CentOS Stream vs Solus

CentOS Stream and Solus are two distinct Linux distributions catering to different user needs. CentOS Stream provides a rolling release model ideal for enterprise environments, while Solus offers a refined desktop experience. This comparison helps you understand their strengths, weaknesses, and potential use cases.

Centos Icon

CentOS Stream

Continuously updated platform

  • Rolling release model
  • Strong community support
  • Enterprise-ready stability
  • Compatible with RHEL
  • Not ideal for beginners
  • Limited desktop environment options
Best for Enterprise environments
Solus Icon

Solus

Focused desktop experience

  • Elegant Budgie desktop
  • Independent development
  • Optimized for desktop use
  • Efficient package management
  • Smaller community
  • Limited server use features
Best for Desktop enthusiasts

TL;DR: Pick CentOS Stream for enterprise environments. Pick Solus for a focused desktop experience.

Side-by-side comparison

How they stack up across key categories.

Ease of use

Stream

CentOS Stream is geared towards users with some Linux experience, particularly in enterprise settings.

Solus

Solus is user-friendly with an intuitive interface, ideal for newcomers to Linux.

Desktop feel

Stream

CentOS Stream offers a traditional yet limited desktop experience, primarily focused on functionality.

Solus

Solus delivers a polished and modern desktop with the Budgie environment, emphasizing aesthetics and usability.

Stability

Stream

CentOS Stream provides stable updates aligned with RHEL, suitable for production environments.

Solus

Solus is stable for desktop use, with a focus on ensuring a smooth user experience.

Updates

Stream

Features a rolling release model, providing frequent updates and access to the latest software.

Solus

Solus offers regular updates, ensuring the system remains current without overwhelming the user.

Software access

Stream

CentOS Stream supports a wide range of enterprise software, leveraging the RHEL ecosystem.

Solus

Solus provides access to a curated set of applications through its Software Center, focused on desktop needs.

Privacy

Stream

CentOS Stream respects user privacy, with a focus on enterprise-standard security practices.

Solus

Solus prioritizes user privacy, with no telemetry or data collection by default.

Community & docs

Stream

CentOS Stream benefits from a large, active community and extensive documentation.

Solus

Solus has a smaller but dedicated community, with growing documentation and support resources.

Gaming

Stream

CentOS Stream is not specifically optimized for gaming, focusing on enterprise solutions.

Solus

Solus offers a good gaming experience, with support for Steam and other gaming platforms.

Pros & cons summary

CentOS Stream

Pros

  • CentOS Stream provides a continuously rolling release schedule, offering users access to the latest updates.
  • A robust community ensures extensive documentation and support.
  • The system is known for enterprise-level stability, making it ideal for production use.
  • CentOS Stream is closely aligned with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), ensuring compatibility.

Cons

  • The focus on server and enterprise use might deter beginners looking for a simple desktop experience.
  • Limited choices of desktop environments, which can be less appealing for users seeking customization.

Solus

Pros

  • Solus offers a visually appealing and user-friendly experience with the Budgie desktop environment.
  • As an independent distribution, it provides unique features not found in derivatives of other major distros.
  • It is optimized for desktop performance, ensuring a smooth and responsive daily use experience.
  • Solus uses the eopkg package manager, known for its simplicity and efficiency.

Cons

  • The smaller community can mean fewer resources and less extensive support than larger distributions.
  • Lacks features and optimizations for server-side applications, focusing instead on desktop usage.

Which should you pick?

Quick recommendations for common scenarios.

💻

Switching from Windows

Pick: Solus

Solus offers an easy transition with its intuitive Budgie desktop environment.

📚

Following Linux tutorials

Pick: CentOS Stream

CentOS Stream's alignment with RHEL makes it ideal for learning enterprise Linux environments.

🖥️

Using older hardware

Pick: Solus

Solus is optimized for performance and can breathe new life into older systems.

🎮

Gaming

Pick: Solus

Solus supports gaming platforms like Steam, offering a better gaming experience.

💼

Professional/Enterprise use

Pick: CentOS Stream

CentOS Stream's stability and compatibility with RHEL make it ideal for enterprise environments.

🖱️

Simple daily desktop

Pick: Solus

Solus provides a smooth and user-friendly desktop experience for everyday tasks.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

How do CentOS Stream and Solus relate to each other?

CentOS Stream and Solus are independent distributions with different focuses. CentOS Stream is a rolling release model aligned with RHEL, while Solus is an independent distro designed for desktop use.

Which distro is more beginner-friendly?

Solus is more beginner-friendly due to its intuitive interface and focus on ease of use, whereas CentOS Stream is better suited for users with some Linux experience.

Which distro offers better performance?

Solus is optimized for desktop performance, making it well-suited for everyday use. CentOS Stream offers solid performance for enterprise tasks.

Can I try these distros before installing?

Yes, both CentOS Stream and Solus can be tried as live systems from a USB drive, allowing you to explore their features without installation.

How compatible are these distros with different software?

CentOS Stream is highly compatible with enterprise software, while Solus offers a curated set of applications for desktop users.

Do these distros support a wide range of hardware?

Both distros support a variety of hardware, but Solus is particularly noted for its ability to run well on older systems.

What are the release cycles for these distros?

CentOS Stream is a rolling release, offering continuous updates. Solus follows a curated release cycle with regular updates.

Is it easy to switch between these distros?

Switching between these distros involves reinstalling the operating system, but using live sessions you can evaluate them before making a change.

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