| Distribution | Description |
| Edubuntu | A complete Linux based operating system targeted for primary and secondary education. Versions are freely available with community-based support. The Edubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Edubuntu Manifesto: that software, especially for education, should be available free of charge and that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities. |
| Gobuntu | Gobuntu was an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system, aiming to provide a distribution consisting entirely of free software. It was officially announced by Mark Shuttleworth on July 10, 2007, and daily builds of Gobuntu 7.10 began to be publicly released. The project ended around the release of 8.04 and has since merged into mainline Ubuntu as a 'free software' option. |
| Kubuntu | An official derivative of Ubuntu Linux using KDE instead of the GNOME desktop environment used by default in Ubuntu. |
| Lubuntu | An official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system that is "lighter, less resource hungry and more energy-efficient", using the LXQt desktop environment. |
| Mythbuntu | Based on Ubuntu and MythTV, providing applications for recording TV and acting as a media center. On 4 November 2016 the development team announced the end of Mythbuntu as a separate distribution, citing insufficient developers. |
| Ubuntu Budgie | An official derivative of Ubuntu using Budgie. |
| Ubuntu Cinnamon | An official derivative of Ubuntu using the Cinnamon desktop environment. |
| Ubuntu GNOME | Formerly an official Ubuntu variant, but since the main Ubuntu 17.10, which uses GNOME Shell as its default desktop and GDM as its display manager, this distro has been merged into mainline releases. |
| Ubuntu JeOS | "Just Enough OS" – was described as "an efficient variant configured specifically for virtual appliances". Since the release of Ubuntu 8.10 it has been included as an option as part of the standard Ubuntu Server Edition. |
| Ubuntu Kylin | An official derivative aimed at the Chinese market. |
| Ubuntu MATE | An official derivative of Ubuntu using MATE, a desktop environment forked from the now-defunct GNOME 2 code base, with an emphasis on the desktop metaphor. |
| Ubuntu Mobile | A discontinued embedded operating system designed for use on mobile devices. The operating system will use Hildon from maemo as its graphical frontend. Ubuntu Touch is a successor to Ubuntu Mobile. |
| Ubuntu Netbook Edition | Netbook Edition was an official derivative of Ubuntu designed for netbooks using the Intel Atom processor. Starting from Ubuntu 11.04, Ubuntu Netbook Edition has been merged into the desktop edition. |
| Ubuntu Server | An official derivative made for use in servers & IBM mainframes. Ubuntu Server handles mail, controls printers, acts as a fileserver, can host LAMP and more. |
| Ubuntu Studio | Based on Ubuntu, providing open-source applications for multimedia creation aimed at the audio, video and graphic editors. |
| Ubuntu TV | A discontinued distribution designed for use in smart TVs. |
| Ubuntu Unity | An official derivative of Ubuntu using the Unity desktop environment. |
| Xubuntu | An official derivative of Ubuntu using Xfce. Xubuntu is intended for use on less-powerful computers or those who seek a highly efficient desktop environment on faster systems, and uses mostly GTK applications. |
| Distribution | Description |
| BackBox | BackBox is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It has been developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. Designed to be fast, easy to use and provide a minimal yet complete desktop environment, thanks to its own software repositories, always being updated to the latest stable version of the most used and best known ethical hacking tools. |
| Bodhi Linux | An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution featuring the Moksha Desktop environment and targeting users who want a minimum of preinstalled software or low system requirements. |
| Cub Linux | Ubuntu-based distribution designed to mimic the desktop appearance and functionality of ChromeOS. |
| dyne:bolic | Live CD geared toward multimedia production, but comes with other non-media specific application |
| EasyPeasy | Fork of Ubuntu designed for netbooks |
| Eeebuntu | Specifically for the Eee PC range of netbooks, based on Debian. Also rebranded as Aurora OS. |
| Element OS | Based on Xubuntu, made for Home theater PCs |
| elementary OS | A distribution focusing mainly on non-technical users, has a pay what you want model. |
| Emmabuntüs | Based on Xubuntu designed to facilitate the repacking of computers donated to Emmaüs Communities. |
| GalliumOS | A distribution for ChromeOS devices by the community-supported GalliumOS project, based on Xubuntu, maintains compatibility with Ubuntu repositories. |
| GendBuntu | A version adapted for use by France's National Gendarmerie. |
