Linux allows users to customize their operating system far more than Windows; from choosing the desktop environment and installed applications to deciding how system services are managed. Among the multitude of distributions available, some versions are designed not merely as a ready-made Windows replacement but with the aim of reducing complexity and returning control to the user.
Although major distributions like Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux are among the best-known options in the Linux world, there are other versions built on top of them that offer a different experience. Three notable examples in this area are EndeavourOS, Aurora and Devuan.
EndeavourOS; Arch Linux without the installation hassle
If you have always wanted to try Arch Linux and its powerful package manager Pacman, but the manual installation and setup of that distribution has been difficult for you, EndeavourOS can be a suitable option.
EndeavourOS tries to provide an experience close to Arch, without making extensive changes to its structure. This distribution uses the Calamares installer and offers both online and offline installation.
In offline mode, the user is limited to the KDE Plasma desktop environment, but in the online installer options like GNOME, MATE, Cinnamon, Budgie, XFCE, LXQt, LXDE and the i3 window manager are also available.
One of EndeavourOS’s main advantages is access to the Arch User Repository or AUR; a repository that provides a very large number of packages offered by the Arch user community. Of course, like any third-party repository, checking the source and contents of packages before installation is important.
Aurora; immutable Linux for greater stability
Aurora takes a different approach. This distribution is based on Fedora Atomic and specifically Fedora Kinoite and uses the concept of an immutable operating system.
In such a structure, the core part of the operating system is presented as a single read-only image. As a result, updates can be applied atomically and if a problem occurs, the user has the ability to roll back to the previous image.
This model helps the system be more stable and reduces the issues that sometimes arise from changes or routine updates in traditional distributions. Users can also install the software they need via Flatpak and Flathub.
Aurora is delivered with KDE Plasma and uses the Anaconda installer. However, its immutable nature can make performing some system changes more difficult, and users accustomed to direct control of files and system components will need to adapt to the limitations of this architecture.
Devuan; Debian without systemd
Devuan is another noteworthy option that forked from Debian but, unlike it, does not use systemd. Devuan developers allow users to choose among different init systems, including SysVinit, OpenRC and runit.
This approach provides more control over the boot process and system services, but it may cause compatibility issues with some software and services that depend on systemd.
Devuan uses the Refracta Installer and its live image provides the XFCE desktop environment by default. More advanced users can use other installation options, including Netinstall or the Desktop DVD ISO, to experience different environments.
One interesting feature of Devuan is the ability to create a custom installation image using refractasnapshot; a capability that allows the user to prepare the system with their desired software and settings and install the same version on multiple computers.
Of course, removing systemd is not without cost. Some programs may rely on it to function correctly, and services like PipeWire and WirePlumber may require manual configuration on certain hardware.
In the end, these three distributions offer different approaches to reduce dependence on default structures and increase user control: EndeavourOS for Arch enthusiasts, Aurora for users who want system stability and easy rollback, and Devuan for those who want more control over the init system and the core components of the operating system.