Arch based distributions (active) - ArchWiki

# Arch based distributions (active)

Related articles

- Arch based distributions (inactive)

## Specialty distributions

Includes distributions that meant to be installed on persistent storage and use Arch Linux official repositories for package updates on installed system

### Antergos

Antergos is an elegant and very customizable system for the desktop, and even as a server with the 'base' install.

It started life under the name of Cinnarch, combining the Cinnamon desktop with the Arch Linux distribution, but the project has moved on from its original goals and now offers a choice of several desktops, including: KDE, GNOME 3 (default), MATE, Cinnamon, Openbox and Xfce.

Antergos is Archlinux-based via Arch's repositories and can be installed by booting the live ISO image and using its graphical installer, Cnchi.

- Homepage: http://antergos.com/
- Forums: http://forum.antergos.com/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/antergos
- Wiki: http://wiki.antergos.com/
- Screenshots: http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?distro=antergos

### ArchAssault

ArchAssault, everything you love about Arch Linux but with the security professional and hackers in mind. Currently supporting i686, x86_64, armv6h, armv7h. You can use the installer ISO or just add the repo to your existing Arch Linux install. It is simple to add and remove the repo as you need and get back to a clean Vanilla Arch install. There is an ever growing list of tools and follow the Arch standards.

The ARM line is to help you build the security devices of your dreams with many Open Source devices on the market. The project also supports some of the Open Source AutoPilot hardware out there. This will allow you to add a payload brain to your drones with ease and add capabilities.

- Homepage: https://archassault.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/ArchAssault
- Wiki: http://wiki.archassault.org/

### ArchBang

ArchBang is a great way to get a minimal but very functional GUI Linux desktop with OpenBox up and running. It downloads as a LiveCD, is Archlinux-based via Arch's repositories, and includes a very nice full-screen installation tool. The name is inspired by CrunchBang Linux, which is a quick-and-minimal Debian likewise running OpenBox.

- Homepage: http://www.archbang.org/
- Forums: http://bbs.archbang.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/archbang
- Wiki: http://wiki.archbang.org/
- Screenshots: http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?distro=archbang

### BBQLinux

BBQLinux is a user-friendly Linux distribution made for Android developers and everyone who prefers a ready-to-use system. It has everything on board to build AOSP or AOSP-based Distributions like OmniROM or CyanogenMod. The default desktop environment is "MATE". It is using vanilla Arch repos, the AUR and a BBQLinux specific repo. BBQLinux can be installed by booting the Live DVD and using our graphical Installer called "BBQLinux Installer".

- Homepage: http://bbqlinux.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/bbqlinux
- Screenshots: http://bbqlinux.org/screenshots

### BlackArch Linux

BlackArch Linux is a distribution for pentesters and security researchers. It supports over 600 tools and a live ISO with multiple window managers. The BlackArch package repository is compatible with normal/existing/your Arch installations.

- Homepage http://blackarch.org/
- IRC irc://irc.freenode.net/blackarch
- Documentation: http://blackarch.org/guide.html

### Bluestar Linux

Bluestar Linux is targeted at the desktop and is mainly focused on providing a user-friendly KDE environment with a full suite of graphical tools and applications. Out-of-the-box, both editions provide multilingual support that spans the globe. The Bluestar Full Edition provides a complete development environment and an augmented multimedia, networking, graphics and office tool-set. Both editions also have correlated versions supporting the Intel GMA3600 (GMA500) GPU at a 1024x600 native resolution by default, and other resolutions via configuration. Although still under development, Bluestar Linux easily supports everyday use, and changes and updates are documented on a regular basis. Fixes are always incorporated into subsequent releases which occur at least twice a month.

- Homepage: http://bluestarlinux.org/
- Forums: http://bluestarlinux.org/index.php?action=forum
- Documentation: http://bluestarlinux.org/index.php?action=articles
- Screenshots: http://bluestarlinux.org/index.php?action=gallery

### Bridge Linux

Bridge Linux is an Arch-based distro providing a workable OS out-of-the-box, while still using vanilla Arch repos and the AUR. Possible desktop environments at this time are LXDE, Openbox, GNOME, Cinnamon, Xfce, and KDE.

- Homepage: https://sourceforge.net/projects/bridgelinux/
- Forums: http://millertechnologies.net/forum
- Screenshots: http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?distro=bridge

### Evo/Lution Linux

Evo is the live CD based on Arch Linux that cannot be installed. It is simply a platform to run the net-based Lution-AIS installer which downloads the latest packages from the Arch repositories to provide the most up-to-date system possible. Lution-AIS is a powerful command-line installer that provides multiple desktop environments / window managers, display managers, network managers, and boot options.

