Raspberry Pi OS vs Slackware
Raspberry Pi OS: The official system for Raspberry Pi boards. Slackware: The oldest maintained distribution, simple by design. Here is how they differ, and which one suits you.
Quick verdict
- BeginnersRaspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS is rated beginner; Slackware is advanced.
- GamingTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Older hardwareRaspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS needs about 1 GB of RAM versus 2 GB.
- Latest softwareTieBoth are a similar fit here.
- Long-term stabilityTieBoth are a similar fit here.
Specs compared
| Feature | Raspberry Pi OS | Slackware |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (30d) | #27 | #24 |
| Latest version | — | 15.0 (Feb 3, 2022) |
| Based on | Debian Stable | Independent |
| Release model | Stable | Stable |
| Desktop | Raspberry Pi Desktop | KDE Plasma, Xfce |
| Package management | APT | pkgtool · slackpkg |
| Init system | systemd | BSD-style init |
| Experience level | Beginner | Advanced |
| Suggested RAM | 1 GB+ | 2 GB+ |
| Architectures | aarch64, armhf | x86_64, i686 |
| First released | 2012 | 1993 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Good for | Education, Development, Servers | Servers, Development |
Key differences
- Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable, while Slackware is based on Independent.
- Raspberry Pi OS ships Raspberry Pi Desktop; Slackware ships KDE Plasma, Xfce.
- Software comes from APT on Raspberry Pi OS and pkgtool · slackpkg on Slackware.
- Raspberry Pi OS uses systemd as its init system; Slackware uses BSD-style init.
- We suggest about 1 GB of RAM for Raspberry Pi OS and 2 GB for Slackware.
- Raspberry Pi OS is best for beginner users; Slackware for advanced users.
Choose 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 profileChoose Slackware if…
- simple, transparent system design
- very long project history
- minimal distribution-specific tooling
No automatic dependency resolution
Full Slackware profileRaspberry Pi OS vs Slackware: FAQ
Is Raspberry Pi OS better than Slackware?
Neither is better for everyone. Raspberry Pi OS is the stronger pick for beginners, older hardware; Slackware for a different set of needs.
Which uses less RAM, Raspberry Pi OS or Slackware?
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 Raspberry Pi OS based on Slackware?
No. Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian Stable; Slackware is based on Independent.
Can I switch from Raspberry Pi OS to Slackware 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.