The Best Arch Linux AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Arch Linux

Arch Linux is described as 'Independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking' and is a leading Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Arch Linux for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, BSD and Mac apps. The best Arch Linux alternative is Manjaro Linux, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Arch Linux are Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Debian and Fedora.

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Alternatives list

  1. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     330 likes
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    Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    179 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)
     
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    8
    43
    Comments about Manjaro Linux as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    15

    Manjaro is a rolling distro based on Arch, but has a MUCH more user friendly approach, especially for those newer to Linux. If you can do it on Arch, you can do it on Manjaro. Manjaro uses Arch's AUR software repository - which is massive - as well as it's own. Comes in several official flavors (XFCE and Plasma desktops) as well as some community-made versions. The online forums and support is excellent and friendly to newcomers/beginners.

    Top Negative Comment
    benni347
    1

    Manjaro, is a distro which is run by begginers for begginers, since they can not setup an automatically renewing ssl cert.

    veddev
    Positive
    1

    Manjaro looks beginner friendly, however ive never used it at all. Im sticking to EndeavourOS.

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    3 of 8 comments
    Arch Linux Icon
    Manjaro Linux icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Manjaro Linux is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • Manjaro Linux is the most popular Linux alternative to Arch Linux.

    • Manjaro Linux is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Arch Linux.

    • Manjaro Linux is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Manjaro Linux is Security-focusedArch Linux is not according to our users
  2. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1157 likes
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    Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.

    184 Linux Mint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
     
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    2
    15
    Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    madpetro
    2

    A bit of an unfair comparison: Arch Linux is for techies who want to be able to customize every bit of their OS. Linux Mint is for people who just wanna grill using FOSS.

    ab1
    Negative
    0

    You need to switch between LTS versions in order to have lastest packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...

    Arch Linux Icon
    Linux Mint icon

    • Most users think Linux Mint is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  4. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2362 likes
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    Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

    165 Ubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46
     
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    7
    15
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    Top Negative Comment
    veddev
    0

    Unstable, clunky, glitchy. It was unstable for me when trying linux for the first time. The ubuntu appstore or whatever its called did not launch aswell. I totally do NOT recommend using ubuntu.

    I_d0nt_need_name
    Negative
    0

    Pushing snaps,snaps are slow,flatpaks are better,and GNOME is a heavy desktop environment

    Guest
    Negative
    3

    As someone who uses Kubuntu, I don't think it's a good alternative to Arch. The appeal for Arch users is to have more control of your system, while Ubuntu and its flavors are more appealing options if you want something up and running fast. I imagine people who enjoy using Arch regularly would not want to bother with Ubuntu.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 7 comments
    Arch Linux Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • Some users think Ubuntu is a great Arch Linux alternative, some don't.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
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    Zorin OS icon
    Zorin OS

    Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and p...

    https://zorin.com
    Learn More
  6. Debian icon

    Debian

     1155 likes
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    The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.

    199 Debian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.
     
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    5
    26
    Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    0

    It's stable and customizable,it's very reliable,i recommend for servers the most,old packages but okay

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    ab1
    3

    Debian is quite slow in updating even the most important packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...

    veddev
    0

    Not so complicated as Arch Linux, but older packages and slow (very slow) updates.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Arch Linux Icon
    Debian icon

    • Most users think Debian is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Arch Linux.

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  7. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     589 likes
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    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    184 Fedora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
     
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    2
    14
    Comments about Fedora as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    ab1
    Positive
    0

    Reasonably fast with updates

    germanwtb
    Positive
    0

    Like Arch Linux Fedora provides more up to date software all around (base system and UI), while not requiring as much user know how.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Arch Linux Icon
    Fedora icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Fedora is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • Fedora is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  8. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

     339 likes
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    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    192 openSUSE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about openSUSE as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    A perfect mix of Debian and Arch. (if your using tumbleweed)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Arch Linux Icon
    openSUSE icon

    • Almost everyone thinks openSUSE is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • openSUSE is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  10. EndeavourOS icon

    EndeavourOS

     58 likes
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    EndeavourOS is an Arch-based distro that provides an Arch experience without the hassle of installing it manually for both x86_64 and ARM systems. After installation, you’re provided with a lightweight and almost barebones environment ready to be explored with your terminal...

    163 EndeavourOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Welcome window
     
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    4
    11
    Comments about EndeavourOS as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    veddev
    Positive
    0

    I absolutely love EndeavourOS. Its basically a better Arch.

    TheBlueRuby
    Positive
    1

    Its basically arch with a gui installer and doesnt break aur packages

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Endeavour is pretty much Arch with different branding and a more user-friendly installation process. The only other notable difference is the inclusion of Endeavour's own repo(s), but it doesn't add that much anyway.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Arch Linux Icon
    EndeavourOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks EndeavourOS is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • EndeavourOS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  11. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     351 likes
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    elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .

    199 elementary OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about elementary OS as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    ab1
    Negative
    0

    You need to switch between LTS versions in order to have lastest packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...

    Daltro Auguso Campanher de Souza
    Positive
    0

    Arch, even with its lots of packages to maintain, is stabler than Elementary!!!

    Arch Linux Icon
    elementary OS icon

    • Some users think elementary OS is a great Arch Linux alternative, some don't.

    • elementary OS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  12. Gentoo icon

    Gentoo

     163 likes
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    Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.

    189 Gentoo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Gentoo screenshot 1
     
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    2
    16
    Comments about Gentoo as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    Guest
    Positive
    5

    Follows the same idea of giving a lot of control to the user, but its execution is different and even more manual, because packages are built from the source code.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Lunatica
    Negative
    2

    use this if you want to spend your life compiling stuff

    Arch Linux Icon
    Gentoo icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Gentoo is a great Arch Linux alternative.

    • Gentoo is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  13. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     131 likes
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    Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and privacy-focused updates.

    186 Zorin OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout
     
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    1
    Comments about Zorin OS as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    hifeja8751
    Negative
    1

    bruh imagine thinking a beginner friendly ubuntu based distribution an alternative to arch.

    dont get me wrong, zorin os is great but never an alternative to arch

    Arch Linux Icon
    Zorin OS icon
    • Zorin OS is Freemium and Open SourceArch Linux is Free and Open Source
  14. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     280 likes
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    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    203 Kubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about Kubuntu as an Alternative to Arch Linux
    ab1
    Negative
    0

    You need to switch between LTS versions in order to have lastest packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...

    Arch Linux Icon
    Kubuntu icon

    • Some users think Kubuntu is a great Arch Linux alternative, some don't.

    • Kubuntu is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  15. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     266 likes
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    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    194 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1
     
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    9
12 of 199 Arch Linux alternatives