https://itsfoss.com/immutable-linux-distros/ It's FOSS * Home * About * - Contact us * News * Policies * - Copyright * - Privacy * - Affiliate * Linux Server Side * Community Forum * It's FOSS en Espanol Subscribe Sign up Sign in * Home * About * - Contact us * News * Policies * - Copyright * - Privacy * - Affiliate * Linux Server Side * Community Forum * It's FOSS en Espanol Log in Subscribe 8 Immutable Linux Distributions for Those Looking to Embrace the Future Immutability is a concept in trend. Take a look at what are the options you have for an immutable Linux distribution. * Ankush Das Ankush Das 31 Mar 2023 4 min read On this page [linux-mega] Every distro is tailored for a range of purposes. Some are configured to work on old computers, some aim to great user experience and some focus on security. Immutable distributions were not what users wanted a couple of years back. But, recently, more projects are focusing on the immutability aspect as a core feature of the Linux distribution. Why is that? And, what are all the options available? Before you get to the list, let me briefly tell you more about immutability: What is an immutable Linux distro? An immutable distro ensures that the operating system's core remains unchanged. The root file system for an immutable distro remains read-only, making it possible to stay the same across multiple instances. Of course, you can change things if you would like to. But, the ability remains disabled by default. How is it useful? Traditionally, immutable distributions existed to allow for easier testing and container-based software development. Furthermore, immutability provides you with better security and reliable updates for your operating system. Back then, the focus on such features was limited to distros aimed for professionals and developers. Now, it is being incorporated for daily desktop users. The list is in no particular ranking order. And, some options are still in their early phases of development. 1. carbonOS carbon os screenshot with gnome menu carbonOS is an upcoming independent Linux distro (at the time of writing this). It focuses on providing a seamless user experience with robust tech at its core. It takes a Flatpak-first and container-first approach. carbonOS also aims to provide safe system updates, and verified boot as some features that not all atomic distros offer. In addition to its unique traits, it also wants to focus on providing an excellent GNOME desktop experience to users. Suggested Read carbonOS: This Upcoming Independent Distro is All About UX and Robust Experience carbonOS is a new upcoming distro on the radar. Explore more about it here. [android-ch]It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das [carbon-os-] 2. Fedora Silverblue fedora workstation screenshot Silverblue is a variant of Fedora Workstation with immutability. It is one of the most popular immutable distributions out there. The user interface and the experience remains unchanged from a typical Fedora Workstation release. Whenever you have a new Fedora release, expect a new Silverblue release as well. Fedora Silverblue aims to offer a stable experience which is useful for testing and container-based software development. You can always roll back to the previous version of the operating system if something goes wrong after an update. 3. Flatcar Container Linux flatcar linux A community-built Linux distribution tailored for container workloads, as the name suggests. You get a minimal OS image that includes only the tools needed to run containers, no package manager, and no configuration hassle. If you want to have a reliable infrastructure for your containers, Flatcar can be a nice option that is scalable, secure, and simple at the same time. Explore more about it on its GitHub page. 4. openSUSE MicroOS opensuse microos openSUSE MicroOS is built for servers where one needs to deploy containers or work with automated workflows. It relies on transactional updates utilizing btrfs with snapshots, that helps save the file system's history without occupying much storage space. Overall, MicroOS is a scalable, reliable, and secure option for server users. 5. Vanilla OS vanilla os Vanilla OS is a fairly new entrant to the immutability space. However, it managed to make waves with its release, and then switching to a Debian base, ditching Ubuntu right after its first stable release. It aims to provide an easy-to-use desktop experience with reliability and immutable features. 6. Bottlerocket Bottlerocket is a Linux-based open-source OS built by Amazon Web Services to run containers on its platform. Unlike other options, its usage is limited to AWS. It ensures that the customers using AWS services have minimal maintenance overhead and get to automate their workflows seamlessly. You can only use it as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) when you create an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). 7. blendOS blendOS blendOS is an interesting distro in development which aims to provide all the good things from other distributions. In other words, you can install any type of package on the distro (RPM, DEB, etc.) while getting the immutability and update reliability as one would expect. Suggested Read blendOS Aims to Replace All Linux Distributions Ubuntu Unity's lead has come up with a new distro that sounds like something everyone might want to keep an eye on. [android-ch]It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das [blendOS-fi] 8. Talos Linux talos linux Yet another unique Linux distribution, designed for Kubernetes. Talos Linux is an intriguing option for cloud users/developers. It is secure, immutable, and a minimal option that supports cloud platforms, bare metal, and virtualization platforms. You can easily launch a Talos cluster inside Docker too. The OS runs in memory from a SquashFS, which leaves the entire primary disk to Kubernetes. What do you think about immutable Linux distros? Do you need them? Do you want to replace the popular options on your system with any of these in the future? Distros Tweet Share Share Email Copy Featured PPA purge What is PPA Purge? How to Use it in Ubuntu and other Debian-based Distributions? What is PPA in Ubuntu? Using PPA in Ubuntu Linux [Complete Guide] Delete PPA How to Remove or Delete PPA in Ubuntu Linux Latest FOSS Weekly Newsletter 23.13 FOSS Weekly #23.13: New blendOS Linux Distro, New Rust Series, Ubuntu Cinnamon and More 30 Mar 2023 linux terminal copy files Linux Terminal Basics #7: Copy Files and Directories in Linux 29 Mar 2023 Hello Rust program Rust Basics Series #1: Create and Run Your First Rust Program 28 Mar 2023 Become a Better Linux User With the FOSS Weekly Newsletter, you learn useful Linux tips, discover applications, explore new distros and stay updated with the latest from Linux world [ ] Subscribe Great! Check your inbox and click the link. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Read next 7 Best Gentoo-Based Linux Distributions 5 Linux Distros for Visually Impaired People 15 Linux Distributions You Can Rely on for Your Ancient 32-bit Computer Best Lightweight Linux Distributions for Older Computers [With System Requirements] Become a Better Linux User With the FOSS Weekly Newsletter, you learn useful Linux tips, discover applications, explore new distros and stay updated with the latest from Linux world [ ] Subscribe Great! Check your inbox and click the link. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. It's FOSS It's FOSS Making You a Better Linux User [ ] Subscribe Great! Check your inbox and click the link. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Navigation * Home * About * - Contact us * News * Policies * - Copyright * - Privacy * - Affiliate * Linux Server Side * Community Forum * It's FOSS en Espanol Resources * Alternatives * Distro Resources * Software Recommendation Social Facebook Twitter RSS Download more icon variants from https:// tabler-icons.io/i/brand-instagram Instagram Download more icon variants from https://tabler-icons.io/i/brand-telegram Telegram Download more icon variants from https://tabler-icons.io/i/ brand-youtube Youtube (c)2023 It's FOSS. Published with Ghost & Rinne. [System] Great! You've successfully signed up. Welcome back! You've successfully signed in. You've successfully subscribed to It's FOSS. Your link has expired. Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in. Success! Your billing info has been updated. Your billing was not updated.