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This page summarizes some of the similarities and differences between Arch and other GNU/Linux distributions/UNIX-like operating systems. Please note that the best way to compare Arch to other distributions is to install it and try it yourself. Arch has a wonderful user community that is always willing to help new users. The summaries below are meant only to give you enough information to decide if Arch is really for you.

Contents 1 Source-Based 1.1 Arch vs Gentoo 1.2 Arch vs Sorcerer/Lunar-linux/Sourcemage 1.3 Arch vs Rock 2 Minimalist 2.1 Arch vs Crux 2.2 Arch vs Slackware 3 Graphical Distros 3.1 Arch vs Ubuntu 3.2 Arch vs Zenwalk 3.3 Arch vs Fedora 3.4 Arch vs Mandriva 3.5 Arch vs SUSE 3.6 Arch vs PCLinuxOS 4 The *BSDs 4.1 Arch vs FreeBSD 4.2 Arch vs NetBSD 4.3 Arch vs OpenBSD 5 Other/Nonstandard 5.1 Arch vs Debian GNU/Linux 5.2 Arch vs Frugalware 5.3 Arch vs Gobolinux 5.4 Arch vs Minix 3

[edit] Source-Based

Source-Based distros are highly portable, giving the advantage of compiling the entire OS and packages to a particular machine architecture, with the disadvantage of the time-consuming nature of source-compilation. The Arch base and all packages are optimized for i686 and x86-64 architectures, offering a potential performance boost over i386/i486/i586 binary distros.

[edit] Arch vs Gentoo

Because the Arch installation is binary, it is much less time-consuming than the source-based Gentoo installation. Both Gentoo and Arch allow binary and source-based packaging; however, the Gentoo base system is source-based while Arch's is binary. Both are rolling-release systems. Arch PKGBUILDs are widely perceived as easier and more expedient to create than Gentoo ebuilds. Gentoo offers support for x86, ppc, sparc, alpha, amd64, mips, hppa, and itanium, whereas Arch offers i686 and x86-64 only (although an i586 user-based spin-off project is underway). There is no documented proof that Gentoo is any faster than Arch or vice-versa. The Arch design approach is more focused on simplicity and minimalism, whereas Gentoo focuses more on the ability to globally control each aspect of source compilation. Both distros allow for a very high level of customization, therefore, Gentoo users will generally feel quite comfortable with most aspects of Arch.

[edit] Arch vs Sorcerer/Lunar-linux/Sourcemage

Sorcerer/Lunar-linux/Sourcemage (SLS) are all source-based distros, much like Gentoo is, but are originally related to one another. SLS distros use a rather simple set of script files to create package descriptions, and use a global configuration file to configure the compilation process, much like Arch's ABS system. The SLS tools do full dependency checking (including handling optional features) and package tracking (and uninstalling/upgrading). There are no binary packages for any of the SLS family, although they all can roll back earlier installed packages easily.

The install involves installing a base system (much like Arch's: i686-optimized, CLI and ncurses menus, only core tools), then recompiling the base system (optionally) afterwards. There is obviously no "standard" WM/DE/DM, and they do not install an X server during the base installation. But they do provide you with an easy way of installing one of several X server alternatives (X.Org 6.8 or 7, XFree86).

SLS has a very complicated history. The best write-up about it can be found here: http://wiki.sourcemage.org/SourceMage/History

Lunar Linux: http://lunar-linux.org/
SourceMage: http://www.sourcemage.org/
Sorcerer: http://sorcerer.berlios.de/

[edit] Arch vs Rock

From Introduction http://www.rocklinux.org/wiki/About

ROCK Linux is a flexible Linux Distribution Build Kit, i.e. it is a toolchain/framework for making your own Linux distributions. See also our Mission Statement. If you don't want to build your own distribution but simply are interested in a good general-purpose distribution, you might want to have a look at Crystal ROCK. http://www.rocklinux.org/wiki/Crystal_ROCK

A distro based on being a build tool. VS Arch; again same issues as source based with time to compile, etc. Seems to work on many processors like SPARC, ARM, etc.

[edit] Minimalist

The minimalist distros are quite comparable to Arch, sharing several similarities.

[edit] Arch vs Crux

• Q: Is Arch Based on CRUX?
• A: No. Arch is independently developed and not based on any other GNU/Linux distribution.

The founder of Arch Linux, Judd Vinet, used CRUX before he created Arch. Inspired by ideas in common with CRUX, Arch was built from scratch, and pacman was then coded in C. The 2 share some guiding principles; for instance, both are architecture optimized, minimalist and K.I.S.S. Both ship with ports-like systems, use *BSD-style init systems and, (like *BSD), both provide a minimal base environment to build upon. Arch features pacman, which handles binary system package management and works seamlessly with ABS, the Arch ports-like system. CRUX uses a system called prt-get, which, in combination with its own ports system, handles dependency resolution, but builds all packages from source, (though the CRUX base installation is i686 binary). Arch officially supports x86-64 and i686, whereas CRUX is i686 only.

