AppBreakup
Submit an app

EndeavourOS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll operating systems

Top picks

Common reasons people leave EndeavourOS: expects comfort with the terminal for upkeep and fixes, and rolling updates can occasionally break things. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces EndeavourOS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Pop!_OS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Pop!_OS logoPop!_OSOpen source—YesLinux5 of 572.5
2Manjaro logoManjaroOpen source—YesLinux5 of 568.8
3CachyOS logoCachyOSOpen source—YesLinux5 of 564.8
4Fedora Linux logoFedora LinuxOpen source—YesLinux5 of 561.8
5Linux Mint logoLinux MintOpen source—YesLinux4 of 459.4
  1. Pop!_OS logo

    1. Pop!_OSTop pick

    Best for: Developers and gamers who want an Ubuntu-compatible desktop with built-in tiling and easy NVIDIA setup

    Open sourceLinux

    72.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from EndeavourOS

    Ubuntu-based with built-in tiling and good NVIDIA support out of the box, from System76.

    Pros

    • Built-in auto-tiling that works with both mouse and keyboard
    • Dedicated NVIDIA image avoids manual driver setup
    • Ubuntu base means wide software and documentation support
    • Full-disk encryption offered in the installer

    Cons

    • Secure Boot must be turned off before installing
    • COSMIC is newer than GNOME or KDE, so some settings and extensions are still missing
    • Release cadence follows Ubuntu LTS, so packages can lag rolling distros
    Visit Pop!_OS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pop!_OS a good EndeavourOS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026system76.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    System76
    Checked Nov 8, 2026system76.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ubuntu compatibility
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026system76.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Current release
    24.04 LTS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026system76.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum RAM
    4 GB (8 GB recommended)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026support.system76.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Manjaro logo

    2. Manjaro

    Best for: Desktop users who want Arch's up-to-date software without a manual install

    Open sourceLinux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from EndeavourOS

    Arch-based but holds packages back for testing and adds graphical tools, for fewer surprises after updates.

    Pros

    • Rolling release with an extra testing delay before updates reach stable
    • Official KDE Plasma, Xfce and GNOME editions plus community spins
    • ARM images for Raspberry Pi, Pinebook Pro and other boards
    • Access to the Arch User Repository for extra software

    Cons

    • Held-back packages can clash with AUR software built against newer Arch versions
    • Rolling updates still need more attention than a fixed release like Ubuntu LTS
    • Arch documentation doesn't always apply exactly, which can confuse beginners
    Visit Manjaro Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Manjaro a good EndeavourOS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Based on
    Arch Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026manjaro.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Release model
    Rolling release
    Checked Nov 8, 2026manjaro.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Official desktops
    KDE Plasma, Xfce, GNOME
    Checked Nov 8, 2026manjaro.org(opens source in a new tab)
    ARM devices
    Raspberry Pi, Pinebook Pro, PinePhone and more
    Checked Nov 8, 2026manjaro.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Manjaro GmbH & Co. KG
    Checked Nov 8, 2026manjaro.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. CachyOS logo

    3. CachyOS

    Best for: Gamers and Arch fans who want a fast, preconfigured rolling-release desktop

    Open sourceLinux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from EndeavourOS

    Also Arch-based with a friendly installer, adding performance-tuned kernels and optimized packages.

    Pros

    • Packages compiled for modern CPU instruction sets out of the box
    • Choice of kernel schedulers and 17+ desktops at install time
    • Keeps full access to Arch repositories and the AUR
    • Dedicated Handheld Edition for Steam Deck-style devices

    Cons

    • Rolling release means frequent updates that can occasionally break things
    • x86-64 PCs only; no ARM builds
    • Small volunteer team compared with Fedora or Ubuntu
    Visit CachyOS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is CachyOS a good EndeavourOS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Based on
    Arch Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Optimised packages
    x86-64-v3, v4 and Zen4 builds with LTO
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop environments
    17+ to choose from
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Handheld support
    Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Kernel license
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Fedora Linux logo

    4. Fedora Linux

    Best for: Developers and enthusiasts who want current software and an unmodified GNOME or KDE desktop

    Open sourceLinux

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from EndeavourOS

    Fast-moving, up-to-date packages with a fixed release cycle instead of a rolling one.

    Pros

    • Recent kernels, GNOME and KDE soon after they ship
    • Stock desktops without heavy vendor changes
    • Atomic editions like Silverblue offer a read-only, rollback-friendly system
    • Free and community-run with strong Red Hat backing

    Cons

    • Short support window means upgrading about once a year
    • Proprietary codecs and NVIDIA drivers need extra setup
    • Less third-party software targets Fedora than Ubuntu
    Visit Fedora Linux Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Fedora Linux a good EndeavourOS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Sponsor
    Red Hat
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Workstation desktop
    GNOME
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    KDE edition
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Atomic desktop
    Silverblue
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Linux Mint logo

    5. Linux Mint

    Best for: Windows users switching to Linux who want a familiar desktop that works out of the box

    Open sourceLinux

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from EndeavourOS

    Stable Ubuntu-based desktop that needs less hands-on maintenance than an Arch system.

    Pros

    • Familiar Windows-like desktop with little to relearn
    • Multimedia support and common drivers work out of the box
    • Long support per release and conservative updates
    • Free, with no Snap packages pushed on you

    Cons

    • Older kernels and apps can struggle with brand-new hardware
    • Cinnamon trails GNOME and KDE on Wayland support
    • Small core team compared with Ubuntu or Fedora
    Visit Linux Mint Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Linux Mint a good EndeavourOS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Debian and Ubuntu
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Release base
    Long-term support releases only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best EndeavourOS alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Pop!_OS logo

Best EndeavourOS alternative for most people

Pop!_OS

Ubuntu-based with built-in tiling and good NVIDIA support out of the box, from System76.

Manjaro logo

Best EndeavourOS alternative for a free option

Manjaro

Arch-based but holds packages back for testing and adds graphical tools, for fewer surprises after updates.

CachyOS logo

Best EndeavourOS alternative for open source

CachyOS

Also Arch-based with a friendly installer, adding performance-tuned kernels and optimized packages.

Fedora Linux logo

Best EndeavourOS alternative for Linux

Fedora Linux

Fast-moving, up-to-date packages with a fixed release cycle instead of a rolling one.

EndeavourOS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to EndeavourOS?

Pop!_OS ranks first right now. Ubuntu-based with built-in tiling and good NVIDIA support out of the box, from System76. Manjaro and CachyOS follow it in our ranking.

EndeavourOS vs Pop!_OS: what's the difference?

Both EndeavourOS and Pop!_OS are free and open source. Both run on Linux.

Is EndeavourOS free?

EndeavourOS is free and open source.

Is there a free alternative to EndeavourOS?

Yes. Pop!_OS (open source), Manjaro (open source), CachyOS (open source) and Fedora Linux (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to EndeavourOS?

Yes: Pop!_OS, Manjaro, CachyOS and Fedora Linux, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which EndeavourOS alternatives work on Linux?

Pop!_OS, Manjaro, CachyOS, Fedora Linux and Linux Mint run on Linux.

Why do people switch from EndeavourOS?

The complaints we hear most: expects comfort with the terminal for upkeep and fixes; rolling updates can occasionally break things; few graphical settings tools compared with Mint or Zorin.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces EndeavourOS, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.