Alternatives to Manjaro Linux
An Arch-based rolling-release Linux distribution that aims to make Arch easier to install and use. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Manjaro Linux
An Arch-based rolling-release Linux distribution that aims to make Arch easier to install and use.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Manjaro Linux.
Garuda Linux
An Arch-based Linux distribution with a gaming edition, performance tweaks and the Chaotic-AUR repository.
Garuda Linux stays Arch-based and rolling but adds a dedicated gaming edition, the Chaotic-AUR for prebuilt AUR packages and default performance tweaks, with a heavier default desktop.
Void Linux
An independent rolling-release Linux distribution with its own XBPS package manager and the runit init system.
Void Linux is an independent rolling distribution with its own XBPS package manager and runit instead of systemd, which differ from what most Linux guides assume.
Pop!_OS
An Ubuntu-based Linux desktop operating system from System76, focused on productivity and customization.
Pop!_OS moves you to a fixed Ubuntu base from System76 with full-disk encryption and NVIDIA hybrid graphics support, trading rolling updates for software that lags behind.
Linux Mint
A desktop Linux operating system designed to work out of the box, with a lightweight Xfce edition.
Linux Mint replaces rolling updates with fixed releases that work out of the box and suit Windows switchers, though software versions are older than on rolling distributions.
MX Linux
A midweight desktop Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, built with antiX components and MX tools.
MX Linux swaps the Arch base for Debian Stable with antiX components and MX tools, giving a stable system on modest hardware with software that lags rolling distributions.
SparkyLinux
A fast, customizable Debian-based Linux distribution offered in several versions for different uses.
SparkyLinux moves to a Debian base offered in several editions with quarterly and monthly updates, suited to older hardware but backed by a smaller community.
CachyOS
A performance-tuned Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, with CPU-optimized packages and a custom kernel.
CachyOS stays on an Arch base but ships packages built for modern CPU instruction sets, a choice of kernel schedulers, and graphical or command-line installers.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Manjaro Linux as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Drauger OS
An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution tuned for desktop gaming performance.
Manjaro Linux moves to an Arch-based rolling release with staged update branches and multiple desktop editions, rather than a system tuned specifically for gaming.
Nobara
A Fedora-based Linux desktop tuned for gaming, streaming and content creation out of the box.
Manjaro Linux is an Arch-based rolling release with staged update branches and multiple desktop editions, but it is a general desktop rather than a gaming-tuned system.
SteamOS
Valve's Linux-based gaming operating system for the Steam Deck and other supported devices.
Manjaro Linux is an open-source Arch-based rolling release with multiple desktop editions and staged update branches, a general desktop rather than a Steam-centred console system.
Ubuntu GamePack
An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution preloaded with Steam, Wine and other gaming tools.
Manjaro Linux is an open-source Arch-based rolling release with Arch-style repositories for gaming software and several desktop editions, without a preloaded gaming bundle.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Flatpak
Sandboxed application packaging for Linux, with shared runtimes and Flathub.
Snap
Canonical's universal Linux packages with confinement and automatic updates.
GNU Guix
A transactional package manager and GNU/Linux distribution whose packages and system configurations are written in Guile Scheme.
Nix
Functional package manager with reproducible builds and atomic rollbacks.
yay
A command-line AUR helper written in Go for installing and updating Arch Linux packages.
paru
A command-line AUR helper for Arch Linux that wraps pacman and builds packages from the AUR.
