Alpine Linux vs Arch Linux

Overview

Arch Linux

Stacks562

Followers555

Votes108

Alpine Linux

Stacks2.3K

Followers397

Votes37

Alpine Linux vs Arch Linux: What are the differences?

Alpine Linux and Arch Linux are both popular Linux distributions. Let's explore the key differences between them.

Size and Package Management: Alpine Linux is known for its small size, with the base image being just a few megabytes in size. It uses the apk package manager, which is lightweight and simple to use. On the other hand, Arch Linux follows a "rolling-release" model, providing a larger initial installation size and using the Pacman package manager.
Default Init System: Alpine Linux uses the lightweight and minimalistic init system known as OpenRC, which focuses on simplicity and performance. Arch Linux, on the other hand, uses systemd as its default init system, which is more feature-rich and offers advanced functionality.
Community Support and Documentation: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux also differ in terms of community support and documentation. While both distributions have active communities, Arch Linux has a larger and more well-established community. Arch Linux also provides extensive documentation known as the ArchWiki, which is widely regarded as a valuable resource for users.
Package Availability and Repositories: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux have different approaches to package availability and repositories. Alpine Linux has a smaller package repository compared to Arch Linux, as it focuses on providing a minimalistic base system. However, it does offer the Alpine Package Keeper (APK) repository, which includes a wide range of packages. Arch Linux, on the other hand, has a large package repository called the Arch User Repository (AUR), providing a vast selection of packages maintained by the community.
Target Audience and Use Cases: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux cater to different target audiences and use cases. Alpine Linux is known for its focus on security, simplicity, and lightweight design, making it ideal for running in containers and embedded systems. Arch Linux is more suitable for experienced Linux users who prefer a DIY approach and want to customize their system to their specific needs.
Release Cycle and Stability: The release cycle and stability also differ between Alpine Linux and Arch Linux. Alpine Linux follows a fixed release cycle, with a new stable release being made every six months, providing a more stable and predictable environment. In contrast, Arch Linux follows a rolling-release model, constantly updating its packages to provide the latest software versions, which may result in potential instability and the need for frequent updates.

In summary, Alpine Linux is known for its small size, lightweight design, and focus on security, while Arch Linux offers a larger package repository, extensive documentation, and a rolling-release model for users who prefer a more customizable and up-to-date system.

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Advice on Arch Linux, Alpine Linux

Simon

Developer Advocate at k6 / Load Impact

Mar 7, 2020

Decided

At the moment of the decision, my desktop was the primary place I did work. Due to this, I can't have it blow up on me while I work. While Arch is interesting and powerful, Ubuntu offers (at least for me) a lot more stability and lets me focus on other things than maintaining my own OS installation.

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Detailed Comparison

Arch Linux	Alpine Linux
A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.	Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox.
Statistics
Stacks 562	Stacks 2.3K
Followers 555	Followers 397
Votes 108	Votes 37
Pros & Cons
Pros 17 Large Community 15 Package Manager 13 Customizable 12 Rolling Release 11 Bleeding Edge Cons 4 Systemd only 3 Only X86_64 architecture is offically supported 1 Unstable 1 System maintenance 1 No Guided Installation	Pros 10 Secure 9 Good in containers 8 Fast 1 Choice of init system 1 Minimal dependencies Cons 2 Cannot install metasploit 1 Not for inexperienced users 1 Does not run glibc binaries

What are some alternatives to Arch Linux, Alpine Linux?

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It also means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.

Debian

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

Fedora

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest free and open source software, in a stable, secure and easy to manage form. Fedora is the largest of many free software creations of the Fedora Project. Because of its predominance, the word "Fedora" is often used interchangeably to mean both the Fedora Project and the Fedora operating system.

Linux Mint

The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.

CentOS

The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open source ecosystem. For users, we offer a consistent manageable platform that suits a wide variety of deployments. For open source communities, we offer a solid, predictable base to build upon, along with extensive resources to build, test, release, and maintain their code.

Linux

A clone of the operating system Unix, written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net. It aims towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliance.

CoreOS

It is designed for security, consistency, and reliability. Instead of installing packages via yum or apt, it uses Linux containers to manage your services at a higher level of abstraction. A single service's code and all dependencies are packaged within a container that can be run on one or many machines.

Gentoo Linux

It is a free operating system based on either Linux or FreeBSD that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need.

Manjaro

It is an accessible, friendly, open-source Linux distribution and community. Based on Arch Linux, it provides all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, automated tools to require less manual intervention, and help readily available when needed.

FreeBSD

An operating system for a variety of platforms which focuses on features, speed, and stability. It is derived from BSD, the version of UNIX® developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is developed and maintained by a large community.

Related Comparisons

Alpine Linux vs Arch Linux: What are the differences?

Alpine Linux and Arch Linux are both popular Linux distributions. Let's explore the key differences between them.

Size and Package Management: Alpine Linux is known for its small size, with the base image being just a few megabytes in size. It uses the apk package manager, which is lightweight and simple to use. On the other hand, Arch Linux follows a "rolling-release" model, providing a larger initial installation size and using the Pacman package manager.
Default Init System: Alpine Linux uses the lightweight and minimalistic init system known as OpenRC, which focuses on simplicity and performance. Arch Linux, on the other hand, uses systemd as its default init system, which is more feature-rich and offers advanced functionality.
Community Support and Documentation: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux also differ in terms of community support and documentation. While both distributions have active communities, Arch Linux has a larger and more well-established community. Arch Linux also provides extensive documentation known as the ArchWiki, which is widely regarded as a valuable resource for users.
Package Availability and Repositories: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux have different approaches to package availability and repositories. Alpine Linux has a smaller package repository compared to Arch Linux, as it focuses on providing a minimalistic base system. However, it does offer the Alpine Package Keeper (APK) repository, which includes a wide range of packages. Arch Linux, on the other hand, has a large package repository called the Arch User Repository (AUR), providing a vast selection of packages maintained by the community.
Target Audience and Use Cases: Alpine Linux and Arch Linux cater to different target audiences and use cases. Alpine Linux is known for its focus on security, simplicity, and lightweight design, making it ideal for running in containers and embedded systems. Arch Linux is more suitable for experienced Linux users who prefer a DIY approach and want to customize their system to their specific needs.
Release Cycle and Stability: The release cycle and stability also differ between Alpine Linux and Arch Linux. Alpine Linux follows a fixed release cycle, with a new stable release being made every six months, providing a more stable and predictable environment. In contrast, Arch Linux follows a rolling-release model, constantly updating its packages to provide the latest software versions, which may result in potential instability and the need for frequent updates.

Alpine Linux vs Arch Linux

Overview