| Goobuntu | An Ubuntu-based distribution that was used internally by Google ; not available outside of Google |
| gOS | Used the GNOME desktop environment with user interface enhancements to make it work more like Mac OS X, it also featured Google Apps, Picasa, Google Gadgets and other web-based applications, and came with Wine 1.0 pre-installed. Now discontinued. |
| Joli OS | Joli OS is in development and Pre-beta testing. Joli OS is built upon Debian and Ubuntu 9.10, but is tweaked to be more suitable for computers that have weaker specifications in terms of disk storage, memory and screen size. It is designed to run on relatively low-powered netbook computers. |
| Karoshi | A formerly PCLinuxOS-based distribution designed for use in schools. |
| KDE neon | Focused on the development of KDE. The emphasis is on bleeding edge software packages sourced directly from KDE and offers programmers early access to new features, but potentially at the cost of greater susceptibility to software bugs. |
| LiMux | A project by the city council of Munich, Germany |
| Linux Caixa Mágica | Portuguese Linux distribution. |
| Linux Lite | The purpose of Linux Lite is to introduce Windows users to Linux, and provide them with a comfortable and useful user experience. It is designed to be simple and suitable for new Linux users who want a lightweight, highly responsive, and fully functional environment. |
| Linux Mint | Linux Mint synchronizes its release-cycle with Ubuntu's long-term support, and is tailored to user-friendliness for desktop users. Linux Mint Debian Edition is Mint's Debian stable based version. Its purpose is to use Debian base packages/kernel under the hood should Ubuntu ever disappear. It's also used by Mint developers to develop their Cinnamon desktop. |
| LinuxMCE | Linux Media Center Edition, a Kubuntu-based distribution that provides in-depth HTPC functionality as well as home automation. |
| LinuxTLE | A Thai Linux distribution. Not maintained. |
| LliureX | A distribution by the Generalitat Valenciana |
| LXLE Linux | A light-weight Linux distribution based on Lubuntu, using the LXDE desktop environment. |
| MAX | Stands for MAdrid LinuX. Used in education. |
| Maya OS | A distribution developed by Indian Ministry of Defence. |
| Molinux | Ubuntu based initiative to introduce the Castile-La Mancha community in Spain to the information society. |
| Netrunner | Kubuntu based distribution with complete software and codecs installed, developed by Blue Systems. |
| Nova | Cuban state-sponsored distribution developed at the University of Information Science, Havana. Formerly based on Gentoo. |
| OpenGEU | Ubuntu based distribution with Enlightenment window manager, previously known as Geubuntu. |
| Pinguy OS | An Ubuntu-based distro for people that have never used Linux before or for people that want an out-of-the-box working OS without having to tweak a fresh installation of Ubuntu or other Ubuntu-based distro. |
| Pop!_OS | An Ubuntu-based distro developed by System76 predominantly for use on hardware that they manufacture. |
| Poseidon Linux | For academic and scientific use. Based on Ubuntu, but enhanced by GIS/maps, numerical modelling, 2D/3D/4D visualization, statistics, tools for creating simple and complex graphics, programming languages. |
| Sabily | Ubuntu based distribution for Muslims Unmaintained |
| SuperGamer | A Live DVD distribution focused on gaming formerly based on VectorLinux. |
| Trisquel GNU/Linux | Fully free-software system without proprietary software or firmware and uses the Linux-libre kernel deblob script, based on Ubuntu LTS Releases |
| UberStudent | For higher education and advanced secondary students, those who teach them, and lifelong learners |
| Uncom OS | An open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, Debian, and Arch Linux. |
| Ututo | Ututo UL Distributes Simusol, a system to simulate Solar Energy projects, returned to the heart of the project. Discontinued. |
| Vinux | A Linux distribution designed for visually impaired users |
| Winux | Formerly Wubuntu. The distribution aims to imitate Microsoft operating system Windows 11. |
| Zorin OS | Zorin OS is a user-friendly distribution that can emulate the look and feel of Microsoft Windows or macOS. It is meant for users unfamiliar with Linux. |
| Distribution | Description |
| Antergos | A discontinued Linux distribution. |
| Arch Linux ARM | A port of Arch Linux for ARM processors. |
| ArchBang | Based on Arch Linux, but also provides Live CDs with working system and graphical installation scripts; uses i3 as default window manager. |
| Artix Linux | Based on Arch Linux, but using Dinit, OpenRC, Runit, or s6 as its init system instead of systemd. |
| ArchLabs | A discontinued Linux distribution with a custom installer. It offered many choices of desktop environments and window managers. |
| BlackArch | A cybersecurity-focused OS. It is designed to test security and run penetration tests. It includes window managers preconfigured, but no desktop environment. |
