List of Linux distributions

Linux can be changed, so there are many versions and distributions of Linux, each containing different software or made for different purposes. A list of distributions can be found below:

Debian-based

Debian is a distribution that only accepts free software. It is supported on many hardware platforms.

Distribution	Description
64 Studio	Attempts to specialize in audio and video production on AMD64 workstations.
AbulÉdu	For education projects
Baltix	For Lithuanian and Latvian people
BeatrIX	A distribution from the Czech Republic.
DeMuDi	For multimedia production
Dreamlinux	A Brazilian Linux distribution based on Morphix, Elive, Debian and Kanotix.
eBox	for Router/Firewall and NAS/PDC
Elive	A LiveCD intuitive and easy to use.
Feather Linux	Like Damn Small Linux, but not based on it. It can work with Debian packages. It is a light distribution.
Finnix	A small system administration Live CD.
Gibraltar	Router/firewall distribution.
gnuLinEx	A distribution promoted by the government of Extremadura, Spain.
Kanotix	An installable live CD for desktop usage using KDE,easy to use.
Knoppix	The first Live CD (later DVD) version of Debian GNU/Linux.
Linspire	Desktop-oriented distribution, previously called Lindows.
Longhorn Linux Archived 2017-09-25 at the Wayback Machine	A Debian Based Distro made to look and feel like Windows Longhorn.
Maemo	A version made for devies such as the Nokia n8x0.
MEPIS	An easy to install Linux Distribution.
MintPPC	Fast and slick Linux for PowerPC computers.
NepaLinux	A Debian and Morphix based distribution in Nepali language.
OpenZaurus	Debian packages and ROM image for the Sharp Zaurus PDA.
Parsix GNU/Linux	Parsix is an installable live CD based on Kanotix and Debian sid.
PingOO	French distribution helped by local communities,public organizations,schools etc.
Rxart	Desktop-oriented distribution.
Satux	Is a 100% Brazilian distribution.
Skolelinux	A distribution from Norway,distributing for schools.
sidux	Based on Debian, unstable.
Symphony OS	Includes the Mezzo desktop environment. Old versions were based on Knoppix.
The Linux Router Project	Router distribution
Trisquel	A Debian based distribution, created in Galicia, Spain. It has support for old PCs, includes a 3D desktop with Compiz.
Tuquito	Created in Argentina.
Ubuntu	A distribution sponsored by Canonical Ltd as well as receiving big funding from South African Mark Shuttleworth.
UserLinux	Commercial distribution that would have included GNOME. It was never published.
Xandros Open Circulation Edition	based on Xandros 3.0 Standard Edition.
Xebian	For the Xbox home gaming console.

Knoppix-based

Knoppix is itself based on Debian.

Distribution	Description
Buildix	For agile developers.
Kaella	The French translation of Knoppix.
Feather Linux	Knoppix-based Linux distribution which currently fits in under 128 MB.
Kalango	A Brazilian Knoppix-based distribution designed to have a very nice look.
KnoppMyth	Specialized Knoppix distribution for easy setup of the MythTV PVR software.
Kurumin	A version of the Knoppix distribution designed for Brazilian users.
Morphix	A LiveCD distribution.
Musix	A Knoppix/Debian based distribution, intended for music production, graphic design, audio, video editing, and other tasks. It is built with only free software.
PAIPIX	A Debian "live" distribution based on Knoppix and Kanotix for desktop usage,from Portugal

Ubuntu-based

Ubuntu is based on Debian.

Distribution	Description
Edubuntu	Official derivative; designed for use in classroom
Fluxbuntu	Soft distribution using the Fluxbox window manager
Freespire	Distribution made especially for streaming media from the Internet.
gNewSense	Free general purpose operating system, it is built with only free software.
Gnoppix	Offers the GNOME desktop environment on a Live CD.
Gobuntu	Free general purpose operating system.
gOS Rocket	Based on Ubuntu 7.10 and the Enlightenment window manager, and designed for a US$200 Wal-Mart computer.
Guadalinex	An Ubuntu-based distribution promoted by the local government of Andalucia, Spain.
Hiweed	A distribution for the Chinese language.
Impi Linux	A South African based distribution for to be used in Africa.
Kubuntu	Official derivative; uses the KDE desktop environment.
LinuxMCE	Distribution designed to allow a computer to act as a Home Theater PC.
Linux Mint	Distribution focused on multimedia. Contains Compiz Fusion.
Mythbuntu	Designed to simplify the installation of MythTV on a home theater PC.
nUbuntu	Includes tools used for testing of servers and networks.
OpenGEU	Combines the power and flexibility of Gnome with the look of Enlightenment.
Ubuntu Christian Edition	A Christian edition of Ubuntu
Ubuntu Studio	An official Ubuntu derivative designed for audio/video editing workstations.
Sabily	A fully-themed distribution made for Muslims, comes with packages such as prayer-time reminder and Qur'an recitations.
Super OS	includes support for more multimedia formats and aiming for an "out-of-the-box" experience
Xubuntu	Official derivative; uses the Xfce desktop environment.
Linux Lite	A light general purpose operating system.

