Arch
Arch family · first released 2002
- Popularity rank
- #14
- Index
- 293
- GitHub stars
- 8,538
- Commits / mo
- 0
- Released
- 2002
you want full control and don't mind the terminal, you write software, you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU or you want the newest software as soon as it's out.
Pros and cons
Good
- Excellent wiki that helps users of every distro
- Always-current software
- You install only what you choose
Trade-offs
- Manual install (archinstall helps)
- Updates occasionally need manual steps
- Not aimed at beginners
How Arch fits what you do
Everyday use: Good fit
Good
- Made for day-to-day desktop use
Trade-offs
- Expects you to set things up yourself
Gaming: Can work
Good
- New kernels and graphics drivers arrive quickly
Trade-offs
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Can work
Good
- Runs in about 1 GB of RAM
- Offers a lightweight desktop
Trade-offs
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Good fit
Good
- Popular with developers
- Newest compilers, languages and tools
Trade-offs
None we know of.
AI & Local LLMs: Good fit
Good
- A common choice for running models locally
- CUDA available from NVIDIA's or the distro's own packages
- AMD ROCm supported or packaged
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Servers & home labs: Not the best fit
Good
- Small footprint
Trade-offs
- Rolling updates mean more upkeep on a server
- Mainly a desktop system
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
- Sends no usage data
Trade-offs
- Privacy tools like Tor or sandboxing are up to you
Music, video & graphics: Can work
Good
- New versions of creative apps arrive quickly
Trade-offs
- Creative apps and low-latency audio setup are up to you
From our hand-written profile of Arch. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #10 ▲ 4 | 295 | |
| 12 months | #14 | 293 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
NoneNothing is sent by default. The optional pkgstats package reports installed packages only if you install it.
The OS itself, by default. Every distro contacts its servers to check for updates; that isn't counted here. Apps you install have their own settings. Checked in the project's build files. Source
Rate Arch
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Ranking 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.