Void
Independent · first released 2008
- Popularity rank
- #24
- Index
- 288
- Released
- 2008
you want full control and don't mind the terminal, your computer is older or low on memory, you write software or you want the newest software as soon as it's out.
Pros and cons
Good
- Independent with its own fast package manager
- runit init instead of systemd
- Glibc and musl editions
Trade-offs
- Smaller package collection
- Few graphical tools
- Not aimed at beginners
How Void fits what you do
Everyday use: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Expects you to set things up yourself
- Not mainly built as an everyday desktop
Gaming: Can work
Good
- New kernels and graphics drivers arrive quickly
Trade-offs
- NVIDIA drivers need setting up yourself
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Good fit
Good
- Runs in about 1 GB of RAM
- Still makes 32-bit images for very old PCs
- Offers a lightweight desktop
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Programming: Good fit
Good
- Popular with developers
- Newest compilers, languages and tools
- Also runs on ARM machines
Trade-offs
None we know of.
AI & Local LLMs: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- No official CUDA packages, so NVIDIA AI tools need workarounds
- AMD ROCm isn't officially supported
Servers & home labs: Not the best fit
Good
- Runs on ARM boards and Raspberry Pi
- Small footprint
Trade-offs
- Rolling updates mean more upkeep on a server
- Mainly a desktop system
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 Void. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #23 ▲ 1 | 288 | |
| 12 months | #24 | 288 |
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.
Rate Void
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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.