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NixOS screenshot

NixOS

NixOS is an independently developed GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In NixOS, the entire operating system, including the kernel, applications, system packages and configuration files, are built by the Nix package manager.

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AerynOS screenshot

AerynOS

AerynOS is an independently-developed, rolling-release Linux distribution designed for general desktop use. Its main features include the GNOME desktop, a custom package manager called "moss", atomic updates with rollback options, a package build system called "boulder", and smart boot management with complex EFI configuration through a utility called "blsforme".

Technical Specs Comparison
NixOSAerynOS
IndependentBaseIndependent
nix / nixpkgPackage Managermoss / flatpak, moss
systemdInit Systemsystemd
Fixed ReleaseRelease ModelRolling Release
26.05Latest Version2026.01
AdvancedDifficultyIntermediate
May 30, 2026Release DateJanuary 31, 2026
ARM64x86_64
Architecture
ARM64x86_64
AwesomeCOSMICEnlightenmentFluxboxGNOMEi3IceWMKDE PlasmalabwcLXQtmangowmRatpoisonWayfireXfce
Desktops
AwesomeCOSMICEnlightenmentFluxboxGNOMEi3IceWMKDE PlasmalabwcLXQtmangowmRatpoisonWayfireXfce