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Gentoo Linux vs Ubuntu: What are the differences?

Introduction

The purpose of this task is to outline the key differences between Gentoo Linux and Ubuntu in a concise and specific manner. Gentoo Linux and Ubuntu are both popular Linux distributions, but they have fundamental differences in their package management systems, release cycles, customization options, target user base, and community support.

  1. Package Management System: Gentoo Linux uses a source-based package management system called Portage, where packages are compiled from source code during installation. This allows for greater customization and optimization, as users can choose specific compile-time options. On the other hand, Ubuntu utilizes a binary package management system known as APT (Advanced Package Tool), where packages are pre-compiled and ready to install. This makes package installation faster and more convenient for the average user.

  2. Release Cycle: Gentoo Linux follows a rolling release model, meaning that software updates are released continuously and incrementally, providing users with the latest versions as soon as they become available. Ubuntu, on the other hand, follows a fixed release cycle, where major updates and new releases are scheduled and occur at regular intervals (e.g., every six months for standard releases and every two years for LTS - Long Term Support - releases). This offers a more predictable and stable environment for users who prefer less frequent updates.

  3. Customization Options: Gentoo Linux is known for its high level of customization, as users have full control over the compilation flags and configuration options for each package they install. This allows for fine-tuning and optimization of the system to suit specific hardware and software requirements. In contrast, while Ubuntu does offer some customization options, they are more limited and user-friendly to accommodate a wider audience with varying technical expertise.

  4. Target User Base: Gentoo Linux caters to experienced Linux users who enjoy the process of building their system from source code and have a good understanding of the underlying mechanics. It is ideal for those seeking maximum performance and customization. On the other hand, Ubuntu targets a broader range of users, including beginners and those looking for a user-friendly and functional Linux distribution that works out of the box.

  5. Community Support: Gentoo Linux has a smaller but dedicated and knowledgeable user community that provides support through forums, wikis, and other online resources. The Gentoo Handbook is particularly comprehensive and serves as an excellent reference for users. Ubuntu, being more mainstream, has a larger user base and a strong online presence with extensive documentation, official forums, and community-driven support, making it easier for users to find solutions to their issues.

  6. System Stability and Reliability: Due to its rolling release nature and the compiled-from-source approach, Gentoo Linux offers greater flexibility and the potential for higher performance. However, since it requires more maintenance and regular updates, system stability can be compromised if not properly managed. Ubuntu, with its fixed release cycle and extensive testing, offers a balance between stability and up-to-date software, making it a more suitable choice for users who prioritize reliability without frequent manual intervention.

In summary, Gentoo Linux and Ubuntu differ in their package management systems, release cycles, customization options, target user base, community support, and system stability. Gentoo Linux provides granular control over system configuration but requires more technical expertise and ongoing maintenance, while Ubuntu offers a more user-friendly experience with predictable releases and a larger support community.

Decisions about Gentoo Linux and Ubuntu

Ubuntu is much more faster over Windows and helps to get software and other utilities easier and within a short span of time compared to Windows.

Ubuntu helps to get robustness and resiliency over Windows. Ubuntu runs faster than Windows on every computer that I have ever tested. LibreOffice (Ubuntu's default office suite) runs much faster than Microsoft Office on every computer that I have ever tested.

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Jerome/Zen Quah
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UbuntuUbuntu
over
CentOSCentOS

Global familiarity, free, widely used, and as a debian distro feels more comfortable when rapidly switching between local macOS and remote command lines.

CentOS does boast quite a few security/stability improvements, however as a RHEL-based distro, differs quite significantly in the command line and suffers from slightly less frequent package updates. (Could be a good or bad thing depending on your use-case and if it is public facing)

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Simon Aronsson
Developer Advocate at k6 / Load Impact · | 7 upvotes · 263.3K views

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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Pros of Gentoo Linux
Pros of Ubuntu
  • 3
    OpenRC or systemd init
  • 3
    Portage package manager
  • 3
    Control
  • 2
    Cross compiling
  • 2
    Flexibility
  • 2
    X86_64 architecture supported
  • 2
    Compile time optimizations
  • 2
    Per package dependency control
  • 2
    Customizable
  • 2
    Overlays
  • 2
    Extensive documentation
  • 2
    Source based distribution
  • 2
    Supports distributing compiling tasks
  • 1
    SPARC architecture supported
  • 1
    Generalized reduction is system vulnerabilities
  • 1
    Stable rolling release
  • 1
    Package slots
  • 1
    X86 architecture supported
  • 1
    Alpha architecture supported
  • 1
    ARM64 architecture supported
  • 1
    ARM architecture supported
  • 1
    HPPA architecture supported
  • 1
    MIPS architecture supported
  • 1
    PCC architecture supported
  • 1
    PCC64 architecture supported
  • 230
    Free to use
  • 96
    Easy setup for testing discord bot
  • 57
    Gateway Linux Distro
  • 54
    Simple interface
  • 9
    Don't need driver installation in most cases
  • 6
    Open Source
  • 6
    Many active communities
  • 3
    Software Availability
  • 3
    Easy to custom
  • 2
    Many flavors/distros based on ubuntu
  • 1
    Lightweight container base OS
  • 1
    Great OotB Linux Shell Experience

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Cons of Gentoo Linux
Cons of Ubuntu
  • 2
    Dated documentation
  • 2
    Circular dependancy conflicts
  • 2
    No guided installation
  • 1
    Vulnerabilities related to its specific toolchains
  • 1
    System maintenance
  • 1
    Complexity
  • 1
    Compilation time
  • 5
    Demanding system requirements
  • 4
    Adds overhead and unnecessary complexity over Debian
  • 2
    Snapd installed by default
  • 1
    Systemd

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What is 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.

What is 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.

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What are some alternatives to Gentoo Linux and Ubuntu?
Arch Linux
A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.
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.
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.
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.
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.
See all alternatives