The 10 Best Rolling Release Linux Distributions

In this guide, we will discuss some of the popular rolling release distributions. If you are new to the concept of a rolling release, worry not. A rolling release system is a Linux distribution that is constantly updated in all aspects: from the software packages, desktop environment, to the kernel. Applications are updated and released on a rolling basis thereby eliminating the need to download the latest ISO which would be representative of the latest release.

Let’s now have a glance at some of the best rolling releases.

1. Arch Linux

Currently sitting at the 15th position in distrowatch is Arch Linux, an independently developed rolling release. It has been in constant development since it’s initial release back in 2002 under the GNU / GPL licenses. Compared to other distributions, Arch Linux is not for the faint-hearted and targets advanced users who prefer a do-it-yourself approach. This is best exemplified during installation where, apart from its base installation, users can further customize it to suit their own needs, for example, installing a GUI.

Arch Linux
Arch Linux

Arch is underpinned by the rich Arch User Repository (AUR) which is a community-driven repository that contains package builds – PKGBUILDs – that accords users the ability to compile packages from source and finally install them using the pacman package manager.

Additionally, the AUR allows users to contribute their independently developed package builds. Although anyone can upload or contribute their packages, Trusted Users are tasked with maintaining the repository and watching over the package builds being uploaded before being made available to users.

Arch is quite stable with a decent performance given its lean packaging devoid of any unnecessary software. Depending on the desktop environment you choose, performance may vary. For example, a heavy environment such as GNOME is likely to impact the performance in comparison to a lighter alternative such as XFCE.

2. OpenSUSE TumbleWeed

As you might already know, the OpenSUSE project provides 2 distributions: Leap and Tumbleweed. OpenSUSE Tumbleweed is a rolling release unlike its counterpart OpenSUSE Leap which is a regular release or point distribution.

Tumbleweed is a development distribution that ships with the very latest software updates and comes highly recommended for developers and users who desire to make contributions to the OpenSUSE project. Compared to its Leap counterpart, it’s not as stable and is therefore not ideal for production environments.

OpenSUSE TumbleWeed
OpenSUSE TumbleWeed

If you are a user seeking to have the newest software packages, including the latest kernel, the Tumbleweed is the go-to flavor. Additionally, it would also appeal to software developers looking to make the most of the latest IDEs and development stacks.

Due to frequent kernel updates, Tumbleweed is not recommended for 3rd party graphic drivers such as Nvidia unless users are competent enough in updating the drivers from source.

3. Solus

Formerly known as Evolve OS, Solus is an independently developed rolling release designed for home and office computing. It ships with applications for use on a day-to-day basis such as Firefox browser, Thunderbird, and multimedia applications such as GNOME MPV. Users can install additional software from their Software Center.

Solus Linux
Solus Linux

Since its initial release in 2015, it has continued to be a favourite among home users with its default feature-rich Budgie desktop that provides an elegant yet simple UI however you may get it in other editions such as MATE, KDE Plasma, and GNOME environments.

With Solus, eopkg is the package manager and once you get used to it, you will start getting confident and the experience will be seamless.

4. Manjaro

Manjaro is a derivant of Arch Linux which targets beginners thanks to its stability and ease of use. The latest version, Manjaro 20.0.3 is available in 3 desktop environments i.e KDE Plasma, XFCE, and GNOME with KDE Plasma being the most preferred by many users owing to its elegance and versatility. For users who want to try out Arch, but want to enjoy a user friendly, feature-rich and customizable desktop, then Manjaro comes highly recommended.

Manjaro Linux
Manjaro Linux

Out-of-the-box you get a myriad of applications for everyday use and you can additionally install more including themes and widgets using the pacman package manager. Feel free to also try out other desktop environments such as MATE, Budgie, Enlightenment. Cinnamon, LXDE, and Deepin to mention a few.

