KaOS vs Solus
KaOS: A lean, independent rolling distro focused on Qt. Solus: An independent desktop with a curated rolling model. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersSolusSolus is rated beginner; KaOS is intermediate.
- GamingSolusSolus ships gaming-oriented defaults or current drivers.
- Older hardwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Latest softwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Long-term stabilityTieBoth are a similar fit here.
Specs compared
| Feature | KaOS | Solus |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #49 | #43 |
| Latest version | — | — |
| Based on | Independent | Independent |
| Release model | Rolling | Rolling |
| Desktop | niri with Noctalia | Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce |
| Package management | Pacman · KCP (community) | eopkg · Flatpak |
| Init system | Dinit | systemd |
| Experience level | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Suggested RAM | 4 GB+ | 4 GB+ |
| Architectures | x86_64 | x86_64 |
| First released | 2013 | 2015 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Everyday use | Everyday use, Gaming |
Key differences
- KaOS ships niri with Noctalia; Solus ships Budgie, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce.
- Software comes from Pacman · KCP (community) on KaOS and eopkg · Flatpak on Solus.
- KaOS uses Dinit as its init system; Solus uses systemd.
- KaOS is best for intermediate users; Solus for beginner users.
Choose KaOS if…
- everything built by and for KaOS from scratch
- current Qt and KDE applications on a rolling base
- calamares graphical installer
Deliberately small repositories
Full KaOS profileChoose Solus if…
- weekly, curated rolling updates
- desktop-focused package selection
- independent base with its own tooling
Smaller repository than major distributions
Full Solus profileKaOS vs Solus: FAQ
Is KaOS better than Solus?
Neither is better for everyone. KaOS is the stronger pick for a different set of needs; Solus for beginners, gaming.
Which uses less RAM, KaOS or Solus?
Both need about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop. The desktop environment affects memory use more than the distribution.
Is KaOS based on Solus?
No. KaOS is based on Independent; Solus is based on Independent.
Can I switch from KaOS 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.