Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Linux From Scratch VS Arch Linux

Compare Linux From Scratch VS Arch Linux and see what are their differences

Linux From Scratch logo Linux From Scratch

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

Arch Linux logo Arch Linux

You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.
  • Linux From Scratch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-02
  • Arch Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

Linux From Scratch features and specs

  • Educational Experience
    Linux From Scratch (LFS) provides an in-depth educational experience, allowing users to learn firsthand how a Linux system is built from the ground up. This deep understanding of Linux internals can be invaluable for system administrators and developers.
  • Customization
    LFS offers complete control over the software components and configurations, enabling users to build a system that meets their specific needs and preferences without unnecessary extraneous software.
  • Optimized Performance
    By compiling the system from scratch, users can optimize it for specific hardware, potentially achieving better performance than with pre-packaged distributions.
  • Minimal Footprint
    LFS allows users to create a minimal system with only essential packages, reducing the attack surface for security vulnerabilities and resource usage.

Possible disadvantages of Linux From Scratch

  • Time-Consuming
    Building a Linux system from scratch is a time-intensive process, requiring significant effort and attention to detail, which can be a barrier for users with limited time.
  • Complexity
    The process requires a good understanding of Linux and its subsystems, making it challenging for beginners or those unfamiliar with manual system setup and configuration.
  • Lack of Standard Support
    LFS does not have an official support community or professional support services like popular distributions, requiring users to rely on forums or their ingenuity.
  • Maintenance Overhead
    Keeping an LFS system up-to-date with new packages, patches, and security updates involves significant ongoing effort, as package management is manual.

Arch Linux features and specs

  • Customizability
    Arch Linux is known for its high degree of customizability. Users can tailor the operating system to fit their specific needs by installing only the necessary components and applications.
  • Rolling Release Model
    Arch Linux follows a rolling release model, which means that users receive continuous updates without needing to upgrade to a new version. This ensures that the system is always up-to-date with the latest software and security patches.
  • Performance
    Due to its minimalistic design and absence of unnecessary software, Arch Linux can offer high performance and faster boot times compared to more bloated distributions.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    The Arch Wiki is one of the most thorough and well-maintained resources in the Linux community, making it easier for users to find help and learn more about their system.
  • User Control
    Arch Linux provides users with complete control over their system. This is particularly beneficial for advanced users who want to fine-tune every aspect of their operating environment.

Possible disadvantages of Arch Linux

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Arch Linux requires a higher level of technical knowledge to install and maintain compared to other distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora. This can be a barrier for beginners.
  • Lack of Official Support
    While the Arch community is active and supportive, there is no formal customer support. Users must rely on community forums, IRC channels, and the Arch Wiki for help.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    The rolling release model, while keeping the system current, can sometimes introduce instability or compatibility issues with new updates. This may require more frequent troubleshooting.
  • Manual Setup
    The installation process for Arch Linux is highly manual and time-consuming, requiring users to configure their system from scratch. This can be daunting for those used to automated installers.
  • Limited Pre-Packaged Software
    Unlike some other distributions that come pre-packaged with a variety of software and tools, Arch Linux starts with a base system. Users will need to manually install each application they need, which can be time-consuming.

Linux From Scratch videos

Linux From Scratch 7.5 First Impressions

More videos:

  • Review - Linux From Scratch 8.2 - Episode 1: Host System
  • Review - Why should we learn Linux from scratch? | Linux From Scratch (for beginners) LFS-EP-01

Arch Linux videos

Top Five Reasons To Run Arch Linux

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu Vs Arch Linux | Which is the Best Linux Distro?
  • Review - Arch Linux - Simple, Fast, & Custom Distro Overview + Gameplay
  • Review - Arch Linux Is A Great Distro But You Shouldn't Use It
  • Review - Fedora vs Arch Linux - Battle of the Best!
  • Review - Fedora vs Debian and Arch Linux

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Linux From Scratch and Arch Linux)
Linux
10 10%
90% 90
Operating Systems
10 10%
90% 90
Linux Distribution
8 8%
92% 92
OS & Utilities
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 Linux From Scratch and Arch Linux

