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
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