Light-weight Linux distribution
{{short description|Linux distribution with low resource requirements}}
File:Lynx_(web_browser).png and even browse the internet in a terminal, without images, in Lynx, on a weak computer]]
A light-weight Linux distribution is a Linux distribution that uses lower memory and processor-speed requirements than a more "feature-rich" Linux distribution. The lower demands on hardware ideally result in a more responsive machine, and allow devices with fewer system resources (e.g. older or embedded hardware) to be used productively. The lower memory and processor-speed requirements are achieved by avoiding software bloat, i.e. by leaving out features that are perceived to have little or no practical use or advantage, or for which there is no or low demand.
The perceived weight of a Linux distribution is strongly influenced by the desktop environment included with that distribution.{{cite web|last=Larabel|first=Michael|title=Phoronix: Power & Memory Usage Of GNOME, KDE, LXDE & Xfce|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=linux_desktop_vitals&num=1|publisher=Phoronix|access-date=30 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903042338/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=linux_desktop_vitals&num=1|archive-date=3 September 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.porteus.org/info/features.html|title=Features - Porteus - Portable Linux|website=Porteus.org}} Accordingly, many Linux distributions offer a choice of editions. For example, Canonical hosts several variants ("flavors") of the Ubuntu distribution that include desktop environments other than the default GNOME or the deprecated Unity. These variants include the Xubuntu and Lubuntu distributions for the comparatively light-weight Xfce and LXDE / LXQt desktop environments.
The demands that a desktop environment places on a system may be seen in a comparison of the minimum system requirements of Ubuntu 10.10 and Lubuntu 10.10 desktop editions, where the only significant difference between the two was their desktop environment. Ubuntu 10.10 included the Unity desktop, which had minimum system requirements of a 2 GHz processor with 2 GB of RAM,{{cite web|title=Download Ubuntu Desktop {{!}} Download {{!}} Ubuntu|url=https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop|website=www.ubuntu.com|access-date=12 January 2017}} while Lubuntu 10.10 included LXDE, which required at least a Pentium II with 128 MB of RAM.{{cite web|title=Download Lubuntu - Community Help Wiki|url=https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu#System_requirements|website=Help.ubuntu.com|access-date=12 January 2017}}
Overview of some distributions
- ArchBang – inspired by CrunchBang Linux but based on the Arch Linux distribution instead of Debian.{{cite web|url = http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/archbang-linux-2012-12-review-lightweight-arch|title = ArchBang Linux 2012.12 Review – Lightweight Arch|access-date = 2012-12-21|author=Rob Zwetsloot|publisher=LinuxUser}}{{cite web|url = http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/archbang-lightweight-date-linux/|title = ArchBang Is Lightweight & Always Up To Date|access-date = 2011-10-06|author=Justin Pot|date = 6 October 2011|publisher=MakeUseOf}}
- DebianDog{{cite web |title=Welcome to Dog Linux |url=https://debiandog.github.io/doglinux/ |website=debiandog.github.io |publisher=Github |access-date=19 December 2024 |date=18 June 2023}} - Debian Live CD shaped after Puppy Linux. It is packaged with JWM and IceWM, or Openbox and Xfce. Debian structure and behaviour are untouched.{{cite web|title=Debian Dog is a Useful Pocket Pup|date=25 February 2017 |url=http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/84328.html|publisher=Linux Insider|access-date=17 June 2017}}{{cite web|title=Debian Dog on Github|url=https://debiandog.github.io/doglinux|access-date=16 June 2017}}
- LinuxConsole - a lightweight system for old computers made to be easy for youth and casual users.
- MiniOS{{cite web |author1=MiniOS team |title=MiniOS - Fast. Simple. Reliable. |url=https://minios.dev/ |publisher=minios.dev |access-date=19 December 2024}} - a debian based live system with various Desktop Environments.
- Parabola GNU/Linux-libre - an Arch-based lightweight system endorsed by the Free Software Foundation.{{cite web |title=ArchLabs Makes Up for Parabola's Curve Balls |url=https://linuxinsider.com/story/ArchLabs-Makes-Up-for-Parabolas-Curve-Balls-84823.html |website=linuxinsider.com |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=2 April 2021}}{{cite web |title=Free GNU/Linux distributions |url=https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html |website=gnu.org |access-date=2 April 2021}}
- postmarketOS – a derivative of Alpine Linux designed primarily for smartphones
- Arch-based distros: Mabox, Archcraft, and Archman.
