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DistroWatch

DistroWatch

DistroWatch is a website that provides news, popularity rankings, and detailed information about various Linux distributions and other open-source operating systems. It tracks popularity of distros based on page hits and allows users to compare them.
Os & Utilities Linux Distributions
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DistroWatch: News & Info for Linux Distributions

A website providing news, popularity rankings and detailed info on various Linux distributions and open-source OS, tracking page hits to compare popular distros.

What is DistroWatch?

DistroWatch is a popular website that focuses on providing news, releases, reviews, package information and user forums for a wide range of Linux distributions and BSD operating systems. Started in 2001, it has become a go-to resource for people looking to learn more about and keep up with developments in the world of open source operating systems.

Some key features and information provided by DistroWatch include:

  • News - timely news posts about new distro releases, major updates, security issues, company acquisitions that affect distros, and other Linux/BSD related events
  • Popularity - ranks distros according to page hits and allows side-by-side comparisons
  • Distributions - detailed profiles with descriptions, links, version history, and screenshots for hundreds of active and inactive distros
  • Package Database - allows searching for packages across many distros to compare versions and availability
  • Reviews - user contributed reviews of various Linux distros and BSD operating systems
  • Weekly Newsletters - a summary of the latest news and developments delivered weekly

Overall, with its focus on presenting timely information and analysis about Linux and BSD operating systems in one place, DistroWatch has become an invaluable reference for technology enthusiasts, developers, sysadmins, and anyone interested in open source world.

DistroWatch Features

Features

  1. Tracks popularity of Linux distributions
  2. Provides news and detailed information about Linux distros
  3. Allows comparing different Linux distributions
  4. Provides screenshots and package databases for many distros
  5. Has user forums to discuss different distros

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Great resource for learning about different Linux distros

Popularity rankings help determine most widely used distros

Lots of useful stats and details for Linux enthusiasts

Active user community for support

Cons

Focuses solely on Linux, not other operating systems

Popularity rankings based on site traffic, not install base

Information can get outdated quickly

Official Links

Official Website
https://distrowatch.com/

Reviews & Ratings

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The Best DistroWatch Alternatives

View all DistroWatch alternatives with detailed comparison →

Top Os & Utilities and Linux Distributions and other similar apps like DistroWatch

Here are some alternatives to DistroWatch:

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DistroHunt icon

DistroHunt

DistroHunt is a website designed to help users find the perfect Linux distribution for their needs. With hundreds of active Linux distributions available, it can be overwhelming trying to determine which one is right for you.That's where DistroHunt comes in. The site provides an easy way to filter and compare...
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Linux Distro Chooser

Linux Distro Chooser is an interactive quiz website that aims to help new and experienced Linux users alike find the perfect Linux distribution to install and use based on their individual needs, preferences, skill level, and intended use case.The site asks users a series of questions about what they plan...
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The LiveCD List icon

The LiveCD List

The LiveCD List is a website that serves as a directory and search engine for live operating systems across Linux and BSD platforms. It contains an extensive database of distros that can be booted directly from a CD, DVD or USB drive without needing installation.The website allows users to browse...
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Repology icon

Repology

Repology is a free and open-source platform that collects package and version information from various software repositories of Linux and BSD distributions. It aggregates the data and provides convenient web interfaces to explore and analyze it.Some of the key features of Repology include:Tracking version history of over 1 million software...
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Distro Database icon

Distro Database

Distro Database is a comprehensive online resource for learning about and comparing Linux distributions. The site provides detailed profiles of over 300 active distros with information on the developer/company, user base, release model, package managers, architectures supported, family tree, derivatives, and more.A key feature of Distro Database is the ability...

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