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Add to SafariWhen comparing GNURoot vs UserLAnd, the Slant community recommends UserLAnd for most people. In the question“What are the best ways to run Linux applications on Android?” UserLAnd is ranked 7th while GNURoot is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose UserLAnd is:
If you need a X Session vnc gets started with a single click. No configuration needed. Usable on the android host or any other device capable of running vnc.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Does not require a rooted phone
GNURoot is a completely self-contained app that cleanly uninstalls and doesn't need root permissions.
Pro Includes a VNC client for GUI apps
Setting it up takes some effort. And 3rd-party VNC client (or X server) apps might have a better user interface than GNURoot's default. These also work, but also take some effort to set up.
Pro Support for X out of the box
If you need a X Session vnc gets started with a single click. No configuration needed. Usable on the android host or any other device capable of running vnc.
Pro No root needed
You get a full Linux environment without the need to root your device.
Pro Easy setup
No longer than 5 minutes and you have a full blown XFCE desktop running.
Pro Free and Open Source
Like Termux - UserLAnd is an entirely open source application - the developers are responsive on Github and actively working on the project.
Cons
Con Wakelocks on by default
It drains the battery pretty quickly when running.
Con Requires a lot of manual configuration
GNURoot doesn't hold your hand and isn't even documented very well. Getting anything graphical to run takes some doing.
Con Not supported below Lollipop
This is actually an issue with the programming and having to work around different architectures, but it still really stinks.
Con Difficult if you're non-technical
