This page provides general information about notable Linux distributions in the form of a categorized list. Distributions are organized into sections by the major distribution they are based on, or the package management system they are based around.

Debian-based

Debian is a distribution that emphasizes free software. It is supported on many hardware platforms. Debian and distributions based on it use the .deb package format and the dpkg package manager.

Distribution	Description
64 Studio	Attempts to specialize in audio and video production on AMD64 workstations.
AbulÉdu	For education purposes
Baltix	For Lithuanian and Latvian languages
BeatrIX	A compact distribution from the Czech Republic that focuses on providing a user-friendly desktop environment.
Corel Linux	Shortlived desktop distribution
DeMuDi	For multimedia production
Dreamlinux	A Brazilian Linux distribution based on Morphix, Elive, Debian and Kanotix. It has a GUI that bears a strong similarity to that of Apple Computer's Mac OS X. It uses Xfce as its desktop environment.
eBox	Router/Firewall and NAS/PDC
Elive	A Live CD and Distribution featuring Enlightenment as the only window manager. Aims to be intuitive and easy to use.
Feather Linux	Shares similar goals as Damn Small Linux, but not based on it (Feather is more closely related to Knoppix). Uses Knoppix-based hardware detection and the Fluxbox window manager. Compatible with Debian packages (.deb).
Finnix	A small system administration Live CD that is available for multiple architectures.
Gibraltar	Router/firewall distribution.
gnuLinEx	A distribution promoted by the government of Extremadura, Spain.
Kanotix	An installable live CD for desktop usage using KDE, focusing on convenient scripts and GUI for ease of use.
Knoppix	The first Live CD (later DVD) version of Debian GNU/Linux.
LEAF Project	The Linux Embedded Appliance Firewall. A tiny primarily floppy-based distribution for routers, firewalls and other appliances.
LiMux	An ISO 9241 industry workplace certified Linux distribution, deployed at the City of Munich, Germany.
Linspire	Desktop-oriented distribution, previously called Lindows. Focuses on a proprietary software application manager obtained via a paid (CNR) subscription.
The Linux Router Project	A defunct floppy-based distribution for routers and firewalls.
Maemo	A development platform for hand held devices such as the Nokia N800 and N810 Internet Tablets and other Linux-based devices. Parts of maemo (particularly the Hildon UI) are also planned to be used in the Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded Edition.
MEPIS	Installable live CDs
NepaLinux	A Debian and Morphix based distribution focused for desktop usage in Nepali language computing.
OpenZaurus	Debian packages and ROM image for the Sharp Zaurus PDA.
Outernet Server	A modified version of Debian that installs preconfigured and is specifically meant for a High speed multimedia Networks.
PingOO	French distribution aimed at local communities, public organizations, schools, etc. It comes in three editions: PingOO Communication Server, PingOO Secure Server and PingOO File Server.
PSUbuntu	A Ubuntu distribution intended for the Playstation 3.
Progeny Componentized Linux	Distribution from Progeny Linux Systems which was also founded by Debian founder Ian Murdock.
Rxart	Desktop-oriented distribution. Focused on providing proprietary software.
Salgix	Distribution developed and maintained by GMSI (Gemini Microsystems International) for its line of Visual Computing workstations.
Skolelinux	A distribution from Norway. It is provided as a thin client distribution for schools.
sidux	Multilingual desktop-oriented Live CD-s and DVD-s based on Debian unstable (Sid) providing a graphical installer. It is a rolling release, so once installed, it can be kept up-to-date with updates from the Debian Sid and sidux repositories.
Symphony OS	Includes the Mezzo desktop environment. Previous versions were based on Knoppix.
Trisquel	Created in Galicia (Spain). It has support for old PCs, includes a 3D desktop with Compiz.
Tuquito	Created in Argentina
Ubuntu	A distribution sponsored by Canonical Ltd as well as receiving major funding from South African Mark Shuttleworth. Aims to offer a complete and polished desktop on a single CD.
UserLinux	Commercial distribution that would have included GNOME. It was never published.
Xandros Open Circulation Edition	based on Xandros 3.0 Standard Edition with the exception of DVD burning being disabled and CD burning restricted to a maximum speed of 4X.
Xebian	For the Xbox home gaming console.

