Software Alternatives & Startups

Slackware VS MX Linux

Compare Slackware VS MX Linux and see what are their differences

Slackware

Slackware Linux is an advanced Linux operating system, designed with the twin goals of ease of use...

Rating
0 reviews
MX Linux

MX Linux is an operating system - a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS...

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, MX Linux seems to be a lot more popular than Slackware. While we know about 91 links to MX Linux, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Slackware.

social mentions
4 vs 91
Linux Distribution popularity
18% vs 82%
alternatives listed
118 vs 152

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Slackware
MX Linux
Website slackware.com mxlinux.org
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Slackware 5 features
MX Linux 6 features
  • Simplicity
    Slackware follows a philosophy of simplicity and minimalism, providing a system that is free from unnecessary layers or GUIs, allowing users to have more control over their environment.
  • Stability
    The distribution is known for its stability as it uses well-tested components and avoids including any experimental features.
  • Unix-Like Experience
    Slackware provides a very Unix-like experience, which is appealing to advanced users looking to work closer to the system's core without abstractive layers.
  • Customization
    With Slackware's minimal default setup, users can customize their system extensively according to their needs and preferences.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    Slackware’s documentation and supportive community help users understand the system better and solve issues on their own.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Slackware can be challenging for beginners due to its manual configuration requirements and lack of GUIs for system management.
  • Limited Package Management
    Unlike other distributions with advanced package management systems (e.g., APT, YUM), Slackware relies on a more manual approach, making software management potentially cumbersome.
  • Fewer Automated Tools
    Slackware lacks some automated tools that other distributions provide, requiring users to perform more manual setup and maintenance tasks.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Its slower release cycle means that the distribution might not always provide the latest software versions, which may not appeal to users wanting the most current applications.
  • Less Commercial Support
    Compared to more popular distributions, Slackware has less commercial support, which could be a limitation for enterprise environments looking for professional assistance.
  • User-Friendly
    MX Linux offers a highly intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it a great choice for beginners who might be new to Linux.
  • Performance
    The distribution is lightweight and optimized to run smoothly even on older hardware, ensuring good performance.
  • Stability
    Built on the Debian Stable base, MX Linux is known for its robustness and reliability, providing fewer system crashes and bugs.
  • Customization
    MX Linux allows extensive customization, enabling users to tailor their system’s appearance and functionality to their liking.
  • MX Tools
    The distribution includes a unique set of tools, such as MX Snapshot and MX Package Installer, that enhance user experience by simplifying complex tasks.
  • Community Support
    MX Linux has an active and helpful community, offering extensive forums and documentation to assist users in troubleshooting and optimizing their systems.

Possible disadvantages

  • Slower Updates
    Being based on Debian Stable, MX Linux may not have the latest software and feature updates, lagging behind more cutting-edge distributions.
  • Limited Software Availability
    The software repositories, although extensive, may not have as wide a selection as some other distros, requiring users to sometimes rely on external sources.
  • Aesthetic
    While functional and customizable, the default look and feel might not be as polished as some other distributions designed with visual aesthetics in mind.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Customization
    While it is user-friendly for basic tasks, more advanced customization and optimization may require a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with Linux internals.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Though generally good, there can be occasional issues with hardware compatibility, especially with very new or very old devices.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Slackware
MX Linux

Overall verdict

  • Slackware is considered a good Linux distribution for users who prefer a stable, traditional, and straightforward Linux experience. However, it might not be the best choice for those looking for a more user-friendly or feature-rich distribution with extensive graphical user interfaces and tools.

Why this product is good

  • Slackware is one of the oldest Linux distributions. It is known for its simplicity and being a no-frills, Unix-like operating system. Its design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and transparency. Users appreciate the control it provides and the fact that it stays true to Unix principles. It's renowned for its stability, lack of unnecessary bells and whistles, and the control it offers to the user over the operating system.

Recommended for

    Slackware is recommended for advanced Linux users, system administrators, and those who appreciate the Unix design philosophy. It's particularly suitable for users who want to have full control over their system configuration and prefer manual software management and configuration.

No analysis of MX Linux yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Slackware 3 videos + Add
MX Linux 3 videos + Add

Slackware 14 Install & Review

More videos

  • - A look at Slackware
  • - Moving to Slackware

MX Linux 19.1 Xfce Review | Distro Delves S2:Ep9

More videos

  • - REVIEW: MX LINUX 19 : "BLAZING FAST!"
  • - Why is MX Linux So Popular?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Slackware
MX Linux
18% 18%
82% 82%
11% 11%
89% 89%
13% 13%
87% 87%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Slackware no reviews yet
MX Linux no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Slackware 4 mentions
MX Linux 91 mentions
  • My first Linux installation!
    Congrats on making it past the slackware.com Install Help page that seeks to walk you through selection of non-existing boot and root floppy disks. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Slackware 15 multilib
    Using the slackware.uk mirror of Alienbob's content is a LOT faster than going to slackware.com:. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Slackware 15.0 x86 stable is released
    Stay tuned to http://slackware.com and the ##slackware IRC channel on. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

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  • Linux market share approaching 4.5% for first time, could hit 5% by 1Q25
    Does one really care? Have you looked at https://www.clearlinux.org/ https://github.com/clearlinux https://github.com/CachyOS https://github.com/MX-Linux ? Would they lack anything? I picked... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What if I don't want constant OS upgrades?
    I like Manjaro XFCE, it's rolling updates so it's as packages come out you can update to the newest (it pulls latest from github, but has other repos) if you want oldschool oldschool, check out antiX linux, MX Linux is based on AntiX but... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • what happened to my linux mint laptop and how do I fix it?
    If you want something new you probably want to aim light. I'd opt for AntiX full version as it's very light, stable and comes with a variety of lightweight desktops, themes and other stuff to choose from at login. The sister project... Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Slackware and MX Linux

When comparing Slackware and MX Linux, you can also consider the following products.