Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Arcan VS elementary OS

Compare Arcan VS elementary OS and see what are their differences

Arcan logo Arcan

Game engine and multimedia framework and display server.

elementary OS logo elementary OS

A fast and open replacement for Windows and macOS. Pay what you want or download for free.
  • Arcan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-14
  • elementary OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

Arcan features and specs

  • Open Source
    Arcan is open-source, allowing developers to access, modify, and improve the source code according to their needs. This fosters a community-driven environment and enhances transparency.
  • Versatility
    Arcan is designed to handle a wide array of graphical and multimedia tasks, making it suitable for various applications beyond just a display server.
  • Security Focus
    The platform emphasizes security by design, providing mechanisms to isolate and protect components and users, which is crucial in multi-user or multi-tenant systems.
  • Performance
    Arcan is optimized for performance, aiming to deliver efficient rendering and resource utilization, which is beneficial for both desktop environments and embedded systems.

Possible disadvantages of Arcan

  • Complexity
    Due to its extensive feature set and adaptable nature, Arcan's framework may have a steep learning curve for new users or developers unfamiliar with its architecture.
  • Limited Adoption
    Compared to more established systems like X11 or Wayland, Arcan has a smaller user base, which can limit community support, third-party integrations, and documentation.
  • Compatibility Challenges
    As Arcan offers a unique approach to handling graphical tasks, it might face compatibility issues with software or systems not specifically designed to work with its environment.

elementary OS features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    elementary OS boasts a sleek, modern design that is easy to navigate, making it ideal for users transitioning from other operating systems like Windows or macOS.
  • Security and Privacy
    elementary OS is built on Ubuntu LTS, providing a secure foundation with regular updates and support for security patches. The OS also emphasizes user privacy by minimizing data collection.
  • Minimalism and Efficiency
    The system is designed to be lightweight, avoiding bloatware and unnecessary applications, which helps in optimizing performance and reducing system resource usage.
  • Custom AppCenter
    elementary OS features its own curated app store called AppCenter, where users can find high-quality, open-source applications that follow design guidelines and are safe to install.
  • Active Community and Support
    The distribution has an active community, providing forums, documentation, and third-party resources that can help new users with troubleshooting and customization.

Possible disadvantages of elementary OS

  • Limited Software Availability
    The AppCenter may not have as many applications as other more established app stores, requiring users to sometimes manually install software using the command line or third-party repositories.
  • Customization Limitations
    While elementary OS focuses on providing a consistent and polished user experience, it limits customization options compared to other Linux distributions, which may not appeal to power users.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Although it works with most mainstream hardware, users with very new or very old hardware might face compatibility issues, requiring extra configurations or workarounds.
  • Performance Overhead
    Despite being lightweight, elementary OS might run slower on very old systems due to its modern graphical interface and animations, which can consume system resources.
  • Learning Curve for New Linux Users
    While designed to be user-friendly, those new to Linux might still face a learning curve when dealing with system settings or troubleshooting without extensive resources compared to other mainstream OS options.

Analysis of elementary OS

Overall verdict

  • Elementary OS is generally considered a good choice for users who prioritize aesthetics, user privacy, and simplicity in their computing experience. It may not be the most suitable for users needing advanced customization or those who rely on specific software not well-supported on Linux.

Why this product is good

  • Elementary OS is often praised for its elegant and intuitive design, resembling macOS in terms of aesthetics. It is built on Ubuntu, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware and access to a vast repository of software. Additionally, it emphasizes user privacy and includes a curated selection of applications to offer a clean and efficient user experience. Its focus on design and usability makes it especially appealing for users who appreciate visual appeal and simplicity in their operating system.

Recommended for

    Users transitioning from macOS due to its similar aesthetic, beginners looking for a simple and user-friendly Linux distribution, users who value privacy and a clean interface, and individuals who prefer a minimalist approach to their computing environment.

