Bazzite vs Solus
Bazzite: A gaming-focused desktop built on Fedora Atomic. Solus: An independent desktop with a curated rolling model. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- GamingTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Older hardwareSolusSolus needs about 4 GB of RAM versus 8 GB.
- Latest softwareSolusSolus uses a rolling model; Bazzite is atomic.
- Long-term stabilityBazziteBazzite changes less between upgrades.
Specs compared
| Feature | Bazzite | Solus |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #6 | #43 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Fedora Atomic | Independent |
| Release model | Atomic | Rolling |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma, GNOME | Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce |
| Package management | Flatpak · Homebrew · containers | eopkg · Flatpak |
| Init system | systemd | systemd |
| Experience level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 8 GB+ | 4 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | x86_64 |
| First released | 2023 | 2015 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Gaming, Everyday use, Immutable systems | Everyday use, Gaming |
Key differences
- Bazzite is based on Fedora Atomic, while Solus is based on Independent.
- Bazzite follows a atomic release model; Solus is rolling.
- Bazzite ships KDE Plasma, GNOME; Solus ships Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce.
- Software comes from Flatpak · Homebrew · containers on Bazzite and eopkg · Flatpak on Solus.
- We suggest about 8 GB of RAM for Bazzite and 4 GB for Solus.
Choose Bazzite if…
- gaming-focused defaults and image choices
- handheld-oriented options
- atomic base with rollback workflow
Check the image selector for your GPU
Full Bazzite profileChoose Solus if…
- weekly, curated rolling updates
- desktop-focused package selection
- independent base with its own tooling
Smaller repository than major distributions
Full Solus profileBazzite vs Solus: FAQ
Is Bazzite better than Solus?
Neither is better for everyone. Bazzite is the stronger pick for long-term stability; Solus for older hardware, latest software.
Which uses less RAM, Bazzite or Solus?
Solus is lighter: we suggest about 4 GB versus 8 GB. The desktop you choose affects memory use more than the distribution itself.
Is Bazzite based on Solus?
No. Bazzite is based on Fedora Atomic; Solus is based on Independent.
Can I switch from Bazzite to Solus without losing files?
Back up your home folder first. If /home is on a separate partition you can reinstall without formatting it, but a clean install with restored backups is safest.