Slax

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

Slax Alternatives

14
Options
Considered
2022-01-26
Last
Updated

#1 Void Linux

Free
Open Source
Github
Online

Void Linux is one of the classical operating systems that offer the average user a set of tools that enable him to do his everyday computer tasks more easily. Among those tools are a package manager, a console, a window manager, and a desktop environment. For more advanced users, it provides the means to control all system configurations. It is also a very specialized operating system used in fields such as embedded technologies, telecommunications, computer security, and science.

The goal of Void is to create a general-purpose operating system that is minimalistic and easy to understand. The hardware requirements are low enough that it could be run on a handheld device such as a smartphone or simple laptop computer. This makes it an ideal candidate for lower-end devices or machines that have resource limitations yet still need to operate as part of a greater whole. It is a general-purpose operating system based on the Linux kernel.

#2 Peppermint Linux OS

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

Peppermint Linux OS is a Linux distribution, an extremely lightweight distribution based on Lubuntu, with a brand new menu and application launcher, featuring an updated GTK-based theme that adheres to the GNOME Shell Human Interface Guidelines. The main focus is to develop a fast, lightweight, and easy-to-use system, with particular emphasis on making it suitable for older or less powerful computers. It includes the Ice desktop environment, which is derived from GNOME 3. It uses the LXDE desktop environment and is designed for 32-bit computers, but a 64-bit version is in the works.

Peppermint Linux OS features a full suite of lightweight applications on a very reliable base structure which is based on Ubuntu’s LTS releases. This means you will get three years of updates for every release. The Peppermint OS team is also adding many customization options to the system so it can be adapted to any user’s needs. These range from changing the theme and icons, installing your own software, adding password protection to the system, changing the window manager, and much more.

#3 Funtoo

Free
Open Source
Linux
Online
Github

Funtoo is a Linux distribution based on Gentoo Linux that aims to offer a Gentoo-like, bleeding-edge experience while maintaining stable versions of packages. The Funtoo and Gentoo projects share a vision of a system well-adapted to the user’s needs. It uses Gentoo-like profiles, portage, and emerge package management system. It also contributes tools in the form of USE flags, notably hardened toolchains. It is a special flavor of Gentoo Linux, which is specifically designed for users of Funtoo Linux. It is a relatively small distribution with a stable, consistent system, so you can focus on having fun with your new Gentoo Linux installation.

The Funtoo community consists of several sub-communities, which focus on providing tools and services that simplify the clustering of Gentoo systems, both within data center environments and for HPC or scientific computing. The community also has a cryptographic sub-community, which includes contributions from NSA’s collaborative development with Gentoo developers. It is a generalized software platform for personal servers, enabling decentralized communication and coordination among devices.

#4 Debian GNU/Linux

Free
Open Source
Linux
Online

Debian GNU/Linux is one of the most important distributions of Linux and became famous for its inclusion of an extreme amount of software. It is available for many different architectures, flavors, and devices, but not all of them can receive the same level of support. The project’s key strength lies in its numerous contributors, who are distributed across the globe. Their combined efforts ensure that new releases of Debian are always among the first to implement cutting-edge software technologies.

It also refuses to support proprietary applications, like Adobe Flash or MP3 playback software, or non-free drivers not part of the official Linux kernel. Debian GNU/Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system and a Linux distribution that is composed entirely of free software. The project includes most of its core packages, but the Debian Project Leader may choose to exclude some or all of these from a specific distribution or release.

#5 Gentoo Linux

Free
Open Source
Linux
FreeBSD
Online

Gentoo Linux is a free, source-based Linux distribution built around the Portage package management system. The operating system is based on quality, state-of-the-art tools from the open-source community and is produced by a worldwide team of highly skilled developers. It uses the latest available tools and technologies to provide excellent management of your computer. It is used by over two million people across the world and is available in 10 languages. The consistency of Gentoo leads to greater levels of efficiency for users and system administrators.

It is designed to be more accessible than other distributions because it is translated into over ten languages. It uses the power of the Internet to let the users share the tools, applications, and information they need while being extremely flexible and efficient at the same time. There are no compromises made with respect to the build process, programming languages, packaging, or performance. It aims to optimize the performance of the computer, keeping it up to date with current security fixes and allowing the installation of a wide range of applications.

#6 antiX

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

antiX is a fast, lightweight, and easy to install system-free Linux live CD distribution based on Debian Stable for Intel-AMD x86 compatible systems. A 32-bit version is available to run on older hardware. The current release is based on Debian Stretch. It is usually shipped with several proprietary software packages such as Steam, Skype, and Wine, a compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications.

It offers users the “antiX MAGIX” edition, a complete ready-to-use operating system for audio, video, graphics, photo, design, and other related multimedia applications. The unique build system and focus on portability mean that it can be installed on a wide range of different computer systems, including x86, AMD64, Sparc, and several other CPU architectures, as well as on various different hardware devices, such as mobile phones and handhelds, several flavors of ARM boards and embedded systems based on Palm OS, VxWorks, and µClinux.

#7 Slackware

Free
Open Source
Linux
Online

Slackware is one of the universal Linux distribution available, running on i486, i686, x86_64, and ARM architectures. It is a Linux distribution designed with simplicity, stability, and standards compliance in mind. It is well-known for its simple installation process, minimalistic design, and rock-solid performance. It is a Linux distribution that offers users the original UNIX operating system experience, with all the tools required for development and administration.

