Here’s the Deal
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When comparing Roku OS vs Plasma Bigscreen, the Slant community recommends Roku OS for most people. In the question“What is the best set-top box OS?” Roku OS is ranked 8th while Plasma Bigscreen is ranked 13th. The most important reason people chose Roku OS is:
You can sideload apps if you enable the developer mode.
Specs
Available OnRoku devices
Based OnNA
Default Desktop EnvironmentRoku
DeveloperRoku, Inc.
Init-System?
LicenseProprietary on top of Linux
Main Usageset top box
OS FamilyGNU+Linux
Official Supported ArchitecturesARM
OriginUSA
Package Manager?
Available OnRPi4
Based OnDebian>Ubuntu>KDE Neon
Default Desktop EnvironmentKDE Bigscreen
DeveloperKDE e.V.
Init-SystemSystemD
LicenseGNU GPL
Main Usageset top box
OS FamilyGNU+Linux
Official Supported ArchitecturesARMv8
Origin?
Package ManagerDebian Package Manager, Node
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Common Questions
Pros
Pro Sideload apps
You can sideload apps if you enable the developer mode.
Pro Runs on cheap hardware
You can make any TV a smart TV with only a Raspberry Pi.
Pro A free (as in freedom) alternative
To all the proprietary set top box operating systems.
Cons
Con Proprietary
The UI is proprietary software.
Con Not available in many countries
Con Uses KDE applications
There are no Apps designed for the system, instead it modifies the way regular KDE applications are displayed.
Con GNU GPL
This License is much more restrictive than Androids Apache license, which will lead to less developers/interest.