[edit] Arch vs Slackware

Slackware and Arch are quite similar in that both are simple distributions focused on elegance and minimalism. Slackware is famous for its lack of branding and completely vanilla packages, from the kernel up. Arch typically applies minimal patching, (lessening as time moves forward). Both use BSD-style init scripts. Arch supplies a package management system in pacman which, unlike Slackware's standard tools, offers automatic dependency resolution and allows for easy system upgrades. Slackware users typically prefer their method of manual dependency resolution, citing the level of system control it grants them. Arch is a rolling-release system. Slackware is seen as more conservative in its release cycle, preferring proven stable packages. Arch is more 'bleeding edge' in this respect. Arch is i686 and x86_64 whereas Slackware can run on i486 systems. Both have a ports-like system available in addition to their regular package managers- the (unofficial) Slackbuild system is very similar to the Arch Build System (ABS), the latter being slightly more automated. Arch is a very good system for Slack users who want package management with automatic dependency resolution and/or more current packages.

[edit] Graphical Distros

Sometimes called "newbie" distros, the graphical distros have a lot of similarities, and Arch is very different from any of them. Arch is text-based and command-line oriented. Arch may be a better choice if you want to learn about GNU/Linux by building up from a very minimal base. Graphical distros tend to ship with GUI installers (like Fedora's Anaconda) and GUI system-configuration tools (like SuSE's YaST). Specific differences between distros are described below.

[edit] Arch vs Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an immensely popular Debian-based distro commercially sponsored by Canonical Ltd., while Arch is an indepedently developed system built from scratch. Arch has a simpler foundation than Ubuntu. If you like to compile your own kernels, try out bleeding-edge CVS-only projects, or build a program from source every once in a while, Arch is better suited. If you want to get up and running quickly and not fiddle around with the guts of the system, Ubuntu is better suited. Arch is presented as a much more minimalist design from the installation onward, relying on the user to customize it to their own specific needs. In general, developers and tinkerers will probably like Arch better than Ubuntu, though many Arch users claim to have started on Ubuntu and eventually migrated to Arch.

[edit] Arch vs Zenwalk

Zenwalk is derived from Slackware and is convenient and modern. A major difference is that Zenwalk installs the packages the developers have chosen for you. That saves time if you like their choices but, at the same time, is a disadvantage in case you want to use something else.

[edit] Arch vs Fedora

Fedora is a spin-off from the Red Hat distribution and has continually been one of the most popular distributions to date. As such, there is a massive community and lots of pre-built packages and support available. Fedora is RPM-based. Arch uses pacman to manage tar.gz packages. Fedora famously doesn't attempt to support the MP3 media format due to perceived patent issues. Arch is more lenient in its disposition toward MP3 and other media. Fedora uses a graphical install. Arch uses an ncurses-based install. Fedora is very GUI-driven. Arch is a much simpler system than Fedora, relying on the user for manual configuration. Fedora has a scheduled release cycle. Arch is a rolling-release system. The Arch design approach is geared more toward lightweight elegance and minimalism rather than automation/autoconfiguration. Fedora does innovate and recently earned kudos for integration of SELinux and GCJ compiled packages to remove the need for Sun's JRE. As of version 8, Fedora does not support JFS nor ReiserFS.

[edit] Arch vs Mandriva

Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making GNU/Linux easy to use for everyone. It is RPM-based and uses the urpmi package manager. Again, Arch takes a simpler approach, relying on more manual configuration and is aimed a bit more toward intermediate to advanced users.

[edit] Arch vs SUSE

SUSE is centered around its well-regarded YaST configuration tool, which is a one-stop shop for most users' configuration needs. Arch doesn't offer such a facility as it goes against TheArchWay. SUSE, therefore, is widely regarded as more appropriate for less-experienced users, or those who want a more GUI-driven environment, autoconfiguration and expected functionality out of the box.

[edit] Arch vs PCLinuxOS

PCLinuxOS is an extremely popular Mandriva-based distro providing a complete DE, designed for user-friendliness and is self-described as simple, though its definition of simple is quite different than the Arch definition. Arch is designed as a simple base system to be customized from the ground up and is aimed more toward advanced users. PCLOS uses the apt package manager as a wrapper for RPM packages. Arch uses its own independently developed pacman package manager with .tar.gz packages. PCLOS is very GUI-driven, provides GUI hardware configuration tools and the Synaptic package management front end, and claims to have little or no reliance on the shell. Arch is command line oriented and designed for more simple approaches to system configuration, management and maintenance. PCLOS recommends 256MB RAM as part of its minimum system requirements. Being more lightweight, Arch can run on systems with much less system memory, requiring only 64MB of RAM for a base i686 install, and will run flawlessly on more modern systems.

[edit] The *BSDs

Arch is perhaps more similar to the *BSD's, from a design overview, than to other GNU/Linux distros. The BSDs derive from Berkeley UNIX. Therefore, *BSDs are not GNU/Linux distros, but rather, UNIX-like OS's.

