Fedora Silverblue and Fedora Workstation are both integral to the Fedora ecosystem, offering distinct approaches to Linux computing. This page explores their key differences, helping you choose the right one for your needs.
Immutable desktop
Developer's choice
TL;DR: Pick Fedora Silverblue for immutable stability. Pick Fedora Workstation for a flexible desktop experience.
How they stack up across key categories.
Silverblue's immutable design may be initially challenging but simplifies maintenance.
Workstation's traditional setup is straightforward for most Linux users.
Offers a consistent experience through its immutable design.
Provides a modern GNOME desktop with customizable features.
Highly stable due to its read-only system base.
Stable but with more frequent updates that can introduce changes.
Updates are atomic, ensuring complete updates without partial failures.
Frequent updates provide cutting-edge software, requiring more frequent reboots.
Relies on Flatpak for applications, with some limitations on availability.
Extensive software library accessible via DNF and Flatpak.
The immutable nature offers enhanced security and privacy controls.
Standard security features with optional enhancements through third-party tools.
Growing community focused on container technologies and modern workflows.
Established community with comprehensive documentation and support.
Gaming can be challenging due to Flatpak limitations and immutability.
Better suited for gaming with direct support for drivers and libraries.
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Pick: Fedora Workstation
Provides a more familiar experience and easier transition.
Pick: Either
Both offer strong support for development tools and environments.
Pick: Fedora Workstation
Offers better support and flexibility for various hardware configurations.
Pick: Fedora Workstation
Supports a wider range of games and drivers out of the box.
Pick: Fedora Silverblue
Immutable design ensures a stable and secure work environment.
Pick: Fedora Workstation
Offers a more traditional, flexible desktop experience.
Quick answers to common questions.
Both are part of the Fedora Project, sharing core technologies but differing in system architecture and use cases.
Fedora Workstation is more beginner-friendly due to its traditional Linux setup and comprehensive software support.
Performance is similar, but Silverblue's immutable design can lead to more consistent performance over time.
Yes, both offer live USB options to test the environment before a full installation.
Fedora Workstation offers broader software compatibility, while Silverblue relies mainly on Flatpak for applications.
Fedora Workstation tends to provide more comprehensive hardware support due to its traditional package management.
Both follow the Fedora release cycle with approximately six-month intervals, but Silverblue's atomic updates provide unique stability.
Switching requires a reinstall due to their fundamentally different architecture, but user data can be transferred between installations.
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.