| EndeavourOS | A continuation of Antergos, featuring a graphical installer capable of installing KDE Plasma, Budgie, Cinnamon, Deepin, GNOME, i3, Xfce, LXQt, and MATE. |
| Garuda Linux | A distribution focused on gaming. |
| LinHES | LinHES designed for use on home theater PCs, providing applications for recording TV and acting as a sound and video center. |
| Manjaro | Uses its own repositories and ships with either Xfce, [KDE KDE Plasma 5|Plasma 5|Plasma], GNOME, or the CLI as the default desktop environment. Additional community-driven editions are available that use MATE, Cinnamon, Openbox, Awesome, i3, BSPWM, or Budgie as a base. |
| Parabola GNU/Linux-libre | An Arch derivative without any blobs, plus various added packages. Packages are also built for ARMv7 in addition to i686 and x64. MATE and text-mode distributions available. |
| SteamOS | A gaming-focused distribution developed by Valve and designed for the Steam digital distribution platform and Steam Deck. Prior to version 3.0, it was based on Debian. |
| SystemRescue | Linux System rescue toolkit. Previously based on Gentoo, it has been based on Arch Linux since version 6.0.0. |
| Distribution | Description |
| AlmaLinux | A 100% community owned and governed alternative CentOS as a Red Hat Enterprise Linux rebuild. Governed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation. |
| Asianux | A Linux distribution co-developed between Red Flag Software Co., Ltd., Miracle Linux Corp. and Haansoft, INC., focused on Chinese, Japanese and Korean support. |
| CentOS | A community distribution, 100% functionally compatible with RHEL. Joined Red Hat in 2014. Terminated by Red Hat in 2024 in favor of CentOS Stream, a distribution positioned upstream of RHEL. AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are two continuations of the CentOS distribution. |
| ClearOS | A Linux distribution designed for use in small and medium enterprises. |
| Fermi Linux LTS | Based on Scientific Linux. |
| Miracle Linux | A Linux distribution developed by Cybertrust Japan Co., Ltd., aims to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. |
| Oracle Linux | Supported by Oracle. Aims to be fully compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. |
| Red Flag Linux | A Linux distribution developed in China and optimized for the Chinese market. Based on Asianux. |
| Rocks Cluster Distribution | A Linux distribution for building a High-Performance Computing computer cluster, with a recent release supporting Cloud computing. It is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux but with extensions to support large multi-node heterogeneous systems for clusters, Cloud, and Data Warehousing. |
| Rocky Linux | A Linux distribution that is currently in development by the CentOS founder, Gregory Kurtzer, and aims to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. |
| Scientific Linux | A discontinued Linux distribution co-developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which aims to be compatible with and based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. |
| Distribution | Description |
| Calculate Linux | Calculate Linux is a family of distributions. |
| ChromeOS | Google's Linux-based operating system used on various Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and tablet computers. It is primarily Internet-based, launching each app within the Chrome browser. The OS features a user interface that looks very similar to Chrome instead of GNOME, Cinnamon, LXQt, Xfce, etc. A version called ChromeOS Flex was released in 2022 to replace Windows and Mac on older devices. |
| ChromiumOS | Free and open-source version of ChromeOS. |
| Clip OS | Created by ANSSI, the National Cybersecurity Agency of France and based on hardened Gentoo, it's aimed to secure sensitive information which meets the needs of the French Administration. |
| Container Linux | Linux distribution by CoreOS designed for clustered and containerized deployments with update subscription |
| Funtoo Linux | Discontinued derivative created by Daniel Robbins, founder of Gentoo. Designed to improve upon core Gentoo technologies. |
| Pentoo | Penetration-testing Live CD. |
| Sabayon Linux | Discontinued Italian made Linux distribution based on Funtoo. It followed the "out of the box" philosophy, aiming to give the user a wide number of applications ready to use and a self-configured operating system. Like Gentoo, Sabayon used the rolling release model; it used a customized version of Red Hat's Anaconda Installer and included a Media Center application. |
| Distribution | Description |
| Absolute Linux | A Light-weight Linux distribution based on Slackware |
| Austrumi Linux | Slackware-based Live CD distribution. Dormant as of 2023. |
| Damn Vulnerable Linux | Damn Vulnerable Linux is a discontinued Linux distribution geared toward computer security students. |
