Endless OS vs Raspberry Pi OS
Endless OS: An offline-friendly atomic desktop for learning. Raspberry Pi OS: The official system for Raspberry Pi boards. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- GamingEndless OSEndless OS gets newer drivers and kernels faster.
- Older hardwareRaspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS needs about 1 GB of RAM versus 4 GB.
- Latest softwareEndless OSEndless OS uses a atomic model; Raspberry Pi OS is stable.
- Long-term stabilityRaspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS changes less between upgrades.
Specs compared
| Feature | Endless OS | Raspberry Pi OS |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #51 | #27 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Debian | Debian Stable |
| Release model | Atomic | Stable |
| Desktop | GNOME-based | Raspberry Pi Desktop |
| Package management | Flatpak · OSTree | APT |
| Init system | systemd | systemd |
| Experience level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 4 GB+ | 1 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | aarch64, armhf |
| First released | — | 2012 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Education, Everyday use, Immutable systems | Education, Development, Servers |
Key differences
- Endless OS is based on Debian, while Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable.
- Endless OS follows a atomic release model; Raspberry Pi OS is stable.
- Endless OS ships GNOME-based; Raspberry Pi OS ships Raspberry Pi Desktop.
- Software comes from Flatpak · OSTree on Endless OS and APT on Raspberry Pi OS.
- We suggest about 4 GB of RAM for Endless OS and 1 GB for Raspberry Pi OS.
Choose Endless OS if…
- works well offline
- hard-to-break atomic base
- educational content built in
Limited traditional package installation
Full Endless OS 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 profileEndless OS vs Raspberry Pi OS: FAQ
Is Endless OS better than Raspberry Pi OS?
Neither is better for everyone. Endless OS is the stronger pick for gaming, latest software; Raspberry Pi OS for older hardware, long-term stability.
Which uses less RAM, Endless OS or Raspberry Pi OS?
Raspberry Pi OS is lighter: we suggest about 1 GB versus 4 GB. The desktop you choose affects memory use more than the distribution itself.
Is Endless OS based on Raspberry Pi OS?
No. Endless OS is based on Debian; Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable.
Can I switch from Endless OS 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.