5. Gentoo

Gentoo is yet another rolling release that is powerful and customizable down to the kernel. Unlike other opensource Linux distros, it’s devoid of preconfigured software and tools for enhanced user experience. This fact makes it quite complicated and less ideal for beginners. Just like Arch, Gentoo appeals more to experienced Linux users who want to accomplish everything from scratch.

Gentoo Linux
Gentoo Linux

Portage is Gentoo’s package management system which is anchored on the ports system that was used by BSD systems. Gentoos takes pride in its repository which has over 19,000 packages available for installation.

6. Sabayon OS

Sabayon Linux is a stable Gentoo-based distro which is beginner-friendly thanks to a variety of prebuilt applications that work out of the box. All the core-components available in Gentoo including configuration tools work flawlessly in Sabayon. It offers a pretty appealing IU, is good in hardware detection, and once installed, everything should simply work as expected.

Sabayon Linux
Sabayon Linux

Sabayon is available for download as a desktop, server (minimal ), or as a virtual instance such as a Docker image. Like other distributions, it has its own software repository and entropy is its package management system. Sabayon is available in many X environments including GNOME, KDE, XFCE, MATE, and LXDE. Sabayon is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures with ARM images also made available for Raspberry Pi 2 and 3.

7. Endeavor OS

Endeavour OS is a terminal-centric rolling release based on Arch that ships with some GUI applications such as reflector auto, welcome app, and kernel manager app. There are 8 desktop environments available for use with Endeavor OS alongside the latest apps and widgets to give you wholesome user experience. These environments include GNOME, XFCE, Deeping, KDE Plasma, and Cinnamon.

Endeavor Linux OS
Endeavor Linux OS

Endeavor bundles yay package manager for installing, updating, removing, and performing other package management functions. With the exception of the eos-welcome app, reflector auto, and the kernel manager app, all software packages are installed directly from the AUR or Arch repos. In so doing, it stays as close as possible to Arch Linux.

8. Black Arch

Also based on Arch is Black Arch, a penetration testing rolling release that packs with over 2400 tools for conducting penetration tests and forensics work. Its functionality is closely similar to that of its Kali Linux and ParrotOS counterparts. Like Arch Linux, it’s default package manager is pacman, and the latest release is only available in 64-bit.

Black Arch
Black Arch

9. Arch Labs

Arch Labs is an Arch-based rolling release that is inspired by Bunsenlabs UI. It provides a Live CD that lets you give it a test run before installing it. Being a rolling release, this gives you the guarantee that the latest packages will always be available for download.

Arch Labs Linux
Arch Labs Linux

10. Reborn OS

Yet another Arch-based flavor on our list is Reborn OS, a high-performance and highly customizable distribution that offers more than 15 desktop environments to install. It is easy to install and offers flatpak support, and the option to install Anbox – an opensource tool that allows you to run android apps and games on a Linux environment.

Reborn OS
Reborn OS

This guide has focused on only 10 rolling release distros, however, we would like to acknowledge other rolling release flavors such as: Void Linux, Debian Unstable, and ArcoLinux.

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James Kiarie
This is James, a certified Linux administrator and a tech enthusiast who loves keeping in touch with emerging trends in the tech world. When I'm not running commands on the terminal, I'm taking listening to some cool music. taking a casual stroll or watching a nice movie.

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45 Comments

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  1. Well, a very interesting if incomplete article. I call it incomplete because you fail to note PCLinuxOS 64. I started with the AmigaOS back in the days of my youth, but switched to Mandriva 2006.

    When that company bottomed out, I searched long and hard to find PCLinuxOS 64 in 2014. Not only is it a well-maintained rolling release, but the packagers and coders of special programs are also on the PCLinuxOS Users Forum every day to help users with their problems in setting up or configuring programs.

