Alternatives to MX Linux
A midweight desktop Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, built with antiX components and MX tools. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
MX Linux
A midweight desktop Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, built with antiX components and MX tools.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as MX Linux.
antiX
A fast, lightweight live Linux distribution based on Debian Stable, without systemd or elogind.
antiX shares the Debian Stable base and components with MX Linux but drops systemd and elogind and uses lightweight window managers instead of a full desktop environment.
Linux Mint
A desktop Linux operating system designed to work out of the box, with a lightweight Xfce edition.
Linux Mint works out of the box with a familiar layout for Windows users and a lightweight Xfce edition, with a Debian-based LMDE option alongside its Ubuntu base.
Q4OS
A lightweight Debian-based desktop Linux distribution aimed at ease of use and less powerful hardware.
Q4OS also builds on stable Debian for older or low-powered hardware, adding tools to remove unneeded components and an ARM edition, with a smaller development team.
SparkyLinux
A fast, customizable Debian-based Linux distribution offered in several versions for different uses.
SparkyLinux keeps a Debian base in several editions with quarterly and monthly updates for older machines, though its community is smaller than the major distributions.
Lubuntu
An official Ubuntu flavour with the LXQt desktop, designed to be fast and lightweight.
Lubuntu moves you to an official Ubuntu flavour with the lightweight LXQt desktop and the full Ubuntu software ecosystem, though LXQt has fewer built-in features.
Xubuntu
A community-developed Ubuntu flavour with the lightweight Xfce desktop for everyday use.
Xubuntu switches the base to Ubuntu with the lightweight Xfce desktop and a long-term support release supported until 2029.
Peppermint OS
A minimal Xfce Linux distribution based on Debian or Devuan that lets you choose your own applications.
Peppermint OS offers a minimal Xfce system on Debian or Devuan with a very small default package set, so most applications must be installed yourself.
BunsenLabs Linux
A Debian-based distribution with a preconfigured, lightweight Openbox desktop, continuing CrunchBang Linux.
BunsenLabs Linux keeps a standard Debian base but ships a preconfigured Openbox, tint2 and conky desktop that takes some learning for newcomers.
Also worth comparing
These listings name MX Linux as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Bodhi Linux
A lightweight Ubuntu-based Linux distribution with the Moksha desktop, derived from Enlightenment.
MX Linux is a midweight distribution built on Debian Stable with antiX components and MX tools, aiming to stay responsive on modest hardware.
Emmabuntüs
A Debian-based Linux distribution designed for refurbishing and reusing older computers.
MX Linux builds on Debian Stable with antiX components and MX tools, aiming to stay responsive on modest hardware, with documentation not mainly in French.
Linux Lite
A lightweight, beginner-friendly Linux distribution for older computers and people moving from Windows.
MX Linux is based on Debian Stable with antiX components and MX tools, aimed at staying responsive on modest hardware.
Manjaro Linux
An Arch-based rolling-release Linux distribution that aims to make Arch easier to install and use.
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.
Pop!_OS
An Ubuntu-based Linux desktop operating system from System76, focused on productivity and customization.
MX Linux switches to a Debian Stable base with antiX components and MX tools, aimed at running well on modest hardware.
Void Linux
An independent rolling-release Linux distribution with its own XBPS package manager and the runit init system.
MX Linux moves you to a Debian Stable base with MX tools and fixed releases, so software versions lag behind Void's rolling packages.
Zorin OS Lite
An Xfce-based edition of the Zorin OS Linux distribution intended for older and lower-powered PCs.
MX Linux moves to Debian Stable with antiX components and MX tools, aiming to stay responsive on modest hardware.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Damn Small Linux
A revived compact Linux distribution for low-spec x86 computers, based on antiX.
Puppy Linux
A family of small Linux distributions for home computers, sharing the same Puppy tools.