- Homepage: http://www.evolutionlinux.com
- Forums: http://www.evolutionlinux.com/forums/index.php
- Wiki: http://www.evolutionlinux.info

### Papyros

Papyros is a modern operating system which adheres to Google's Material Design guidelines and is based on Arch Linux, KDE and Wayland.

- Homepage: http://papyros.io/

### TalkingArch

TalkingArch is respin of the Arch Linux live CD/USB image modified to include speech and braille output for blind and visually impaired users.

- Homepage: http://talkingarch.tk/

### Tux Hat Linux

Tux Hat Linux is a Lightweight AwesomeWM GNU/Linux LiveCD/DVD/USB ISO

- Homepage: http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxhatlinux/

## Counterpart distributions

Includes distributions that are built around kernels or for architectures that are not supported by Arch Linux

### Arch BSD

Arch BSD began in July 2010 in which an attempt to bring pacman to FreeBSD, to ease the pain of upgrading and maintaining a system with ports, or from outdated packages. Following The Arch Way philosophy, Arch BSD is lightweight, flexible, simple and aims to be very UNIX-like.

- Homepage: http://www.archbsd.net/
- Forums: https://bbs.archbsd.net/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/archbsd
- Wiki: https://wiki.archbsd.net/

### Arch Linux ARM

Arch Linux ARM is the new unified effort from PlugApps & ArchMobile.

- Homepage: http://archlinuxarm.org/
- Forums: http://archlinuxarm.org/forum/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/archlinux-arm

### MSYS2

"MSYS2 is an updated, modern version of MSYS, both of which are Cygwin (POSIX compatibility layer) forks with the aim of better interoperability with native Windows software.

The name is a contraction of Minimal SYStem 2, and aims to provide support to facilitate using the bash shell, Autotools, revision control systems and the like for building native Windows applications using MinGW-w64 toolchains.

We wanted a package management system to provide easy installation of packages, and ported Arch Linux's Pacman. This brings many powerful features such as dependency resolution and simple complete system upgrades, as well as providing the build system (makepkg) which is used to make these packages."

  Source: MSYS2 | SourceForge.net

- Homepage: http://sourceforge.net/p/msys2/
- Forums: http://sourceforge.net/p/msys2/discussion/
- Wiki: http://sourceforge.net/p/msys2/wiki/
- Screenshots: http://msys2.github.io/

### Parabola GNU/Linux

Parabola GNU/Linux is a fully free (as in freedom) distribution approved by the Free Software Foundation. It's packages are optimized for i686, x86_64, and Loongson 2F (mips64el) CPUs.

Parabola uses its own repositories, which are almost identical to Arch's official repositories, but with non-free or problematic packages removed (see blacklist for difference) and other free software replacements available.

- Homepage: http://parabolagnulinux.org/
- Wiki: http://wiki.parabolagnulinux.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/parabola

### UBOS

UBOS focuses on making it easier and less time-consuming to install and maintain web applications on headless, personal servers and IoT devices. It currently exists for x86 and the Raspberry Pi. UBOS has several different release channels for different levels of maturity.

UBOS only contains those Arch packages that are needed for its purpose. But is also contains a range of web applications that owners of personal servers and/or IoT devices may want to run. Unusually, installation, upgrade, backup and other management operations of the included web applications are part of the "full-stack" tests performed in the UBOS release process.

Web applications can be fully deployed at a virtual host with a single command. This includes provisioning of databases, configuring web server, restarting daemons etc. depending on the needs of the application. Other single-command management includes undeployment, per-app or per-site or per-host backup and restore, and single-command full-system upgrade (code, data, and configuration of web apps).

- Homepage: http://ubos.net/

## Meta distributions

### Archiso

Archiso is a very simple set of bash scripts that allow for building live bootable CD/DVD/USB images based on Arch Linux. It uses a small uncomplicated code base and is actively developed. archiso is the tool used by Arch Linux to generate the official CD/USB images. It is a very generic tool, so it could potentially be used to generate anything from rescue systems, to install disks, to special interest live systems, and who knows what else. Simply put, if it involves Arch on a shiny coaster, it can do it.

- Documentation: Archiso - ArchWiki

## Live distributions

### Archboot

Archboot is designed for installation or rescue operations. It provides both the i686 and x86_64 architectures on one CD. It uses hwdetect and a different install script from the official Arch Linux install images. It runs in RAM using iniramfs, without any special filesystems like squashfs, thus it is limited to the RAM which is installed in your system.

- Documentation: Archboot - ArchWiki

### ArchEX

ArchEX, based on Arch Linux, is one of the Linux Live DVDs created by C.A. Exton, the desktop environment of which is LXDE.

- Homepage: http://archex.exton.net/

### DidJiX

DidJiX is the free and open source digital DJ software Mixxx (http://www.mixxx.org/) powered by the simple and lightweight distribution Linux ArchLinux (https://www.archlinux.org/) on a usb live system! DidJiX is build with the Archiso project (Archiso)

- Homepage: http://easy.open.and.free.fr/didjix/
- Screenshots: http://easy.open.and.free.fr/didjix/screenshots.html

### PoliArch

PoliArch is an Italian distribution and live CD featuring a number of system rescue and data recovery tools.

