Linux is an open-source free operating system & its customizable nature has made it popular for developers, system administrators, and users. As it gains more popularity, so does the number of Linux distributions, or ‘distros’, making it challenging to determine which one is the fastest & most efficient one. In this article, I will discuss some fastest Linux distro available in the market with their features, system requirements for running & pros & cons.
What is a Distro in Linux?
A Linux distribution or distro is a complete OS built around the Linux kernel. It comes with various pre-installed software packages such as graphical desktop environments, command line utilities, programming tools, and other applications.
There are many different Linux distributions available, each with its unique set of features and performance levels. Some of the fastest & popular distros are Ubuntu, Alpine Linux, Void Linux, Arch Linux, puppy Linux, etc.
Factors that Determine the Speed of an OS
Several factors such as system resources, package management, and optimization can influence a distro’s performance. The following list can help speed up the system’s speed,
- Lightweight Desktop Environment.
- Minimal installation.
- Kernel Optimization.
- Enhanced system resources.
- Lightweight package management systems.
- Avoiding systemd init.
9 Fastest Distros in Linux
In the following article, I will discuss nine lightweight & fastest Linux distros available in the market.
Anyway, you can read the Comparative Analysis of Distros to get a comparable overview of them.
1. Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight distro that is ideal for resource-constrained environments and cloud deployments. Its efficient package management system and focused security features have made it a popular choice for many users and organizations.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Alpine Linux’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 128 MB RAM.
- 1 GB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Lightweight, optimized for the small memory footprint.
- Security-focused.
- Low usage of system resources.
Reasons to Avoid
- Not ideal for graphical desktop environments.
- May require some command-line usage.
2. Arch Linux
One of the defining features of Arch Linux is its package management system, ‘Pacman’, which is designed to be fast, and reliable as it uses a simple command-line interface and a binary package format. Moreover, it makes the OS easy to install and manage software on the system.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Arch Linux’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 512 MB RAM.
- 2 GB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Highly customizable.
- Lightweight & uses little system resources.
- Rolling release updates.
Reasons to Avoid
- The steep learning curve for beginners.
- No official graphical installer.
3. Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is a fast distro that is ideal for users with low-specification hardware or who prefers a simple and streamlined user experience. Its frugal installation method, user-friendly interface, and customization options make it a popular choice for many users and organizations.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Puppy Linux’s official download page.
System Requirements
- Pentium III processor.
- 256 MB RAM.
- 512 MB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Extremely lightweight & fast.
- Ideal for older hardware.
- Easy to use & can run from RAM.
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited software selection.
- May require additional configuration for certain hardware.
- Not suitable for more complex tasks.
4. Void Linux
It is an independent, rolling-release Linux distro that is known for its focus speed, performance, and flexibility. It uses the runit init system instead of systemd init, which makes it lightweight & fast.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit the official download page of Void Linux.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 256 MB RAM.
- 2 GB free hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Fast, simple, and efficient package manager.
- Rolling release updates.
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited package selection.
- No graphical installer.
5. Bodhi Linux
If you need a lightweight Linux distro perfect for an old laptop, Bodhi Linux is an exact match. As it is specially designed to run on hardware with limited capabilities.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Bodhi Linux’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 512 MB RAM.
- 5GB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Lightweight, optimized for low-end hardware.
- Beautiful & modern desktop environment.
Reasons to Avoid
- Not as popular as other distros.
- Limited software availability.
6. Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a popular user-friendly Linux distro with different flavors. Its ‘Windows-like’ interface & variety of flavors each with a unique configuration has made it a famous Linux distro. As a result, most beginner & intermediate-level users prefer Ubuntu because of its vast software facilities.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Ubuntu’s official download page.
System Requirements to Run Ubuntu
- 2GHz dual-core processor.
- 4 GB system memory (RAM).
- 25GB of free hard drive space.
Reasons to Choose
- User-friendly interface and is easy to install.
- A wide range of software is available.
- Large community & regular updates.
Reasons to Avoid
- Lack of compatibility with certain hardware.
- Some software packages may not be available in Ububtu’s repositories due to licensing restrictions.
7. Lubuntu
One of the key features of Ubuntu’s flavor, Lubuntu, is its lightweight design, which makes it ideal for older or low-specification hardware. It requires minimal system resources and can run smoothly on computers with as little as 512 MB of RAM. Moreover, it includes a range of pre-installed software applications & uses minimal power.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Lubuntu’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 1GB RAM.
- 5GB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Lightweight, easy to use, & fast.
- Familiar interface for Windows users.
- Optimized for low-end hardware.
Reasons to Avoid
- Not as customizable as other distros.
- Limited software selection.
8. MX Linux
MX Linux is a mid-weight distro that uses the Xfce desktop environment. It is known for its stability, ease of use, and performance.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit MXLinux’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 64-bit x86 processor.
- 1GB RAM.
- 8GB hard disk space.
Reasons to Choose
- Lightweight, fast & easy to use.
- Stable & customizable.
- Extensive software availability.
Reasons to Avoid
- May require additional configuration for certain hardware.
- May not always have the latest software versions.
9. Xubuntu
It is one of the flavors of Ubuntu that uses Xfce as its default desktop environment. Xfce makes sure that the experience is clutter-free & the distro is easy to use. Moreover, rolling updates ensures security & fixed bugs. It runs better on comparatively modern PC.
Download
DownloadClick here to visit Xubuntu’s official download page.
System Requirements
- 5 GHz Dual Core Processor.
- 2GB of memory at least. Anyway, it can run on as low as 512 MB of RAM.
- 8GB of free space.
Reasons to Choose
- Easy to use & optimized for low-end hardware.
- Familiar interface for Windows users.
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited software selection.
- Not as lightweight as other distros.
Comparative Analysis of Distros
To get a comprehensive and comparative overview of the nine fastest distributions that have been discussed in this article, kindly go through the following table.
| Distribution | Kernel-Version | Desktop Environment | RAM Usage | Fastest Boot Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 5.14.0 | None (CLI) | 512 MB | 10-15 sec |
| Arch Linux | 5.14.6 | Xfce | 512 MB | 10-15 sec |
| Puppy Linux | 5.4.98 | JWM or Openbox | 512-1024 MB | 30-40 sec |
| Void Linux | 5.14.9 | Xfce, cinnamon, etc. | 100-200 MB | 10-15 sec |
| Bodhi Linux | 5.10.48 | Moksha | 512-1024 MB | 20-30 sec |
| Ubuntu | 5.13.0 | GNOME | 4 GB | 20-30 sec |
| Lubuntu | 5.11.0 | LXQt | 256-512 MB | 15-20 sec |
| MXlinux | 5.10.46 | Xfce | 1 GB | 15-20 sec |
| Xubuntu | 5.11.0 | Xfce | 512 MB | 15-20 sec |
However, note that these numbers may vary by different distro flavors and versions. Also, RAM usage and boot time may vary depending on the hardware and configuration of the system.
Conclusion
In this article, I tried talking about some fastest & lightweight distros. When you are thinking about owning a fast also a perfectly matched distro for your PC, you have to consider several things to see how your system can be compatible with the new OS, also being the fastest. As there are many of them available to choose from, you will get comparative ideas of them from this article.
