What are the best OSs to run on a Raspberry Pi?

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Jan 24, 2024

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Arch Linux ARM vs Raspbian vs DietPi

vs Android vs Alpine Linux vs Debian vs Manjaro ARM vs XBMC vs OSMC vs Pidora vs Archbang vs Ubuntu vs Alpine

Specs

Based On

Arch Linux

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Pacman

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

Unofficial port of Arch Linux to ARM

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Debian

Default Desktop Environment

PIXEL

Package Manager

Debian Package Manager

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

Lightweight Desktop, IoT, Official OS for Raspberry Pis

Release Schedule

Point (following Debian)

Official Supported Architectures

armel

Origin

United Kingdom

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Raspbian/Debian Stable

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Debian Package Manager

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

Lightweight server and IoT OS

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

armhf, amd64

Origin

United Kingdom

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Android Open Source Project (AOSP)

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

APK, Various app stores

Init-System

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Linux (AOSP-based)

Languages

100+

License

mainly Apache 2.0

Developer

Open Handset Alliance

Platforms

since NDK r17: armeabi-v7a, arm64-v8a, ix86, amd64

Programming Language

C(Linux Kernel), C++(Dalvik,Art) & Java

Compatible devices

∞

Update frequency

Monthly, however shipping depends on the device manufacturer

Distributions

LineageOS, /e/, BlissOS, MIUI, OmniROM, Replicant

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

LEAF Project

Default Desktop Environment

N/A

Package Manager

Alpine Package Keeper

Init-System

OpenRC

Main Usage

embedded systems, routers, access servers, thin servers, thin clients, network appliances

Release Schedule

Rolling

Official Supported Architectures

amd64, i386, armhf, aarch64, ppc64

Origin

Norway

OS Family

GNU/Linux

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Binary

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

NONE

Default Desktop Environment

GNOME

Package Manager

dpkg with apt, aptitude or apt-build

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

Universal

Release Schedule

approximately every 24 months

Official Supported Architectures

amd64 (x86_64), arm64 (aarch64), armel, armhf, i386, mipsel, mips64el, ppc64el, s390x

Origin

OS Family

GNU/Linux

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Binary

Initial Release

1993

Last Release

11.4 "bullseye"

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Archlinux ARM

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Init-System

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Init-System

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Debian>Raspian

Default Desktop Environment

Kodi

Package Manager

Debian Package Manager, Kodi, OSMC App Store

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

HTPC, Set-Top-Box

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

ARM, x86(Apple TV 1st gen)

Origin

United Kingdom

OS Family

GNU+Linux

Languages

License

mainly GNU GPL + EULA

Developer

OSMC

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Vero devices, Raspberry Pi, Apple TV(1st gen)

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Init-System

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Arch Linux

Default Desktop Environment

Openbox

Package Manager

Pacman

Init-System

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Rolling Release

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Live Distribution

Init System

SystemD

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

Debian Stable(core) Testing/Unstable(universe/multiverse)

Default Desktop Environment

GNOME

Package Manager

Debian Package Manager, Snap Store

Init-System

Systemd

Main Usage

Desktop

Release Schedule

Point (5 Year LTS / 6 Month Releases)

Official Supported Architectures

amd64

Origin

Great Britain

OS Family

GNU/Linux

Languages

German

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Binary

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Virtual Box

Minimum Available Storage

Based On

None

Default Desktop Environment

Package Manager

Init-System

OpenRC

Main Usage

Release Schedule

Rolling

Official Supported Architectures

Origin

OS Family

Linux

Languages

License

Developer

Platforms

Programming Language

Compatible devices

Update frequency

Distributions

Release Type

Initial Release

Last Release

Available On

Type

Init System

Removable storage

Minimum Available Storage

130MiB

Pros + Cons

Pro
Multiple platforms

It supports many platforms with ARMv5, ARMv6, ARMv7 and ARMv8 architectures.

Comment

Pro
Easy to install

Documented installation step by step on the official website of the project.

Comment

Con
Fewer packages than Arch

Unlike Arch Linux, Arch Linux ARM has a lot less packages.

