Distributions

BalenaEtcher

  • Put distros on a USB drive for installation.

Major

Debian

  • Setup :

    • Bootloader - GRUB

    • Init System - systemd

    • Display Render - Xorg

    • Display Manager - SDDM/GDM

    • Desktop Environment - KDE/GNOME

    • Package Manager - APT

  • Package format :

    • .deb

  • Package Manager :

    • High-level:

      • apt

        • Old.

        • You have to download the whole package for each upgrade.

    • Low-level:

      • dpkg

  • Generally has older packages, but they don’t usually have many bugs and are very reliable.

  • Stable Releases.

    • Can be a bad thing if something new was just released, so you won't have support.

Fedora

  • Based on RedHat (RHEL).

  • Opinions :

    • "Blend between Debian and Arch, with the best of both worlds".

    • "dnf is slow".

  • Setup :

    • Bootloader - Systemd

    • Init System - systemd

    • Display Render - Wayland

    • Desktop Environment - GNOME

    • Package Manager - DNF

  • Package format :

    • .rpm

  • Rolling Release.

  • Quite secure, being based on RHEL, a bit better than Debian based.

  • Fedora is the umbrella project — it includes multiple editions for different use cases:

    • Fedora Workstation

    • Fedora Server

    • Fedora IoT

    • Fedora Silverblue

    • Fedora CoreOS

    • etc.

  • Fedora Spins:

    • Fedora KDE Spin

      • KDE Plasma

    • Fedora SoaS

      • Sugar

    • Fedora i3 Spin

      • i3 WM

    • Fedora Workstation

      • Gnome.

    • Fedora XFCE Spin

      • XFCE

    • Fedora LXQt Spin

      • LXQt

    • Fedora Cinnamon

      • Cinnamon

    • Fedora MATE

      • MATE

  • Purpose :

    • General-purpose Linux distro focused on developers, workstations, and modern software.

  • Base :

    • RPM-based, sponsored by Red Hat.

  • Security tools :

    • Standard Linux security with SELinux enabled by default; no pentesting tools preinstalled.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • GNOME by default (modern and feature-rich).

  • Package Manager :

    • High-level:

      • dnf

        • Does differential updates, reducing the amount downloaded per update.

        • Does good dependency resolution.

    • Low-level:

      • rpm

  • Update model :

    • Fixed releases approximately every 6 months with predictable upgrade cycles.

  • Security model :

    • Strong security defaults (SELinux, secure boot, frequent security patches).

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Good support with Steam, Proton, flatpak, and latest drivers; not gaming-focused but compatible.

  • Server hosting :

    • Reliable and stable for servers; requires some sysadmin knowledge for tuning SELinux and updates.

  • Pros :

    • Strong security posture with SELinux enforcement.

    • Stable with predictable release and upgrade schedule.

    • Good support for gaming through official repos and flatpak.

    • Large, active user and developer community.

    • Official support for containers (Podman, Docker) and virtualization.

  • Cons :

    • Gaming-related setup requires some manual configuration (drivers, Proton tweaks).

    • Less bleeding-edge software compared to rolling distros like Manjaro.

    • SELinux can complicate software setup if not configured properly.

Arch

  • Installing .

    • Holy moly.

    • Steps :

      • Flash drive.

      • BIOS.

      • Driver partition.

      • etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.

      • Boot loader.

      • Drivers

  • Installation Guide .

  • Package format :

    • .pkg.tar.zst

  • Package Manager :

    • pacman

  • Package repo :

    • AUR

      • Community Build Kit.

      • "It's flawed and sometimes things aren't updated or are badly updated".

      • AUR Helpers (optional, user-installed)

        • Wrappers like yay , paru , etc.

  • Rolling Release.

  • Opinions I found interesting :

Based

Nobara

  • .

  • Nobara .

    • The site explains it extensively.

  • Based on Fedora.

  • Is not an immutable distribution.

    • Nobara allows direct changes to system files, package installations via dnf , and manual modifications like a standard Linux distro.

Fedora KDE

  • .

  • Based on Fedora.

  • Fedora with KDE Plasma.

PikaOS

  • PikaOS .

  • Purpose :

    • Ubuntu-based distro focused on gaming , performance , and streamlined user experience .

  • Base :

    • Ubuntu (LTS or interim).

  • Security tools :

    • Inherits Ubuntu’s AppArmor, UFW, and secure defaults.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • GNOME (heavily customized for performance and usability).

  • Package Manager :

    • apt  (Debian-style), plus Flatpak support out of the box.

  • Update model :

    • Fixed release, follows Ubuntu’s cadence.

  • Security model :

    • Strong—AppArmor enabled, good defaults, supported by Ubuntu’s infrastructure.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Very high—preinstalled Proton GE, Steam, Wine, DXVK, Vulkan, MangoHUD, and gaming tweaks.

  • Server hosting :

    • Not recommended; tailored for desktop/gaming with added packages and tweaks.

  • Pros :

    • Easy setup for gaming and general use.

    • Ubuntu compatibility: access to .deb  packages and large support ecosystem.

