Slackware Linux vs Void Linux
Slackware Linux and Void Linux compared on the facts that matter: release model, desktop, package management, init system, memory floor and installation size.
Side by side
| Slackware Linux | Void Linux | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Independent | Independent |
| Release model | Versioned releases | Rolling release |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma 5 (15.0) | Xfce (multi-DE images) |
| Package manager | slackpkg (pkgtools) | XBPS |
| Init system | SysVinit (BSD-style scripts) | runit |
| Immutable root | Yes | Yes |
| Wayland by default | No | No |
| Minimum RAM | 1 GB | 256 MB |
| ISO size | 4.1 GB | 1.1 GB |
| Latest kernel | 5.15 | 6.12 |
| Releases archived | 0 | 0 |
| Latest release | 2022 | 2026 (rolling) |
What differs
Release model
Slackware Linux uses versioned releases, while Void Linux uses rolling releases.
Init system
Slackware Linux boots with SysVinit (BSD-style scripts); Void Linux uses runit.
Package manager
Slackware Linux ships slackpkg (pkgtools); Void Linux ships XBPS.
Minimum RAM
Void Linux runs on less memory: 256 MB against 1024 MB.
Verdict
Both are solid choices for their goals — the practical differences are in the table and the points above. Full range tables for each are on their distro pages.
{$AFFBLOCK}FAQ
Which one is easier for beginners?
Check the installer row and minimum RAM: a graphical installer with a low memory floor is the friendlier first step.
Where do the numbers come from?
From the current release snapshots of each distribution archived by the linux2u.ru team.