MirrorNest

Linux Distributions

Every major Linux distribution in one place — what it's based on, who it's for, its desktop environment and package manager, with a link to download it.

149 distributions

4MLinux

Based on Independent

A compact, independently built Polish distribution organized around four core 'M' functions -- maintenance, multimedia, miniserver, and mystery (games) -- fitting on a single small live CD.

lightweightindependentrescueminimal

AV Linux

Based on Debian (MX Linux-derived tooling)

A one-person-maintained, Debian-based distribution hand-tuned specifically for real-time audio and video production, popular among independent musicians and video editors.

multimediaaudio-productionvideo-editingDebian-based

Absolute Linux

Based on Slackware

A Slackware-based distribution that pre-configures IceWM into a full, ready-to-use lightweight desktop, sparing users Slackware's normally hands-on manual setup.

lightweightSlackware-basedIceWMold-hardware

AlmaLinux OS

Based on RHEL

A free, 1:1 binary-compatible rebuild of RHEL, originally funded by CloudLinux and now steered by an independent nonprofit foundation.

serverenterpriseRHEL-compatiblefree

Alpine Linux

Based on Independent

A security-oriented, extremely small distribution built on musl libc and BusyBox instead of glibc/GNU userland, best known today as the default lightweight base for countless Docker images.

lightweightcontainersmuslsecurity

Amazon Linux

Based on Fedora / RHEL lineage (independent since AL2023)

Amazon's own Linux distribution, tuned for and tightly integrated with AWS, free to run on EC2 and provided with five years of security support per release.

servercloudAWSRPM

Arch Linux

Based on Independent

A minimalist, do-it-yourself rolling-release distribution that installs with almost nothing preconfigured, letting the user build exactly the system they want package by package.

rolling-releaseDIYminimalistAUR

ArchStrike

Based on Arch Linux

An Arch Linux repository and live-ISO project bringing a curated penetration-testing and security-research tool catalog to Arch, in the same 'repository-first' spirit as BlackArch.

securitypenetration-testingArch-basedrolling-release

Armbian

Based on Debian / Ubuntu

A Debian/Ubuntu-based distribution built for the huge and fragmented world of ARM single-board computers beyond just Raspberry Pi, providing a consistent build system and board-specific kernels.

embeddedsingle-board-computerARMDebian-based

Artix Linux

Based on Arch Linux

An Arch Linux derivative that replaces systemd with a choice of alternative init systems (OpenRC, runit, or s6), for users who want Arch's package base without systemd specifically.

rolling-releaseArch-basedsystemd-freeOpenRC

Astra Linux

Based on Debian

A Debian-based Russian operating system certified for use in classified government, military, and critical-infrastructure environments, with mandatory access-control security features built in.

desktopDebian-basedgovernmentsecurity-certified

Aurora

Based on Fedora Kinoite (Universal Blue project)

The KDE Plasma sibling to Bluefin within the Universal Blue project -- the same 'batteries included' immutable, Fedora-Kinoite-based image, with a Plasma desktop instead of GNOME.

immutableatomic-updatesKDE Plasmadeveloper-focused

BackBox

Based on Ubuntu

An Ubuntu-based penetration-testing and security-assessment distribution, developed in Italy, built on an Xfce desktop with a curated (rather than maximal) tool selection.

securitypenetration-testingUbuntu-basedcurated

Batocera.linux

Based on Independent

A retro-gaming-emulation distribution similar in mission to Lakka, built around the EmulationStation frontend instead of RetroArch's own menu, with broad single-board-computer and PC hardware support.

embeddedemulationretro-gamingEmulationStation

Bazzite

Based on Fedora (Universal Blue project, atomic/immutable)

An immutable, Fedora-based gaming distribution from the Universal Blue project, built to bring a SteamOS-like console/handheld experience to arbitrary PCs and handheld gaming devices.

gamingimmutablehandheldFedora-based

BlackArch Linux

Based on Arch Linux

An Arch Linux-based penetration-testing distribution and repository offering one of the largest single collections of security tools of any distro -- well over 2,800 at last count.

securitypenetration-testingArch-basedrolling-release

Bluefin

Based on Fedora Silverblue (Universal Blue project)

A polished, developer- and gamer-oriented immutable desktop built on Fedora Silverblue's atomic base by the Universal Blue project, positioned as a 'batteries included' alternative to plain Silverblue.

immutableatomic-updatesdeveloper-focusedgaming

Bodhi Linux

Based on Ubuntu

An Ubuntu-based distribution built around Moksha, the Bodhi team's own maintained continuation of the Enlightenment E17 desktop, favoring minimalism and user-driven configuration.

lightweightUbuntu-basedEnlightenmentminimal-defaults

Buildroot

Based on Independent (build framework, not a fixed distribution)

A simpler, more lightweight alternative to the Yocto Project for building custom embedded Linux systems, favored for smaller devices where Yocto's greater complexity and overhead aren't justified.

embeddedbuild-systemminimalIoT

BunsenLabs Linux

Based on Debian

A community continuation of the beloved but discontinued CrunchBang Linux, keeping its minimalist Openbox-based, keyboard-driven workflow alive on a current Debian base.

lightweightDebian-basedOpenboxCrunchBang-successor

CAELinux

Based on Ubuntu

An Ubuntu-based distribution bundling a full stack of open-source Computer-Aided Engineering software -- CAD, FEA/CFD simulation, and CNC/3D-printing tools -- for engineers, makers, and students.

scientificengineeringCADsimulation

CAINE (Computer Aided Investigative Environment)

Based on Ubuntu

An Italian-developed, Ubuntu-based live distribution built specifically for digital forensics investigations, with a unified graphical interface tying together its forensic tools and a focus on evidence integrity.

forensicsUbuntu-basedinvestigationevidence-preservation

CRUX

Based on Independent

A lightweight, source-based distribution inspired by BSD's Ports system, aimed squarely at experienced Linux users who want a minimal base they build up entirely themselves.

DIYsource-basedminimalBSD-inspired

CachyOS

Based on Arch Linux

A performance-tuned Arch Linux derivative built around an optimized kernel and CPU-architecture-specific package repositories, aimed at users chasing measurable gaming and desktop performance gains.

rolling-releaseArch-basedperformancegaming

CentOS Stream

Based on Independent (upstream of RHEL)

A rolling preview of the next RHEL minor release, sitting between Fedora and RHEL in Red Hat's development pipeline rather than downstream of RHEL like classic CentOS was.

serverenterpriseRHEL-upstreamRPM

Chimera Linux

Based on Independent

A from-scratch, rolling-release distribution built on the FreeBSD userland tools and LLVM toolchain rather than the usual GNU/glibc combination, aiming for a cleaner, more consistent base system.

rolling-releaseindependentmuslLLVM

ChimeraOS

Based on Arch Linux

An open-source, community-driven distribution explicitly designed to replicate the Steam Deck's console-like Gaming Mode experience on ordinary desktop PCs, laptops, and handhelds.

gamingArch-basedhandheldconsole-like

Clonezilla

Based on Debian

A free, open-source disk imaging and cloning tool distributed as a bootable live Debian-based image, widely used as a free alternative to commercial tools like Norton Ghost.

backupdisk-cloningDebian-basedIT-deployment