Best Omarchy alternatives
Distributions that share Omarchy’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.
- 1Omarchy vs CachyOS
CachyOS#4 in rankings
An Arch-based system tuned for speed. CachyOS is an Arch-based rolling distribution that focuses on performance.
- Also suited to development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, GNOME, COSMIC, Hyprland, niri, more desktop, intermediate level.
- 2Omarchy 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 development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce desktop, intermediate level.
- 3Omarchy 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 development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, more desktop, intermediate level.
- 4Omarchy 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 Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
- Same intermediate experience level
Key difference: KDE Plasma (Dr460nized, Mokka), more desktop, intermediate level.
- 5Omarchy 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 development
- Independent base like Omarchy
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: based on Independent.
- 6Omarchy vs Artix Linux
Artix Linux#29 in rankings
Arch Linux without systemd. Artix Linux is a rolling distribution based on Arch that replaces systemd with OpenRC, runit, s6, or dinit.
- Also suited to development
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Same rolling release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, Xfce, more desktop, advanced level.
- 7Omarchy vs openSUSE Tumbleweed
openSUSE Tumbleweed#15 in rankings
Rolling releases with tested snapshots. openSUSE Tumbleweed publishes rolling snapshots tested through openQA.
- Also suited to development
- Same rolling release model
- Same intermediate experience level
Key difference: based on openSUSE.
- 8Omarchy vs Fedora Asahi Remix
Fedora Asahi Remix#28 in rankings
Linux on Apple Silicon Macs. Fedora Asahi Remix is the flagship distribution of the Asahi Linux project, which reverse-engineers support for Apple Silicon Macs.
- Also suited to development
- Same intermediate experience level
Key difference: based on Fedora, stable release model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Omarchy?
CachyOS is the closest match: also suited to development; also arch linux-based. Manjaro and EndeavourOS are also strong options.
Why switch from Omarchy?
Common reasons are its tradeoffs: keyboard-driven tiling workflow has a learning curve; opinionated defaults and a dedicated drive with full-disk encryption; young project; rolling arch updates still need attention. An alternative can keep what you like while avoiding these.