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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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CachyOS screenshot

CachyOS

CachyOS is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. It focuses on speed and security optimisations - the default Linux kernel is heavily optimised using the BORE (Burst-Oriented Response Enhancer) scheduler, while the desktop packages are compiled with LTO, x86-64-v3 and x86-64-v4, Zen 4 optimization, security flags and performance improvements.

Technical Specs Comparison
NixOSCachyOS
IndependentBaseArch
nix / nixpkgPackage Managerpacman / pkg
systemdInit Systemsystemd
Fixed ReleaseRelease ModelRolling Release
26.05Latest Version260426
AdvancedDifficultyIntermediate
May 30, 2026Release DateApril 26, 2026
ARM64x86_64x86-64-v3
Architecture
ARM64x86_64x86-64-v3
AwesomeCOSMICEnlightenmentFluxboxGNOMEi3IceWMKDE PlasmalabwcLXQtmangowmRatpoisonWayfireXfcebspwmBudgieCinnamonHyprlandLXDEMATEniriOpenboxQtileSwayUKUI
Desktops
AwesomeCOSMICEnlightenmentFluxboxGNOMEi3IceWMKDE PlasmalabwcLXQtmangowmRatpoisonWayfireXfcebspwmBudgieCinnamonHyprlandLXDEMATEniriOpenboxQtileSwayUKUI