Arcan videos

A Quick Review of Arcan XL3000 Low Profile Floor Jack

More videos:

  • Review - Arcan 2 Ton Jack For The Lexus Gsf
  • Review - Arcan 3 Ton Aluminum Low Profile Jack Review On The Jeep Wrangler YJ

elementary OS videos

elementary OS 5.1 Hera Updates - Linux Distro Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - elementary OS 5.1 Hera | Review and Final Thoughts
  • Review - Distro Review : Elementary OS 5.1 "Hera" : GLAM UP YOUR DESKTOP!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Arcan and elementary OS)
Linux
7 7%
93% 93
Operating Systems
5 5%
95% 95
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Linux Distribution
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Arcan and elementary OS

Arcan Reviews

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elementary OS Reviews

12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
Elementary OS has a few great homemade apps that look great and work well. In fact, distros such as Pop!_OS use Elementaryโ€™s store, and thatโ€™s a testament to the effort the Elementary team puts into developing one of these best Linux distros. Overall, Elementary OS is a user-friendly and good-looking distribution that gets most things right.
Source: beebom.com
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Elementary OS is the ideal operating system for former Mac users. Usage and interfaces are reminiscent of the well-known Apple products. Elementary OS also prides itself on simple operation. It comes with pre-installed programs and an app store to add software to. Besides the desktop environment Pantheon, the team behind Elementary OS provides numerous other programs and...
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu LTS and it calls itself as a thoughtful, capable, and ethical alternative to macOS and Windows and the added benefit that it is free. Elementary, Inc. develops and maintains the operating system, desktop environment and itโ€™s applications.
6 Best Linux Distributions That are Not Based on Ubuntu or Debian
I have been asked this question a number of times by our readers. I often answer to this question with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, elementary OS or something similar from the list of our best Linux distributions.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, elementary OS should be more popular than Arcan. It has been mentiond 146 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Arcan mentions (21)

  • ร‰toilรฉ โ€“ desktop built on GNUStep
    Chisnall has stated several times over on Lobsters that he's thinking of basing is future project on Arcan (https://arcan-fe.com/). It's a very interesting project. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • In praise of grobi for auto-configuring X11 monitors
    Yes, multi-protocol display servers like Arcan are the future. https://arcan-fe.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Dear sir, you have built a compiler (2022)
    You should take a look at arcan, it's almost exactly that: http://arcan-fe.com - https://arcan-fe.com/2022/10/15/whipping-up-a-new-shell-lashcat9/ - https://arcan-fe.com/2024/09/16/a-spreadsheet-and-a-debugger-walks-into-a-shell/ I am not using it as a daily driver, because, emacs, but I keep an eye on it because, well, emacs. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Xpra: Persistent Remote Applications for X11
    This was very cool, and is made in Arcan! https://arcan-fe.com/ a project I just recently discovered and am very excited about. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ideal OS: Rebooting the Desktop Operating System (2017)
    A lot of this seems like it's done by Arcan (https://arcan-fe.com). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

elementary OS mentions (146)

  • Windows 10 resists its end: usage share climbs while Windows 11's falls
    What do you mean, there's all kinds of extremely user focused distributions. If you need it to feel like Windows there's KDE - but if you're OK with changing your mind then things like ElemeteryOS (https://elementary.io/) put a huge amount of focus on UX, accessibility, beauty and of course: usability. Aside from Archlinux, the majority of mainstream distributions bend over themselves to offer you GUIs for... - Source: Hacker News / 24 days ago
  • Eazel, ex-Apple led Linux startup
    > if a new Eazel emerged tomorrow (another Linux-focused startup led by ex-Apple "rock stars"), how would they best contribute to the Linux desktop? Probably by joining elementary OS: https://elementary.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Where are the paid Linux desktop distributions?
    There's Zorin OS Pro: https://zorin.com/os/pro/ And elementaryOS is kinda-sorta paid (you can pay $0 too): https://elementary.io/ Finally, while this is not a proper distro as such, ParterdMagic makes for an excellent rescue option: https://partedmagic.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Microsoft Edge ignores user wishes, slurps tabs from Chrome without permission
    I hear you, but they've all moved along in leaps and bounds. Some options if you ever look again - * ElementaryOS(https://elementary.io/). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Linux distributions for beginners in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
    Iโ€™ve seen Raycast adjacent apps for Linux, but I donโ€™t know what the current go-to all the kids are using these days. I used Quicksilver on OS X back in the day, which kind of defined the category I think. But these days I try to keep it simple. Elementary OS seems to be trying to solve for the design issue, but itโ€™s not as polished as macOS and there are still all the 3rd party apps to contend with. Iโ€™ve tried... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Arcan and elementary OS, you can also consider the following products

Wayfire - Wayland compositor with 3d effects.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Unity8 - Mir compositor with Wayland apps support.

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

UKUI - UKUI is a lightweight desktop environment based on pluggable framework for Linux and other Unix-like Distributions.

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.