of Ubuntu |
Storage and NAS#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
TrueNAS SCALE |
Debian |
ZFS NAS plus Kubernetes apps |
TrueNAS CORE |
FreeBSD |
older ZFS NAS (BSD; listed for completeness) |
OpenMediaVault |
Debian |
simpler NAS appliance |
UnRAID |
Slackware-derived |
commercial; mixed-disk parity arrays |
Rockstor |
openSUSE |
Btrfs NAS appliance |
Firewall and network appliance#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
OpenWrt |
independent |
router and AP firmware |
IPFire |
independent |
hardened router and firewall |
VyOS |
Debian |
router and edge gateway; CLI-driven |
Untangle / Arista NG |
Debian |
commercial router and security appliance |
pfSense |
FreeBSD |
widely deployed firewall (BSD; listed for completeness) |
OPNsense |
FreeBSD |
pfSense fork (BSD; listed for completeness) |
Mobile and tablet#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
postmarketOS |
Alpine |
long-life Linux for phones |
Ubuntu Touch |
Ubuntu |
UBports continuation of Canonical’s mobile |
Mobian |
Debian |
phones and tablets |
PureOS |
Debian |
Librem 5 phone OS |
LineageOS |
Android (AOSP) |
de-Googled Android (listed for adjacency) |
/e/OS |
LineageOS |
privacy-hardened Android |
Live and rescue#
Distribution |
Base |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Tails |
Debian |
amnesic Tor live |
KNOPPIX |
Debian |
the original live CD |
Slax |
Debian |
portable live; modular |
SystemRescue |
Arch |
rescue and recovery toolkit |
GParted Live |
Debian |
partition-editor live image |
Kali Live |
Debian |
Kali as a live ISO with persistence option |
Puppy Linux |
varies |
small live for old hardware |
References#
man 5 os-releasefor the format every modern distro ships in/etc/os-release.Distributions for prose framing on what a distro is and how the families differ.
Operating Systems for the broader OS reference (BSDs, Windows, macOS, RTOS).