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When it comes to Arch-based Linux distributions, EndeavourOS and CachyOS are both strong contenders, but they cater to slightly different types of users. While EndeavourOS is well-known for providing a minimal yet Arch-like experience, CachyOS focuses more on performance optimization and a polished, user-friendly setup. Here’s a breakdown of how these two distributions compare.
1. Philosophy and Approach
EndeavourOS: The Arch Experience with a Friendly Installer
- EndeavourOS offers a minimal Arch-like experience, designed for users who appreciate Arch Linux’s rolling release model but want a simpler way to install it.
- It comes with a bare-bones system by default, giving users full control over the desktop environment and software they choose to install.
- The focus is on providing a user-friendly, flexible Arch base, which makes it ideal for users who want to start from scratch but with a straightforward installation process.
- EndeavourOS sticks closely to Arch’s official repositories and vanilla Arch, which is a big draw for users who want to build their system from the ground up.
CachyOS: Performance-Optimized Arch with Extra Features
- CachyOS is an Arch-based distribution that goes beyond just providing an easy-to-use installer or minimal system. It focuses heavily on performance optimizations, particularly for Intel and AMD processors, promising better responsiveness and faster system performance.
- CachyOS includes additional tweaks and pre-configured performance settings to get the most out of your hardware, with a focus on a smooth user experience without sacrificing speed.
- It offers a polished, user-friendly setup, making it a great choice for users who want performance out of the box without having to manually tweak settings or dive deep into system optimization.
2. Installation Experience: Ease vs Customization
EndeavourOS: Minimal Installation with Full Control
- EndeavourOS uses the Calamares installer, making it easy for users to install the base system. After installation, users are presented with a minimal system, and they can choose their desktop environment, software, and configurations.
- It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer to customize everything after installation, with no unnecessary bloat.
- However, since it’s a minimal installation, users need to set up more things manually, which can be time-consuming for newcomers.
CachyOS: Optimized and Ready-to-Use
- CachyOS offers an optimized, ready-to-go system right after installation. The focus here is on providing a system that is performance-tuned and polished without requiring too much configuration.
- The installer is also based on Calamares, but CachyOS comes with pre-installed tweaks for performance, making it suitable for users who want a fast, out-of-the-box system.
- While it’s less customizable than EndeavourOS at the installation stage, it provides a smoother experience for users who prioritize performance and ease of use.
3. Performance: Speed and Optimization
EndeavourOS: Standard Arch Performance
- EndeavourOS is designed to offer a near-pure Arch experience, so the performance is largely the same as vanilla Arch.
- Since it’s more minimal out of the box, performance largely depends on what packages and optimizations the user chooses to install after setup.
- It’s suitable for users who are looking for a flexible system that they can fine-tune for performance as needed.
CachyOS: Performance-Focused by Default
- CachyOS is built with performance optimizations in mind. It includes custom kernel tweaks, pre-configured CPU optimizations, and a system that’s tailored to get the most out of your hardware, especially for users with Intel or AMD processors.
- Out of the box, CachyOS feels faster, as it’s been fine-tuned for responsiveness and efficiency.
- For users who want a high-performance Arch without needing to manually tweak the system, CachyOS is the ideal choice.
4. Software Repositories and Package Management
EndeavourOS: Closer to Vanilla Arch
- EndeavourOS sticks closely to the official Arch repositories, meaning users can install software directly from Arch’s rolling release model.
- It also provides support for the AUR (Arch User Repository), allowing users to install almost any package available in the Arch ecosystem.
- Since it’s a minimal distro, users have more freedom to install exactly what they need and avoid unnecessary bloat.
CachyOS: Performance Tweaks + Arch Repositories
- CachyOS also uses the Arch repositories and has access to the AUR.
- However, it adds additional performance-related packages and tweaks in its own repositories, giving users access to performance-optimized tools and settings that aren’t available in standard Arch.
- While it maintains compatibility with Arch’s package management system, CachyOS focuses on ensuring that the software installed works in harmony with its performance optimizations.
5. Desktop Experience: Customization vs Performance
EndeavourOS: Minimal with Room for Customization
- The default desktop experience in EndeavourOS is minimalistic, with no pre-installed software or fancy tweaks. You get a clean slate to build your desktop environment exactly as you like.
- EndeavourOS offers various desktop environments, including Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME, and others, and users are free to choose what suits their needs best.
- It’s perfect for users who enjoy customizing every aspect of their system, from desktop environments to system settings.
CachyOS: Pre-Optimized Desktop with Performance Focus
- CachyOS provides a more polished desktop experience, often with a focus on KDE Plasma or Xfce as the default desktop environments. The system is optimized out-of-the-box to deliver better performance while maintaining a user-friendly and functional desktop.
- While customization is possible, it’s not as deeply minimal as EndeavourOS. CachyOS gives users an experience that’s optimized for performance and efficiency, but it doesn’t leave as much room for granular adjustments at the start.
6. Community and Support
EndeavourOS: Strong Community, Arch Documentation
- EndeavourOS has a supportive and active community that helps users troubleshoot problems and share knowledge. It also benefits from Arch’s official documentation, which is among the best in the Linux world.
- The community is welcoming, and there’s a strong focus on Arch’s DIY culture, so users are encouraged to learn and customize their systems.
CachyOS: Smaller but Growing Community
- CachyOS has a smaller community compared to EndeavourOS, but it’s growing rapidly, especially among users who prioritize performance.
- While the community isn’t as large as EndeavourOS’, it’s quite active, and users can find performance-related tweaks, guides, and support on forums and in the official CachyOS Discord.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose EndeavourOS if:
- You want a minimal, Arch-like experience with full control over your system.
- You’re comfortable customizing your system and installing everything you need.
- You prefer to work with vanilla Arch and don’t need out-of-the-box performance tweaks.
- Choose CachyOS if:
- You want a performance-optimized system with minimal configuration out of the box.
- You need a fast, responsive desktop that’s ready to use, especially if you’re on Intel or AMD hardware.
- You’re looking for a polished, user-friendly Arch experience that doesn’t require manual optimizations.
Final Thoughts
Both EndeavourOS and CachyOS offer unique advantages depending on what you’re looking for in an Arch-based Linux distribution. EndeavourOS is perfect for users who want to start from a minimal base and customize their system, while CachyOS excels for those who want a high-performance, optimized Arch system with less effort. Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize customizability or performance out of the box.