Comparison
{{Incomplete list|date=May 2021}}
{{sort-under}}
| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="font-size: 90%; text-align: left; width: auto;" |
| Distribution
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Minimum system requirements ! Desktop / Window manager ! Based on ! data-sort-type="number" | Image size ! Purpose ! Latest release year ! Maintainer ! Created ! Founder |
|---|
| {{Rh}} | Absolute Linux
| data-sort-value="64"| CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 64 MB 1+ GB suggested{{cite web |title=absolute linux home page |website=Absolutelinux.org |url=http://www.absolutelinux.org/about.shtml |access-date=2016-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125104216/http://www.absolutelinux.org/about.shtml |archive-date=2018-01-25 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=The Slackware Linux Project: Installation Help |website=Slackware.com |url=http://www.slackware.com/install/sysreq.php |access-date=2016-10-27}} | iceWM | XPKGTOOL | Desktop | 2023 | Absolute Linux Team | 2007 | Absolute Linux Team |
| {{Rh}} | Alpine Linux
| RAM: 128MB (256MB to install){{Cite web |title=Requirements |url= https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Requirements |website=wiki.alpinelinux.org}} |None by default{{Cite web |title=Category:Desktop |url= https://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Category:Desktop |website=wiki.alpinelinux.org}} | APK | 8 MB (container), 130 MB (disk) | Lightweight desktop, security{{Cite web |title=About |website=alpinelinux.org |url=https://alpinelinux.org/about/ |access-date=2021-12-09}} | Alpine Linux development team | 2010 | LEAF Project members |
| {{Rh}} | antiX
| data-sort-value="256"| CPU: Intel/AMD X86 | IceWM, Fluxbox, JWM, herbstluftwm{{cite web |title=antiX-FAQ antiX-FAQ |url=http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/docs-antiX-23/FAQ/index.html |website=download.tuxfamily.org |publisher=antiX Linux |access-date=16 December 2024 |language=EN-us |date=19 August 2023}} | MEPIS < Debian | Synaptic{{cite web |title=Main Page – antiX |website=antix.mepis.org |year=2012 |url=http://antix.mepis.org |access-date=2012-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828212407/http://antix.mepis.org/ |archive-date=2008-08-28 |url-status=dead }} | 700 MB Base, 1000 MB Full, 310 MB Core | Desktop, portability (with persistence){{cite web |title=What is Persistent Linux |url=http://www.pendrivelinux.com/what-is-persistent-linux/ |website=pendrivelinux.com|date=20 May 2009 }} | Anticapitalista | 2007 | Anticapitalista |
| {{Rh}} | Bodhi Linux{{cite web |author=Nitesh |title=Bodhi Linux is a Lightweight Linux Distribution |publisher=Ubuntu Vibes |url= http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/01/bodhi-linux-is-lightweight-linux.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110129024225/http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/01/bodhi-linux-is-lightweight-linux.html |url-status= usurped |archive-date= January 29, 2011 |access-date=2011-05-05}}
| data-sort-value="512" |CPU: 32 bit 500 MHz (non-PAE) Drive: 5 GB | Moksha (a fixed E17) | Ubuntu < Debian | APT | 575 MB (Standard), | Desktop | 2023 | Bodhi Linux team | 2011 | Bodhi Linux team |
| {{Rh}} | BunsenLabs Linux
|style="text-align:left;" data-sort-value="256" |RAM: 256 MB to run X{{cite web |title=Installation |url=https://www.bunsenlabs.org/installation.html |publisher=BunsenLabs |access-date=2019-07-03}} | OpenBox | Debian Stable | Synaptic, APT, dpkg | 674 MB (i386, no PAE) | LiveCD, LiveDVD, lightweight desktop | Core maintainers | 2015 | Core maintainers |
| {{Rh}} class="table-rh" |CrunchBang Linux
| data-sort-value="192" | CPU:x86/ARM RAM: 1 GB Drive: 2.1 GB. | OpenBox | Debian | dpkg | Lightweight Desktop | Philip Newborough (corenominal) | Philip Newborough (corenominal) |
| {{Rh}} class="table-rh" |CRUX
