Bazzite
RPM family, based on Fedora · first released 2023
- Popularity rank
- #11
- Index
- 295
- Released
- 2023
you're new to Linux, you play games on PC or you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
Pros and cons
Good
- Steam and gaming tools ready out of the box
- Image-based updates you can roll back
- Steam Deck-style mode available
Trade-offs
- System changes work differently than on traditional distros
- Installing system packages is discouraged; apps come as Flatpaks
- Focused on gaming more than general use
How Bazzite fits what you do
Everyday use: Can work
Good
- Easy to set up if you're new to Linux
- Updates roll back if something breaks
Trade-offs
- Not mainly built as an everyday desktop
Gaming: Good fit
Good
- Built with gaming in mind
- NVIDIA drivers set up for you
- A bad driver update can be undone
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Older computers: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Needs about 4 GB of RAM to feel smooth
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Can work
Good
- A stable base that doesn't change under you
- Experiment freely: the system rolls back
Trade-offs
- Language and tool versions can lag behind
- Installing system-level tools works differently (containers or layering)
- Fewer developer guides than the big distros
AI & Local LLMs: Not the best fit
Good
- NVIDIA driver set up for you
Trade-offs
- No official CUDA packages, so NVIDIA AI tools need workarounds
- AMD ROCm isn't officially supported
Servers & home labs: Can work
Good
- Fixed releases with tested updates
Trade-offs
- Mainly a desktop system
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Counts installs by default (can be turned off)
- Privacy tools like Tor or sandboxing are up to you
Music, video & graphics: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Creative apps and low-latency audio setup are up to you
From our hand-written profile of Bazzite. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #8 ▲ 3 | 296 | |
| 12 months | #11 | 295 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Anonymous count, on by defaultLike Fedora's image-based systems, a timer sends an anonymous "countme" ping to estimate the number of systems.
To turn it off: Run: systemctl mask --now rpm-ostree-countme.timer
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 Bazzite
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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. Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.