[edit] Arch vs FreeBSD

Both Arch and FreeBSD offer software which can be obtained using binaries or compiled using 'ports' systems. Both share a very similar init system. FreeBSD boasts that it is more of a system designed as a whole, compared to GNU/Linux distros, with each app 'ported' over to FreeBSD and made sure to work in the process. Arch is focused more toward releasing bleeding edge software in this regard. Both use /etc/rc.conf as a main configuration file. The FreeBSD license is more of a free-as-in-beer license than some GNU/Linux users prefer. Arch is released under the GPL. In FreeBSD, like Arch, decisions are delegated to you, the power user. This may be the most interesting competitor to Arch since it goes head-to-head in package modernity and has a somewhat sizable, smart, active, no-nonsense community. Both systems share many similarities and FreeBSD users will generally feel quite comfortable with most aspects of Arch.

[edit] Arch vs NetBSD

NetBSD is a free, secure, and highly portable UNIX-like open-source operating system available for over 50 platforms, from 64-bit Opteron machines and desktop systems to handheld and embedded devices. Its clean design and advanced features make it excellent in both production and research environments, and it is user-supported with complete source. Many applications are easily available through pkgsrc, the NetBSD Packages Collection. Arch may not operate on the vast number of devices NetBSD operates on, but for an i686 system it may offer more apps. Also, the default installation method in pkgsrc is to pull and compile sources whereas Arch offers binary packages. Arch does share many similarities with NetBSD; both use /etc/rc.conf as the main conf file, they are very minimalist and lightweight, they both offer ports-like systems as well as binaries and both have active, no-nonsense devs and communities. Arch also borrows from *BSD for its init system concepts.

[edit] Arch vs OpenBSD

The OpenBSD project produces a free, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. Efforts focus on portability, standardization, code correctness, proactive security, and integrated cryptography. In contrast, Arch focuses more on simplicity, elegance, minimalism and bleeding edge software. OpenBSD supports binary emulation of most programs from SVR4 (Solaris), FreeBSD, GNU/Linux, BSD/OS, SunOS and HP-UX. OpenBSD is perhaps the #1 security OS. In common with Arch, OpenBSD offers a small, elegant, base install and uses a ports system and packaging systems to allow for easy installation and management of programs which are not part of the base operating system. In contrast to a GNU/Linux system like Arch, but in common with most other BSD-based operating systems, the OpenBSD kernel and userland programs, such as the shell and common tools (like ls, cp, cat and ps), are developed together in a single source repository.

[edit] Other/Nonstandard

These OS's fall into the 'other' category.

[edit] Arch vs Debian GNU/Linux

Debian is a much larger project and community and features stable, testing, and unstable branches, offering over 18,000 binary packages. Arch does not 'split' their packages into -dev and -common as Debian does, therefore, Arch repositories will seem much smaller. Arch is more lenient when it comes to 'non-free' packages as defined by GNU. Debian's design approach focuses more on stability and stringent testing. Arch is focused more on the philosophy of simplicity and offering bleeding edge software. Arch packages are more current than Debian Stable and Testing, being about equal with Debian unstable. Both have excellent package management systems. Arch is a rolling release, whereas Debian Stable is released with "frozen" packages. Debian is available for many architectures, including alpha, arm, hppa, i386, ia64, m68k, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, and sparc, whereas Arch is i686 and x86_64 only. Arch provides more expedient support for building your own packages and also offers a ports-like system. Debian does not offer a ports system, relying instead on its large binary repositories. The Arch installation is designed as a minimal base, transparently exposed during system configuration, whereas Debian's method offers a more automatically configured approach.

[edit] Arch vs Frugalware

Arch is text-based and command-line oriented. Frugalware provides better multilingual support. Frugalware has adopted Arch's pacman as its package manager, though their packages are not really very compatible. Frugalware doesn't support the JFS file-system by default. Frugalware is no longer based on Slackware but is rather a distro of its own, and is promoted as an i686 distro. Arch is a fundamentally different system, being installed as a minimal base environment and expanded with pacman according to the user's choices and needs. Frugalware is installed from a DVD, with default software choices and desktop environment chosen for the user already. Frugalware has a scheduled release cycle. Again, Arch is more focused on simplicity, minimalism, code-correctness and bleeding edge packages within a rolling release model.

[edit] Arch vs Gobolinux

Gobolinux has a unique package system in that it has none. The file system is reorganized so that apps all sit in a /Programs directory, and it works using some symlink magic. Get rid of Program X by rm -rf /Programs/X http://www.gobolinux.org/index.php?page=at_a_glance It does not seem to focus on i686 binaries and does allow source-based package installs.

[edit] Arch vs Minix 3

Arch is a complete distro with a modern community and hardware support. Minix 3 is a slim, usable advanced-research OS with some interesting features, e.g. the use of a microkernel. http://www.minix3.org/