    • Preinstalled tools: Steam, Lutris, Wine-GE, GameMode, MangoHUD, OBS, and others.

    • Comes with custom performance tweaks and low-latency kernel.

    • Better out-of-the-box NVIDIA support than standard Ubuntu.

    • Familiar Ubuntu base with added polish and gaming features.

  • Cons :

    • Smaller dev team and community; less support and slower updates than mainline Ubuntu.

    • Some customizations may interfere with expected Ubuntu workflows or tooling.

    • Adds many preinstalled tools—can feel bloated for minimal setups.

    • Not designed for server use or long-term enterprise workloads.

CachyOS

  • .

  • CachyOS .

  • Purpose :

    • Arch-based distro focused on performance, especially for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

  • Base :

    • Arch Linux.

  • Security tools :

    • Standard Arch security; no enhanced MAC system (no SELinux/AppArmor by default).

  • Desktop Environment :

    • Multiple options (KDE Plasma is default); tuned for performance.

  • Package Manager :

    • pacman , plus CachyOS repos and AUR access.

  • Update model :

    • Rolling release, synced with Arch but with curated/testing steps.

  • Security model :

    • Basic; relies on upstream Arch practices. Custom kernels may have hardened or performance options.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • High—comes with custom kernel (Bore, Liquorix), performance tweaks, Steam, Proton, gaming tools preconfigured.

  • Server hosting :

    • Not recommended; designed for desktop/gaming, not long-term stability.

  • Pros :

    • Precompiled performance-tuned kernels (like Cachy, BORE, Zen, Liquorix).

    • Aggressive compiler optimizations (Bore kernel + CPU-specific flags).

    • Preconfigured with gaming tools (e.g., MangoHUD, Gamemode, Proton support).

    • Fast and responsive desktop experience.

    • Access to AUR and Arch ecosystem.

  • Cons :

    • Rolling release: update management needed to avoid breakage.

    • Smaller community and fewer support resources than Arch/Manjaro/Fedora.

    • Custom kernels may create compatibility issues with some proprietary software or modules.

    • Not suitable for servers or mission-critical stability.

    • Some features (like Cachy Kernel) are non-standard, which may make debugging harder.

EndeavourOS

  • .

  • Based on Arch.

  • Close to vanilla Arch but with a friendly installer and curated defaults.

  • Only has 1 installer, but during installation you are given several DE options.

    • .

    • It is possible to install more than one.

  • Package Manager :

    • yay , which is an AUR helper.

  • AUR :

    • Enabled via yay, manually.

  • Releases :

    • Near real-time Arch packages

Garuda

  • Purpose :

    • Gaming and performance-focused Arch-based distro with flashy visuals and pre-optimized settings.

  • Base :

    • Arch Linux.

  • Security tools :

    • Standard Linux permissions; no enhanced security framework like SELinux/AppArmor.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • Multiple editions (KDE Dr460nized is the flagship); heavily customized.

  • Package Manager :

    • pacman , plus access to AUR  and preinstalled GUI tools (Pamac, Garuda Assistant).

  • Update model :

    • Rolling release with latest kernel, drivers, and software.

  • Security model :

    • No special hardening; rolling model requires update caution.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Very high—preinstalled Steam, Lutris, Wine, GameMode, and performance tweaks.

  • Server hosting :

    • Not recommended; tuned for desktop/gaming, not for minimalism, stability, or uptime.

  • Pros :

    • Excellent out-of-the-box gaming setup.

    • Beautiful and modern UI (especially KDE Dr460nized).

    • Preinstalled tools for managing drivers, system snapshots (Btrfs + Timeshift), and performance tweaks.

    • Frequent updates, latest kernel and Mesa drivers for gaming performance.

    • Great for users who want Arch + convenience + gaming focus.

  • Cons :

    • Resource-heavy: high RAM and disk usage compared to other distros.

    • Rolling release: requires regular updates, with some risk of breakage.

    • Not optimized for server use or long-term stability.

    • Lots of customizations can make troubleshooting harder.

    • Uses ZRAM and Btrfs by default, which can behave differently from traditional setups.

~Kali

  • Based on Debian.

  • Aimed at hacking.

  • Purpose :

    • Penetration testing and cybersecurity research.

  • Base :

    • Debian Testing.

  • Security tools :

    • Comes preloaded with hundreds of pentesting/security tools.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • Xfce by default (lightweight).

  • Package Manager :

    • apt .

  • Update model :

    • Rolling, but based on Debian Testing (less stable than Debian Stable).

  • Security model :

    • Focus on security tools, not desktop/user security features.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Limited focus; gaming software not prioritized.

  • Server hosting :

    • Possible but not optimized; might require manual setup.

  • Pros :

    • Best for learning cybersecurity tools out-of-the-box.

    • Large, active community for pentesting.

    • Supports ARM and other architectures for lab setups.

  • Cons :

    • Not designed for daily desktop use or gaming.

    • Rolling model with Debian Testing base can lead to stability issues.

    • Many security tools running by default can bloat system and complicate maintenance.

    • Gaming software and drivers not prioritized or preconfigured.

Mint

~OpenSuse

  • OpenSuse .