Knoppix-based

Knoppix, itself, is based on Debian.

Distribution	Description
Buildix	For agile developers.
Damn Small Linux	Generally considered as the starter of mini distributions. A live CD designed for MiniCD with a hard drive install option.
Kaella	The French translation of Knoppix.
Feather Linux	Knoppix-based Linux distribution which currently fits in under 128 MB. It boots from either a CD or a USB Flash Drive, with a size suitable for a bootable business card.
Kalango	Another Brazilian Knoppix-based distribution designed to have strong visual appeal. Now, merged into Kurumin.
KnoppMyth	Specialized Knoppix distribution for easy setup of the MythTV PVR software.
Kurumin	Earlier, it was a version of the Knoppix distribution, modified with Debian and designed for Brazilian users.
Morphix	A Live CD distribution with different flavours, including GNOME. Used as a base for many other custom live distribution such as Clusterix, PHlAK or Gnix.
Musix	A Knoppix/Debian based distribution, intended for music production, graphic design, audio, video editing, and other tasks. It is built with only free software.

Ubuntu-based

Ubuntu is based on Debian, although there are differences between them. Mainly they are related to package versions supplied with actual release (Ubuntu generally uses newer versions), release cycles (Debian releases new version every 18 months, Ubuntu releases new version every 6 months), number of development branches (Debian has 2, ubuntu has 1 development branch), number of suported architectures (Debian suports far more), and main focus of the users (Debian is the preferred choice for servers, while Ubuntu is the preferred choice for desktops.). For a list of distributions based on Ubuntu, see List of Ubuntu-based distributions.

Gentoo-based

Gentoo is a distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software. Distributions based on Gentoo use the Portage package management system with emerge.

Distribution	Description
Gentoox	An adaptation of Gentoo for the Xbox.
Knopperdisk	A new distribution aimed at USB sticks.
Kororaa	A distribution which aims at easy installation of a Gentoo system by using install scripts instead of manual configuration.
Pentoo	Penetration-testing Live CD distribution.
Sabayon Linux	Live DVD which includes a wide range of desktop environments and open-source software applications. Like Knoppix, Sabayon Linux can be installed on the hard drive.
SystemRescueCD	System rescue Live CD version of Gentoo.
Ututo	A distribution made in Argentina.
VidaLinux	A distribution which uses Anaconda as its installer.

RPM-based

Red Hat Linux and SUSE Linux were the original major distributions that used the RPM file format, which is today used in several package management systems. Both of these later divided into commercial and community-supported distributions. Red Hat Linux divided into a community-supported distribution sponsored by Red Hat called Fedora, and a commercially supported distribution called Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Fedora-based

Distribution	Description
Aurora SPARC Linux	For Sun's SPARC architecture
K12LTSP	A distribution for educational purpose. Comes with LTSP support.
Linux XP	Focuses on ease of installation and use.
Linpus Linux	Focused on the Chinese market and EEE PC like computers (Linpus Lite).
Yellow Dog Linux	For the PowerPC platform.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based

Distribution	Description
Asianux	A distribution co-developed between Red Flag Software Co., Ltd., Miracle Linux Corp. and Haansoft, INC., focused on Chinese, Japanese and Korean supports.
CentOS	Community-supported distribution that aims to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux without the inclusion of proprietary software.
ClarkConnect	Router/firewall distribution
Scientific Linux	A distribution co-developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which aims to be compatible with and based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
SME Server	Based on CentOS and targeting Small and Medium Enterprises.
White Box Enterprise Linux	A distribution designed to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

See Red Hat Enterprise Linux derivatives for a more complete list, as well as Commercial products based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Others (RPM-based)

