Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Debian VS Puppy Linux

Compare Debian VS Puppy Linux and see what are their differences

Debian logo Debian

Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Puppy Linux logo Puppy Linux

Home, overview and getting started with Puppy Linux, amazingly fast, fascinatingly complete and delightfully small Linux.‎Wiki · ‎Download latest Puppy Linux .
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12
  • Puppy Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

Debian features and specs

  • Stability
    Debian is known for its rock-solid stability, making it a preferred choice for servers and critical systems that require long-term reliability.
  • Package Availability
    Debian offers a vast repository of packages, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of software and tools without needing third-party sources.
  • Security
    Debian has a strong focus on security with timely updates and a dedicated security team, providing a secure environment for users.
  • Community Support
    Debian has a large and active community, providing extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Flexibility
    Debian is highly configurable and supports multiple architectures, allowing it to be used on various hardware platforms and for diverse use cases.
  • Free and Open Source
    Debian adheres strictly to the principles of free software, ensuring that users have freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS)
    Debian provides long-term support for its stable releases, making it a suitable option for systems that require extended maintenance.

Possible disadvantages of Debian

  • Older Software Versions
    Due to its focus on stability, Debian tends to use older, well-tested versions of software, which may lack some of the latest features and updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation process for Debian can be complex and intimidating for new users compared to more user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Debian has a slower release cycle which may result in longer wait times for new features, updates, and support for newer hardware.
  • Resource-Intensive Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Debian can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly for users who are not familiar with its system.
  • Less Focus on Desktop Experience
    Debian's strong focus on stability and server use means that desktop users might find it less polished and user-friendly compared to distributions specifically tailored for desktop environments.

Puppy Linux features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Puppy Linux is extremely lightweight, allowing it to run on older hardware with limited resources efficiently.
  • Fast Boot
    It has a rapid boot time, getting you up and running much quicker than many other operating systems.
  • User-Friendly
    The user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate and perform basic tasks.
  • Portable
    Designed to run from USB drives or CDs/DVDs, making it very portable and ideal for troubleshooting multiple systems.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    It requires minimal system resources, allowing it to run efficiently with a low memory and CPU footprint.
  • Customizability
    Puppy Linux offers high customizability, letting users tweak the system extensively to fit their specific needs.
  • Community Support
    It has a strong community with forums and resources to help users troubleshoot and customize their setups.

Possible disadvantages of Puppy Linux

  • Limited Software Repository
    Puppy Linux has a smaller software repository compared to mainstream distributions like Ubuntu, limiting available applications.
  • Not Suitable for Modern Gaming
    Due to its lightweight nature and limited software support, it is not ideal for modern gaming or resource-intensive applications.
  • Old Kernel
    Sometimes, it uses older Linux kernels, which might lack support for modern hardware and features.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may still encounter a learning curve, especially when performing more advanced tasks.
  • Manual Updates
    Unlike some distributions that offer automated updates, updating Puppy Linux can require manual intervention and knowledge.
  • Less Security Features
    Due to its lightweight design, it may lack some of the advanced security features available in other distributions.

Debian videos

Debian 10 "Buster" Full Review and My Thoughts

More videos:

  • Review - Debian 10 Review (GNOME)
  • Review - Debian 10 "Buster" Review! Excited for THIS

Puppy Linux videos

Puppy Linux 8..Pup Is Now Bionic..!!

More videos:

  • Review - Underrated Distros - Puppy Linux Bionic Pup
  • Review - Puppy Linux 8 Bionic Pup 64...How Many Cores.!!!!!!!!
  • Review - Puppy Linux Review - The Best Linux Distro For Old Hardware!
  • Review - Puppy Linux Install and Review
  • Review - An everyday user review of Linux Lite OS and Puppy Linux!?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Debian and Puppy Linux)
Operating Systems
78 78%
22% 22
Linux
76 76%
24% 24
Linux Distribution
79 79%
21% 21
Distributions
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Debian and Puppy Linux

Debian Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Currently, Debian runs the FreeBSD kernel or Linux kernel. Debian was developed by many volunteers who are managing this operating system amazingly. The significant advantage of Debian is its vast software support. Learn – Install Debian 12 Bullseye on VirtualBox
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
The Debian Project adheres to a rigorous set of principles, the Debian Social Contract. It outlines its relationship with the community and underlines its dedication to delivering a free and secure high-quality operating system. This contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines ensure that the software within Debian's repositories respects your privacy and freedom.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian has a Testing branch, similar to a beta version, it is an intermediary stage between Debian's unstable and stable branches. The Testing branch is intended for users who want a balance between access to newer software and a relatively stable system. Debian Testing gets new features and fixes before the stable Debian release, allowing users who are comfortable...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Debian is what Ubuntu is based on, making it one of the oldest Linux distributions. It was released and developed in 1993. For a long time, the abundance of software packages for Debian was unsurpassed and it is still notable. Commercial programs are easy to install. Installation, maintenance and usage are intuitive and not particularly difficult for both Windows and Mac...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Debian OS also offers a different variant for users to choose from and made the rolling release option available.
Source: techcult.com

Puppy Linux Reviews

Top 9 Fastest Linux Distros in 2024
Thank you for your kind words! Considering the limited resources on your Acer Aspire One AOD 256 with 1 GB RAM, you’re already on the right track with lightweight distros. If you’re looking for an alternative to Slitaz with more up-to-date software, I’d recommend trying out Puppy Linux or Tiny Core Linux. Both are lightweight and can be customized to your preferences....
Source: linuxsimply.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Puppy Linux is an easy-to-use and memory-efficient Linux distribution with it’s entire system can be run from RAM, with current versions taking up around 600 MB (64-bit) and 300 MB (32-bit). Included are AbiWord, Gnumeric, MPlayer, several lightweight web browsers, and a utility for downloading other packages.
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
Puppy Linux is one of our favorite distros for resurrecting old machines and putting them back into active duty. The project is in fact a family of distros, each based on a different underlying distro. For instance, there’s one based on Ubuntu and another based on Slackware.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Debian seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 66 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.

Debian mentions (66)

  • Coding on a Chromebook
    The terminal is actually a Debian terminal. Debian is a version (distribution) of Linux, so if you've used it or Ubuntu before, you'll be very familiar with the commands. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Can I contribute to a redesign of the Debian website?
    Can't figure out debian.org? Then you probably won't figure out the distribution either. The website is perfectly fine, if you know how to read and think. They have mainly been focusing on making Debian stable, so it's more about reading manuals than expecting user-friendliness from it. There's loads of userfriendly-focused linux distributions out there. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Puppy Linux mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Puppy Linux yet. Tracking of Puppy Linux recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Debian and Puppy Linux, you can also consider the following products

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

Lubuntu - Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. The core of the system is based on Linux and Ubuntu. Lubuntu uses the minimal desktop LXDE, and a selection of light applications.

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

Xubuntu - Xubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Download XubuntuXubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Feature Tour.

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.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.