Gentoo-based

Gentoo is a distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software.

Distribution	Description
Gentoox	An adaptation of Gentoo for the Xbox One.
Knopperdisk	A new distribution that can stay at USB sticks.
Kororaa	A distribution easy to using and installing with a manual configuration.
Pentoo	For testing Live CD distribution.
Sabayon Linux	An Italian/European Linux distro based on Gentoo. However, it follows the "out of the box" philosophy, aiming to give the user a wide number of applications ready to use and a self-configured operating system.
SystemRescueCD	System rescue Live CD version of Gentoo.
Ututo	A distribution made in Argentina.
VidaLinux	A distribution which uses Anaconda as its installer.

RPM-based

Red Hat Linux and SUSE Linux were the original major distributions that used the RPM file format, which is today used in several package management systems. Both of these later divided into commercial and community-supported distributions.

Fedora Linux-based

Fedora is a Linux distribution by Fedora Project.

Distribution	Description
Aurox	Young Polish distribution.
Aurora SPARC Linux	A distribution that brings a modified Fedora to Sun's SPARC architecture
BLAG Linux and GNU	A Free Software-based distribution designed for basic home use.
Fox Linux	An Italian distribution designed for basic home use.
K12Linux and K12LTSP	A distribution for educational purpose.
Linux XP	Distribution that focuses for to be easy to use.
Yellow Dog Linux	A Fedora-based distribution for the PowerPC platform,is the official official supported Linux for the PlayStation 3.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is based on Fedora.

Distribution	Description
Asianux
CentOS	Community-supported distribution that to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux without proprietary software.
SME Server	Based on CentOS.
ClarkConnect	Router/firewall distribution
Pie Box Enterprise Linux	Created for to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux with few changes.
Rocky Linux	Linux distribution by Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation.
Scientific Linux	A distribution co-developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
White Box Enterprise Linux	A distribution designed to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Others (RPM-based)

Distribution	Description
aLinux	A distribution for home use designed to be as Windows XP Home.
ALT Linux
Annvix	A security-focused server distribution.
Ark Linux	A distribution focused on ease of use and ease of learning.
Berry Linux	A Fedora-based distribution that supports Japanese and English languages.
blackPanther OS	Hungarian Linux distribution, active developing since 2002. Originally based on Mandrake. English homepage Archived 2017-04-23 at the Wayback Machine and Hungarian homepage
Caixa Mágica	A Portuguese distribution.
Caldera Linux
cAos Linux	Designed for to run on older hardware, and be easily customizable.
EduLinux	A distribution for educational projects.
EnGarde Secure Linux	Server-only distribution designed to be safe.
LiMux
Linkat	A distribution promoted by the government of Catalonia, Spain.
Mandriva Linux Free	Free
MCNLive	A Mandriva-based distribution designed to run from CD or USB Flash Drive.
PCLinuxOS	A Live CD distribution.Originally based on Mandrake 9.2.
PLD Linux Distribution	For expert people.
QiLinux	Made in Italy.
Red Flag Linux	A distribution developed in China and make good for the Chinese people.
Red Hat Linux
SAM Linux	A live and installation CD based on PCLinuxOS 2007 and Xfce.
Sharif Linux	A bilingual Persian-English distribution for the Iranian people.
SUSE Linux	A desktop-oriented Linux distribution helped by Novell, Inc.. SUSE is one of the most popular distributions in Europe. openSUSE - A branch developed by the community and sponsored by Novell. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - A server-oriented Linux distribution helped by Novell, Inc.. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop A desktop-oriented Linux distribution helped by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the enterprise market. SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time - A specialized version of the SUSE distribution from Novell.
Trustix	A distribution based for to be safe.
Turbolinux	Based on Red Hat Linux.
Vine Linux	A Japanese distribution based on Red Hat Linux.
YOPER	A desktop distribution from New Zealand.

Slackware-based

Slackware is known as a highly customizable distribution,generally considered a distribution for expert users.

Distribution	Description
Austrumi	A soft distribution (50MB).
easys GNU/Linux	Slackware based enterprise Desktop with KDE.
Frugalware	A general purpose Linux distribution.
GoblinX
HostGIS
NimbleX	.
Plamo Linux	A Japanese Linux distribution designed for simplicity.
Slackintosh
Slamd64
SLAX	A very popular live CD.
Topologilinux	Designed to run from within Microsoft Windows.
Vector Linux	A soft distribution designed to be easy to use even for new users.
Zenwalk Linux

SLAX-Based

SLAX's distributions are known for be really good in branch of quality.

