Linux, Web Hosting, and Everything Else in Between
Linux, Web Hosting, and Everything Else in Between

50+ Best Lightweight Linux Distros for 2023

lightweight linux distro

Bonus Lightweight Linux Distros List



This is our bonus list. If you stumbled upon this without checking our main list, go check it out now and come back here later.

We’ll keep it brief and straight to the point.

DistroMinimum RAM (MB)Minimum CPUMinimum Disk Space (MB)GUIRelease cycleNotes
BasicLinux3Intel 386 or compatible2.8XStandardCan run on a floppy drive! Although, it hasn't been updated in a long time.
Damn Small Linux16Intel i486 or compatible50FluxBox, JWMStandardHasn't been updated in a long time.
VectorLinux - Light Edition256PAE capable CPU5000FluxBox, JWMStandardOlder releases are more lightweight.
LinuxBBQ256An Intel Celeron CPU300076 WMs to choose from!Standard"Bake your own Linux distro". For advanced users only.
Trusted End Node Security (TENS)1000 (it runs in RAM, including filesystem)Any x86 processorRuns in RAM. Any live CD/USB will do.iceWMStandardIssued and maintained by the United States Department of Defense
MX Linux512A modern i486 Intel or AMD processor 5000XfceCyclical RollingVenture between antiX and MEPIS
Nanolinux64Intel i486 or compatible14SLWMStandardIt runs in RAM, so after booting, you can remove the live CD/USB and still use the distro.
Salix OS90 (Fluxbox)Intel i486 or compatible700MATE, KDE, Xfce, Fluxbox, OpenboxStandardBased on Slackware. Great for desktop use. Comes with Xfce out of the box, but other WMs are available in the repositories, including Fluxbox.
ConnochaetOS128An i686 processor, which is a Pentium Pro or above3000IceWMStandardBased on Slackware and Salix OS. Uses only free software.
TurnKey GNU/Linux256Any CPU that supports NXMixed, depending on what appliance you useServer (web) GUI.StandardUsed for servers and web hosting. Can be installed on a desktop PC too.
Zenwalk128A Pentium II class processor2000XfceHybridBased on Slackware. Lightweight and great for desktop use.
Calculate Linux256i686 or newer (Intel Pentium Pro and higher, AMD Athlon and above)5000Xfce, KDE, Cinnamon, MATE and LXQt (beta)StandardA complete set of applications you need.
Emmabuntüs512Intel or AMD (from 1.4 GHz)20000XfceLTS onlyYou can install it without an internet connection since all packages are pre-installed and updated.
GALPon MiniNo128500Mhz processor2500LXDEStandardBrings back your 12+ year old PC back to life.
GoboLinux32 (text mode), 128 (graphics mode)i686-class systems: Intel Core family, Pentium II/III/4, Intel Celeron, AMD Duron, AMD Athlon/XP/MP

Recent release requires a 64bit processor (at least Core2)
1000AwesomeStandardUses a different filesystem. Created in 2002
ToriOS256 Intel Celeron, ATOM, Pentium M or P44000JWMLTS onlyWorks out of the box with all free software.
MenuetOS24Pentium 901.44CustomStandardWritten in assembly. Can be run on a floppy drive.
KolibriOS8a Pentium compatible processor (486/386 will not work!) 1.44CustomStandardBased on MenuetOS (forked).
LinuxConsole128Any PAE compliant CPU1000LXDEStandardLightweight distro for kids.
Parabola256Any i686 compatible CPU800+AnyRollingBased on Arch Linux. Uses free software only. For advanced users only.
Absolute Linux64Intel i486 or compatible700IceWM, ROXStandardBased on Slackware. All the apps you need are pre-installed
ReactOS96Pentium or later and compatibles500CustomStandardNot based on Linux, but still a free Unix OS. Great alternative to Windows.
HD ScaniaMixedMixedMixedMixedMixedHas various lightweight distros to choose from. All from the same developer(s).


This is The End.

And that’s all, folks! Thank you for taking the time to check our distro lists. Now, go buy yourself an USB flash drive and install some of these distros! If you liked the lists, share it wherever. Leave a comment if you have any suggestions.

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