Linux From Scratch Reviews

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Arch Linux Reviews

Top 9 Fastest Linux Distros in 2024
One of the defining features of Arch Linux is its package management system, ‘Pacman’, which is designed to be fast, and reliable as it uses a simple command-line interface and a binary package format. Moreover, it makes the OS easy to install and manage software on the system.
Source: linuxsimply.com
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Arch Linux is a lightweight and highly customizable Linux distro that emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and a "do-it-yourself" approach. It is designed for experienced users who want to build a tailored and efficient operating system environment according to their specific needs. Arch Linux rolling-release model provides continuous updates to the latest software packages...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Fans of Linux consider Arch Linux the “pure” distribution. The minimalistic operating system forgoes any graphical tools. As such Arch Linux is slim and customizable, but this could scare away newcomers. Simplicity is part of the basic idea of Arch Linux, but here it refers to the distribution’s features. Arch Linux is managed with Pacman and is a suitable base for most...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Arch Linux users enjoy the latest updates on other Linux distributions before most users. All you need to do is use Pacman, Arch Linux’s package manager.
Source: techcult.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Artix Linux is a rolling-release distribution based on Arch Linux, which uses OpenRC, runit, s6, suite66, or dinit as init rather than systemd. It is possible to utilize packages from the Arch Linux repositories or any other derivative distribution, even those that expressly depend on systemd, on Artix Linux, as it is a pacman-based distribution. AUR (Arch User Repository)...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Arch Linux seems to be a lot more popular than Linux From Scratch. While we know about 258 links to Arch Linux, we've tracked only 21 mentions of Linux From Scratch. 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.

Linux From Scratch mentions (21)

  • I Like Makefiles
    Take https://linuxfromscratch.org/ for a spin and see that Makefiles work fine; last a long time. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Installing Gentoo has been the hardest most rewarding experience with Linux
    Should have tried https://linuxfromscratch.org/ instead. Gentoo is mostly just BLFS and ALFS from there, with more available packages, and centralized 'USE FLAGS' ( https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/USE_flag ) which could be considered one of Gentoos USPs. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Warm Welcome to Linux P2
    As a non-computer (hardware, software etc) specialist like myself who has hobbies in computers, I wanted a challenge. Trying their luck with Linux From Scratch (LFS) and beyond as just random. As someone who completed the journey on a whim, it was worthwhile as I got to see a system built. The course takes about a week with trial, error, and sheer willpower. It is like a coming-of-age tale; complete it once and... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Planning to install Gentoo to learn how OS in general and Linux in particular really works
    Well, it depends on what your aim is. If you want a Linux-based system that can be used as a daily driver, then Gentoo is certainly a reasonable choice. But if you're not particularly interested in using the system once you've finished installing, then Linux From Scratch is probably more appropriate. Gentoo is not primarily an educational tool, whereas Linux From Scratch is. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Fedora and Debian are the same, change my mind
    Https://linuxfromscratch.org/ this has a guide for how to make a standard Linux base, by hand, but will give you some ideas on how packaging and dependency management works. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Arch Linux mentions (258)

  • Writing an AnythingLLM Custom Agent Skill to Trigger Make.com Webhooks
    If you don't already have it, download the AnythingLLM desktop application for your platform here. In my examples I'll be using my Macbook Pro to run AnythingLLM and connecting to llama-server running on an Arch Linux server with the Meta Llama 3.1 Instruct model (70B). However, you can do all of this just by linking AnythingLLM to the OpenAI API with an API Key. I will not go into the details of the initial setup... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • The Home Server Journey - 1: Motivation and Approach
    If you've ever tried using a non-mainstream Linux distro, you probably know the pain of looking for a package, not finding it even in a third-party repository, trying to compile it from source and failing miserably over and over (Been there. Done that). Manjaro, as an Arch-based OS, at least has the very welcome access to the AUR, a community repository for compilation scripts that automate the process for us mere... - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Penguin, Chicken or Duck? (Eros, OC, Microsoft Bing AI Generated)
    Arch is a popular Linux distribution(basically an os). Him saying that he uses arch is basically a joke that arch Linux users will always mention that they use the distro. (Also a penguin is also the Linux mascot). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Arch Linux bugtracker migration to Gitlab completed
    Arch sends distribution news every week or so, usually in one or two paragraphs. https://archlinux.org/ I've followed the gitlab migration and every package and distribution change that warranted community notification for more than a decade. It's such an empowering feeling to have tracked all the changes to the distribution over a decade. The Arch maintainer culture has managed to provide consistent high quality... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Moving from Mint to Arch
    When searching for something just add Arch Linux to the and follow official archlinux.org and use duckduckgo.com for better results. You will get amazed how good arch wiki explained everything and how aur has very large apps. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Linux From Scratch and Arch Linux, you can also consider the following products

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..

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

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

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

Redcore Linux - Redcore Linux is a Linux distribution based on the Arch Linux operating system.

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.