Distribution	Description
Arudius
BackTrack
DNALinux
SLAMPP	Designed to be used on a home server.
Karamad	Karamad, with Support from DPI (Data Processing of Iran), the first ranked company in Iran, is a live and installation Linux CD based on SLAX, with many more applications added to it. Karamad was created for Iranians, depicting elements of Iran's culture.
Saramad	It was also introduced with Karamad, but it was for administrative application in public sector.

Others

The following distributions either use another packaging system, do not use any, or are simply not categorized.

Distribution	Description
Arch Linux	An i686- and x86-64-optimized, independently developed distribution targeted at experienced users. Arch runs on a rolling release system and uses the pacman utility for package management. Extra software to customize the system is added via pacman from the Arch repositories.
Android	For mobile devices such as cell phones, smartphones and tablets
Chrome / Chromium OS	For the Google Chromebook and Chromebox.
corvix	Corvix is a currently new emerging linux distribution, which provides a stable basis system (debian/etch or FreeBSD) and uses a portage (Gentoo) alike system to add custom bleeding edge software. It provides a complete framework for installing (under <4minute-install) and maintaining a high-performance cluster.
Coyote Linux	Router/firewall distribution.
CRUX	CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages
DD-WRT	Embedded firewall distribution.
DeLi Linux	A desktop based mini distribution with office suite, web browser and other graphical programs to run on a 486. Built from scratch with some influences from Slackware and CRUX.
Devil-Linux	firewall/router/server distribution running from CD.
DSLinux	Version of Linux designed for the Nintendo DS.
dyne:bolic	Live CD geared toward multimedia (audio and video) production, but comes with other non-media specific application (e.g.: word processor, desktop publisher). It is completely free software as defined by the Free Software Foundation.
Familiar Linux	Distribution for iPAQ handhelds.
Fli4l	a single floppy ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router.
Foresight Linux	A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
FREESCO	A free replacement for proprietary routers supporting up to 10 network cards and up to 10 modems.
GeeXboX	Live CD media center distribution, mainly to play special-encoded video files (e.g.: .ogg, XVID) on home theater.
GoboLinux	An alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire file system hierarchy by installing everything belonging to one application in one folder under /Programs, and using symlinks from /System and its subfolders to point to the proper files.
Hikarunix	A distro solely for studying and playing the game of Go.
IPCop	Router/firewall distribution.
iPodLinux	Embedded Linux firmware for the Apple iPod based on the µCLinux kernel.
Jlime	Distribution for the HP Jornada 6xx and 7xx and NEC MobilePro 900(c) handhelds.
Lunar Linux	A source code-based distribution descended from Sorcerer GNU/Linux.
Lycoris	Desktop/LX: Fell down to one employee and then acquired by Mandriva.
Manjaro	a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch Linux operating system
MCC Interim Linux	MCC Interim Linux, possibly the first Linux distribution. Created by the Manchester Computing Centre in February of 1992.
MkLinux	A distribution for PowerPC systems that runs the Linux kernel as a server on top of the Mach microkernel.
Mobilinux	By Montavista for smartphones.
MontaVista Linux	Embedded systems distro by MontaVista Software.
NASLite	a floppy-based Linux designed to turn an old computer into a simple Network Attached Storage device.
NimbleX	A modular distribution intended for non-experienced users. It runs from the CD/USB.
Nitix	Developed by Net Integration Technologies Inc., Nitix claims to be the first autonomic Linux-based server operating system.
OpenWrt	Embedded firewall distribution.
Pardus	Developed in Turkey. It uses PISI as package manager, COMAR as configuration framework.
PS2 Linux	Sony Computer Entertainment distribution released officially for the PlayStation 2 video game console.
Puppy Linux	A mini distribution which runs well under low-end PCs - even under 32 MB RAM. Includes Slackware 12 support (since version 3).
Rocks Cluster Distribution	A distribution for building a High-performance computing computer cluster.
ROOT GNU/Linux	A general purpose distribution for advanced users focusing on stability, flexibility and speed.
rPath	A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
Sentry Firewall	A firewall, server or intrusion detection system distribution.
SliTaz GNU/Linux	A small desktop distro. The ISO is 25 MB; runs entirely in RAM.
SmoothWall	Router/firewall distribution.
Softlanding Linux System	One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1992-1994; Slackware was originally based on it.
Sorcerer	A source code-based distribution.
Source Mage GNU/Linux	A source code-based distribution, descended from Sorcerer.
Tinfoil Hat Linux	Bootable floppy distribution focusing on extreme security
tomsrtbt	Root boot disk.
Tuga	Commercial desktop distribution made in Italy, based on QiLinux.
Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X	One of the oldest Linux distributions, not updated since 1995.