Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Garuda Linux VS SparkyLinux

Compare Garuda Linux VS SparkyLinux and see what are their differences

Garuda Linux logo Garuda Linux

Garuda Linux is an appealing Arch Linux based Distro with BTRFS (modern filesystem), Linux-zen kernel, auto snapshots, gaming edition and a lot more bleeding edge features..

SparkyLinux logo SparkyLinux

The project page of SparkyLinux distribution
  • Garuda Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-05
  • SparkyLinux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-09

Garuda Linux features and specs

  • User-Friendly
    Garuda Linux offers a user-friendly experience with a focus on ease of use. Its installation process is simplified with Calamares, and the desktop environments are configured for a smooth out-of-the-box experience.
  • Performance
    Optimized for performance, Garuda Linux includes the Linux-zen kernel, which aims to provide a quicker and smoother responsiveness compared to standard kernels.
  • Customizability
    Garuda Linux offers a high degree of customizability, allowing users to tweak their system settings and appearance to their liking with various customization tools and preconfigured settings.
  • Arch-Based
    Being an Arch-based distribution, Garuda Linux benefits from the Arch User Repository (AUR) and the latest, rolling-release updates, ensuring that users have access to cutting-edge software and features.
  • Pre-Installed Tools
    Garuda Linux comes with a range of pre-installed tools and applications designed to make system management, gaming, and daily tasks easier for users.
  • BTRFS Filesystem
    The default use of the BTRFS filesystem with automatic snapshots provides enhanced reliability, data integrity, and easier recovery options.
  • Gaming
    Garuda Linux is tailored for gamers with pre-installed gaming tools, drivers, and optimizations designed to enhance gaming performance and experience.

Possible disadvantages of Garuda Linux

  • Resource Usage
    Because of its performance optimizations and pre-installed applications, Garuda Linux can be more resource-intensive compared to other distributions, which might be unsuitable for older or lower-spec hardware.
  • Stability
    As a rolling-release distribution based on Arch Linux, Garuda Linux inherits the potential stability issues that can come with continuously updated software, which may require more frequent system maintenance and troubleshooting.
  • Learning Curve
    While Garuda Linux is user-friendly, its Arch Linux heritage means there can be a steeper learning curve for users who are not familiar with the Arch ecosystem, especially when it comes to troubleshooting or advanced configurations.
  • Limited Community
    Compared to more established distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora, Garuda Linux has a smaller user base and community support, which can limit the availability of resources and help.
  • Frequent Updates
    The nature of a rolling-release model means frequent updates, which can be disruptive or cumbersome for users who prefer a more stable and long-term support (LTS) release cycle.
  • Customization Overwhelm
    The high level of customizability can be overwhelming for new users, presenting them with too many choices and options which might complicate the initial setup and configuration process.

SparkyLinux features and specs

  • Lightweight
    SparkyLinux is designed to be lightweight, making it well-suited for older hardware and systems with limited resources.
  • Diverse editions
    Offers multiple editions, including Minimal, GameOver, Multimedia, and more, allowing users to choose one that best suits their needs.
  • Rolling release
    Uses a rolling release model, providing users with access to the latest software updates without needing to wait for a new version release.
  • Debian-based
    Being based on Debian, it inherits a strong stability, large community support, and access to a vast number of packages.
  • Customizable
    Highly customizable, enabling users to adjust the system to their preferences and needs easily.

Possible disadvantages of SparkyLinux

  • Limited documentation
    Compared to larger distributions, it may have limited documentation and community support resources available.
  • Potential stability issues
    As a rolling release distribution, it may occasionally face stability issues with new software updates.
  • Learning curve
    May have a steeper learning curve for users who are unfamiliar with Debian-based systems or new to Linux in general.
  • Less mainstream
    Not as widely used as some other Linux distributions, which may result in fewer third-party resources or tutorials.

Garuda Linux videos

A First Look At Garuda Linux KDE "Dr4Gonized"

More videos:

  • Review - Garuda Linux Review: You'll be Blown Away by its Looks [New Distro based on Arch]
  • Review - Garuda Linux - The BREATH TAKING Linux DISTRO of 2021

SparkyLinux videos

SparkyLinux - Fast, User Friendly and Brilliant

More videos:

  • Review - SparkyLinux - Fast and Lightweight Debian

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Garuda Linux and SparkyLinux)
Linux
77 77%
23% 23
Operating Systems
73 73%
27% 27
Laptops
100 100%
0% 0
Linux Distribution
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

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Reviews

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

Garuda Linux Reviews

  1. bartwalgraeve@gmail.com
    An all-round positive experience

    Garuda linux boots superfast on my laptop, is very userfriendly both in daily work and maintenance. You can find and install a vast amount of software and apps. It is stable and aesthetically pleasing.

