Gentoo AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Gentoo

Gentoo is described as 'Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals' and is a very popular Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Gentoo for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Self-Hosted, BSD and Mac apps. The best Gentoo alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Gentoo are Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux and Fedora.

Gentoo iconGentoo
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Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards...

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Gentoo alternatives page was last updated May 11, 2025
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  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1119 likes
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    Elegant Linux desktop OS based on Ubuntu and Debian, featuring unique menus, web-based package installation, full multimedia codecs, browser plugins, custom configuration tools, community feedback, robust updates, and approximately 30,000 available packages.

    176 Linux Mint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Linux-based
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Community-based
    12.  Built-in File Manager

    Linux Mint VS Gentoo

     

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Gentoo.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Gentoo.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceGentoo is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedGentoo is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2347 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.

    160 Ubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Linux-based
    2.  Based on Debian
    3.  APT package manager
    4.  Support for Unicode
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Support for .deb files
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Kde support
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  OTA Updates
    12.  Debian package compatible

    Ubuntu VS Gentoo

     
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Gentoo
    Most Recent Comment
    crazypens30
    Negative Jan 18, 2019
    4

    As cakedy said, Gentoo is geared toward experienced Linux users. Also, Ubuntu includes a lot of software from the start, whereas with Gentoo, you would install everything manually and customize it to your liking.

    Vitaly Zdanevich
    Positive Dec 26, 2019
    0

    A few years on Ubuntu/Lubuntu/Xubuntu: it is good, usually no problems, even my grandfather can use it when I install it.

    cakedy
    Negative Aug 29, 2018
    4

    Gentoo is mainly for experienced Linux users and is source based while Ubuntu is aimed towards newer users and uses binary packages.

    Gentoo Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Ubuntu is a legitimate Gentoo alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceGentoo is also Free and Open Source
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightGentoo is not according to our users
  4. Debian icon

    Debian

     1125 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.

    190 Debian alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Low memory usage
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Package Control
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Multiple desktops
    11.  Debian package compatible
    12.  Portable

    Debian VS Gentoo

     
    Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Gentoo
    Vitaly Zdanevich
    Positive Dec 26, 2019
    1

    It works. But old software != stable software. On the website of Audacity audio editor in the news I see that they have dark theme - I need dark theme - but in official Debian repository of Debian it will be after a few years.

    Gentoo Icon
    Debian icon

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

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceGentoo is also Free and Open Source
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedGentoo is not according to our users
  5. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     764 likes
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    Arch Linux is an 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.

    191 Arch Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Arch User Repository
    3.  Wiki documentation
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Bleeding edge
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Package Control
    12.  Works Offline

    Arch Linux VS Gentoo

     
    Comments about Arch Linux as an Alternative to Gentoo
    Buster_Blue
    Positive Dec 5, 2017
    2

    Also targets advanced users, but its excellent documentation, and slightly less low-level methods make it more approachable to newcomers as well.

    1598
    Positive Apr 8, 2021
    0

    Can be as minimal as gentoo.

    Gentoo Icon
    Arch Linux icon

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

    • Arch Linux is Free and Open SourceGentoo is also Free and Open Source
    • Arch Linux is Customizable, Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedGentoo is not according to our users
  6. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     570 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.

    180 Fedora alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Out Of The Box
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Wayland Support
    4.  Desktop Environment
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for BTRFS
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Unix-like
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Separated workspaces
    12.  Rolling Release

    Fedora VS Gentoo

     
  7. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     326 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...

    173 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Clean design
    5.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux
    3.  Arch User Repository
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Simple installation
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    10.  Live booting from usb
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Wiki documentation

    Manjaro Linux VS Gentoo

     
  9. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

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

    185 openSUSE alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Kde support
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Rolling Release
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Community-based

    openSUSE VS Gentoo

     
  10. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

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

    193 elementary OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  macOS-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Debian package compatible
    4.  Flatpak
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Consistent UI
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  App center
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Works Offline

    elementary OS VS Gentoo

     
  11. Windows 10 icon

    Windows 10

     412 likes
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    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.

    177 Windows 10 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 screenshot 1
    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 Features

    1.  Auto Update
    2.  Usability
    3.  PowerShell Scripting
    4. Microsoft OneDrive icon  Onedrive integration
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Xbox Streaming
    10.  Binary packages

    Windows 10 VS Gentoo

     

    • Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to Gentoo.

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryGentoo is Free and Open Source
  12. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     276 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.

    195 Kubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application

    Kubuntu VS Gentoo

     
  13. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     259 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...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Unix-like
    2.  Geeky
    3.  ARM support
    4.  Package Control
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Ad-free

    FreeBSD VS Gentoo

     
  14. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     124 likes
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    Zorin OS is an easy to use, Linux-based operating system designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.

    179 Zorin OS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Lightweight
    5.  Gaming-focused
    6.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows like desktop
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Windows-like
    4.  Out Of The Box
    5.  Run Windows software
    6.  Printer compatibility
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Based on Ubuntu
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Debian package compatible
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Works Offline

    Zorin OS VS Gentoo

     
12 of 182 Gentoo alternatives