When comparing OpenRC vs Linux From Scratch, the Slant community recommends Linux From Scratch for most people. In the question“What are the best rolling release Linux distributions?” Linux From Scratch is ranked 23rd while OpenRC is ranked 36th. The most important reason people chose Linux From Scratch is:
It is an opportunity for the learner to learn what's behind every piece of program in the system, because you will install and configure all the packages manually. It is also as an advantage to expand your knowledge by searching the possibilities of crafting your unique flavor, for example your own package manager and update schemes.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro No feature creep
OpenRC follows the UNIX philosophy of 'do one thing and do it well', while it's true that it has more features than sysvinit, it does not stay away from its primary function with unnecessary added features.
Pro Extremely simple
All configuration is done via shell scripts and symlinks. Shell scripts can then use various specialized utilities to ease the development of init scripts.
Pro Fast
OpenRC builds on top of sysvinit and adds some more useful features (like parallel booting) while still the simplicity that sysvinit is know for. Because of this it generally boots faster than other init systems, especially when parallel booting is enabled.
Pro UNIX-Like
Does one thing and does it well.
Pro Less dependency creep
Using OpenRC does not lock in a distribution by providing specific NON-POSIX extra services which programs then would rely on.
Pro A very balanced compromise
Basically OpenRC doesn't replace SysV init, but rather works with it, providing features that SysV is lacking while taking advantage of its benefits. It's also used by a fair amount of reasonably popular distros and is well supported and developed.
Pro Very efficient on system resources
Uses multi-core and ram very efficiently.
Pro Portable
It can be ported to other UNIX and UNIX-like operating systems.
Pro Flexible and extensible
I can add a new startup script for most cases in under five minutes. The ability to quickly insert new applications into the system is a big help.
Pro Not bloated
Pro Deterministic
It always initializes a system the same way; if OpenRC booted and ran a system properly today, it will boot and run properly tomorrow, and the next day.
Pro Best for learning the components, libraries and configurations of the whole system one-by-one
It is an opportunity for the learner to learn what's behind every piece of program in the system, because you will install and configure all the packages manually. It is also as an advantage to expand your knowledge by searching the possibilities of crafting your unique flavor, for example your own package manager and update schemes.
Pro For those who wonder what it takes to create an actual Linux distribution
It's a very useful learning experience; showing the user what is required and in what order, to obtain a running Linux system - from the inside out.
Cons
Con No socket activation
OpenRC does not have socket activation yet. It will be added in the future though.
Con Not widely offered across distrubutions
From Distrowatch, only ten distributions (of which 8 Linux, 1 BSD) officially support OpenRC, and offer it through their standard repos.
Con Not GPL
Con Not recommended for Beginners
By creating a Linux system from scratch you will be managing and compiling all of the systems packages by hand, so advanced Linux knowledge is recommended.
Con Takes a while to create the system. Only for those people who would like to create their very own distribution, or just to understand what makes a Linux system tick.
Linux From Scratch, requires the user to download and compile, all the various required system libraries and programs in a ch-rooted environment. This is usually done from within an existing and already running Linux system. This is not really a con, just a note to the new user.