Arch Linux Alternatives

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. elementary OS icon
     357 likes

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

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
    elementary OS vs Arch Linux Comments
    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!!!

    • elementary OS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  2. Pop!_OS icon
     106 likes

    Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.

    186 Pop!_OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
    Pop!_OS vs Arch Linux Comments
    veddev
    0

    Nice, but based on Ubuntu, which i think is unstable.

    ab1
    Negative
    1

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

    • Pop!_OS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  3. NixOS icon
     77 likes

    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    198 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
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    2
    NixOS vs Arch Linux Comments
    FelschR
    Positive
    1

    The entire system can be configured deterministically.

    Lunatica
    Positive
    -1

    choose this if you're a serious Arch user seeking for a better solution which offers a reproducible/consistent system, declarative configuration, transactional updates so easily rollback. FOR REAL use this don't even try Arch to begin with.

    • NixOS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  4. FreeBSD icon
     276 likes

    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...

    204 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  5. Windows 10 icon
     418 likes

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    185 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    4
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 vs Arch Linux Comments
    John Fastman
    Negative
    4

    I don't know anyone who'd be an Arch user, decide to switch away, and think Win 10 is a good choice. Win 10 is not any kind of Linux, it's closed-source, proprietary (and expensive), lacks almost all the levels of customization you get with Arch and it comes with lots of spyware bundled in. It's an OS, but other than that... nah.

    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Arch Linux is an OS meant for people who want to fully customize and have control of their workspace. Windows 10 is a commercial product that's only meant to work out of the box, and by such it is filled with bloat as well as concerning, privacy-invading features.

    Xsi
    Negative
    3

    An absolutely bloated operating system, this is just a disgusting billboard trying to sell Microsoft's online accounts.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryArch Linux is Free and Open Source
    • Windows 10 is an Operating System Arch Linux is a Linux Distro
  6. Qubes OS icon
     129 likes

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    201 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
     
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    1
    Qubes OS vs Arch Linux Comments
    I_d0nt_need_name
    Negative
    0

    It's not an Arch alternative,it's not for normal users,for professionals that need privacy and does some sketchy stuff

    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Qubes OS is Security-focusedArch Linux is not according to our users
  7. ReactOS icon
     299 likes

    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    204 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
     
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    1
    ReactOS vs Arch Linux Comments
    madpetro
    Negative
    1

    Not really a viable alternative to Arch in the day-to-day. ReactOS is more aimed at people who have ancient Windows software that they desperately need compatibility with.

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • ReactOS is an Operating System Arch Linux is a Linux Distro
  8. Aurora OS icon
     24 likes

    Aurora is a delightful KDE desktop experience for end-users that are looking for reliability and developers for the most-hassle free setup. Zero maintenance included.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Fedora
     
  9. Nobara Linux icon
     35 likes

    The Nobara Project, to put it simply, is a modified version of Fedora Linux with user-friendly fixes added to it. Fedora is a very good workstation OS, however, anything involving any kind of 3rd party or proprietary packages is usually...

    115 Nobara Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Nobara Linux vs Arch Linux Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    While it's based on another Linux distro (Fedora), it is actually a pretty good alternative for beginners; it just doesn't have as much customization liberty as Arch does.

    It purely depends on what you use it for.

    • Nobara Linux is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  10. Artix Linux icon
     27 likes

    Artix Linux is a fork (or continuation as an autonomous project) of the Arch-OpenRC and Manjaro-OpenRC projects. Artix Linux offers a lightweight, rolling-release operating system featuring the OpenRC init software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    3
    Artix Linux vs Arch Linux Comments
    TheBlueRuby
    Positive
    0

    Arch without systemd, probably one of the best alternatives on the list. Some packages that depend on systemd may break though.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    More stable and with more freedom!

    ab1
    Negative
    -5

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

    • Artix Linux is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
  11. CentOS icon
     154 likes

    CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    CentOS vs Arch Linux Comments
    ab1
    Negative
    0

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

    • CentOS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • CentOS is an Operating System Arch Linux is a Linux Distro
  12. Raspberry Pi OS icon
     112 likes

    Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it with NOOBS or download the image below and follow our installation guide.

    201 Raspberry Pi OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
     
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    2
    Raspberry Pi OS vs Arch Linux Comments
    ab1
    Negative
    0

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

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Mainly for ARM devices (Raspberry Pi)

    • Raspberry Pi OS is Free and Open SourceArch Linux is also Free and Open Source
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