Best CachyOS alternatives
Distributions that share CachyOS’s purpose, family, release model, or desktop, ordered by how closely they match. Each one lists what it has in common and a link to a full side-by-side comparison.
- 1CachyOS vs Manjaro
Manjaro#12 in rankings
Arch packages with a slower, tested rollout. Manjaro builds on Arch Linux packages but holds them in its own branches before they reach the stable channel.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce desktop, intermediate level.
- 2CachyOS vs EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS#17 in rankings
An approachable installer for an Arch-based system. EndeavourOS provides a starting point for an Arch-based rolling system.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, more desktop, intermediate level.
- 3CachyOS vs openSUSE Tumbleweed
openSUSE Tumbleweed#15 in rankings
Rolling releases with tested snapshots. openSUSE Tumbleweed publishes rolling snapshots tested through openQA.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Same rolling release model
- Same intermediate experience level
Key difference: based on openSUSE.
- 4CachyOS vs Garuda Linux
Garuda Linux#19 in rankings
A striking Arch-based desktop with snapshots. Garuda Linux is an Arch-based rolling distribution with heavily themed desktops, Btrfs by default, and automatic snapshots before updates.
- Also suited to gaming and everyday use
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma (Dr460nized, Mokka), more desktop, intermediate level.
- 5CachyOS vs Anatase
Anatase
One immutable Fedora image for desktop, handheld, and gaming. Anatase is a Fedora-based atomic distribution built with bootc by Antheas Kapenekakis, a core Bazzite maintainer, who describes it as a from-scratch rewrite that distills three years of learnings from Bazzite.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Same intermediate experience level
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: based on Fedora, atomic release model.
- 6CachyOS vs Arch Linux
Arch Linux#8 in rankings
Build the system you want. Keep learning. Arch Linux is a rolling distribution built around user choice and clear documentation.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Independent base like CachyOS
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: based on Independent.
- 7CachyOS vs Omarchy
Omarchy#11 in rankings
An opinionated, keyboard-driven Arch setup for developers. Omarchy is an Arch Linux-based distribution created by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) and incubated at 37signals, first released in 2025.
- Also suited to development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: Hyprland desktop, intermediate level.
- 8CachyOS vs Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS#13 in rankings
A developer-friendly desktop with built-in tiling. Pop!_OS is System76’s Ubuntu-based distribution.
- Also suited to gaming and development
- Offers COSMIC
Key difference: based on Ubuntu LTS, stable release model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to CachyOS?
Manjaro is the closest match: also suited to gaming and development; also arch linux-based. EndeavourOS and openSUSE Tumbleweed are also strong options.
Why switch from CachyOS?
Common reasons are its tradeoffs: optimized repositories need a supported processor; rolling updates still require maintenance. An alternative can keep what you like while avoiding these.