EndeavourOS
The Arch gateway
- Arch-based with easy installer
- Lightweight and customizable
- Strong community support
- Frequent updates
- Requires manual configuration
- Not beginner-friendly
Best for
Arch enthusiasts
EndeavourOS vs Garuda Linux
EndeavourOS and Garuda Linux are both Arch-based distributions offering unique takes on the Linux experience. This page compares their features, strengths, and suitability for different use cases to help you make an informed choice.
Garuda Linux
The luxe experience
- Visually appealing interfaces
- Performance-optimized
- Ships with gaming tweaks
- User-friendly tools
- Resource-intensive
- Frequent updates might be disruptive
Best for
Gaming enthusiasts
TL;DR: Pick EndeavourOS for a classic Arch experience with community support. Pick Garuda Linux for a visually striking and gaming-optimized setup.
Side-by-side comparison
How they stack up across key categories.
Ease of use
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS simplifies Arch installation with its Calamares installer but requires manual setup post-install.
Linux
Garuda Linux offers an intuitive setup process and includes user-friendly tools for system management.
Desktop feel
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS provides a minimalistic experience with a choice of desktop environments.
Linux
Garuda Linux emphasizes aesthetics with heavily themed and visually enhanced desktop environments.
Stability
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS offers stability through its community-tested packages and Arch base.
Linux
Garuda Linux prioritizes performance, which can sometimes come at the cost of stability in a rolling release model.
Updates
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS follows Arch’s rolling release model, providing frequent updates.
Linux
Garuda Linux also follows a rolling release cycle, with frequent updates that require careful management to maintain stability.
Software access
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS provides access to the Arch User Repository (AUR) and the latest software packages.
Linux
Garuda Linux also offers comprehensive software access, including the AUR and pre-installed gaming tools.
Privacy
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS respects user privacy with minimal data collection.
Linux
Garuda Linux maintains a strong stance on privacy, offering secure defaults and privacy-focused tools.
Community & docs
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS benefits from active community support and extensive documentation.
Linux
Garuda Linux has a growing community and provides documentation, though it's less extensive than some older distributions.
Gaming
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS supports gaming through the AUR but does not focus specifically on gaming enhancements.
Linux
Garuda Linux is optimized for gaming with pre-installed tools and performance tweaks.
Pros & cons summary
EndeavourOS
Pros
- EndeavourOS provides a simple online and offline installer that makes it easier to set up an Arch-based system without manual intervention.
- As a lightweight distribution, it offers significant customization options allowing users to tailor the desktop environment to their needs.
- The EndeavourOS community is active and supportive, offering forums and a wiki to help with user queries and issues.
- The rolling release model ensures users have access to the latest software updates and features.
Cons
- Users need to perform manual configurations for some features, which can be challenging for beginners.
- Unlike some distributions focused on ease-of-use, EndeavourOS assumes a certain level of familiarity with Linux and Arch.
Garuda Linux
Pros
- Garuda Linux offers a variety of visually stunning desktop environments with custom themes and effects that enhance user experience.
- It comes with performance optimizations out of the box, including the use of Btrfs as the default filesystem with zstd compression.
- Garuda includes pre-installed gaming tweaks and utilities, making it an attractive choice for gamers.
- The distribution provides a suite of user-friendly tools that simplify system maintenance and configuration.
Cons
- Garuda Linux is resource-intensive; thus, it may not perform well on older or low-spec hardware.
- Its rolling release model means updates are frequent and could potentially disrupt system stability if not managed carefully.
Which should you pick?
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Switching from Windows
Pick: Garuda Linux
Its user-friendly interface and built-in gaming tools make it an appealing choice for former Windows users.
Following Linux tutorials
Pick: EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS offers a more traditional Arch Linux experience, ideal for those learning from online resources.
Running on older hardware
Pick: EndeavourOS
Its lightweight nature makes it more suitable for older or less powerful machines.
Gaming on Linux
Pick: Garuda Linux
With gaming optimizations and tools included by default, it's tailored for gaming enthusiasts.
Professional use
Pick: EndeavourOS
Offers a reliable and stable platform with access to a wide range of professional tools.
Simple daily desktop
Pick: Either
Both provide a robust desktop environment suitable for everyday tasks, though with different focuses.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
How are EndeavourOS and Garuda Linux related?
Both are based on Arch Linux, sharing its core principles and rolling release model, but they differ in focus and features.
Which is more beginner-friendly?
Garuda Linux is generally more beginner-friendly due to its user-centric tools and visually appealing interface.
Which distro performs better?
Garuda Linux is optimized for performance but may be resource-intensive. EndeavourOS is lightweight and efficient, especially on older hardware.
Can I try these distros before installing?
Yes, both EndeavourOS and Garuda Linux offer live versions that can be booted from a USB drive to test before installation.
How is software compatibility?
Both distros provide access to Arch's vast repositories, including the AUR, offering excellent software compatibility.
What about hardware support?
Both have good hardware support, though Garuda's enhanced graphics might require more recent hardware for optimal performance.
How often are new releases made?
Both follow a rolling release model, meaning they continuously update rather than having distinct version releases.
Is it easy to switch between them?
Switching requires a fresh installation as they have different configurations and setups, despite both being Arch-based.
Compare another pair?
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