| KateOS | A desktop distribution aimed at intermediate users. It uses Xfce as its default desktop environment. No longer in development. |
| MuLinux | Floppy-based Linux distribution with replaceable modules |
| NimbleX | Completely customizable through the NimbleX website. Now no longer producing new versions. |
| Platypux | A French Linux distribution of the Slackware family. |
| Porteus | A small and portable Linux distro focused on speed. |
| Salix OS | Originally a fork of Zenwalk, Salix is a complete Linux distribution fully backwards compatible with Slackware. It uses Xfce, KDE, LXDE, Fluxbox or Ratpoison as its default desktop environment. Salix OS is available as 32 and 64bit version, and also as Live CD versions. |
| Sentry Firewall | A firewall, server, or intrusion detection system distribution |
| Slackintosh | An unofficial port of Slackware to the PowerPC architecture |
| Slax | A live CD which aims to provide a complete desktop for general use for low-powered computers. Its download size is about 300 MB, almost the same as Puppy Linux's. It can run from RAM, from Live CD, USB or hard drive. Permanent installation of Slax is not recommended or supported; it is designed for "live" use only. Also can be run from a USB flash drive. Originally based on Slackware, then switched to Debian since v9.2.1. Returned to a Slackware base as of v15.0. |
| Topologilinux | Designed to run from within Microsoft Windows, Topologilinux can be installed without any changes to the user's hard disk. Outdated. |
| VectorLinux | A lightweight Linux distribution designed to be easy to use even for new users. Generally considered well-suited for older hardware. |
| Zenwalk | Originally a minimal version of Slackware, Zenwalk has evolved into a very different operating system; however, compatibility with Slackware is still maintained. |
| ZipSlack | A lightweight and portable version of Slackware. |
| Distribution | Description |
| /e/ | /e/ is an Android-based mobile operating system and associated online services. The operating system is a fork of LineageOS and Android. |
| Android-x86 | Android-x86 is an open source project which produces an unofficial port of the Android mobile operating system. It is made to run on devices powered by x86 processors, rather than RISC-based ARM chips. Respective mods of CyanogenMod and LineageOS for x86 were and are available. |
| CalyxOS | CalyxOS is an operating system for smartphones based on Android with mostly free and open-source software. It is produced by the Calyx Institute as part of its mission to "defend online privacy, security and accessibility." |
| CopperheadOS | CopperheadOS is a mobile operating system for smartphones, based on the Android mobile platform. It adds privacy and security features to the official releases of the Android Open Source Project by Google. |
| CyanogenMod | A discontinued open-source operating system for mobile devices, based on the Android mobile platform. LineageOS is an actively maintained fork of CyanogenMod. |
| DivestOS | DivestOS was a free operating system based on the Android mobile platform. It was a soft fork of LineageOS that aimed to increase security and privacy, and supported older devices. As much as possible, it removed proprietary Android components and included only free-software. |
| Fire OS | An Android-based mobile operating system produced by Amazon for its Fire Phone and Kindle Fire range of tablets, Echo and Echo Dot, and other content delivery devices like Fire TV. |
| GrapheneOS | GrapheneOS is an Android-based, open source, privacy and security-focused mobile operating system for Google Pixel smartphones. |
| LineageOS | A free and open-source operating system for smartphones, tablet computers, and set-top boxes, based on the Android mobile platform. |
| OmniROM | OmniROM is an open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform. It involves a number of prominent developers from other projects, including the discontinued CyanogenMod operating system. |
| Paranoid Android | Paranoid Android is an open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform. |
| Remix OS | Remix OS was a computer operating system for personal computers with x86 and ARM architectures that, prior to discontinuation of development, shipped with a number of 1st- and 3rd-party devices. Remix OS allowed PC users to run Android mobile apps on any compatible Intel-based PC. |
| Replicant | A free operating system based on the Android mobile platform that aims to replace all proprietary Android components with free-software counterparts. |
| Resurrection Remix OS | Resurrection Remix OS, abbreviated as RR, is a free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform. |
| Distribution | Description |
| 4MLinux | A lightweight Linux distribution made for both 32-bit and 64-bit. When installing programs with the distribution, the distribution will retrieve the Windows version rather than the Linux version due to it coming pre-installed with Wine, and not having any package manager. |
