NixOS
Independent · first released 2003
- Popularity rank
- #20
- Index
- 290
- Released
- 2003
- Latest release
- 26.05
- Supported until
- Dec 2026
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
- Whole system defined in one config file
- Easy rollback to earlier setups
- Largest package collection (nixpkgs)
Trade-offs
- Steep learning curve with its own language
- Doesn't follow usual Linux file layouts
- Some software needs extra work to run
How NixOS fits what you do
Everyday use: Not the best fit
Good
- Updates roll back if something breaks
Trade-offs
- Expects you to set things up yourself
- Not mainly built as an everyday desktop
Gaming: Not the best fit
Good
- New kernels and graphics drivers arrive quickly
- A bad driver update can be undone
Trade-offs
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Can work
Good
- Offers a lightweight desktop
Trade-offs
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Good fit
Good
- Popular with developers
- Newest compilers, languages and tools
- Experiment freely: the system rolls back
- Also runs on ARM machines
Trade-offs
- Installing system-level tools works differently (containers or layering)
AI & Local LLMs: Good fit
Good
- A common choice for running models locally
- CUDA available from NVIDIA's or the distro's own packages
Trade-offs
- AMD ROCm isn't officially supported
Servers & home labs: Good fit
Good
- Widely used on servers
- Runs on ARM boards and Raspberry Pi
Trade-offs
- Rolling updates mean more upkeep on a server
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Usage data not checked by us yet
- 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 NixOS. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #20 | 290 | |
| 12 months | #20 | 290 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Not checked yet. We only list what we've confirmed in the project's own documentation.
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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. Release dates and support from endoflife.date (CC BY-SA 4.0). Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.