EndeavourOS vs CachyOS: Which Arch Distro Should You Choose?

Looking into EndeavourOS vs CachyOS? While both are Arch-based distros, EndeavourOS prioritizes minimalism and community-friendliness, and CachyOS focuses on performance tuning and convenience. Here’s a clear comparison to help you decide which fits your needs.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	EndeavourOS	CachyOS
Installer	Calamares, minimal setup	Calamares + filesystem options
Default Shell	Bash/Zsh	Fish + Powerlevel10k
Kernel	Arch Linux default or custom	Cachy-optimized + Bore/LTO kernels
Filesystem	ext4/Btrfs optional	Btrfs snapshots preconfigured
Performance Tuning	User-managed	CPU flags, strip binaries, zRAM
Package Sources	Arch repos + AUR	Arch repos + CachyOS repo
Community Size	Large, stable	Smaller, but growing

1. Installation Experience

EndeavourOS: Minimal & Flexible

You get a clean Arch base with Calamares and choose your DE. You’re free to install tools and kernels as needed.

CachyOS: Performance-Ready by Default

After install, CachyOS gives you Fish shell, optimized kernels, Btrfs with snapshots, and popular GUI tools right away—no setup needed.

2. Performance Tuning & Kernel

Reddit users note significant speed improvements with CachyOS’s custom kernel:

“linux-cachyos kernel reduced boot time by 1–2 seconds… linux-cachyos‑bore‑lto kernel dropped it to 8 sec from 12.” :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

CachyOS adds CPU-specific flags, stripped binaries, and zRAM, making daily use feel snappier. EndeavourOS requires manual tweaks to achieve the same.

3. Shell & Tooling

CachyOS defaults to Fish with Powerlevel10k, Octopi, and Btrfs Assistant. EndeavourOS sticks to Bash/Zsh and leaves GUI tools optional.

4. Filesystem & Rollbacks

CachyOS configures Btrfs and Snapper out of the box, enabling automatic snapshots and easy rollbacks—ideal for safe updates. EndeavourOS provides flexibility but requires manual snapshot setup.

5. Updates & Stability

Both distros follow Arch’s rolling release model. CachyOS may delay some updates for optimization, while EndeavourOS stays closer to Arch’s timing.

6. Community Support

EndeavourOS has a large, stable community with extensive Arch Wiki guides. CachyOS’s smaller but growing community shares performance-tuning insights and rapid kernel updates. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

FAQs: EndeavourOS vs CachyOS

Can I add CachyOS features on EndeavourOS?

Yes. Many users add CachyOS repos, kernels, and tools on their EndeavourOS setup with ease. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Is CachyOS significantly faster?

Benchmark results show minimal CPU speed differences, but users report noticeably snappier UI responsiveness and boot times. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Which is safer for system updates?

EndeavourOS tracks Arch more closely; CachyOS may delay some updates, but both benefit from Arch’s robust rolling-release ecosystem.

EndeavourOS vs CachyOS: Final Thoughts

Choose EndeavourOS if you want a clean, community-backed Arch experience and don’t mind setting up tools yourself. Go with CachyOS if you want tuned kernels, snapshot safety, and performance gains out of the box.

Ready to Choose?

Pick the distro that matches your preferences—DIY control or performance tuning. Want walkthroughs for setup and optimization? Check out our Arch Setup & Tweaks Hub.

Arch Linux Wiki: Arch-based distributions