AppBreakup
Submit an app
CachyOS logo

CachyOS

Arch-based Linux distribution that rebuilds its packages and kernel for speed on modern CPUs.

Open sourceOperating systems
Visit CachyOSSee 5 alternatives
Verified facts
5 of 5
Alternatives ranked
5
Approved reviews
0
Visits sent from here
0

About CachyOS

CachyOS is a rolling-release Linux distribution built on Arch Linux. Its main idea is performance: instead of shipping generic binaries, the project recompiles its package repositories for newer x86-64 instruction levels (v3, v4 and AMD Zen 4) with link-time optimisation, and ships its own linux-cachyos kernel with a tuned scheduler plus optional alternatives such as BORE and sched-ext. You still get Arch's repositories, the AUR and pacman, so it behaves like Arch with a friendlier start. There are graphical (Calamares) and command-line installers, and you can pick from more than a dozen desktops and window managers, including KDE Plasma, GNOME, COSMIC and Hyprland. A separate Handheld Edition targets the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Legion Go with a gaming-focused setup. It suits gamers and enthusiasts who want Arch's freshness without hand-building everything. CachyOS is free, open source and funded by donations; it runs on 64-bit PCs only.

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

Pros and cons

What works

  • 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

Why people leave

  • 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

Top CachyOS alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Fedora Linux logo
    Fedora Linux

    A fast-moving but fixed-release distro with a big community and fewer surprises from rolling updates.

    68.8
  2. 2Ubuntu logo
    Ubuntu

    The most widely supported Linux distro, with long-term support releases instead of a rolling model.

    64.8
  3. 3Linux Mint logo
    Linux Mint

    A calmer, beginner-friendly desktop for people who care more about stability than raw speed.

    61.8
  4. 4Zorin OS logo
    Zorin OS

    Polished, Windows-like desktop for switchers who don't want to tune kernels or schedulers.

    59.4
  5. 5Debian logo
    Debian

    Rock-solid base with slow, tested releases if CachyOS's constant updates are too much.

    57.5

Why people left CachyOS

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from CachyOS, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

Reviews

No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers

Write a review of CachyOS
Your rating of CachyOS

Never shown publicly. A work email helps us verify you.

What did you use it for, and what was good or bad? At least 40 characters.

A GitHub username, your company domain, or say you can send a screenshot. Verified reviews count more.

By submitting, you confirm you're at least 16 and agree to our terms. Your name, rating, review and the date are published; your email isn't. See our privacy policy.

CachyOS: common questions

Is CachyOS free?

Yes. CachyOS is free, open-source software.

Is CachyOS open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at CachyOS/linux-cachyos.

What platforms does CachyOS run on?

CachyOS is available for Linux.

What are the best alternatives to CachyOS?

The highest-ranked CachyOS alternatives right now are Fedora Linux, Ubuntu and Linux Mint. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 CachyOS alternatives