What are the best source-based Linux distributions?

Question

Linux DistroLinux distribution

What are the best source-based Linux distributions?

13

Options
Considered

76

User
Recs.

Feb 2, 2024

Last
Updated

13 Options Considered

Best source-based Linux distributions	Price	Based On	Init-System
-- Calculate Linux	-	Gentoo	OpenRC
-- Gentoo Linux	-	NONE	OpenRC
-- Linux From Scratch	-	N/A	SysV-init
-- CRUX	-	NONE	BSD-style initscripts
-- Funtoo	-	Gentoo	OpenRC

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T2 SDE

AryaLinux

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score 14 · Answer 1

Calculate Linux

Top Con

Installer can fail

TrustworthyPhaenna's Experience

text-base installer has one long command to install the distro See More

Specs

score 14 · Answer 2

Gentoo Linux

Top Pro

Full control of the software

You build the package from a source you can see and read. You decide which features you want to build in and which aren't needed. You can choose build options, optimisation and whatever else fancy stuff you want modified. With a binary distribution this simply isn't possible. See More

Top Con

Since everything must be compiled it takes a lot longer to update

And if you have to update the kernel or some heavy software like Chromium it can takes hours if not more on weaker hardware. See More

Specs

Top Pro

Documentation and community are second to none

Provides a whole handbook to refer to during setup and usage. See More

Top Con

Takes forever to install

Top Pro

Freedom

You are free to do whatever you want with it. As a result, its configuration reflects your unique taste and personality. See More

Top Pro

Live USB installation

Installation via a Live USB allows you to go back and fix mistakes from it without having to restart the whole installation process. See More

Top Pro

Great for anyone who is serious about learning the intricacies of Linux

It's useful for both beginners and professionals. For the installation, Gentoo offers various types, which are referred to as stages. Basically meaning how in depth you would want to go into the process of installation. For beginners it's useful to choose for a starting distro due to its various stages that can be very time consuming but beneficial as you learn the composition in general of Linux. See More

Top Pro

Gentoo does not impose a standard look-and-feel

Top Pro

A very large collection of software is available

There are more than 19.000 packages available in the official repository. And even more with overlays. See More

Top Pro

Can by optimized to any given CPU by using proper compile flags

Since everything is being built on your PC you can fine-tune the code to make use of your CPU. And all it requires is two lines of string variables in a global config. See More

Top Pro

Can be officially systemd-free

Gentoo's default init system is OpenRC. Gentoo also officially supports systemd-free Gnome and udev. Users are free to choose any init system they want. See More

Top Pro

Fully customizable

The usage of advanced features like USE flags makes it more customizable than any binary distribution. See More

Top Pro

Portage's emerge is powerful

Portage is a package management system with a huge amount of options and features. See More

See All

score 7 · Answer 3

Linux From Scratch

Top Con

Actual torture to setup

Top Pro

You learn how every little gear works and what ticks and not from hands-on experience

Specs

Based On:N/A

Init-System:SysV-init

OS Family:GNU/Linux

Origin:Canada

See All Specs

Top Pro

Most customisation out of all distributions

See All

score 7 · Answer 4

CRUX

Init-System:BSD-style initscripts

OS Family:GNU/Linux

Origin:Sweden

See All Specs

score 2 · Answer 5

Funtoo

Top Con

Difference

No difference to gentoo programs and is more out-of-date. See More

Specs

score 4 · Answer 6

Redcore Linux

Top Pro

Stage 4 build of Gentoo

It is a full stage 4 build that is fully compatible with Gentoo. See More

Specs

score 3 · Answer 7

GoboLinux

Init-System:SysVinit + Bootscripts

OS Family:GNU/Linux

Origin:Brazil

See All Specs

score 6 · Answer 8

Exherbo

Top Pro

Package Manager

Paludis is quite easy to use and configure. See More

Top Con

Documentation

Bad documentation. See More

score 3 · Answer 9

Lunar Linux

score 2 · Answer 10

Venom Linux

Init-System:BSD-Style

OS Family:GNU/Linux

Origin:?

See All Specs

score 3 · Answer 11

13 Options Considered

My Recommendation for Calculate Linux

My Recommendation for Calculate Linux

Installer can fail

My Recommendation for Gentoo Linux

My Recommendation for Gentoo Linux

Full control of the software

Since everything must be compiled it takes a lot longer to update

Documentation and community are second to none

Takes forever to install

Freedom

Live USB installation

Great for anyone who is serious about learning the intricacies of Linux

Gentoo does not impose a standard look-and-feel

A very large collection of software is available

Can by optimized to any given CPU by using proper compile flags

Can be officially systemd-free

Fully customizable

Portage's emerge is powerful

My Recommendation for Linux From Scratch

My Recommendation for Linux From Scratch

Actual torture to setup

You learn how every little gear works and what ticks and not from hands-on experience

Most customisation out of all distributions

My Recommendation for CRUX

My Recommendation for CRUX

My Recommendation for Funtoo

My Recommendation for Funtoo

Difference

My Recommendation for Redcore Linux

My Recommendation for Redcore Linux

Stage 4 build of Gentoo

My Recommendation for GoboLinux

My Recommendation for GoboLinux

My Recommendation for T2 SDE

My Recommendation for T2 SDE

My Recommendation for AryaLinux

My Recommendation for AryaLinux

My Recommendation for Exherbo

My Recommendation for Exherbo

Package Manager

Documentation

My Recommendation for Lunar Linux

My Recommendation for Lunar Linux

My Recommendation for Venom Linux

My Recommendation for Venom Linux

My Recommendation for Source Mage GNU/Linux

My Recommendation for Source Mage GNU/Linux

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