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NixOS

102
92
+ 1
12
Void Linux

21
29
+ 1
12
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NixOS vs Void Linux: What are the differences?

## Introduction
Key differences between NixOS and Void Linux are outlined below.

1. **Package Management**: NixOS uses the Nix package manager, which manages packages as isolated, immutable, and reproducible units. In contrast, Void Linux uses the XBPS package manager, focusing on simplicity, efficiency, and ease of use with a traditional package management approach.
2. **Init System**: NixOS uses systemd as its default init system, providing features like service management, event logging, and device management. Conversely, Void Linux offers runit as its init system, known for its simplicity, speed, and reliability in managing system services.
3. **Rolling Release vs. Fixed Release**: NixOS follows a rolling release model, continually updating packages and system components to their latest versions. On the other hand, Void Linux follows a fixed release model, providing periodic stable releases with curated package updates.
4. **Configuration Management**: NixOS utilizes a declarative configuration model, allowing users to specify the desired system state in a configuration file. In contrast, Void Linux relies on manual system configuration through configuration files, scripts, and command-line tools.
5. **Community Support**: NixOS has a smaller but dedicated community focused on functional programming, declarative systems, and reproducibility. Meanwhile, Void Linux boasts a more active and diverse community with a broader range of user interests and contributions.
6. **Desktop Environment Integration**: NixOS offers desktop environments through declarative configurations, ensuring consistent setups and reproducibility. Void Linux provides desktop environment choices through traditional package installations, offering more flexibility for customization and experimentation.

In Summary, the key differences between NixOS and Void Linux involve their package management approach, init systems, release models, configuration management, community support, and desktop environment integration.
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Pros of NixOS
Pros of Void Linux
  • 3
    Atomic upgrades
  • 2
    Declarative system configuration
  • 2
    Multi-user package management
  • 2
    Reproducible environment
  • 2
    Rollback for any changes
  • 1
    Cloud Agnostic Deployments
  • 4
    Lightweight
  • 3
    Musl supporting
  • 2
    Stable
  • 2
    No systemd
  • 1
    Wayland friendly

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What is NixOS?

It is a Linux distribution with a unique approach to package and configuration management. Built on top of the Nix package manager, it is completely declarative, makes upgrading systems reliable, and has many other advantages.

What is Void Linux?

It is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux® kernel. Its package system allows you to quickly install, update and remove software; software is provided in binary packages or can be built directly from sources with the help of the XBPS source packages collection.

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What companies use NixOS?
What companies use Void Linux?
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What tools integrate with NixOS?
What tools integrate with Void Linux?

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What are some alternatives to NixOS and Void Linux?
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.
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.
Docker
The Docker Platform is the industry-leading container platform for continuous, high-velocity innovation, enabling organizations to seamlessly build and share any application — from legacy to what comes next — and securely run them anywhere
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.
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.
See all alternatives