It was originally based on the “principle of least surprise,” keeping a high level of compatibility with the many programs and standards that users have come to rely on in the UNIX environment. In keeping with this principle, Slackware has been called “the most compatible UNIX around” and has become widely used as a server and an embedded system.

#8 Bliss OS

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

Bliss OS is an Android-based open-source operating system optimized for use on a wide variety of modern PC tablets with a number of extra features not present in stock Android. It is based on the Android Open Source Project “Oreo” and is offered to consumers without any restrictive licensing or hardware certification requirements.

The goal is to create a modern and powerful operating system that can be used on a tablet computer by anyone. It’s built around a modular architecture that allows the creation and distribution of configuration ‘skins’ or interfaces, with a specific focus on the popular desktop and ‘home screen’ paradigms. It’s built using modern technologies like Wayland, QtQuick, and unlike traditional desktop environments, there are no icons on the desktop or in the application menus.

#9 EndeavourOS

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online
Github

EndeavourOS is an Arch Linux-based Linux distribution that is designed to be used as an operating system for software appliances or as a platform for custom software development. It is built using Arch Linux, meaning the installation procedure and software repositories are compatible with Arch Linux. It integrates, supports, and extends the Open-Source project Arch Linux with more applications, tweaks, fixes, and customizations.

EndeavourOS aims to create a complete and fully functional operating system designed for users who want to make their computer work for them, rather than vice versa. It focuses on providing the best desktop experience possible with the latest and greatest free and open-source software technologies.

#10 Regolith Linux

Free
Open Source
Github
Linux
Ubuntu
Online

Regolith Linux is a modern desktop environment designed to let you work faster by reducing unnecessary clutter and ceremony. It maximizes your time working and minimizes your time not by making frequent interactions as efficient as possible and eliminating the need for ceremony. In a world where the size and shape of your device don’t dictate how you interface with it, it comes with an optimal working environment for keyboard, mouse, and touch interfaces, no matter which one you are using.

It ships with complete Window and Compositor written from scratch in Rust, powerful, a compositor-wide theming system written in GLSL, HDR rendering: support for different color spaces including linear. With integrated File Manager, Terminal, Web Browser, and System Applescripts in a modern dock-free interface, it provides a rich developer environment.

#11 PrimeOS

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

PrimeOS is a fork of the Android-x86 project, which aims to provide the best gaming experience to users. It’s a full-time project from the creator. It is an Android-x86 based OS that provides a desktop experience on any x86 based device, providing users top-of-the-line features like multi-window, taskbar, and deca-pro key mapper for gamers. It comes with stock Android UI with default 3rd party apps and integrated performance tweaks to ensure your device is always under the desired working temperature.

It comes with x86 hardware support and pre-built mods for popular game titles like PUBG, Minecraft, Goat Simulator, Assassins Creed, and a few others to mention. It can be installed on any PC using a simple USB drive and is compatible with almost any PC hardware. The PC requirements are 4GB+ RAM, Intel CPU with VT-x support, and at least 2GB HDD. This operating system was designed to take full advantage of the power of x86 based processors’ innovative and elegant design.

#12 Bodhi Linux

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

Bodhi Linux is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that uses an Enlightenment DR17-based fork called Moksha as its window manager. It is the product of a Linux distribution company that began as a fork of the popular Ubuntu operating system. It is available in two main variants, the “ISO” and “AppImage” variants: It is provided in ISO format; this allows users to burn the image to a CD-ROM or copy it to a USB thumb drive and use it like any other installation media.

This variant is suggested for newer users or users uncomfortable with a command-line interface for installation. The highlighted functions of this platform include proprietary media codecs, proprietary binary Nvidia drivers, and many others. It allows it to be run as a self-contained application using Linux’s built-in package management system without requiring the installation of any dependencies or proprietary software.

#13 Ubuntu MATE

Free
Open Source
Linux
Github
Ubuntu
Online

Ubuntu MATE is a free and open-source operating system that can be installed on any computer and can be used with both Intel/AMD and ARM processors. It is compatible with Ubuntu software, but it has a slightly different desktop environment. This project consists of a team and community that are working hard to bring back the ease of use and stability of the old GNOME 2 environment.

However, there are some extra features included with Ubuntu MATE, which aim to make it even more user-friendly and more convenient to use than the original GNOME interface. It has everything you need to get started with your own Ubuntu-based operating system. As with the Ubuntu flavors, it uses Snap packages for installation.

#14 Devuan GNU+Linux

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Online

Devuan GNU+Linux is a fork of Debian that allows users to reclaim control over their system by avoiding unnecessary entanglements. It is a community-driven operating system where decisions about the distribution are taken in a bottom-up, consensus-based approach. It provides a secure, stable, and future-proof base for users, offering compatibility with Debian and its official repositories.

The project is building a modern operating system for the ages by using lightweight and flexible tools, like Just Enough Operating System. It allows users to focus on content and remove distractions instead of forcing users to launch an application and then wait for it to load. It requires only two keystrokes to start working immediately – pressing the Windows key displays a list of full-screen applications by category, and pressing the number corresponding to the desired app launches it instantly.