| data-sort-value="192" | CPU: x86-64 (AMD Athlon 64, Intel Core, Intel Atom) or newer processors RAM: 192 MB (2017){{cite web|title=3. Installing CRUX|url=https://crux.nu/Main/Handbook3-3#ntoc10|access-date=20 July 2018|website=Crux.nu}} | OpenBox | - | pkgutils | 1773 MB | BSD / experienced users, lightweight |Core maintainers | 2002 | Per Lidén |
| {{Rh}} | Damn Small Linux
| data-sort-value="" |CPU: 486dx | Fluxbox, JWM | {{sdash}} | APT (optional){{cite web |title=What is DSL? |publisher=Damn Small Linux |year=2010 |url=http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ |access-date=11 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930162042/http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ |archive-date=30 September 2018 |url-status=dead }} | 700 MB | Desktop | 2024 | | 2005 | John Andrews, et al. |
| {{Rh}} | Elive
| data-sort-value="512" |CPU: 32 bit 500 MHz (non-PAE) | Debian | APT | 3000 MB | Desktop | 2024 | Samuel F. Baggen | 2005 | Samuel F. Baggen |
| [https://www.elxr.org eLxr]
|RAM: 512MB CPU: 500 MHz Storage: 1 GB |None by default, but Xfce is supported |Debian Stable |apt |300 MB |Edge to Cloud |2024 |eLxr.org and Wind River |2024 |eLxr.org |
| {{Rh}} | FunOS
| CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 512 MB Hard drive: 8 GB | JWM | Ubuntu LTS | APT | 1800 MB | Lightweight desktop | FunOS team | 2024 | FunOS team |
| Gentoo Linux
|RAM: 32 MB |None by default, but you can install any | {{sdash}} |400 MB |Desktop, server, source-based, advanced |Rolling release | |2002 |
| {{Rh}} | GoboLinux
| data-sort-value="128" |RAM: 128 MB RAM 1000+ MB for full graphic{{cite web|url=http://www.gobolinux.org/release_notes_016.html|title=GoboLinux 016 Release Notes|website=Gobolinux.org|access-date=2016-12-30}} CPU: x86_64 | Awesome | {{sdash}} | | Desktop | 2020 | GoboLinux team | 2003 | Hisham Muhammad and André Detsch |
| {{Rh}} | Knoppix
| data-sort-value="32" |RAM: 32 MB text, 512 MB LXDE. 1 GB recommended{{cite web |title=KNOPPIX - Live Linux Filesystem On CD |url=http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-info/index-en.html |website=Knopper.net}} CPU: 486 | LXDE | Debian | dpkg | 701 MB | Live | 2022 | | 2000 | Klaus Knopper |
| {{Rh}} | Lightweight Portable Security
| | iceWM | | 390 MB | Secure live operating system | 2021 | United States Department of Defense | 2011 |
| {{Rh}} | Linux Lite
| data-sort-value="2048" | CPU: Intel/AMD 1GHz dual core 64bit Drive: 20 GB | Xfce | Ubuntu LTS | APT | 2900 MB | Desktop (Windows users) | Jerry Bezencon | 2013 | Jerry Bezencon |
| {{Rh}} | Lubuntu
| data-sort-value="1024" | No minimum system requirements provided.{{cite web |title=Taking a new direction |url=https://lubuntu.me/taking-a-new-direction/ |publisher=Lubuntu}} | LXQt | Ubuntu | APT | 3300 MB | Lightweight desktop | 2024 | Lubuntu team | 2009 | Lubuntu team |
| {{Rh}} | LXLE
| data-sort-value="512" |RAM: 1 GB (2022){{cite web |title=requirements |work=LXLE Linux Wiki |publisher=LXLE |url=http://wiki.lxle.net/doku.php/requirements |year=2022}} CPU: 64-bit (2022) | LXDE | Ubuntu LTS | APT | 1300 MB | Older computers, intermediate users | 2022 | LXLE team | 2012 | Ronnie |
| {{Rh}} | Nanolinux
| data-sort-value="64" |RAM: 64 MB (2017){{cite web |title=Home |work=Nanolinux Wiki |publisher=SourceForge |url=http://sourceforge.net/p/nanolinux/wiki/Home/ |year=2017}} CPU: 486 | SLWM on Nano-X | Tiny Core Linux;{{cite web |title=Nanolinux |work=Linux Distributions |publisher=Softpedia |url= http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/Nanolinux-102963.shtml |access-date=25 January 2014}} MicroCore Linux with BusyBox. | | 19 MB | Lightweight, Runs on RAM, advanced | 2015 | Georg Potthast | {{sdash}} | Georg Potthast |
| {{Rh}} | OpenWrt
