Peppermint OS and Solus are two distinct Linux distributions catering to different user needs. While Peppermint OS focuses on lightweight performance, Solus offers a modern desktop experience with its unique Budgie environment. This page compares their features, usability, and community support.
The lightweight experience
Built from scratch
TL;DR: Pick Peppermint OS for lightweight and efficient use. Pick Solus for a modern and polished desktop experience.
How they stack up across key categories.
Peppermint OS offers a user-friendly experience with its simple and intuitive interface, ideal for newcomers.
Solus provides an easy-to-navigate desktop with its Budgie environment, making it approachable for users familiar with modern interfaces.
Peppermint OS integrates web apps into the desktop, creating a unique hybrid environment.
Solus offers a polished, cohesive desktop experience with the Budgie environment, focusing on aesthetics and functionality.
Peppermint OS is stable and reliable, especially on older hardware, thanks to its lightweight design.
As a rolling release, Solus maintains stability while providing the latest updates and features.
Peppermint OS follows a traditional release cycle, ensuring stability with each update.
Solus's rolling release model provides continuous updates, keeping the system current without needing major upgrades.
Peppermint OS relies on Ubuntu's repositories, offering a wide range of software.
Solus has a curated software center, but its repository is smaller than that of more established distros.
Peppermint OS does not include telemetry, focusing on user privacy.
Solus respects user privacy with minimal data collection and clear policies.
The Peppermint OS community is small but active, with forums and documentation available for user support.
Solus has a dedicated community and offers comprehensive documentation, although not as extensive as larger distros.
Peppermint OS can run games efficiently due to its lightweight nature, but it is not specifically tailored for gaming.
Solus provides a solid gaming experience with support for Steam and other gaming platforms, benefiting from its modern desktop setup.
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Pick: Peppermint OS
Its lightweight design and simplicity make it ideal for former Windows users with older hardware.
Pick: Either
Both have straightforward interfaces and ample documentation, suitable for learning and following guides.
Pick: Peppermint OS
It is optimized for performance on older machines with its low resource requirements.
Pick: Solus
Its modern desktop and support for gaming platforms provide a better gaming experience.
Pick: Solus
The polished desktop environment and rolling updates make it suitable for professional environments.
Pick: Either
Both offer easy-to-use interfaces and reliable performance for everyday tasks.
Quick answers to common questions.
Peppermint OS is based on Ubuntu, while Solus is independently developed. They have different goals and user bases.
Both are beginner-friendly, but Peppermint OS might be slightly easier for those with older hardware due to its simplicity.
Peppermint OS is optimized for speed on older hardware, while Solus offers robust performance with its modern desktop environment.
Yes, both Peppermint OS and Solus offer live USB options to test before installation.
Peppermint OS has access to Ubuntu's extensive repositories, whereas Solus has a smaller but curated selection.
Peppermint OS generally supports a wider range of hardware due to its Ubuntu base. Solus may have issues with some newer components.
Peppermint OS follows a traditional release cycle, whereas Solus follows a rolling release model.
Switching requires a fresh install, as they are based on different systems and have different package managers.
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.
