Often when we talk about Linux, the distro we always think of is Ubuntu. This system is characterized by being easy to use, having a very low learning curve, and is one of the best options to start. But it is far from unleashing the potential of Linux, so slightly more advanced users usually opt for other much purer systems, as is the case with Arch.
Arch Linux is one of the best (if not the best) Linux distro that we can find. It has it all: it is minimalist, very secure, stable, fully customizable… it is one of the best options for both desktop and servers. And thanks to its Rolling Release updates, it is always updated to the latest without the need to reinstall.
However, this system is quite complicated to use. It must be configured from scratch, until installation, and its maintenance requires quite a lot of knowledge to avoid problems and to ensure that it is always ready. Therefore, despite being one of the best Linux, its market share is quite low.
But, luckily, there are communities that have created different Linux distros based on Arch with which we can experience this performance first-hand and, furthermore, without needing to be an expert user. I am going to recommend the 5 that, personally, I consider the best.
Manjaro Linux
This distro is one of the best-known alternatives to Arch that we can find. This system focuses on reducing the difficulty curve of this distro without losing its essence, starting with the installation process. To begin with, it has an installer based on Calamares that means that any user, even without having much knowledge of Linux, can install it and get it up and running without many problems.
We can find Manjaro as standard with 3 different desktops: KDE Plasma, GNOME and XFCE. However, if we want to use a different desktop, it is also possible to find versions created by the community adapted to use other lesser-known desktops, such as i3, bspwn or Budgie, among others.
If you want to give this alternative to Arch Linux a try, from its website you can download Manjaro for free.
ArcoLinux
This distro, formerly known as ArchMerge, is not one of the best known that we can find. However, it is one of those that has a more loyal community, and once they try it, few migrate to other alternatives.
We can find 3 different versions of this specific Linux, depending on what we are looking for:
- ArcoLinux: the standard edition. It comes with Xfce desktop and brings all the packages and programs chosen by the developers.
- ArcoLinuxD: the minimal edition. Includes a script so users can choose which desktop and applications they want to install.
- ArcoLinuxB: allows you to customize the system installation. It includes Awesome, bspwm, Budgie, Cinnamon, Deepin, GNOME, MATE and KDE Plasma desktops as standard, in addition to a large amount of software. Of course, unlike the normal edition, it is not installed by default.
Its developers make available to users a series of videos and resources thanks to which we can learn how to install, configure and use this distro.
From here we can download ArcoLinux for free to give this distro a chance.
EndeavorOS
Although we may not have heard of it, EndeavorOS is one of the most popular distros today, occupying second place in DistroWatch’s ranking of most popular distros. It offers us a very fast and stable distribution, maintaining the Arch philosophy of minimalism and customization.
Users can choose, during installation, the desktop and packages they want to install to maintain as minimalism as possible and be free of bloatware. In addition, we can choose between a simple system, or use the palette of colors and icons chosen by its developers to have a beautiful system, as well as stable and fast.
Can download EndeavorOS free from this link to their website.
RebornOS
If what we are looking for is customization, RebornOS is one of the Arch-based distros that offers us the most. This system has gained great popularity because it includes a total of 13 different desktops and more than 30 features as standard. And we can choose what we want, or don’t want, from the installation wizard. In this way, we can keep our system as small and minimalist as possible.
Thanks to this distro we will be able to have our own Arch Linux that is easy and simple to use. A great option to consider if we like the concept that this distro presents to us, but we do not want complications.
Can lower the RebornOS system from its page.
Parabola GNU/Linux-libre
Parabola seeks to offer a balance between ease of use and pure Arch experience. But, the most important thing is that this distro is created from scratch, starting from the Arch source code, and offering the user the possibility of replacing any of the packages that make it up. It has a large community always willing to help, and, as a curious fact, it comes with all network functions disabled by default, although we can activate them very easily.
We can get this distribution from the Parabola website.
