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submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by POTOOOOOOOO@reddthat.com to c/linux@lemmy.ml

I made the unfortunate post about asking why people liked Arch so much (RIP my inbox I'm learning a lot from the comments) But, what is the best distro for each reason?

RIP my inbox again. I appreciate this knowledge a lot. Thank you everyone for responding. You all make this such a great community.

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[-] procapra@lemmy.ml 1 points 12 minutes ago

Debian just works.

[-] coralof@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago

I am using Bluefin, based on Fedora Silverblue. I realized that I was already exclusively using flatpaks for everything except one random app, so I thought why not go all-in?

Haven't had to worry about updates or system breakages since, and it's been great so far.

I used to use Debian Stable, but since doing SysAdmin work I've just become used to the way Fedora / RHEL does things.

[-] sakphul@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 1 day ago

For me it's openSUSE Tumbleweed on my Desktops/Laptops and openSuse Leap on my Servers. The killing Feature for me was the propper BTRFS integration with Snapper for seamless rollbacks in case I borked the system in some way.

One "downside" for me is the mix of Gnome Settings and Yast on my Desktop. But I like yast on my servers for managing everything (enabling ports in firewall, network config, enable autoamtic isntall of security updates, etc.). Also openSuse is not that common, so sometimes it is hard to find a solution if you have a distribution specific question.

Personally never looked to closely into openSuse Build Services (OBS). But I know some people who really like it.

[-] kaidezee@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Gentoo, because if it exists - compile it.

[-] Azzk1kr@feddit.nl 3 points 1 day ago

I've been using (X)Ubuntu for ages. I just wanted something that "just works". Tired of too much tinkering and there's plenty of (non commercial) support. Mixing it with i3 as my window manager.

Roast me ;)

[-] Drito@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Since I was tired of distro hopping I just use MX Linux.

[-] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)
  • The fricking AUR

  • Nothing I don't _actually_ need

  • Pacman

  • Everything is the latest version available–ALWAYS.

  • ArchWiki

[-] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Since I mostly use computers for entertainment these days I keep coming back to Bazzite. It’s fast, stable, kept up to date, reliable, and “just works”. I’ve created custom rpm-ostree layers to faff around, but it’s not actually necessary for anything I need.

I used to keep a second Kubuntu Minimal partition around but I realized I just don’t need it. If I wasn’t so happy with Bazzite, I would probably go with openSUSE or Endeavor.

[-] ragas@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Gentoo because it is as stable as Debian, less bloated than Arch, has more packages than Ubuntu, is rolling release, can mix and match stable, testing and unstable on a whim.

Even its one downside, compile times, is now gone if you just choose to use binary packages.

[-] kaidezee@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

And less stable than Arch, and more bloated than Ubuntu... If that is something you want for whatever reason! It is the most versatile distro in existance because it's literally anything you want it to be - clean and nice, or total chaos. What is there not to love?

Gentoo <3

[-] HouseWolf@pawb.social 9 points 1 day ago

EndeavourOS is the best because.

It's currently on my system and said system hasn't burst into flames yet, so I'm too lazy to change it.

[-] RageAgainstTheRich@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Also, its space themed which makes it automatically the coolest.

[-] fin@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 days ago

I use debian cause it just works.

I was a Nix user (more specifically, nix-darwin user) but after being away from the computer for like one year (to study for the university entrance exam), I completely forgot how to use it and resulted in erasing the computer. Nix/NixOS is fun, but it was too complicated for me.

[-] forestry@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

ubuntu for similar reasons

[-] malwieder@feddit.org 4 points 1 day ago

Tumbleweed. Rolling release with automated testing (openQA), snapper properly setup out of the box.

Honestly the entire openSUSE ecosystem. Tumbleweed on my main PC that often has some of the latest hardware, Slowroll on my (Framework) laptop because it's rolling but slower (monthly feature updates, only fixes in-between), and Leap for servers where stability (as in version/compatibility stability, not "it doesn't crash" stability) is appreciated.

openSUSE also comes in atomic flavors for those interested. And it's European should you care.

With all that being said, I don't really care much about what distro I'm using. What I do with it could be replicated with pretty much any distro. For me it's mostly just a means to an end.

[-] monovergent@lemmy.ml 32 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Debian. Truly the universal operating system. Runs on all of my laptops, desktops, servers, and NAS with no fuss and no need to keep track of distro-specific differences. If something has a Linux version, it probably works on Debian.

Granted, I am a bit biased. All of my hardware is at least 5 years old. Also came from Windows, where I kept only the OS and browser up to date, couldn't be bothered with shiny new features. A package manager is already a huge luxury.

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[-] WILSOOON@programming.dev 70 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Arch is the best, the arch wiki is massive, pacman is just amazing, no nvidia drivers bullshitting, and rolling release has only broken one thing once, life under the arch is pretty great

[-] D_Air1@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago

Also PKGBUILD's are the superior packaging format. Back in the day people use to talk about preferring debian or redhat based distros based on how much they liked debs or rpms. Building packages on Arch is easier than pretty much any distro I have ever tried to build packages on.

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[-] kittenroar@beehaw.org 2 points 1 day ago

Ubuntu because they provide kernel live patching and they fix issues quickly and my system doesn't go down if I procrastinate in doing system updates

[-] data1701d@startrek.website 11 points 2 days ago

As with others, I love Debian Stable.

