Today we will know the differences between Manjaro and Arch Linux. How do we know which distribution is best to use? You can buy cheap Linux VPS for a number of reasons including server security hardening and server software testing to get a complete Linux experience.
Manjaro and Arch Linux distributions offer a unique spin on the classic Linux experience that will pique your interest. But which side to lean on? Before we make up our minds, we need to explore the differences between Manjaro and Arch Linux so you can decide which distribution best suits your needs. Let’s learn about each one separately, compare their benefits to the other, and see what each has to offer!
What is Manjaro?
Manjaro is not exactly Linux but is an Arch Linux-based distribution. It is focus is on user-friendliness and accessibility to the users. The main goal of this distribution is to provide a simple, easy-to-use operating system for new and inexperienced Linux users.
Manzaro also aims to provide a complete out-of-the-box experience, offering pre-installed applications and all the necessary tools to get started with your new system. Although Manjaro shares many similarities with Arch Linux, some key differences separate the two distributions. One of the most important differences is that Manjaro is a rolling release distribution, while Arch Linux follows a more traditional release cycle.
This means Manjaro users always have access to up-to-date software, while Arch users have to regularly and manually update their systems.
What is Arch Linux?
Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux system, aims to be simple, attractive, and easy to install. It requires a fairly simple setup as it is intended to be as close to bare metal as possible.
Arch Linux is one of the most popular distributions amongst Linux expert users. Pacman, the package manager included with Arch Linux, is a great option for those who want to customize their system because it is extremely powerful and easy to use. The Arch community provides ample documentation and support for new users.
Manjaro vs Arch Linux
To talk about Manjaro vs Arch Linux, before going into the details you should know some general information which we will cover later. If you’re looking for a Linux distribution that’s lightweight, easy to use and has a rolling release sequence, you might be wondering if Manjaro or Arch Linux are better options. Both of them have their pros and cons, so it really depends on your own needs and preferences. Manjaro is based on Arch Linux and uses a rolling release model, which means new features and updates are available as they are released. On the other hand, Arch Linux is slightly more stable as it has a fixed release plan. This means that new software versions are made available every 6 months or so after thorough testing.
If you want the latest software versions as soon as they are released, Manjaro is probably a good option. But if you prefer stability over new features, Arch Linux might be a better choice.
Pros and cons of Manjaro vs Arch Linux
There are pros and cons to using Manjaro vs Arch Linux. Here are some top things you can consider before choosing either Manjaro or Arch Linux.
Manjaro Pros
- Manjaro’s best feature is how well it handles its desktop environments. This distribution accepts each desktop instead of converting it to something else. So, after the boost, the first part of the OS you’ll focus on is the Manjaro desktop environment. It is a desktop environment with moving panels, icons and other elements that are attractive and easy to use.
- An excellent user base welcomes everyone and can help them have a positive digital experience. For beginners, the official Manjaro forum is a great resource. For non-English speakers, they offer forums in over 29 different languages.
- Manjaro regularly releases reliable updates. You can quickly update the software without reinstalling it because updates are being distributed.
- Manjaro is usable for desktop users due to the Calamares installer and Manjaro hardware detection (MHWD). Due to its audio codecs, latest packages, kernels, and easy updating to the latest releases, it is the best option for new users.
- Manjaro is an Arch-based distribution that has the benefits of being considerably more user-friendly than Arch.
- It is undoubtedly one of the best desktop distributions as it offers excellent functionality. Also, very little memory is used.
Manjaro Cons
- When comparing stability between Manjaro vs Arch Linux, Manjaro is less stable. It requires virtually weekly upgrades as it is a rolling release. The OS must be downloaded, verified, and installed manually.
- Changing the default theme is challenging for Manjaro users. It is possible to change the default dark theme though. Apps like Firefox, which have dark themes “hard coded”, are not affected It may be modifiable by Linux professionals, but may be challenging for novice users.
Arch Linux Pros
- Arch Linux’s dependency management system and its variants are subpar. This sets up a new application with the necessary requirements for dependency management.
- Installation of components required for operation; Unlike Windows, which has numerous unused tools, Arch OS lets you manually select a list of tools. It optimizes your PC and saves resources. But makes initial installation and operational setting more difficult.
- Your operating system will always be up-to-date thanks to an ongoing development process known as rolling releases. Unlike the dist-upgrade model, the upgrade is permanent.
- ARCH OS operating system is quite preferred. The operating system has an AUR – Arch User Repository at the expense of a larger community of both amateur and expert programmers (AUR). Software updates are often made later. As a result, you can always find the Linux utility you need.
- Arch OS has its own way of dealing with problems and thoughts. Users do not need to remove any additional packages. The system provides a brand new OS assembly; You decide what you need to do to work as a designer.
- Supported by most file system distributions including LVM2, REISER, XFS, JFS, BTRFS, and basic EXT 2/3/4. There is support for RAID, UDEV, and INUTCPIO.
- Integrity and flexible package management supported by LINUX ARCH for managing PACMAN. With this technology, Syu, a single Pacman command, can be used to upgrade entire systems. pacman – The s package name is all it takes to load the new version of the package. ARCH OS source code is provided immediately without patches. Source texts are used to compile software packages.