| Alpine Linux | A security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl and BusyBox. Has a derivative, postmarketOS, for mobile devices. |
| Bedrock Linux | A meta distribution of linux that aims to allow users to install and maintain packages from any distribution. |
| CHAOS | a small Linux distribution designed for creating ad hoc computer clusters. |
| Chimera Linux | An independent Linux distribution that uses FreeBSD utilities, LLVM and Clang for compiling software, dinit init system, and musl libc. |
| Clear Linux OS | Intel's rolling-release Linux distribution, optimized for Intel's own processors for performance and security. Discontinued. |
| DD-WRT | Embedded firewall Linux distribution. |
| Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre | A Linux distribution written entirely from scratch and sharing some similarities with Slackware. Approved by the GNU Project as a free operating system. |
| Firefox OS | A discontinued open-source operating system – made for smartphones, tablet computers and smart TVs – designed by Mozilla and external contributors. |
| fli4l | A router and firewall Linux distribution |
| Foresight Linux | A rolling release Linux distribution built around the Conary package manager. |
| GeeXboX | Live CD media center Linux distribution, mainly to play special-encoded video files on home theater. |
| GNU Guix System | A distribution built around the GNU Guix package manager, which provides purely functional package management with build automation, build isolation, easy system upgrades and rollbacks, and an emphasis on free software. Supports amongst others unprivileged package management and per-user profiles. |
| Jlime | Linux distribution for the HP Jornada 6xx and 7xx and NEC MobilePro 900(c) handhelds. |
| KaiOS | A mobile operating system based on Linux, developed by KaiOS Technologies, a US-based company. |
| Kwort | A distribution originally based on CRUX. Contrary to CRUX, the user does not need to compile a new kernel. |
| Lightweight Portable Security | A CRUX-based distribution created by the United States Department of Defense that boots entirely in RAM |
| LinuxConsole | Independently developed lightweight distribution for old computers made with causal users and youth in mind. |
| Linux for PlayStation 2 | Sony Computer Entertainment Linux distribution released officially for the PlayStation 2 video game console. |
| Linux Router Project | Embedded networking appliance progenitor. |
| MeeGo | A discontinued Linux distribution hosted by the Linux Foundation, using source code from the operating systems Moblin and Maemo. |
| MkLinux | A legacy Linux distribution for PowerPC systems that runs the Linux kernel as a server on a Mach microkernel. |
| NixOS | Declarative Linux distribution with atomic upgrades and rollbacks built on package manager Nix. Any package build can be edited and rebuilt from source freely. An official binary cache is available for unmodified packages. |
| MontaVista Linux | Embedded distribution by MontaVista Software. |
| OpenWrt | A router and firewall Linux distribution, also other embedded systems, a lot of routing options via opkg available. |
| postmarketOS | A security-oriented, lightweight distribution for mobile devices. |
| Prevas Industrial Linux | Embedded systems customizable Linux distribution by Prevas. |
| Puppy Linux | A mini Linux distribution which runs well under low-end PCs – even under 32 MB RAM. |
| rPath | A distribution built around the Conary package manager. Discontinued. |
| SliTaz | With less than 40 MB a very small Live-Distribution, which uses 256 MB RAM for a complete GUI. |
| Smallfoot | Embedded, gaming and point-of-sale Linux distribution developed by the Santa Cruz Operation, formerly Caldera International and Caldera Systems – based on Caldera OpenLinux 3.x and 4.x binaries. |
| SmoothWall | A router and firewall Linux distribution. |
| paldo | Independently developed desktop operating system and package manager with a rolling release format and standard Gnome environment. |
| Sailfish OS | A Linux-based operating system based on open source projects such as Mer and including a closed source UI. The project is being developed by the Finnish company Jolla. |
| Solus | Desktop Linux distribution offering Budgie, GNOME, MATE and KDE Plasma desktop environments, eopkg for package management. |
| Tinfoil Hat Linux | Bootable floppy Linux distribution focusing on extreme security. |
| Tiny Core Linux | A minimalist Linux system focusing on providing a base system with BusyBox, FLTK and other minimalist software. |
| Tizen | A Linux-based mobile operating system backed by the Linux Foundation but developed and used primarily by Samsung Electronics. |
| tomsrtbt | Root boot from floppy disk. Last update May 2002. |
| Void Linux | An independent Linux distribution based on the XBPS package management system and runit, without systemd dependency. |