Manjaro and Pop!_OS are two popular Linux distributions, each with unique strengths. This page offers an in-depth comparison, helping you decide which one suits your needs, whether it's for development, gaming, or daily use.
The Comfortable Choice
Engineered for Developers
TL;DR: Pick Manjaro for customization and community support. Choose Pop!_OS for productivity and hardware optimization.
How they stack up across key categories.
Manjaro offers a user-friendly interface with an easy installation process and helpful community resources.
Pop!_OS provides an intuitive setup, especially optimized for System76 hardware, enhancing user experience.
Manjaro's choice of multiple desktop environments gives users flexibility in their preferred interface.
Pop!_OS uses a modified GNOME desktop with a focus on productivity, featuring a tiling window manager.
As a rolling release, Manjaro can occasionally introduce instability with updates.
Pop!_OS offers stable performance, particularly when used with compatible System76 hardware.
Manjaro's rolling release model ensures users get the latest software but requires careful update management.
Pop!_OS follows a scheduled release cycle, providing regular updates with minimal disruption.
Manjaro provides access to the Arch User Repository (AUR), offering a vast range of software packages.
Pop!_OS includes a curated selection of software and supports Flatpak for additional applications.
Manjaro respects user privacy and includes no telemetry or data collection by default.
Pop!_OS emphasizes user privacy, with no data collection and a focus on secure computing.
Manjaro boasts a large, active community with extensive documentation and forums for support.
Pop!_OS has growing community support, with resources mostly centered around System76's ecosystem.
Manjaro's support for the latest drivers and AUR access makes it a good choice for gamers.
Pop!_OS is optimized for gaming, especially on System76 hardware, with out-of-the-box support for Steam and Lutris.
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Pick: Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS provides a smooth transition with its intuitive UI and hardware optimization.
Pick: Manjaro
Manjaro's strong community and Arch-based documentation make it easier to find and follow tutorials.
Pick: Manjaro
Manjaro offers lightweight desktop environments that can improve performance on older machines.
Pick: Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is optimized for gaming with built-in support for graphics drivers and gaming platforms.
Pick: Pop!_OS
Its productivity features and System76 support make Pop!_OS ideal for professional environments.
Pick: Either
Both offer user-friendly experiences suitable for daily tasks, with slight differences in customization and productivity.
Quick answers to common questions.
Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, while Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu. They serve different user bases with unique strengths.
Pop!_OS is generally considered more beginner-friendly due to its out-of-the-box usability and intuitive interface.
Performance can vary depending on hardware and use case, but both distros are optimized for speed and efficiency.
Yes, both Manjaro and Pop!_OS offer live USB options that allow you to test the system without installing it.
Manjaro provides access to Arch's AUR, offering extensive software, while Pop!_OS supports Flatpak and standard Ubuntu repositories.
Pop!_OS offers excellent support for System76 hardware, while Manjaro provides broad compatibility, especially with its driver management tools.
Manjaro follows a rolling release model, providing continuous updates, whereas Pop!_OS follows a scheduled release cycle with system updates.
Switching requires a fresh install, as they are based on different architectures, but both have straightforward installation processes.
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.
