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OpenBSD VS Arch Linux

Compare OpenBSD VS Arch Linux and see what are their differences

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OpenBSD logo OpenBSD

FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system

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.
  • OpenBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-10-17
  • Arch Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

OpenBSD features and specs

  • Security
    OpenBSD is known for its focus on security. It undergoes rigorous code auditing, has a proactive security approach, and includes features like secure memory management and privilege separation.
  • Stability
    The operating system is well-known for its stability and reliability, due to its minimalist approach and an emphasis on creating a robust user experience.
  • Documentation
    OpenBSD provides comprehensive and thorough documentation, making it easier for users to understand and utilize its features effectively.
  • Cryptography
    The system includes strong cryptography and has been a pioneer in developing and implementing various cryptographic techniques and software.
  • Simplicity
    OpenBSD focuses on simplicity in its design and functionality, reducing unnecessary complexities and streamlining the user experience.

Possible disadvantages of OpenBSD

  • Hardware Support
    OpenBSD may have limited hardware support compared to other operating systems, which can pose challenges for users with modern or specialized hardware.
  • Software Availability
    It can lack the breadth of software availability found on more popular platforms like Linux or Windows, which might limit its use for certain applications or tasks.
  • Performance
    Some users may find that OpenBSD prioritizes security over performance, resulting in slower performance compared to other systems optimized for speed.
  • Limited Community
    The user community for OpenBSD is smaller relative to other open-source operating systems, which can lead to less support and community-driven resources.
  • Learning Curve
    For new users, especially those not familiar with Unix-like systems, OpenBSD can present a steep learning curve due to its unique configuration and system management.

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.

Analysis of Arch Linux

Overall verdict

  • Arch Linux is highly regarded among users who prefer a do-it-yourself approach and value control over their operating system. It is an excellent choice for advanced users who want to tailor their system to specific requirements and enjoy staying on the cutting edge of software developments.

Why this product is good

  • Arch Linux is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and cutting-edge software. It follows a rolling release model, which means users always have access to the latest software updates and features. Additionally, Arch provides a minimalist base installation, allowing users to customize their system exactly to their needs. The Arch User Repository (AUR) offers a vast array of community-contributed packages, making it easy to install additional software. The comprehensive Arch Wiki is an excellent resource for troubleshooting and learning about various aspects of the system.

Recommended for

    Advanced Linux users, enthusiasts who enjoy learning about system internals, and those who prefer customizing their OS. It is also recommended for developers who thrive on the latest software versions and updates. Beginners may find Arch challenging due to its manual setup process, but it can be a rewarding learning experience for those willing to invest the time.

OpenBSD videos

+ Add

Intro to most secure OS OpenBSD with sexiest Manjaro DeepIn Linux

More videos:

  • Review - Why I Switched From Arch Linux to OpenBSD
  • Review - Product Review - OpenBSD 6.3

Arch Linux videos

+ Add

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 OpenBSD and Arch Linux)

OpenBSD

Arch Linux

Operating Systems
5 5%
Operating Systems
95% 95
Linux
4 4%
Linux
96% 96
Linux Distribution
4 4%
Linux Distribution
96% 96
Security & Privacy
100 100%
Security & Privacy
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenBSD and Arch Linux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

OpenBSD Reviews

Best free Linux router and firewall distributions of 2023
These systems are not intended for routers. They are general-purpose operating systems and should not really be used as routers. Similar to OpenBSD and VyOS, you will have to configure everything by hand without a Web Interface. It's easy to make a mistake and leave a hole that exposes internal systems to attackers.
Source: teklager.se

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...
Source: www.openlogic.com
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)...
Source: cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Arch Linux seems to be a lot more popular than OpenBSD. While we know about 260 links to Arch Linux, we've tracked only 13 mentions of OpenBSD. 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.

OpenBSD mentions (13)

  • Can't import bookmarks in Firefox
    Thank you. I appreciate the answer. I was grokking the openbsd.org website for quite a while and didn't see anything like this. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • fw_update: yes//SHA256.sig: No such file or directory
    I seem to be able to ping openbsd.org, as I see 64 bytes from... continuously. However, when I try to install software such as doas pkg_add vim I get Can't find vim. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Configuring a simple router with OpenBSD
    OpenBSD is a security-first Unix-like operating system belonging to the BSD family of operating systems. It is best known for the OpenSSH project founded in 1999 under the OpenBSD umbrella which has garnered widespread adoption beyond OpenBSD, including the infamous Linux operating system and even Microsoft Windows (since Windows 10). - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Why Artix?
    There are Gentoo variants with precompiled binary packages and backward compatibility. Redcore , Calculate, Pentoo, Funtoo and others. By OpenBSD I mean. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Help, Installing OpenBSD for first time.
    (unable to get list from openbsd.org, but that is OK). Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Arch Linux mentions (260)

  • Cloudflare is sponsoring Ladybird and Omarchy
    It's a dead-simple distribution with an opinionated setup that, well, mostly just works. It's a techie's version of a non-tech distribution where you don't have to tweak anything (or almost anything) to get a nice experience out of the box. Think of it as "Ubuntu, but explicitly marketed for devs" Plus hype because DHH is a well-known figure. Linux fandom really doesn't understand the power of defaults and the... - Source: Hacker News / 12 days ago
  • Tracking dot files
    They are executed on Arch Linux or a distribution based on it, although the most of them should work in other common Linux distributions. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • 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 / 10 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 / about 1 year 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: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

BioCatch - Seamless and secure online experiences are built with BioCatch behavioral biometrics. We’re more than just fraud prevention. Our solution powers your digital growth.

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

FreeBSD - FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (including Pentium® and Athlon™)...

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

Deep Instinct - Deep Instinct is revolutionizing cyber security, offering advanced cyber security solutions that harness the power of deep learning analytics with unprecedented deep machine learning and AI prediction models.

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.

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