EndeavourOS
The Arch Experience
- Arch-based with easy installation
- Minimalistic setup
- Access to AUR
- Active community support
- Less polished than Manjaro
- Requires more manual setup
Best for
Arch enthusiasts
EndeavourOS vs Manjaro
EndeavourOS and Manjaro are both popular choices for users seeking an Arch-based experience. This page explores their differences in ease of use, stability, and more, helping you decide which one fits your needs.
Manjaro
User-Friendly Arch
- Comes with pre-installed software
- User-friendly installer
- Stable rolling releases
- Excellent hardware support
- Heavier initial setup
- Less control over base system
Best for
General desktop use
TL;DR: Pick EndeavourOS for a purer Arch experience with minimal setup. Pick Manjaro for a more user-friendly, stable desktop environment.
Side-by-side comparison
How they stack up across key categories.
Ease of use
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS offers a simple installer but requires more manual configuration post-installation.
Manjaro
Manjaro provides a polished, user-friendly installer with pre-configured desktop environments.
Desktop feel
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS leaves desktop customization largely to the user, offering a minimal initial setup.
Manjaro
Manjaro features a more complete desktop experience out of the box, with several environments to choose from.
Stability
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS follows Arch's rolling release model, which can lead to occasional instability.
Manjaro
Manjaro tests its packages more rigorously before release, providing enhanced stability for a rolling release distro.
Updates
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS provides the latest packages directly from Arch, resulting in frequent updates.
Manjaro
Manjaro offers a more controlled update process, with packages delayed for additional testing.
Software access
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS users have direct access to the AUR, offering a vast range of software.
Manjaro
Manjaro also provides AUR access, but with additional curated repositories for user convenience.
Privacy
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS does not include telemetry by default, respecting user privacy.
Manjaro
Manjaro also maintains a focus on user privacy, with no intrusive data collection.
Community & docs
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS benefits from an active community and extensive documentation from Arch.
Manjaro
Manjaro has its own forums and documentation, alongside Arch resources, offering robust support.
Gaming
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS supports gaming through the AUR and the latest drivers from Arch.
Manjaro
Manjaro provides excellent gaming support with proprietary drivers and a dedicated gaming edition.
Pros & cons summary
EndeavourOS
Pros
- EndeavourOS provides a straightforward installer that simplifies the process of setting up an Arch-based system.
- The default installation is minimal, allowing users to build their system from the ground up with only the software they need.
- Being based on Arch Linux, it offers access to the Arch User Repository (AUR), which contains a vast array of user-contributed packages.
- The community around EndeavourOS is active and welcoming, providing assistance through forums and chat.
Cons
- EndeavourOS can feel less polished than Manjaro due to its minimalistic approach and reliance on community support.
- Users may need to perform more manual configurations compared to Manjaro to achieve a fully functional desktop environment.
- New users might find the need to use the terminal for certain tasks intimidating.
Manjaro
Pros
- Manjaro offers a user-friendly installation process with a variety of desktop environments pre-configured.
- It provides a more stable rolling release model than Arch, with packages being tested before release.
- The distro comes with a comprehensive suite of pre-installed software, making it ready to use out of the box.
- It features excellent hardware support, including proprietary drivers, which makes it suitable for a wide range of devices.
Cons
- The initial setup of Manjaro is heavier compared to EndeavourOS, with more pre-installed packages.
- Users seeking a bare-bones Arch experience might find Manjaro offers less control over what gets installed initially.
- The customized tools and settings can sometimes diverge from the standard Arch Linux experience.
Which should you pick?
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Switching from Windows
Pick: Manjaro
Manjaro offers a more familiar environment for Windows users with its intuitive interfaces.
Following tutorials
Pick: EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS aligns closely with Arch Linux, making Arch tutorials more applicable.
Using older hardware
Pick: EndeavourOS
Its minimal setup allows for better performance on older systems.
Gaming
Pick: Manjaro
Manjaro's gaming-focused edition and driver support enhance the gaming experience.
Work/professional use
Pick: Manjaro
Manjaro's stability and pre-configured environments are ideal for professional setups.
Simple daily desktop
Pick: Either
Both distros provide robust environments for daily use, with different levels of customization.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
What is the relationship between EndeavourOS and Manjaro?
Both are based on Arch Linux but take different approaches: EndeavourOS offers a minimal Arch experience, while Manjaro focuses on user-friendliness and stability.
Which is more beginner-friendly?
Manjaro is generally more beginner-friendly due to its comprehensive installer and pre-configured desktop environments.
How does performance compare?
EndeavourOS may perform slightly better on older hardware due to its minimal setup, whereas Manjaro offers a richer out-of-the-box experience that might be heavier.
Can I try these distros before installing?
Both EndeavourOS and Manjaro offer live environments that allow you to test the systems before committing to an installation.
Are there differences in software compatibility?
Both distros have access to the AUR, providing extensive software availability, although Manjaro also has additional curated repositories.
How is hardware support?
Manjaro includes proprietary drivers out of the box, enhancing hardware support, while EndeavourOS relies on open-source drivers with optional installations.
What are the release cycles for these distros?
EndeavourOS follows Arch's rolling release model with frequent updates, while Manjaro provides a more stable rolling release with tested packages.
Is it easy to switch between these distros?
Switching between EndeavourOS and Manjaro involves reinstalling the OS, but both provide familiar environments for Arch users, making transition smoother.
Compare another pair?
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