Comment

Con
Keeping Packages up to date

The problems start when you want to update the supported packages beyond what the DIetPI distro has. Things start breaking quickly. Stopped using it because of this.

Comment

Pro
Outstanding Touchscreen support

There is just no other free OS that is so easy to use with just a touchscreen.

Comment

Pro
Accessibility

Built-in text to speech is provided by TalkBack for people with low or no vision. Enhancements for people with hearing disabilities are available as are other aids.

Comment

Pro
Gesture based interface

Since Android 10 you can use gestures to control the OS.

Comment

Pro
Desktop and lockscreen widgets

Desktop widgets provide quick access to the information you need quickly and access the most. These are available out of the box, and can be developed by anyone. Widgets on the lockscreen have been removed since the Lollipop update, but is available on 3rd party lockscreens such as AC Display and KK Locker.

Comment

Pro
Highly customizable

One of the massive benefits of Android being open-sourced are all the modifications you can make to the phone to customise pretty much anything. Some of the cooler things you can do are: Replace the entire operating system with a custom ROM. Replace the keyboard. Change the home screen launcher. Change the lock screen.

Comment

Pro
Systemd free

[add description]

Comment

Pro
Secure

Designed with security in mind. The kernel is patched with an unofficial port of grsecurity/PaX, and all userland binaries are compiled as Position Independent Executables (PIE) with stack smashing protection

Comment

Pro
Small and lightweight

Built around musl libc and busybox for a smaller footprint. It can installed to be run from RAM.

Comment

Pro
Standard vanilla Linux desktop

Debian runs standard Gnome, XFCE, KDE - it doesn't use its own special desktop environment, which means that users benefit from the work of the whole Linux community, Debian developers can focus on the distribution itself, and any support for your desktop environment on other distributions should work on Debian as well.

Comment

Pro
Comes with over 37500 packages

Because of its popularity, Debian has a lot of applications available which range from productivity programs to business software, games and development tools. It comes with over 37500 packages (software that is precompiled and ready to be installed on a local machine) -- all of them for free.

Comment

Pro
Live install images for CDs, DVDs and USB thumb drives

Debian releases live install images for CDs, DVDs and USB thumb drives, for the i386 and amd64 architectures, and with a choice of desktop environments. These Debian Live images allow the user to boot from a removable media and run Debian without affecting the contents of their computer.

Comment

Pro
Wide choice of hardware platforms

Debian has the widest choice of hardware platforms, including: amd64, armel, armhf, i386, ia64, kfreebsd-i386, kfreebsd-amd64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, sparc, s390, s390x, source, multi-arch.

Comment

Pro
Wide choice in desktop environments

Debian offers stable and testing CD images specifically built for GNOME (the default), KDE Plasma Workspaces, Xfce and LXDE. Less common window managers such as Enlightenment, Openbox, Fluxbox, GNUstep, IceWM, Window Maker and others can also be installed.

Comment

Pro
Highly secure system

Known for being consistent in maintaining a highly secure system. Several other popular distros use Debian as a base or core for their own Linux OS, the security being one of the main factors why it's so commonly used.

Comment

Pro
Extremely easy to find help with any problem

Debian is one of the oldest and most popular distros out there. Debian's popularity means that you will always be able to find a solution for your problem just by searching on Google, or if by chance nobody has had the problem you are having it's very easy to ask the community and quickly get a solution.

Comment

Con
Hard to configure

After the initial installation, which is quite simple, it may be hard to configure Debian. Things like printers for example, are notoriously hard to set up on Debian for some computers.

Comment

Con
Outdated

Stable version has software realased 2+ years ago.

Comment

Con
No default support for nonfree hardware

Non-free hardware will not work upon install of Debian and the user will need to search out the correct nonfree software to install in order to make them work. This can be difficult if one of the things not working is the wifi connection.

Comment

Pro
It is Arch

Can be configured to any use case. Access to AUR is great

Comment

Con
Community version

Manjaro on the pi is an unofficial, community version.