Most packages have sane defaults, and it's so stable. It's true that it sometimes means older software versions, but there's also something to be said for behavior staying the same for two years at a time.

If hardware support is an issue, using the backports repo is really easy - I've been using it on my laptop for almost a year with no problems that don't exist on other distros. If you really need the shiniest new application, Flatpak isn't that bad.

It also feels in a nice position - not so corporate as to not give a darn about its community, but with enough funding and backing the important stuff gets maintained.

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[-] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 30 points 2 days ago

Fedora Atomic because I don't fucking care what package manager and whatnot sits underneath.

I just wanna relax in my free time and not worry about all this fucking nerd stuff.

Touching grass > Troubleshooting a broken system

[-] swab148@startrek.website 20 points 2 days ago

Arch users here, just touched grass for the first time. Felt like bloat, had my lawn paved.

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[-] Photuris@lemmy.ml 21 points 2 days ago

Fedora, because it just works, it’s familiar, and I’ve got things to do.

[-] jaykrown@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Linux Mint because it's extremely simple and has caused me no issues for over a year. It's the best distribution to get someone who is afraid to switch from Windows or MacOS to understand that using Linux can be just as easy.

[-] Prismaarchives@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

Arch, because I get to say that I use Arch. /s

[-] utopiah@lemmy.ml 17 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Debian stable.

Everybody think they are a special snowflake who needs bleeding edge, or a specific package manager or DE or whatever. Truth is 99.99% do not. They just like to believe they do, claim they do, try it, inflict self pain for longer than they need, convince themselves that truly they are, because of the pain, special.

Chill, just go with stable, it's actually fine.

Edit: posted from Arch, not even sarcasm.

[-] Allero@lemmy.today 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

As someone who ran Debian Stable for a while, this is not a distro for "99.99%".

First, Debian, while very stable in its core, commonly has same random issues within DE's and even programs that may likely just sit there until the next release comes along.

Second, a release cycle of 2 years is actually a giant and incredibly noticeable lag. You may love your system when it just releases, but over time, you will realize your system is old, like, very damn old. It will look old, it will act old, and the only thing you can do is install flatpaks for your preferred programs so that they'd be up to date.

This isn't just programs. It is your desktop environment. It is Wine (gamers, you're gonna cry a lot unless you work it around with flatpaks like Bottles, which will feel like insane workaround you wouldn't have to have with a better fitting distro).

It is the damn kernel, so you may not even be able to install Debian on newest hardware without unsupported and potentially unstable backporting tricks.

Don't get me wrong, Debian is absolutely great in what it does, and that is providing a rock solid environment where nothing changes. But recommending it for everyone? Nope.

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[-] besmtt@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

Bazzite.

Super easy install and setup. Ready to start installing games at first boot. Just a wonderful OS to use.

[-] mat@linux.community 31 points 3 days ago

I (maybe) ended distrohopping last year when I gave NixOS a shot. I can't recommend it for beginners but once you understand generally how things work on Linux (and have an interest in programming) it's a superpower to be able to define your entire setup as a single git repository. If something ever breaks, I can reboot into an older commit and keep using my computer, or branch off in a different direction... I've only scratched the surface of NixOS and yet I can already make a live USB containing my setup with a single command, or deploy it ("infect") to another machine and manage e.g my work desktop and my personal laptop sharing most settings. Also it taught me about Nix (the package manager, which also runs on any distro and macOS independent of NixOS) which I now use to set up perfect development environments for each of my projects... if I set up dependencies once (as a flake.nix shell), it'll work forever and anywhere.

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[-] Matriks404@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago
[-] Fecundpossum@lemmy.world 29 points 3 days ago

EndeavourOS Bcause:

It’s Arch with an easy installer, with all of the most common administration tools already installed

With the Arch repo, AUR, and flatpak I have a wide breadth of software to choose from

I can easily install it without a desktop environment to install and set up Hyprland without the clutter of another DE

Not to mention it’s active and friendly community and excellent documentation

[-] Nico_198X@europe.pub 2 points 2 hours ago

this. and incredibly sane defaults. for me, basically the perfect "traditional" distro and it ended my distrohopping.

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[-] Pirate@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago

OpenSUSE tumbleweed: Up-to-date, unbreakable due to Btrfs+snapper, very secure defaults (firewall), based in Germany. It works perfectly on my Thinkpad, so I couldn't ask for better.

[-] TheCynicalSaint@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 days ago

Fedora is quite unremarkable, no issues of late. Or ever, for that matter. It's glorious.

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[-] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago

Mint Cinnamon. All my hardware works, and it can do the few things I require my work PC to do. It even remembers things like my default audio device - something Ubuntu refused to do for years.

[-] bbleml@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 days ago

NixOS. I've gotten so used to the declarative nature of NixOS, that I simply cannot go back to a "normal" distro anymore.

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[-] menemen@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I use Kubuntu. It is defintly not the best Distro. I am just used to it and too lazy to get used to another distro. My days as a distro jumper lie 15 years back...

Tbh though, I might switch to Debian stable whenever Trixie comes out.

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this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2025
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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