Arch Linux
A minimal, do-it-yourself rolling distro with excellent documentation and a guided installer.
Best for: Experienced users who want full control and the newest software.
- Base
- Independent
- Package manager
- pacman
- Release model
- rolling
- Difficulty
- advanced
- Desktops
- Your choice
Pros
- Newest software
- Total control
- Superb wiki and the AUR
- archinstall guided installer on the official ISO
Worth knowing
- You assemble the system yourself, including the desktop, even with archinstall
- Rolling updates need regular attention (read Arch news before big upgrades)
Last verified October 28, 2026 (medium confidence). Rolling release, pacman, AUR and archinstall confirmed via secondary sources. Re-check on archlinux.org before launch.