- Homepage: http://www.poliarch.org/
- Screenshots: http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?distro=poliarch

## Arch-influenced distributions

### Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux is a run-from-RAM linux distribution. Its original target was small appliances like routers, VPN gateways, or embedded x86 devices. However, it supports hosting other Linux guest OSes under VServer control, making it an attractive hosting solution as well. Though Alpine Linux may not actually be based on Arch, its build system is heavily inspired by Arch's. 2 3

- Homepage: http://alpinelinux.org/
- Forums: http://alpinelinux.org/forum/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/alpine-linux
- Wiki: http://wiki.alpinelinux.org/

### Chakra

Chakra is a distribution heavily geared towards KDE4. The fresh install is GTK-free. All GTK apps are installed in a sandbox-like environment known as bundles. The project seeks for ease of use, using several home-grown graphical utilites for installing and maintanence. Warning: it is still under heavy development, nevertheless it is already suitable for everyday use. Expect some changes in the base system in the near future, like switching from Pacman to Akabei.

- Homepage: http://chakraos.org/
- Forums: http://chakraos.org/forum/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/chakra
- Wiki: http://chakraos.org/wiki/
- Screenshots: http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?distro=chakra

### Enlisy

Enlisy is an i686 optimized Linux distribution for Pentium 2 based processors and higher. It is also as simple as possible when it comes to the construction of its underlying core. Enlisy uses its own package manager Apport, which is is based on Libpysrc and Libpypac, which are inspired by Arch's package manager Pacman. Enlisy also uses InitNG for the init system.

- Homepage: http://www.enlisy.net/en/

### Frugalware

"Frugalware Linux is a general-purpose Linux distribution designed for intermediate users who are familiar with command-line operations. It is based on Slackware, but uses a different package management system, Pacman."

  Source: Wikipedia

- Homepage: http://frugalware.org/
- Forums: http://forums.frugalware.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/frugalware
- Wiki: http://wiki.frugalware.org/
- Documentation: http://frugalware.org/docs/
- Screenshots: http://frugalware.org/screenshots/

### Kademar

Kademar distribution is a complete desktop Linux operating system based on Arch Linux (starting from version 5, previously it was based on Debian GNU/Linux). It comes in two editions - "Escritorio" is a full-featured variant with the latest KDE Plasma desktop, while "Khronos" is a lightweight flavour featuring the Xfce desktop environment.

- Homepage: http://www.kademar.org/
- Screenshots: http://www.kademar.org/en/capturas/kademar-linux/

### KaOS

"The idea behind KaOS is to create a tightly integrated rolling and transparent distribution for the modern desktop, build from scratch with a very specific focus. Focus on one DE (KDE), one toolkit (Qt), one architecture (x86_64) plus a focus on evaluating and selecting the most suitable tools and applications. All work is geared toward packaging, not developing new tools or applications."

  Source: KaOS A lean KDE distribution

- Homepage: http://kaosx.us/
- Forums: http://kaosx.us/phpBB3/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/kaosx
- Screenshots: http://kaosx.us/gallery/

### LinHES

LinHES (Linux Home Entertainment System) is a distro based heavily on Arch and centered around MythTV, with the expressed goal of being a HES-appliance. Utilizing open source software and off the shelf hardware, you'll be able to assemble a box that can serve as a PVR, Jukebox, Image Viewer, and Game Station. Users can go from a blank hard drive to fully functional MythTV system in literally 15-20 min. For more information, please see the LinHES wikipage.

- Homepage: http://linhes.org/
- Forums: http://forum.linhes.org/
- Wiki: http://linhes.org/

### Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is a user friendly distribution based on the Xfce, KDE, and Openbox environments. The LXDE, Cinnamon, GNOME, i3, MATE and e17 environments are supported by the Community. It comes with a custom installer and additional scripts to install a preconfigured and out of the box working system.

- Homepage: http://manjaro.org/
- Forums: http://forum.manjaro.org/
- IRC: irc://irc.freenode.net/manjaro
- Wiki: http://wiki.manjaro.org/

### Netrunner

Netrunner is a Kubuntu-based distribution featuring a highly customised KDE desktop with extra applications, multimedia codecs, Flash and Java plugins, and a unique look and feel. The modifications are designed to enhance the user-friendliness of the desktop environment while still preserving the freedom to tweak. A separate "Rolling" edition, based on Manjaro Linux, was launched in 2014.

- Homepage: http://www.netrunner-os.com/
- Forums: http://forums.netrunner-os.com/
- Screenshots: http://www.netrunner-os.com/screenshots/

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