Compared to Windows, most Linux distros are generally lighter on system resources, making them better suited for computers with older-gen hardware. However, the latest versions of popular distros, like Ubuntu and Mint, feature highly-customizable desktop environments that work best with modern GPUs and high-end hardware. And this is where the best lightweight Linux distros step in and breathe a new life into your aging computers. They are designed to primarily run on older computers or low-power devices, such as the Raspberry Pi and other similar single-board systems.
The best lightweight Linux distros still provide users with a modern computing experience, even on older computers and devices with low-end hardware. They retain many features that make Linux such a versatile operating system while cutting out the bloat that would otherwise make these distros unsuitable for low-end machines. So without any further delay, here are the best lightweight Linux distros you can use to breathe life back into your old computers.
- Puppy Linux
- Linux Lite
- Lubuntu / LXLE
- Bodhi Linux
- Tiny Core Linux
- Q4OS
- antiX
- Ubuntu MATE
- Manjaro XFCE
- Absolute Linux
1. Puppy Linux: Best Lightweight Linux Distro Overall
One of the all-time favorite lightweight Linux distros, Puppy Linux, is a Unix-like operating system primarily meant for netbooks, older systems, and Live CD. The OS can run from RAM, with the latest version taking up barely about 300MB of space on 32-bit systems (and 600MB on 64-bit PCs). Official system requirements for Puppy Linux include a 600MHz processor and 256MB of RAM, which means even PCs from the late 1990s should be able to run this without any issues.
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Linux Lite is not just one of the best lightweight distros but also one of the most user-friendly operating systems for new users, especially those migrating from Windows. It is based on Ubuntu LTS releases and comes with a whole host of popular and helpful applications. Minimum system requirements include a 1GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, 8GB of free storage space, and a VGA resolution (1024×768) screen. That makes it a relatively demanding option than some of the other distros on this list.
3. Lubuntu / LXLE: Best Ubuntu-based Lightweight Linux Distro
Yet another Ubuntu-based lightweight Linux distro, Lubuntu, is for folks who want to experience Ubuntu on a barebones system. It is an official Ubuntu-based distro developed by Canonical and features the same software and repositories as its flagship stable-mate. Lubuntu provides you a simple but modern GUI and comes with a wide variety of applications, including Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC, Featherpad, Trojita, and more.
Bodhi Linux is an Ubuntu LTS-based lightweight release featuring Moksha Desktop, a continuation of Enlightenment 17 with additional features. It comes with a whole bunch of available software, thanks to the Ubuntu repo. Further, Bodhi Linux comes in four different editions, including Standard, Legacy, AppPack, and HWE. While most users will opt for the Standard or Legacy Edition (for 32-bit hardware), those looking for a 64-bit operating system with updated kernels and new hardware support should opt for the HWE edition.
As the name tells, Tiny Core is not a turnkey desktop distribution, unlike most of the other distros on this list. Instead, it is just the core system on which users can add what they want to customize their OS experience. The developers offer three different x86 cores, including Core, TinyCore, and CorePlus. While Core is the base system with only a command-line interface for servers and appliances, TinyCore is the recommended option for desktops with a network connection. It includes the base Core system and X/GUI extensions for a dynamic FLTK/FLWM graphical desktop environment.
This is possibly the most lightweight Linux distro on our list, having the ability to run even on an i486DX paired with a meager 28MB of RAM for Core and 46MB for Tiny Core. That said, Tiny Core is not for newbies wanting to try out Linux for the first time. It offers only the Linux kernel and the root filesystem to go with it. That means users will have to know their way around the Linux ecosystem to be able to build all the tools on it. It is a great option for knowledgeable DIY folks whose top priority is minimal system requirements. For the rest, it’s best that you select something a little more mainstream.
Q4OS is a Debian-based lightweight Linux distro that uses the trimmed-down Trinity desktop environment. It comes with a set of dedicated utilities and specific optimizations, combined with a focus on making a productive system. It is equally suitable for newcomers, as well as Linux veterans. Although the default Q4OS installation doesn’t offer a full suite of applications, you get powerful tools to install apps and proprietary codecs based on your usage requirements. On relatively modern hardware, it also supports desktop effects.
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Based on Debian, antiX is a fast, lightweight, and easy-to-install live CD distribution for x86-compatible systems. It ships without systemd and can be used as a fast-booting rescue CD on a USB flash drive. The OS comes in four flavors, including a full distro (1.1GB), a base distro (700MB), a core distro (350MB), and a net distro (150MB). While experienced users who want total control over their system will fancy the latter two versions, the first two are for first-time Linux users.
8. Ubuntu MATE
Ubuntu MATE is an official Canonical distro that incorporates the core Ubuntu OS and adds the MATE desktop on top. That makes for a stable, easy-to-use operating system with a configurable desktop environment. It is often seen as an Ubuntu alternative for computers not powerful enough to run a composited desktop. It is, however, not nearly as lightweight a Linux distro as some of the other options on this list. That means you will need a relatively more capable device to run this OS. The minimum hardware requirements include a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of free disk space, and a display with at least 1024×768 resolution.
Manjaro is a Linux-based open-source operating system that comes with the Arch-based fast and lightweight Xfce experience. According to the developers, it provides users “all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, [as well as] automated tools to require less manual intervention.” The OS allows users to run many popular Windows applications using Wine, PlayOnLinux, or Proton via Steam.
Even though Absolute Linux is undoubtedly one of the best lightweight distros for desktops, it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Based on Slackware, this 64-bit OS comes pre-installed with Firefox, LibreOffice, Inkscape, GIMP, Google Earth, Calibre, and more. It is version-compatible with Slackware, which means you can use almost any package from the same version of Slack on Absolute. Development libraries (headers) for everything come with the default installation, making it possible to code/ build almost anything from the source.
Absolute Linux is one of the least resource-intensive distros on this list, thanks in part to the lightweight IceWM window manager. It also includes many convenient custom scripts and utilities for easy installation, configuration, and maintenance. Do note that there’s no Live mode, but experienced users can add and remove packages from the install media to create a customized distro of their own.
