CachyOS vs MX Linux
CachyOS draws more interest (#1 vs #3).
you play games on PC, you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU or you want the newest software as soon as it's out.
you're new to Linux, your computer is older or low on memory or you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
| CachyOS #1 · Arch | MX Linux #3 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 1 | 3 |
| Rank last month | 1 | 4 |
| Index | 300 | 299 |
| Family | Arch | Debian |
| Based on | Arch | Debian |
| First released | 2021 | 2014 |
| Latest release | - | 25.3 |
| Supported until | - | Aug 2028 |
| GitHub stars | 470 | 23 |
| Commits, last 30 days | 10 | 0 |
Pros and cons
CachyOS
Good
- Performance-tuned kernels and packages
- Gaming-friendly defaults
- Graphical installer with many desktop choices
Trade-offs
- Rolling updates need regular attention
- Optimised packages need newer CPUs for the fastest builds
- Young project with a smaller team
MX Linux
Good
- Handy graphical MX Tools for common tasks
- Light enough for older computers
- Debian stable base
Trade-offs
- Xfce default looks dated to some
- Older software than rolling distros
- Smaller community than Mint or Ubuntu
Questions
Is CachyOS or MX Linux more popular?
CachyOS draws more interest over the last 12 months (#1 vs #3 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, CachyOS or MX Linux?
MX Linux is the easier start: it's aimed at people new to Linux. CachyOS expects some Linux experience.
Is CachyOS or MX Linux better for gaming?
CachyOS is set up with gaming in mind. MX Linux can run Steam and Proton too, but needs more setup.
How do updates differ between CachyOS and MX Linux?
CachyOS is a rolling release: software updates continuously, so you always have the newest versions. MX Linux ships tested releases on a schedule, so updates are fewer and calmer.
Which runs better on an older computer?
MX Linux is the lighter choice and is known for running well on older hardware.
Rankings from our composite index: English Wikipedia article views, DistroWatch page hits, GitHub stars and views on this site, built 2026-11-12. All of these measure interest, not installs. Repository activity from GitHub. Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users. "Pick if", pros and cons are LinuxStatistics editorial notes based on each project's own documentation. Release dates and support from endoflife.date (CC BY-SA 4.0).