    👍 Pros:    Super fast|Boot ime is amazing and all apps open quickly.|Very userfriendly

12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
The centerpiece of Garuda Linux is its UI. It gets lots of modern elements with gradient coloring splashed across the OS. Garuda Linux is based on Arch and follows the same rolling release pattern. It’s offered in multiple flavors; some of the most popular ones are GNOME, Cinnamon, Xfce, and MATE.
Source: beebom.com
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Garuda Linux provides many different desktop environments and is updated regularly as a rolling release. In addition to graphical wizards for simplified setup, Garuda Linux provides a tool for configuration and livestreams with Garuda Gamer.
Source: www.ionos.com
13 Best Linux distros for gaming in 2022
Garuda Linux is rather less known distribution but could be a good fit for general purpose desktop computing and gaming.
Best Linux Distro for Gaming
Garuda Linux is a distro based on Arch Linux. So it’s a rolling release distro, meaning you’ll get the latest software and drivers. They also have a GUI for managing drivers which might come in handy for gaming. They have a Gaming Edition which uses KDE Plasma and comes with a GUI called Garuda Gamer for installing various gaming software and emulators.
Source: linuxstans.com
9 Best Linux Gaming Distributions in 2021
Garuda Linux is rather less known distribution but could be a good fit for general purpose desktop computing and gaming.
Source: itsfoss.com

SparkyLinux Reviews

13 Best Linux distros for gaming in 2022
Overall, if you’re an avid gamer inclined towards playing games on an emulator, it’s a game over once you install the SparkyLinux – Gameover edition.
Best Linux Distro for Gaming
SparkyLinux is a lightweight Linux distro with a special release for gaming – the GameOver Edition. It’s based on Debian Stable and it uses the Xfce DE. Similar to GamePack, it’s a distro with a lot of games and emulators pre-installed. If you prefer a lightweight Linux gaming distro that you can also use as a daily driver, this might be a good choice for you.
Source: linuxstans.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Garuda Linux seems to be a lot more popular than SparkyLinux. While we know about 94 links to Garuda Linux, we've tracked only 2 mentions of SparkyLinux. 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.

Garuda Linux mentions (94)

  • Linux hit over 3% desktop user share according to Statcounter
    I'd suggest trying Nobara and/or Garuda - both are absolutely easymode to install from a USB stick, and are specifically configured for gaming, but have a pretty different look and feel. Nobara is a very plain, kind of old fashioned, plain feeling UI (it rather reminds me of Windows 2000 in some ways, although it's much more advanced of course) while Garuda showcases just how fancy your desktop can look. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Reviving an old machine for gaming
    Garuda (Arch based, use a Desktop environment with small memory prints like XFCE or lxqt). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Please Help me for my search
    Personally, I feel like rolling release distros 'should' include a properly configured (GRUB-)Btrfs+Timeshit/Snapper by default. This will enable the user to rollback to a working system whenever a breakage occurs; even from the GRUB-menu. As the 'unadulterated' Arch is a blank slate upon which you 'should' tinker to your heart's content, it doesn't do this by default. However, you're highly encouraged to set it... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is artix a good alternative to manjaro
    Personal recommendation would be Garuda Linux. Like Manjaro it is 'opinionated'; sets up (GRUB-)Btrfs+Timeshift/Snapper, comes with a bunch of very useful GUI-tools etc. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • If you have a plan to use the galaxybook with linux, you don't have to buy Galaxybook.
    Yes... Most Linux Distro's the sound doesn't work... Garuda Linux is the only one I found that everything works. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

SparkyLinux mentions (2)

  • GamerOS Renamed to ChimeraOS
    Https://sparkylinux.org/ that one I guess. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • will kubntu be faster on my laptop than windows 7?
    Go with Debian or one in its derivative, sparkylinux is a good one, I would pick the 5.14 LXqt iso. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Garuda Linux and SparkyLinux, you can also consider the following products

EndeavourOS - An Arch-based distro with a dynamic and friendly community in its core

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

Anarchy Linux - A distro that helps setting up a Archlinux system.

Pop!_OS - A developer-focused minimalist Linux distro from System 76

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

Linux From Scratch - Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a project that provides you with the steps necessary to build your own...