  • Purpose :

    • General-purpose, enterprise-grade distro with focus on stability (Leap) or rolling updates (Tumbleweed).

  • Base :

    • Independent; shares core with SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE).

  • Security tools :

    • AppArmor enabled by default; strong security policies.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • KDE Plasma (default), GNOME, and others available.

  • Package Manager :

    • zypper  (RPM-based); supports YaST GUI for system config.

  • Update model :

    • Leap : Fixed release (more stable, SLE-aligned).

    • Tumbleweed : Rolling release (bleeding-edge, but tested).

  • Security model :

    • Strong defaults (AppArmor, secure boot, updates); enterprise-grade tools.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Decent support; not gaming-focused but compatible with Steam, Proton, Lutris.

  • Server hosting :

    • Very capable; Leap especially suited for long-term deployments.

  • Pros :

    • Leap is very stable; ideal for servers or production systems.

    • Tumbleweed is a well-tested rolling release with automated QA (openQA).

    • YaST provides powerful GUI and CLI tools for system administration.

    • AppArmor provides strong security sandboxing.

    • Good hardware support, especially on KDE (the default).

    • Access to community and 3rd-party repos (Packman) for multimedia and gaming tools.

  • Cons :

    • Not as popular for gaming: needs manual setup for drivers, codecs, Steam/Proton.

    • Leap often has older packages, which can impact newer gaming features/tools.

    • Tumbleweed can still break things despite testing (rolling nature).

    • Smaller gaming community compared to Debian/Arch-based distros.

    • Some proprietary software vendors do not offer .rpm  builds tested on openSUSE.

~Peppermint

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Uses LXDE/XFCE components; blends desktop and web apps via ICE, aiming for speed and simplicity.

~Kubuntu

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Ubuntu with KDE Plasma as the default DE, that's it.

~Linux Lite

  • Based on Ubuntu.

Manjaro

  • Based on Arch.

  • Gives you options for different installers: XFCE, KDE, GNOME.

  • Helps with driver installation.

  • Opinions :

    • AUR can update, but Manjaro doesn't, because Manjaro is conservative.

    • Apparently the idea of being "Arch but user friendly" is kind of bait because of this.

    • I saw a video about Manjaro not having good releases, for shipping WIP.

    • I saw opinions about Manjaro being strange, due to how packages are released, causing many errors so sometimes it's better not to update, but you want to update.

    • Again, "not using AUR, or not having the latest updates, leaves you without a reason to use Arch".

  • Package Manager :

    • pacman + Pamac (GUI).

  • AUR : Enabled via GUI.

  • Releases :

    • With a delay buffer (~1-2 weeks)

  • Purpose :

    • User-friendly Arch-based Linux distro aimed at desktop users wanting bleeding-edge software with easier management.

  • Base :

    • Arch Linux.

  • Security tools :

    • Standard Linux permissions; no mandatory MAC systems like SELinux enabled by default.

  • Desktop Environment :

    • Multiple official flavors (Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME), all preconfigured for ease of use.

  • Package Manager :

    • pacman  with optional GUI frontends like Pamac.

  • Update model :

    • Rolling release with a 1-3 week delay on Arch package updates for stability.

  • Security model :

    • Basic Linux security; relies on community updates and user configuration.

  • Ease of use for gaming :

    • Excellent—latest graphics drivers, Steam, Proton, Lutris, and AUR provide vast gaming software availability.

  • Server hosting :

    • Possible but requires careful update management; rolling updates may occasionally cause issues affecting uptime.

  • Pros :

    • Access to the latest software and drivers for gaming and development.

    • User-friendly installer and preconfigured desktop environments.

    • Large community support with many user-contributed packages in AUR.

    • Good out-of-the-box gaming experience with Steam and Proton.

    • Flexible and customizable due to Arch base.

  • Cons :

    • Rolling release model can introduce occasional instability or breakage.

    • No enforced security frameworks like SELinux by default.

    • Requires more manual intervention for system maintenance compared to fixed-release distros.

    • AUR packages are user-contributed and may vary in quality and security.

Pop!_OS

  • Pop!_OS .

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Uses Gnome as default DE.

  • "Focus on performance and tiling workflow."

Bazzite

  • Bazzite .

  • Complete focus on gaming.

  • Immutable, I don't want it.

SteamOS

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Complete focus on gaming.

  • Immutable, I don't want it.

Fedora Workstation

  • Fedora with Gnome.

  • Is the desktop edition of Fedora, intended for laptops and PCs.

Ubuntu

  • Based on Debian.

  • Uses Gnome as default DE.

  • Package format :

    • .deb

Lubuntu

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Uses LXQt as default DE.

Xubuntu

  • Based on Ubuntu.

  • Is Ubuntu with XFCE as default DE, that's it.

Nix / NixOS

  • Not based on Debian, Arch, etc.

  • Declarative, reproducible Linux distro using the Nix package manager; system configurations are stored in code and can be rolled back easily.

Ultra low-level

Gentoo

  • Ultra low-level.

LinuxFromScratch

  • Apparently more difficult and lower-level than Arch.