The Best Linux Distribution

• There’s no single best Linux distribution, It’s about what you want and need. This article lists all the categories in which all the Independent Linux distributions fall in.
• If we can figure out use cases for Independent Linux distributions, surely we can figure out for their derivatives too.
• Currently there are only 44 Independent Linux distributions that are actively maintained. The source of this is distrowatch.com.

Linux distribution families

• Here we’re only focusing on ancestors of all these families in above picture. This means, only the Independent Linux distributions.
• This is because, the parent distribution decides almost every single crucial decision for the project, so it decides which way the project goes.

I. Language-Specific

These are Distributions tailored to specific countries or languages.

• Vine Linux: Japanese distribution from Japan
• ROSA: Russian distribution (Translation available)
• Pisi Linux: Turkish distribution (Some website parts are in Turkish)
• ALT Linux: Russian distribution (Some website parts are in Russian)

II. Lightweight

These are distributions that are Ideal for computers with limited resources and older hardware.

• Tiny Core Linux
• Puppy Linux
• SliTaz GNU/Linux
• 4MLinux
• EasyOS

III. Niche

These are distributions with limited user base or less mainstream appeal (Subjective opinion warning!)

- [If you have to ask whether a certain distro is dead, the answer is probably YES!]

• PCLinuxOS
• Mageia
• KaOS
• Solus — There’s news around if it’s dead. Again, if you have to ask, it’s probably YES!
• Slackware Linux — Last update before 2022 was in 2016.
• KISS
• openmamba GNU/Linux
• PLD Linux Distribution
• paldo GNU/Linux
• Omarine
• rlxos
• OpenMandriva Lx

IV. Non-Desktop

These are distributions that are not primarily designed for desktop usage

• Batocera.linux: Retrogaming
• IPFire: Router/Firewall
• Recalbox: Retrogaming
• Photon OS: Containers
• Clear Linux: Optimized for performance and cloud use-cases
• LibreELEC: Media Center
• Alpine Linux: Suited for routers, firewalls, VPNs, VoIP boxes, containers, and servers
• OviOS Linux: Storage
• Plop Linux: System Rescue
• Peropesis: Currently in open beta, an incomplete system

V. Source-Based

These are distributions whose Installation, compilation, and maintenance are time-consuming

- (Refer to Arch Wiki for verification)

• CRUX
• Linux From Scratch
• Gentoo Linux
• Venom Linux
• Exherbo

VI. FSF Approved

These are distributions that are endorsed by the Free Software Foundation; some hardware compatibility issues may arise

- (Visit FSF for verification)

• Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre
• Guix System

VII. Business-Oriented

These are distributions that are tailored for business use-cases but adaptable for desktop usage

• NixOS
• openSUSE

VIII. Meta Distro

These are distributions that are blend of various distributions rather than a specific one

• Bedrock Linux

IX. General Purpose

These are distributions that are suited for desktop usage, favored by many YouTubers and desktop Linux users

(Note: “Stable” implies not necessarily the latest and greatest)

• Arch Linux — Offers bleeding-edge, rolling release; ideal for users seeking the latest software. AUR provides a vast package repository, but caution is advised.
• Debian Linux — Offers stable (older) software with fixed releases, suitable for users who prefer a stable system with less frequent changes. It boasts the widest repository.
• Void Linux— A rolling release with stable updates, with a moderate package selection (18k). It uses musl instead of libc and runit instead of systemd.
• Fedora Linux— Semi-rolling release with a blend of stable and bleeding-edge components. Corporate backing has led to controversial decisions like keeping code behind a paywall. It serves as the upstream for RHEL, with updates resembling a fixed release every 6 months. Fedora often pioneers new Linux standards ahead of other distros.

Finally…

Independent Linux distributions category tier list

Conclusion

• I would recommend any general purpose distribution or it’s derivative for most people.
• Linux comes with a lot of choices, which is both a blessing (no single distro has all control) and a curse (paradox of choice).
• Let me know which distribution you picked in the comments.
• Until Next time,

Shashank.