- Using Clonezilla tool, system files can be cloned. You can create a backup without thinking about failure.
Arch Linux Cons
Building the system requires completely manual OS component installation and configuration. Various operations should also be done manually using instructions. The rise in popularity of the community is stunted by this negative.
At some point in the future, such work will annoy and even get on the nerves of professionals. However, compared to friendly Ubuntu, “ARCH” is more stable, and settings and smooth operation will not “fly” when the next system update is applied.
Most music players and programs that make working on the computer easier, such as Punto Switcher, are problematic for ARCH. However, this problem can be solved by searching a repository for analogs.
It advertises itself as open source software for a broad range of users. However, in practice, professionals prefer distribution kits because most tasks require specific commands. Simple operations such as installing utilities require typing the pacman command -s package name. Everything is much easier under “Windows”.
Undoubtedly there is a significant collection of information in both Russian and English. However, inexperienced users should consult the documentation frequently: problems may occur during the installation phase; For work, you need at least a basic understanding of how Linux works.
When it comes to clarity on Manjaro vs Arch Linux, it is recommended to read operating system setup and application instructions before use to avoid confusion on Arch Linux.
The installer does not have a standard graphic cover. Consequently, an entry line and basic commands must be used to select a repository with the software.
The inability to check versions of the software is not so good and it is better to wait for the stable version.
AUR packages are always susceptible to malicious code. Therefore, finding the tool manually for your task is the best option.
Manjaro vs Arch Linux Detailed Comparison
Considering Manjaro vs Arch Linux, both of them are great distributions that offer numerous features to help make your computing experience smoother. You can consider the following factors to decide which one is best for you.
Installation
You don’t need more technical knowledge to install Manjaro and it has a graphical installer which makes the installation process easy on Linux systems, while Arch Linux needs to be installed manually through a command-line interface, which requires more technical knowledge on Linux systems. Apart from this point, Majaro’s graphic environment is user-friendly and easy and you should spend at least 30 minutes reading this operating system guide to install Arch Linux properly.
Rolling Release Model
Both Manjaro and Arch Linux support a rolling release model, meaning that users receive continuous updates and the latest versions of packages. However, there are sometimes several updates a day for Manjaro unstable versions while only tested updates make their way to stable versions of Arch Linux. Considering Manjaro vs Arch Linux, Manjaro’s rolling release model is more useful for providing stability, while Arch Linux’s rolling release can be unstable for some users.
Community support
As Manjaro rose above 30 on DistroWatch, the community began to grow, and this contributed to the availability of more support options, whereas the Arch Linux community is more technical, And users are expected to fix most of their problems.
Security
Arch Linux is a minimalist distribution that gives users complete control over the operating system. This means that the user is responsible for managing their system’s security, updates, and packages. Manjaro is designed for more user-friendly than Arch Linux, while still providing a high degree of customization and control to users. Manjaro has strong security features which are comparable to Arch Linux and both offer a secure Operating Syste.
Repositories
Manjaro has a software repository where the most used packages are tested and made available to users. Arch Linux’s repositories work with the latest versions of packages, and users can access third-party packages through the Arch User Repository.
Package Management
The Arch Linux rolling release schedule confirms that users are always up-to-date with the latest packages and updates as they become available.
The package manager, PacMan, is a powerful tool that allows users to easily install, update, and remove packages, and it verifies package signatures for added security. On the other hand, Manjaro’s package manager, pamac, is a graphical tool that allows users to simply search for and set up packages from Manjaro’s repositories. Pamac also makes the process of updating and removing packages easier.
As a result, Manjaro may not always have the latest packages available, but users can rest assured that the packages they have are safe and reliable.
These are some of the notable differences between Manjaro and Arch Linux. However, other factors such as user interface, default software, and customization options also differ between Linux distributions.
Manjaro and Arch Linux Comparison Table
| Fields | Manjaro | Arch Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Users | More user friendly | Proper for more experienced users |
| Updates | Once or twice a month is enough for the stable branch | Once or twice a month is enough |
| Installing and Configuration | Easier to install especially for beginner users- simpler and more elegant graphics | Easy to install yet a bit more complicated than Manjaro and if you study its guide, it can take 30 minutes.- more customizable |
| Forum | Has one and you can ask and answer questions to master the project | Has one and you can require assistance to improve your knowledge |
| Packages | Has a command-line-based package management tool including Pacman & Pamac | It uses Pacman & you can use the same pacman commands to handle packages |
| Documentation and support | Wiki page | Wiki page |
| Desktop environments | any desk Support- provides various ISO like Xfce, KDE and GNOME, MATE, Cinnamon, LXDE, LXQt, OpenBox, and more. | any desk support |
| AUR access | Does not support | Arch User Repository is a community-driven source for Arch-based Linux distributions users |
| Drivers support | great support for GPU drivers- easy installation- gives the option of automatic installation | issues installing drivers (Specially Nvidia)- you have to install the proper drives yourself |