deepin vs Solus
deepin: A polished desktop environment with its own apps. Solus: An independent desktop with a curated rolling model. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersdeepinBoth are beginner-friendly; deepin has a macOS-like layout.
- GamingSolusSolus ships gaming-oriented defaults or current drivers.
- Older hardwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Latest softwareSolusSolus uses a rolling model; deepin is stable.
- Long-term stabilitydeepindeepin changes less between upgrades.
Specs compared
| Feature | deepin | Solus |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #41 | #43 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Independent (formerly Debian-based) | Independent |
| Release model | Stable | Rolling |
| Desktop | Deepin Desktop (DDE) | Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce |
| Package management | APT · deepin App Store | eopkg · Flatpak |
| Init system | systemd | systemd |
| Experience level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 4 GB+ | 4 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | x86_64 |
| First released | 2004 | 2015 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Everyday use | Everyday use, Gaming |
Key differences
- deepin is based on Independent (formerly Debian-based), while Solus is based on Independent.
- deepin follows a stable release model; Solus is rolling.
- deepin ships Deepin Desktop (DDE); Solus ships Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce.
- Software comes from APT · deepin App Store on deepin and eopkg · Flatpak on Solus.
Choose deepin if…
- visually refined, integrated desktop
- in-house applications and control center
- simple graphical installer
Desktop is heavier than Xfce or LXQt
Full deepin profileChoose Solus if…
- weekly, curated rolling updates
- desktop-focused package selection
- independent base with its own tooling
Smaller repository than major distributions
Full Solus profiledeepin vs Solus: FAQ
Is deepin better than Solus?
Neither is better for everyone. deepin is the stronger pick for beginners, long-term stability; Solus for gaming, latest software.
Which uses less RAM, deepin or Solus?
Both need about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop. The desktop environment affects memory use more than the distribution.
Is deepin based on Solus?
No. deepin is based on Independent (formerly Debian-based); Solus is based on Independent.
Can I switch from deepin 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.