RakuOS
Atomic Fedora that still lets you install native packages.
What is RakuOS?
RakuOS is a Fedora-based atomic distribution. The base system ships as a bootc image that updates as a whole and can be rolled back, and a persistent overlay lets you install native RPM packages with its own rum package manager instead of slow rpm-ostree layering. Editions cover KDE Plasma (the flagship), GNOME, COSMIC (beta), and niri. It is a young project, so expect faster change than on established distributions.
Who is RakuOS for?
RakuOS fits best for gaming, immutable systems and everyday use. Where it ranks in our lists:
- #6 of 9: best immutable and atomic Linux distros
- #12 of 13: best Linux distros for gaming
- #34 of 37: best Linux distros for 4 GB of RAM
Pros
- Atomic image updates with instant rollback
- Native RPM packages persist across updates
- Terra repositories enabled for codecs and drivers
Cons
- Young project with a small community
- The overlay approach differs from mainstream Fedora Atomic documentation
RakuOS system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 4 GB of RAM. RakuOS is available for x86_64. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
Try RakuOS before you install
Write the image to a USB stick and boot it as a live session to test Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, and suspend on your own computer. A browser trial on DistroSea shows the desktop, but cannot verify your hardware.
Compare RakuOS with…
Best RakuOS alternatives
Anatase
One immutable Fedora image for desktop, handheld, and gaming.
Also suited to gaming and immutable systemsBazzite
A gaming-focused desktop built on Fedora Atomic.
Also suited to gaming and immutable systemsFedora Silverblue
An atomic GNOME desktop with a way back.
Also suited to immutable systems and everyday useRakuOS: common questions
What is RakuOS based on?
RakuOS is based on Fedora. It uses rum (RPM overlay) · RakuOS Software Center for software and systemd as its init system.
Is RakuOS good for beginners?
It is manageable if you are comfortable troubleshooting and occasionally using a terminal. Complete beginners may prefer Linux Mint or Ubuntu first.
How much RAM does RakuOS need?
We suggest about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience with a modern browser. This is editorial guidance, not the project’s official minimum, which can be lower. It runs on x86_64.
What desktop does RakuOS use?
RakuOS offers KDE Plasma, GNOME, COSMIC, niri.
Is RakuOS a rolling release?
RakuOS uses atomic, image-based updates: the system updates as a unit and keeps the previous version for rollback.
Is RakuOS free?
Yes, RakuOS is free to download and use.