Some of us also don’t like to wait for the boot process hence why look for fast-booting Linux distros! This is where you can use Tiny Core as Best Linux Distro for performance because of the lightweight core, kernel and utilities.
If we talk about bleeding edge distros these are perfect for developers who intend to have the latest software but keep in mind that they can be more unstable. If you want a more stable development environment, select one that lags behind the latest release by some months.
What are Fastest Linux Distros
Linux Distros come in different flavors and they all have something different to offer. This is the same case for fast Linux Distros. They are minimal and do not come with what is called bloatware. They only have the required apps such as Editor, Web Browsers, Drivers and Photo Viewers. This is why they are the best and preferred: they do not use many background resources.
7 Best Fastest Linux Distros 2024
- Manjaro XFCE – Best Linux Distro for Gaming
- Arch Linux – Best Fastest Linux Distro for Developers
- Puppy Linux – Fastest Linux Distro for Old Laptops
- Tiny Core – Fastest Booting Linux Distro
- Bodhi Linux – Fastest Linux Distro for gaming
- Damn Small Linux – Best Linux Distro for Performance Use
- AntiX – Fastest minimal Linux Distro
Manjaro XFCE – Best Linux Distro for Gaming
This one is a fast-growing Linux distro which comes with great user community support. The version XFCE is a flagship which offers a polished, integrated and leading edge XFCE experience. When it is paired with power of an arch base it deliver and fast yet light in weight experience. When compared to others on the list it might not be as light.
If you are looking for a great desktop experience, try this one.
The best part is that it has dropped support for 32-bit architecture so that it can be a deal breaker for many who wish to run the older 32-bit system. You can however give try with the new manjaro32 project.
Arch Linux – Best Fastest Linux Distro for Developers
If you are someone who is experienced and has a love for customizations then this is your call. This is a no-nonsense Linux distro that does not come with too many pre-installed packages. This is very popular among developers and programmers due to its speed of opening IDE software.
We would suggest you light in weight window manager like the i3, yes it shall take some learning and a lot of googling compared to getting others, but what is important is you shall end up with learning a lot and it shall put you at a level of an average arch user. Moreover, you can also go for a barebones OpenBox window manager.
If you intend to convert Arch into fast yet lightweight Linux distro that has a desktop environment then you have many good choices such as LXQt and XFCE.
Keep in mind one thing to ensure that you machine is not based on 32-bit architecture as its developers have stopped offering 32-bit images due to decreasing popularity of 32-bit.
ALSO READ: Microsoft Outlook on Ubuntu 22.04 Download.
Puppy Linux – Fastest Linux Distro for Old Laptops
If you want one with a unique purpose and cute one then this is your call. Keep in mind that this one is not based on other distro instead build this from distros packages such as Ubuntu. If you are looking for a Distro that offers looks of Mac and speed, consider Elementary OS too.
Now, the choice of your binaries determine the availability of additional packages. To put this in a simple language, if you are comfortable with apt-get the go with the Ubuntu version. It is 300MB in size thus making it the smallest option available which means you can now dump all your worries about less storage on old system in a corner and try this one.
To reduce size, it does not come with any popular applications pre-installed but it’s understandable. You can find this both for 32 and 64 bit versions and can be installed on UEFI and BIOS-enabled systems.
Like others go for live booting option using CD or DVD or USB. The best part it boots itself completely into RAM on bootup, so it is both fast and responsive.
ALSO READ: The Best GNOME Themes for Ubuntu and Linux.
Tiny Core – Fastest Booting Linux Distro
Are you looking for a bare minimum version? Well don’t look more as this one comes in 3 versions.
light one is known as Core which is a 100 MB ISO image, the other two are called TinyCore and Coreplus which go up to 110 MB in installer size. Coming to the desktop then it is simple and has nothing else then icons which open the system and user applications.
Bodhi Linux – Fastest Linux Distro for gaming
If you are looking for an option for an older laptop, try this. It is light in weight distro which has been designed primarily to run on a hardware which has limited capabilities.
This is an Ubuntu LTS-based light in weight release which features Moksha Desktop, for those who do not know this is a continuation of the Enlightenment 17 desktop with more features and improvements. Remember that this one does not come with any internal window compositor be default but one can add Compiz effects.
On aesthetics front it looks great and all works great and just fine. Thanks to the Ubuntu repositories, you can access many free software. The latest 5.1 version is now available in 4 different editions: AppPack, Standard, HWE and Legacy.
Each edition has its own special case. If you want a 64-bit OS with a Kernel update to enjoy any brand new hardware support then you need to remember the HWE edition. If you are not concerned about the Kernel, go for the standard release.
This is a 32-bit version which can be used to give your old computer a new life. Moreover, you can also use the AppPack edition which is a live system-based operating system which can be plugged into the system directly and run by the default apps.
DSL – Best Linux Distro for Performance Use
This is a flexible OS which is 60MB in size, smaller than most of the used Linux appropriations. It carries a complete desktop and little center of order online devices. The total of what apps have been decided to for the best adjusted to size, rate as well as usefulness. Using this you can also deal with SSH or FTP servers.
Use this right from an installation media such as USB drive and keep running it from it plus there is no need to install it on the hardware. Moreover, it can run with RAM as little as 128MB and also light to power a 486DX with 16MB of RAM.
AntiX – Fastest minimal Linux Distro
This is a distro which is based on Debian and ships without a systemd init system which can be the deciding factor for few Linux enthusiasts. It is light in weight and comes for both 32- and 64-bit hardware thus making complete sense as it has its focus on the older and new systems.
It can be used as fast-booting rescue cd running live that to with or without persistence on USB stick. For now, antiX-19.2 “Manolis Glezos” comes in four different editions: Core, Net, Base and Full. If you are looking for a complete control over install then use core or antiX-net and build up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the fastest Linux distro for developers?
Linux distros come in various types but one popular and fastest for developers is Ubuntu due to its compatibility with development and coding tools such as IDEs.
Which is the best Linux Distro for performance?
If you are someone who needs to utilise a lot of compute power and need a minimal usage from the operating system then Arch Linux is the best to keep CPU and RAM at low usage when not needed.
Which Linux Distro is the best for Old Laptops and Gaming?
If you play games on an old laptop then Manjaro Linux is the best Distro for this. It only uses a fraction of memory compared to other Linux Distros and comes with video graphics driver for Nvidia and AMD so your games work out of the box with minimal modifications.
Conclusion
Linux has always been known as being the most stable operating system. However, these are also fast and agile allowing them to run online for long periods of time. These fastest Linux distros are best for developers, old laptops and gamers. These are supported on 32-bit and 64-bit and can work on laptops that you may have laying around for years and are not powerful.
