Devuan vs Raspberry Pi OS
Devuan: Debian without systemd, with a choice of init. Raspberry Pi OS: The official system for Raspberry Pi boards. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersRaspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS is rated beginner; Devuan is intermediate.
- GamingTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Older hardwareDevuanDevuan needs about 2 GB of RAM versus 1 GB.
- Latest softwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Long-term stabilityTieBoth are a similar fit here.
Specs compared
| Feature | Devuan | Raspberry Pi OS |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #37 | #27 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Debian | Debian Stable |
| Release model | Stable | Stable |
| Desktop | Xfce, KDE Plasma, more | Raspberry Pi Desktop |
| Package management | APT | APT |
| Init system | sysVinit, OpenRC or runit | systemd |
| Experience level | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 2 GB+ | 1 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | aarch64, armhf |
| First released | 2014 | 2012 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Servers, Everyday use, Older hardware | Education, Development, Servers |
Key differences
- Devuan is based on Debian, while Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable.
- Devuan ships Xfce, KDE Plasma, more; Raspberry Pi OS ships Raspberry Pi Desktop.
- Devuan uses sysVinit, OpenRC or runit as its init system; Raspberry Pi OS uses systemd.
- We suggest about 2 GB of RAM for Devuan and 1 GB for Raspberry Pi OS.
- Devuan is best for intermediate users; Raspberry Pi OS for beginner users.
Choose Devuan if…
- choice of init system
- debian-compatible packages
- suitable for servers and desktops
Some software expects systemd
Full Devuan profileChoose Raspberry Pi OS if…
- best hardware support on Raspberry Pi
- imager preconfigures Wi-Fi and SSH
- large educational community
Only for Raspberry Pi hardware
Full Raspberry Pi OS profileDevuan vs Raspberry Pi OS: FAQ
Is Devuan better than Raspberry Pi OS?
Neither is better for everyone. Devuan is the stronger pick for older hardware; Raspberry Pi OS for beginners.
Which uses less RAM, Devuan or Raspberry Pi OS?
Raspberry Pi OS is lighter: we suggest about 1 GB versus 2 GB. The desktop you choose affects memory use more than the distribution itself.
Is Devuan based on Raspberry Pi OS?
No. Devuan is based on Debian; Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable.
Can I switch from Devuan to Raspberry Pi OS 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.