Here’s the Deal

Devuan GNU+Linux vs Artix Linux

643 105

1256 236

When comparing Devuan GNU+Linux vs Artix Linux, the Slant community recommends Devuan GNU+Linux for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for desktops?” Devuan GNU+Linux is ranked 6th while Artix Linux is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Devuan GNU+Linux is:

It is stable like Debian.

Specs

Based OnDebian

Default Desktop EnvironmentXFCE

OS FamilyGNU/Linux

Official Supported Architecturesaarch64, armel, armhf, i386, ppc64le, amd64

OriginWorldwide

Package Managerdpkg with apt, aptitude or apt-build

Release ScheduleLong-term support (stable edition) and rolling release (testing and unstable editions)

Release TypeBinary

Init-SystemSysVinit, runit or OpenRC

Initial Release2016

Main UsageServers, Industry(Stable/Oldstable) | Desktop, Multimedia(Testing/Unstable)

Based OnArch Linux

Default Desktop EnvironmentBash (Unix shell), Cinnamon, KDE Plasma, LXDE, LXQt, MATE and XFCE

OS Family GNU/Linux

Official Supported Architecturesx86-64 (AMD64) and AArch64 (ARM64)

Origin Worldwide

Package ManagerPacman

Release ScheduleRolling release

Release TypeBinary

Init SystemsDinit, OpenRC, runit and s6

Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking

Common Questions

What are the best Linux distributions for desktops?

What are the best Linux distributions for KDE Plasma 5?

What is the best laptop OS?

What are the best Linux distributions for Xfce?

What are the best Linux distros that don't use systemd?

What are the best Linux distributions for misanthropes?

What are the best Linux distributions for beginners?

What are the best Linux distros?

What is the most secure Linux distro?

What are the best operating systems for advanced users?

What are the best non-Systemd Linux distributions?

What are the best Linux distributions for KDE without systemd?

What are the best Linux distributions for programming?

What is the easiest but most beneficial distribution of Linux for a beginner to start with?

Pros

Pro
Stability

It is stable like Debian.

Pro
It's Debian

Devuan is Debian just without systemd, it just mirrors the the Debian archive and repacks packages that have hard dependencies on systemd.

Pro
Excellent for normal people

It is easy to use and is a good choice for beginners.

Pro
No Systemd

Pro
Most decent look amongst other XFCE distros

Default XFCE theme is unique of all the XFCE distos including MXLinux, Xubuntu etc.

Pro
No systemd

Pro
Runit

Artix actively supports the runit init system known from Void Linux. (Equally besides the OpenRC init system known from Gentoo).

Pro
Close to bare Arch Linux

No learning curve if you're coming from Arch or any of its derivatives.

Pro
Lightweight

Only the software you would need like Terminal emulator, file manager, media player and a browser.

Pro
Compatible with Arch Repositories

It is fully compatible with almost all packages from community, extra, multilib and AUR.

Pro
Rolling distro

Pro
Flexibility

You can have a functional system in less than 10 mins using GUI installer OR you can do it "the Arch way".

Ad
Cons

Con
Difficult to install on non-free hardware

Unlike Debian, Devuan offers no unfree netinstall media, so if your system needs unfree drivers (e.g a laptop or a tablet), you'll have to download the Debian firmware on a separate USB.

Con
No systemd

Con
Fragmentation

Forked distributions like Devuan and Artix fragment the Linux community and hurt the original project. Debian users who do not want systemd should use Slackware or BSD instead.

Con
No systemd

Some packages flat out won't work because systemd is non existent, sadly pipewire needs systemd to run. Hopefully Pipewire becomes usable soon. Edit: Pipewire does work but you will have to make a startup script.