| data-sort-value="32" |CPU: x86 and over 50 router platforms RAM: 32 MB (2018){{cite web |title=OpenWrt Buyer's guide |publisher=OpenWrt |url=https://openwrt.org/toh/buyerguide |year=2018}} 64 MB recommended | None (headless server) - Includes LuCI admin UI{{cite web |title=Luci |work=user guide |date=20 February 2018 |url=https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/luci/start |publisher=OpenWrt}} | {{sdash}} | opkg | 6 MB | SOHO Routers | OpenWrt developers | 2004 | |
| {{Rh}} | PCLinuxOS
| data-sort-value="2048" | CPU: 64-bit (from 2016) RAM: 2 GB (2020){{cite web |title=PCLinuxOS Requirements of XFCE Desktop edition|publisher=PCLinuxOS |year=2020 |url=https://www.pclinuxos.com/?page_id=3836}} | KDE, MATE, XFCE | Mandrake | APT-RPM | 1000-3800 MB | Live | Bill Reynolds | 2003 | Bill Reynolds |
| {{Rh}} | Peppermint Linux OS
| data-sort-value="512" | CPU: x86 RAM: 1 GB. | XFCE | Debian, Devuan | APT | 1332 MB | Desktop | Peppermint, LLC | 2010 | Peppermint, LLC |
| {{Rh}} | Porteus
| data-sort-value="36" | CPU: 32 bit RAM: 36 MB{{cite web |title=Features - Porteus - Portable Linux |publisher=Porteus |url=http://www.porteus.org/info/features.html |access-date=2016-10-27}} | (multiple) | Slackware | USM | 260 MB (LxQt) | Lightweight, portable (with persistence) | Porteus | 2010 | Fanthom |
| {{Rh}} | Puppy Linux
| data-sort-value="256" | RAM: 256 MB (2017){{cite web |title=Minimum System Requirements |publisher=Puppy Linux |url=http://www.puppylinux.org/wikka/MinimumSystemRequirements |year=2017 |access-date=2018-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814214556/http://puppylinux.org/wikka/MinimumSystemRequirements |archive-date=2018-08-14 |url-status=dead }} | JWM-2.3.2 | Ubuntu LTS from Puppy 6 | Puppy Package Manager | Portable (with persistence), lightweight{{Cite news |last=Hell-Noire |first=Paul |title=Puppy Linux 5.0 Review - Lightweight, Fun, Fast! |publisher=raymond.cc |date=July 2010 |url= http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2010/07/08/puppy-linux-5-0-review-lightweight-fun-fast/ |access-date=11 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100711035158/http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2010/07/08/puppy-linux-5-0-review-lightweight-fun-fast/ |archive-date=July 11, 2010}} | Puppy Foundation | 2003 | Barry Kauler |
| {{Rh}} | Q4OS
| CPU: Intel / AMD 64bit RAM: 256 Mb / 1 GB Hard drive: 3 GB / 5 GB | Plasma/Trinity | Debian | APT | 1464 MB | Lightweight desktop | Q4OS team | 2013 | Q4OS team |
| {{Rh}} | Salix OS
| data-sort-value="512" | RAM: 512 MB CPU: Intel Pentium III 1 GHz{{Cite web|url=https://itgirl.tech/2019/09/15/what-is-the-best-lightweight-linux-distro/|title=What Is the Best Lightweight Linux Distro?|date=2019-09-15|website=ITgirl.tech|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-13}} Hard drive: 8 GB | MATE, KDE, Xfce, Fluxbox, Openbox | Slackware | slapt-get | 613 MB (Fluxbox), 852 MB (MATE live){{cite web |title=Salix Downloads |url=http://www.salixos.org/download.html |publisher=Salix OS}} | Desktop | George Vlahavas | 2009 | George Vlahavas, Thorsten Mühlfelder and Cyrille Pontvieux |
| {{Rh}} | Slax
| data-sort-value="128" | RAM:256MB without web browser | KDE till Slax 8 | Slackware till Slax 8 | APT | Portable | Tomas Matejicek | 2002 | Tomas Matejicek |
| {{Rh}} | SliTaz
| data-sort-value="24" | RAM: 24 MB loram-cdrom{{cite web |last=Lincoln |first=Christophe |title=SliTaz LiveCD Flavors |publisher=SliTaz |url=http://www.slitaz.org/en/get/flavors.php |year=2017}} 128 MB loram 256 MB standard | Openbox | {{sdash}} | TazPkg | 50 MB | Portable. Live (no persistence by default)persistence can be added rather easily, though | 2024{{Cite web|url=http://mirror1.slitaz.org/iso/rolling/|title = Index of /Iso/Rolling/}} | dev team | 2008 | Christophe Lincoln |
| {{Rh}} | SparkyLinux
| CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit | LXQt, MATE, Xfce and KDE | debian LTS | APT | 1900 MB LXQt; KDE 2100 MB | Lightweight desktop | SparkyLinux team | 2012 | SparkyLinux team |
| {{Rh}} | Tiny Core Linux
