Best SteamOS alternatives
Distributions that share SteamOS’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.
- 1SteamOS vs Bazzite
Bazzite#6 in rankings
A gaming-focused desktop built on Fedora Atomic. Bazzite provides Fedora Atomic-based images with a focus on gaming PCs and handhelds.
- Also suited to gaming and immutable systems
- Same atomic release model
- Same beginner experience level
Key difference: based on Fedora Atomic.
- 2SteamOS 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 immutable systems
- Same atomic release model
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: based on Fedora.
- 3SteamOS vs RakuOS
RakuOS
Atomic Fedora that still lets you install native packages. RakuOS is a Fedora-based atomic distribution.
- Also suited to gaming and immutable systems
- Same atomic release model
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: based on Fedora.
- 4SteamOS 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
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: KDE Plasma (Dr460nized, Mokka), more desktop, intermediate level.
- 5SteamOS 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 gaming
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: KDE Plasma, GNOME, COSMIC, Hyprland, niri, more desktop, intermediate level.
- 6SteamOS 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
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce desktop, intermediate level.
- 7SteamOS 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
- Also Arch Linux-based
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: KDE Plasma, more desktop, intermediate level.
- 8SteamOS vs Nobara Project
Nobara Project#20 in rankings
Fedora, pre-tuned for gaming and streaming. Nobara is a Fedora-based distribution maintained by GloriousEggroll, known for Proton-GE.
- Also suited to gaming
- Same beginner experience level
- Offers KDE Plasma
Key difference: based on Fedora, stable release model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to SteamOS?
Bazzite is the closest match: also suited to gaming and immutable systems; same atomic release model. Anatase and RakuOS are also strong options.
Why switch from SteamOS?
Common reasons are its tradeoffs: official support targets specific handhelds; read-only base limits traditional package installs. An alternative can keep what you like while avoiding these.