Distribution	Description
TinyMe	A lightweight distribution based on PCLinuxOS
aLinux	A distribution for home use designed to be equivalent to Windows XP Home (formerly known as Peanut Linux).
ALT Linux	Several distributions including Master, Compact, and Junior. Provides support for Cyrillic languages.
Annvix	A security-focused server distribution. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2 but has diverged a lot.
Ark Linux	A distribution focused on ease of use and ease of learning.
Berry Linux	A medium-sized Fedora-based distribution that provides support in Japanese and English.
Caixa Mágica	A Portuguese distribution.
Caldera Linux	Caldera bought SCO then took the SCO name and no longer produces a Linux distribution. Last release: 3.1.1 - Jan. 30, 2002
cAos Linux	A general purpose distribution. Designed to have low overhead, run on older hardware, and be easily customizable
EduLinux	A distribution for educational purposes (cf. Guadalinex, Skolelinux).
EnGarde Secure Linux	Server-only distribution designed to be secure.
Granular	A PCLinuxOS based Live CD featuring two desktop environments - KDE and Enlightenment.
Linkat	A distribution promoted by the government of Catalonia, Spain.
Mandriva Linux Free	Free
MCNLive	A Mandriva-based distribution designed to run from CD or USB Flash Drive, focused on multimedia, internet, graphics.
openmamba	An italian general purpose distribution.
PCLinuxOS	A Live CD distribution. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2. Later rebased on Mandriva 2007.
Red Flag Linux	A distribution developed in China and optimized for the Chinese market.
Red Hat Linux	Split into Fedora Core and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The last official release was Red Hat Linux 9 in March 2003.
SAM Linux	A live and installation CD based on PCLinuxOS 2007 and Xfce.
SUSE Linux	A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc.. SUSE is one of the most popular distributions in Europe. Like Red Hat Linux, it is a large distribution on several CDs/DVDs. Free Eval versions are available for the SUSE Linux Enterprise versions. * openSUSE - A branch developed by the community and sponsored by Novell. openSUSE maintains a strict policy of ensuring all code in the standard installs will be from Free/Libre/Open-Source Software solutions, including Linux kernel Modules. Novell's enterprise Linux products are all based on the codebase that comes out of the openSUSE project. * SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - A server-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the business market. * SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (previously branded Novell Linux Desktop) - A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the enterprise market. * SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time - A specialized version of the SUSE distribution from Novell designed to support low latency for time critical operations.
Trustix	A distribution focused on security.
Turbolinux	Based on Red Hat Linux.
Vine Linux	A Japanese distribution based on Red Hat Linux.
YOPER	A desktop distribution from New Zealand that focuses on optimizing system performance for workstation use.

Slackware-based

Slackware is known as a highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting edge software and automated tools. Generally considered a distribution for advanced users, it is often suggested to those who want to learn the inner workings of a Linux operating system.

Distribution	Description
Austrumi	A business card size (86 MB) bootable live CD
BasicLinux	A mini linux designed to run in old PCs (386). Has a certain degree of compatibility with Slackware packages.
Frugalware	A general purpose Linux distribution designed for intermediate users.
GoblinX	A live CD that features multiple customizable desktop environments.
HostGIS	HostGIS Linux is a Slackware based distribution specifically made for handling GIS information.
MuLinux	Floppy based distribution with replaceable modules.
NimbleX	Completely customizable through the Nimblex website.
Slackintosh	An unofficial port of Slackware to the PowerPC architecture.
SMS - Slack Mini Server	A full feature server distribution (inc. dovecot, postfix, mailscanner, clamav, spamassassin, openldap), manageable through webmin interface or kde enviroment. Also features TorrentFlux (a php bittorrent client).
Slamd64	An unofficial port of Slackware to the x86-64 architecture.
SLAX	A very popular live CD which aims to provide a complete desktop for general use. Permanent installation of SLAX is not recommended or supported, it is designed for "live" use only.
Topologilinux	Designed to run from within Microsoft Windows, Topologilinux can be installed without any changes to the user's hard disk.
Vector Linux	A lightweight distribution designed to be easy to use even for new users. Generally considered well suited for older hardware.
Zenwalk Linux	Originally a minimal version of Slackware, Zenwalk has evolved into a very different operating system; however, compatibility with Slackware is still maintained.

SLAX-Based

SLAX's modularity and reputation of quality have made it a popular base for other live CD projects.

Distribution	Description
BackTrack	A network security suite developed by RemoteExploit.org. It includes many penetration testing utilities and development tools. While BackTrack is principally used as a live CD, it can also be installed permanently.
DNALinux	A small distribution designed for running bioinformatics software, including BLAST and EMBOSS
SLAMPP	Designed to be used on a home server.