    Oh, and I have tried out other desktop environments, but KDE is the most versatile and allows me to use the same controls and art as I might have used on a modern AmigaOS. KDE’s Plasma can also simulate most of the other DEs. The only real requirement is to keep up with the updates.

    bliss – Dell Precision 7730 – PCLOS 2024.06 – Linux 6.6.35-pclos1 – KDE Plasma 5.27.11″

    Reply
  2. I use the Solus, it’s very good for my routine as software developer. It has a good and beauty desktop interface in budgie, and your updates are good for me, very clean.

    Reply
  3. Nice article! I prefer regular Arch Linux. It’s easy to install, as long as you read the wiki first. In my opinion, it’s hard to beat the Pacman package manager.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Michael. Sure thing, WIth the right technical skills, Arch is quite a breeze to install. It also gives you the flexibility to determine what to install and what to leave out.

      Reply
  4. For advanced users, Slackware has a rolling release, Slackware-current, that is separate from its stable (ir)regularly released version.

    Reply
  5. Sabayon is rebranding to Mocaccino OS, merging with another distro. It seems the re-branding is mid-way, with documentation, links, domains, etc, all existing in a mixed state. Not a good time to hop on the bandwagon.

    Reply
  6. I liked the easy installation and simple to use Archman Linux. This is also, a rolling distribution. Now I use his lightweight (Xfce) edition. It over 99% compatible with Arch Linux.

    Reply
  7. I don’t understand why half of the ten rolling release distro are Arch Linux. Shipping a few extra packages is not making a distro.

    Reply
    • For the same reason that any “Best Distro” list contains mostly Ubuntu-derived distros – bias. Either that or laziness on the part of the author.

      Reply
  8. A small vote for LMDE – Linux Mint Debian Edition. It’s Linux Mint but based on Debian “testing” instead. It’s a little rough around the edges compared to regular Mint, however.

    Reply
  9. A good list, even though Arch clearly has a bit of an over-representation. It is, however, for a reason. I used to run Manjaro for a little over a year and it was something that I could have even recommend to friends moving to Linux for the first time.

    One rolling release distro that caught me by surprise was actually Debian. Its unstable version turned out to be a fascinating little beast and something I could whole heartily recommend to any novice level user looking for an interesting experience. Debian on the cutting-edge, imagine that!

    Reply
  10. You could have easily replaced one of the Arch derivatives with Void. The level of difficulty is the same, and the distros have some things in common, but it is a distinct distro that stands on its own.

    Reply
  11. This whole list makes no sense as it doesn’t mention “Debian Testing“. Debian Testing is the most stable and oldest rolling distribution. I’ve been using it for ages and there and it never gave any ugly surprises. Enough said.

    Reply
    • Curiosity? Not for me, it has been my full-fledged, workhorse, every day Distro for over ten years. I don’t care if you like it or not, I don’t care if it is popular or not, I care it exists. And don’t forget that curiosity powers almost every supercomputer on Earth, most servers, and the IoT. Please stay with Windows, please!

      Reply
  12. That’s by far, one if the quest articles I’ve ever read covering rolling release distros – almost, in fact, rising to the level of troll bait, actually.

    You covered three base distros:

    1. Arch Linux
    2. Tumbleweed
    3. Gentoo

    Before ever going and venturing off into other derivatives of rolling distros, you should have, yet didn’t even ever, mention the other most prominent and arguably best *base* rolling distros, i.e.,

    • Slackware -current
    • Debian Testing (currently Bullseye)
    • Lunar Linux, Source Mage, or even coverage of Sorcerer as their parent distro.

    You do the community a disservice by not mentioning the other three most prominent and wildly popular rolling distros.

    Reply
    • Slackware is a point release.

      Lunar Linux, Source Mage, and Sorcerer are source-based. The only way they can be considered “rolling” is if the user keeps re-compiling them. And Sorcerer is “dormant” as in no longer being developed.

      Reply
  13. I prefer and use PCLinuxOS. It is an independently developed distribution that can use both .rpm and .deb packages. It uses APT as its CLI package manager and Synaptic as its GUI package manager. And to top it off, it has not been infected with the systemd cancer.

    Reply

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