openSUSE vs Solus

Choosing the right Linux distribution can significantly impact your user experience. This page compares openSUSE, known for its versatility and powerful tools, with Solus, a distro designed for simplicity and ease of use. Explore their features, pros, and cons to make an informed decision.

Opensuse Icon

openSUSE

The versatile choice

  • Strong package management with YaST and Zypper
  • Two release models: Leap and Tumbleweed
  • Robust system configuration tools
  • Excellent stability and security features
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Limited commercial support compared to some distros
Best for Enterprise and developers
Solus Icon

Solus

Designed for everyone

  • Budgie desktop environment is sleek and modern
  • Optimized for desktop use with curated software
  • Rolling release model keeps software up-to-date
  • User-friendly and easy to start with
  • Smaller repository compared to other major distros
  • Limited support for enterprise environments
Best for Desktop simplicity

TL;DR: Pick openSUSE for versatility and robust tools. Pick Solus for a simple, user-friendly desktop experience.

Side-by-side comparison

How they stack up across key categories.

Ease of use

openSUSE

openSUSE can be more challenging for beginners due to its extensive configuration options but offers powerful tools for advanced users.

Solus

Solus provides an intuitive experience out of the box, making it ideal for newcomers looking for simplicity.

Desktop feel

openSUSE

openSUSE supports multiple desktop environments, with KDE and GNOME being the most popular, offering a traditional Linux feel.

Solus

Solus features the Budgie desktop, known for its modern look and user-friendly interface.

Stability

openSUSE

Leap offers stability akin to enterprise environments, while Tumbleweed provides a rolling release for those needing the latest software.

Solus

Solus follows a curated rolling release model, balancing new features with stability.

Updates

openSUSE

openSUSE Tumbleweed is updated regularly, providing cutting-edge software, whereas Leap focuses on stable, periodic updates.

Solus

Solus updates aim for a balance of new software and stability, with frequent but controlled updates.

Software access

openSUSE

openSUSE has extensive repositories and powerful tools like Zypper for package management.

Solus

Solus has a smaller, curated repository but focuses on quality and essential desktop applications.

Privacy

openSUSE

openSUSE includes privacy-focused features like AppArmor and SELinux, depending on the user's configuration.

Solus

Solus emphasizes a straightforward, privacy-respecting user experience with minimal data collection.

Community & docs

openSUSE

openSUSE has a large, active community and extensive documentation available through the openSUSE Wiki and forums.

Solus

Solus has a dedicated community with helpful forums, though documentation is less comprehensive than some larger distros.

Gaming

openSUSE

openSUSE supports gaming well with access to Steam and Lutris, thanks to its robust package management.

Solus

Solus offers good gaming support with a focus on desktop performance, making it suitable for casual gamers.

Pros & cons summary

openSUSE

Pros

  • YaST provides a comprehensive system management interface that simplifies complex tasks.
  • Offers both a stable release (Leap) and a rolling release (Tumbleweed) to suit different needs.
  • Zypper is a powerful command-line package manager with advanced features.
  • Strong focus on security, with AppArmor enabled by default.
  • Well-documented and comprehensive community resources.

Cons

  • The initial configuration and setup can be challenging for new users unfamiliar with Linux.
  • While community support is strong, enterprise-level support options are more limited compared to Red Hat or Ubuntu.

Solus

Pros

  • Budgie offers a clean, visually appealing desktop experience tailored for ease of use.
  • The Software Center provides a straightforward way to manage software installations and updates.
  • Rolling release model ensures users have access to the latest software without needing to reinstall.
  • Solus is designed to be efficient and responsive, offering good performance on both new and older hardware.
  • Community-driven with a focus on user experience and simplicity.

Cons

  • The package repository is smaller, which might require manual installation of some software.
  • Not aimed at enterprise use, lacking some of the tools and support options required by businesses.
  • Limited documentation compared to more established distributions.

Which should you pick?

Quick recommendations for common scenarios.

💻

Switching from Windows

Pick: Solus

Solus provides a simple, familiar environment with the Budgie desktop.

📚

Following Linux tutorials

Pick: openSUSE

openSUSE's comprehensive tools and documentation make it ideal for learning and experimentation.

🖥️

Using older hardware

Pick: Solus

Solus is optimized for performance, making it suitable for older hardware.

🎮

Gaming on Linux

Pick: Either

Both distros offer good gaming support with access to popular platforms like Steam.

💼

Professional/Enterprise use

Pick: openSUSE

openSUSE offers enterprise-level stability and tools, especially with the Leap version.

🖥️

Simple daily desktop use

Pick: Solus

Solus is designed for ease of use, making it perfect for daily desktop tasks.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

How are openSUSE and Solus related?

openSUSE and Solus are not directly related; each is developed independently with different goals and focuses.

Which distro is more beginner-friendly?

Solus is more beginner-friendly due to its intuitive interface and focus on simplicity, while openSUSE offers more advanced tools.

Which distro offers better performance?

Solus is known for its efficient performance on both new and older hardware, while openSUSE provides robust performance with more customization options.

Can I try these distros without installing?

Yes, both openSUSE and Solus offer live versions that can be booted from USB to try before installing.

How is software compatibility on each distro?

openSUSE has extensive software repositories and compatibility, while Solus focuses on essential desktop applications.

How well do these distros support hardware?

Both distros support a wide range of hardware, but Solus is optimized for performance on older machines as well.

What are the release cycles for these distros?

openSUSE offers both a fixed release (Leap) and a rolling release (Tumbleweed), while Solus follows a curated rolling release model.

Is it easy to switch from one distro to the other?

Switching distros involves backing up data and performing a fresh install; both have straightforward installation processes, but user experience and tools will differ.

Compare another pair?

Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.