Others

The following distributions either use another packaging system, do not use any, or are simply not categorized.

Distribution	Description
Arch Linux	An i686- and x86-64-optimized, independently developed distribution targeted at experienced users. Arch runs on a rolling release system and uses the pacman utility for package management. Extra software to customize the system is added via pacman from the Arch repositories. Arch is now one of the most used Linuxes, and it is based on the CRUX (see below) Distro.
Coyote Linux	Router/firewall distribution.
CRUX	CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages
DD-WRT	Embedded firewall distribution.
DeLi Linux	A desktop based mini distribution with office suite, web browser and other graphical programs to run on a 486. Built from scratch with some influences from Slackware and CRUX.
Devil-Linux	firewall/router/server distribution running from CD.
DSLinux	Version of Linux designed for the Nintendo DS.
	Live CD geared toward multimedia (audio and video) production, but comes with other non-media specific application (eg: word processor, desktop publisher). It is completely free software as defined by the Free Software Foundation.
Familiar Linux	Distribution for iPAQ handhelds.
Fli4l	a single floppy ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router.
Foresight Linux	A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
FREESCO	A free replacement for proprietary routers supporting up to 10 network cards and up to 10 modems.
Fedora	A free workstation for home or company workers.
GeeXboX	Live CD media center distribution, mainly to play special-encoded video files (eg: .ogg, XVID) on home theater.
GoboLinux	An alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire file system hierarchy by installing everything belonging to one application in one folder under /Programs, and using symlinks from /System and its subfolders to point to the proper files.
Hikarunix	A distro solely for studying and playing the game of Go.
IPCop	Router/firewall distribution.
iPodLinux	Embedded Linux firmware for the Apple iPod based on the µCLinux kernel.
Jlime	Distribution for the HP Jornada 6xx and 7xx and NEC MobilePro 900(c) handhelds.
Lunar Linux	A source code-based distribution descended from Sorcerer GNU/Linux.
Lycoris	Desktop/LX: Fell down to one employee and then acquired by Mandriva.
MCC Interim Linux	MCC Interim Linux, possibly the first Linux distribution. Created by the Manchester Computing Centre in February 1992.
MkLinux	A distribution for PowerPC systems that runs the Linux kernel as a server on top of the Mach microkernel.
Mobilinux	By Montavista for smartphones.
MontaVista Linux	Embedded systems distro by MontaVista Software.
NASLite	a floppy-based Linux designed to turn an old computer into a simple Network Attached Storage device.
Nitix	Developed by Net Integration Technologies Inc., Nitix claims to be the first autonomic Linux-based server operating system.
OpenWrt	Embedded firewall distribution.
Pardus	Developed in Turkey. It uses PISI as package manager, COMAR as configuration framework.
PS2 Linux	Sony Computer Entertainment distribution released officially for the PlayStation 2 video game console.
Puppy Linux	A mini distribution which runs well under low-end PCs - even under 32 MB RAM. Includes Slackware 12 support (since version 3).
Rocks Cluster Distribution	A distribution for building a High-performance computing computer cluster.
rPath	A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
Sentry Firewall	A firewall, server or intrusion detection system distribution.
SliTaz GNU/Linux	A small desktop distro. The ISO is 25 MB; runs entirely in RAM.
Smallfoot	Developed by the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO UNIX / SCO Group ), formerly Caldera.
SmoothWall	Router/firewall distribution.
Softlanding Linux System	One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1992-1994; Slackware was originally based on it.
Sorcerer	A source code-based distribution.
Source Mage GNU/Linux	A source code-based distribution, descended from Sorcerer.
Tinfoil Hat Linux	Bootable floppy distribution focusing on extreme security
tomsrtbt	Root boot disk.
Tuga	Commercial desktop distribution made in Italy, based on QiLinux.
Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X	One of the oldest Linux distributions, not updated since 1995.

References

See also

• Comparison of Linux distributions
• List of Linux router or firewall distributions
• List of LiveDistros

External links

• DistroWatch.com - Compares all significant Linux distributions in detail.