SteamOS Alternatives

SteamOS is described as 'Arch Linux based Linux distribution designed to run Valve's Steam and Steam games. It also provides a desktop mode ' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to SteamOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Raspberry Pi and Playstation. The best alternative is RetroArch, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SteamOS are Lakka, AtlasOS, SparkyLinux and ChimeraOS.

SteamOS alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros or Game Emulators. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SteamOS.

This page was last updated

SteamOS

138

Free • Open Source
Operating System

Linux
Wine
Steam
Proton

SteamOS is a Arch Linux based Linux distribution designed to run Valve's...

Learn more about SteamOS

RetroArch
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Emulator
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
iPad
OpenPandora
Steam
Raspberry Pi
Playstation
Xbox
138 alternatives to RetroArch
RetroArch is a graphical frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players.
Suggest and vote on features
RetroArch Features
1. Controller SupportRetroArch supports the use of a controller (XBOX, PlayStation, etc.).
2. Dark ModeRetroArch supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Multi System Emulator
Multiplatform
Emulation
FOSS
Modular System
Variety
Gameboy emulation
Rewind button
RetroArch vs SteamOS opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
chesemiser
This is a emulation frontend not an os designed for gaming
Comment•
0

Guest
Emulator, not gaming platform
Negative comment•
0
Lakka
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Emulator
Linux Distro
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
Cubieboard
HummingBoard
Raspberry Pi
Nintendo Switch
Odroid
21 alternatives to Lakka
Lakka is the official Linux distribution of RetroArch and the libretro ecosystem. Each game system is implemented as a libretro core, while the frontend RetroArch takes care of inputs and display.
Suggest and vote on features
Lakka Features
Emulation
Linux-based
Gaming-focused
AtlasOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Windows
8 alternatives to AtlasOS
AtlasOS is a 22H2 version of Windows which comes pre-tweaked with optimizations for FPS & latency. Atlas minimizes bloatware out of the box, and you won't have useless apps taking up your CPU power & increasing latency so you can get the edge on your opponents in...
Suggest and vote on features
AtlasOS Features
1. Privacy focusedAtlasOS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. LightweightAtlasOS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Gaming-focused
Customize Windows
SparkyLinux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux
173 alternatives to SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux is a Debian-based Linux distribution which provides ready to use, out of the box operating system with a set of slightly customized lightweight desktops.
Suggest and vote on features
SparkyLinux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseSparkyLinux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
Based on Debian
Gaming-focused
ChimeraOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
8 alternatives to ChimeraOS
ChimeraOS (formerly GamerOS) is an operating system that provides an out of the box couch gaming experience. After installation, boot directly into Steam Big Picture and start playing your favorite games.
Suggest and vote on features
ChimeraOS Features
Based on Arch Linux
Gaming-focused
Linux-based
ChimeraOS vs SteamOS opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Out of the box meant for people looking for easier to work with SteamOS, additional features, like web control, flatpak apps usw.
Positive comment•
1
Ubuntu GamePack
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux
5 alternatives to Ubuntu GamePack
Ubuntu GamePack is an operating system based on Ubuntu, which will provide a guaranteed start in more than than 22 381 games and applications for MS Windows and MS-DOS, and original, designed specifically for GNU/Linux platform.
Suggest and vote on features
Ubuntu GamePack Features
Gaming-focused
Based on Ubuntu
Linux Ultimate Edition
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux
6 alternatives to Linux Ultimate Edition
Ultimate Edition, first released in December 2006, is a fork of Ubuntu and Linux Mint , meant for gamers and low resource computers.
Suggest and vote on features
Linux Ultimate Edition Features
Gaming-focused
Based on Ubuntu
HoloISO
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
2 alternatives to HoloISO
SteamOS 3 (Holo) archiso configuration.
Suggest and vote on features
HoloISO Features
1. Ad-freeHoloISO doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. LightweightHoloISO consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
OpenDingux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Game Emulator
Linux Distro
Self-Hosted
7 alternatives to OpenDingux
OpenDingux is a Linux-based embedded operating system for MIPS processors, designed primarily for portable game consoles. it's designed to have low latency and minimal overhead for very high responsiveness.

OpenDingux has no features, suggest some!
Discontinued
The official website is no longer available and the project seems no longer developed. Last version, released in December 2020, can be still downloaded from GitHub
Add a screenshot
Game Drift Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Linux Distro
Linux
6 alternatives to Game Drift Linux
Game Drift Linux is a new Linux distribution based on Ubuntu Linux. Game Drift has been optimized to deliver to you the best possible gaming experience on Linux.
Suggest and vote on features
Game Drift Linux Features
Gaming-focused
Discontinued
The distro is no longer updated. Last version, released in September 2011, can be still downloaded from the official website.