| data-sort-value="46" | CPU: 486DX RAM: 46 MB{{cite web |title=Tiny Core Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |publisher=Tiny Core Linux |url=http://www.tinycorelinux.net/faq.html#req |access-date=2016-10-27}} | FLTK/FLWM, none, or you can install any | | appbrowser (GUI) tce (CLI) | 11 MB (Core), 16 MB (TinyCore), 106 MB (CorePlus) | Portable, advanced | Tiny Core team | 2009 | Robert Shingledecker |
| {{Rh}} | Tiny SliTaz
| data-sort-value="4" | CPU: 486DX RAM: 4 MB 8 MB recommended | None (VNC viewer or headless server) | SliTaz | Tiny SliTaz WEB site{{Cite web|url=https://tiny.slitaz.org/|title=Tiny SliTaz - Builder|website=tiny.slitaz.org}} | Down to 800 KB, likely a 1.44 MB floppy | Portable. Live (no persistence by default) | 2021 | dev team | 2016 | Pascal Bellard |
| {{Rh}} | Trisquel Mini
| data-sort-value="256" | RAM: 256 MB CPU: 64-bit CPU for latest version {{cite web |title=No 32-bit |work=Trisquel Official Forum |url=https://trisquel.info/es/forum/trisquel-32-bit-system |access-date=2023-06-29}} | LXDE | Ubuntu LTS | APT | 1200 MB | Free software: desktop | Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam) | 2005 | Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam) |
| {{Rh}} | TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library
| data-sort-value="256" | RAM: 256 MB 2017{{cite web |title=Minimum hardware requirements |work=TurnKey GNU/Linux docs |publisher=TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library |url=https://www.turnkeylinux.org/docs/hardware-requirements |year=2017}} | None (headless server) - Includes Webmin admin UI | Debian (a minified base){{cite web |title=TurnKey Core - Debian GNU/Linux with Batteries Included |publisher=TurnKey Linux |url= http://www.turnkeylinux.org/core |access-date=2016-06-08}} | dpkg | 212 MB (Core) | Lightweight headless server{{cite web |title=TurnKey Linux 13 Has Been Released! |publisher=Unixmen |url= http://www.unixmen.com/turnkey-linux-13-released/ |access-date=2016-06-08}} | TurnKey Linux team | 2008 | Alon Swartz, Liraz Siri |
| {{Rh}} | VectorLinux Light
| data-sort-value="64" | RAM: 64 MB Light edition 96 MB Standard 256MB Live{{cite web |title=VectorLinux Editions |url=http://vectorlinux.com/products |publisher=VectorLinux |access-date=2018-01-16 |archive-date=2018-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803162604/http://vectorlinux.com/products |url-status=dead }} | Several / IceWM | Slackware | slapt-get | 618 MB | Desktop | 2017 | {{sdash}} | 2001 | {{sdash}} |
| {{Rh}} | Void Linux
| data-sort-value="96" | CPU: ARMv6 Pentium 4 (SSE2) RAM: 96 MB Hard drive: 350 MB{{cite web |title=Live Images |work=Void Linux Docs |url=https://docs.voidlinux.org/installation/live-images/index.html|publisher=Void Linux |access-date=2021-12-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211209181038/https://docs.voidlinux.org/installation/live-images/index.html |archive-date=2021-12-09 |url-status=live }} | {{sdash}} | XBPS | 250 MB (i686, without desktop environment) | Desktop/embedded | Void Linux Team, Void Linux Community | 2008 | Juan Romero Pardines |
| {{Rh}} | Xubuntu
| data-sort-value="512" | CPU: Intel/AMD 64bit RAM: 1 GB Hard drive: 8.6 GB{{cite web |title=System Requirements |url=http://xubuntu.org/getxubuntu/requirements/ |publisher=Xubuntu}} | Xfce | Ubuntu | APT | 1660 MB | Lightweight desktop | Xubuntu team | 2008 | Xubuntu team |
| {{Rh}} | Zenwalk
| | Xfce | Slackware | netpkg | 974 MB | Desktop | development team | 2004 |
| {{Rh}} | Zorin_OS (Core)
| CPU: Intel/AMD 1 Ghz 64bit RAM: 1.5 GB | Xfce | Ubuntu LTS | APT | 3.8 GB | Lightweight desktop | Zorin Group | 2008 | Zorin Group |
| class="sortbottom"
! Distribution ! Minimum system requirements ! Desktop / Window manager ! Based on ! data-sort-type="number" | Image size ! Purpose ! Latest release year ! Maintainer ! Created ! Founder |
See also
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}