Comment

Pro
Very fast

Both on boot time and shutdown

Comment

Pro
Follow up Kodi updates

[add description]

Comment

Pro
Fit perfectly on a raspberry

No performance bottleneck at all

Comment

Con
Media center OS

Do not use for any other purpose

Comment

Pro
Lots of support

As the most popular Linux distribution, there's a wide range of sources for support online if you ever need help, including the Ubuntu Wiki, Ubuntu Forums and the Ask Ubuntu Stack Exchange site.

Comment

Pro
Good UI for small monitors

Becaue the menu usually is in the title bar and the launcher auto-hides, the whole screen can be used by an application.

Comment

Pro
Unified search

Type any query into the Dash Home, and search will look through files, stores and web-pages to find what you are looking for.

Comment

Pro
Use it on almost any device

Not just for laptops - Ubuntu was designed with tablets and touchscreen devices in mind, and with phone support on the way. Ubuntu also has Long Term Support releases, as well as a version oriented toward servers, so you can use the same OS at work or on mobile as you do on your desktop.

Comment

Pro
Just works out of the box

Lots of support for hardware, lots of pre-installed software, and a smooth install process means less time downloading drivers, less time digging through configuration files, and less time deciding on software to use just to get up and running. It also means less time digging through forums looking for support.

Comment

Pro
Perfect for collaboration on open source projects

This is probably the best option when collaborating on open source projects in hardware. This is mostly because packages and tools are readily available via software center.

Comment

Pro
UTF-8 is the default character encoding

Beginning with Ubuntu 5.04, UTF-8 became the default character encoding, which allows for support of a variety of non-Roman scripts.

Comment

Pro
Wide range of software out of the box

The default apps available in Ubuntu cover the gamut of most anyone's needs. From music, video or office applications Ubuntu has an app that will cover the users needs.

Comment

Pro
Simplicity

Ubuntu is designed to be used by everyday people. Because of that, Ubuntu has tried hard to make a user interface that's intuitive and looks pleasant and clean.

Comment

Pro
Great Long Term Support release schedule (2 years)

This allows for users to always have a new supported release available without long unkown wait times in between.

Comment

Pro
Dedicated software center

The Ubuntu Software Center offers a GUI interface for installing new apps which is extremely easy and welcoming for beginners to Linux. But it should not be used by more advanced users since the method of installing through the terminal is much faster and easier after one is used to it.

Comment

Pro
Good PPA repositories available

PPA repositories allow you to install the latest version of your preferred software while keeping the rest of the operating system "stable".

Comment

Pro
Flexible

The setup for personal use is simple enough for anyone to achieve, and can easily be modified to act as a server. Programs and all features are easy to find and use, and first-timers can easily pick up on how to use it.

Comment

Pro
Cares about stable drivers

[add description]

Comment

Con
Unstable

Some people pointed out that updating Arch is a high risk affair. And one should carefully read forums before doing it. The same is true about Ubuntu. Making system updates (like it was with 10.04 to 11.04) that screw so many things up became a routine. Even LTS releases should not give confidence that it will work.

Comment

Con
Unity and other Ubuntu-specific software is problematic

Unity is awesome and user-friendly at many places. But it's not customizable at much extent. Getting rid of it can be either not possible or very problematic. Same is true about other Ubuntu-specific software. A lot of things don't work as expected. Even though the repository is based on Debian, some ways to do stuff don't actually work. It's better usually to use GUI whenever possible, than to manually edit files. This is frustrating.

Comment

Con
Unity interface might be confusing for new users

Unity does not align itself with the normal desktop paradigm and thus has a bit of a confusing UI in comparison to the norm of a Windows user.

Comment

Con
Unity offers very limited customizability

The Unity desktop environment is practically non customizable with the user only being able to change certain themes and icons and adding a dock.

Comment

Con
Company stays behind it

[add description]

Comment

Con
Relatively high system requirements

The default Unity desktop environment is a resource hog which requires hardware accelerated graphics rendering in order to run smoothly, making out of the box Ubuntu unsuitable for low end systems and older hardware. Even mildly aged hardware, you'll get far better performance out of a lighter desktop environment like LXDE or XFCE.

Comment

Con
Doesn't shutdown/standby properly on Lenovo laptops (b, e & g series)

[add description]

Comment