Void Linux
Void Linux is an independent, rolling-release distribution developed from scratch rather than forked from another project. It pairs the lightning-fast XBPS package manager with the minimalist runit init system instead of systemd, and offers first-class support for both glibc and musl libc builds. The result is a clean, fast and lightweight system with a small codebase.
Key Features
- Independent, from-scratch design – not a fork, engineered by the Void team for its own goals
- XBPS package manager – extremely fast, checks updates so libraries are never swapped to incompatible versions
- runit init system – simple, efficient service supervision with a minimal codebase, no systemd
- musl and glibc editions – first-class musl support for standards compliance plus a traditional glibc build
- Binary and source packages – install ready binaries or build from the xbps-src collection
- Rolling release – continuous updates, stability-focused rather than bleeding-edge
- Broad platform support – x86-64, i686, aarch64, armv7l and armv6l
- Lightweight footprint – small and efficient core suited to minimal installs
Why Use Void Linux?
Void appeals to people who want a fast, uncluttered, no-systemd system they fully understand. Its small components and clean architecture make it ideal for lightweight desktops and small servers alike.
Use Cases
- Minimal desktops and laptops that stay fast on modest hardware
- Small servers and containers where efficiency matters
- Users who prefer a simple init system over systemd
- Anyone wanting a well-engineered rolling distribution that is not Arch-based
Platform
Linux (x86-64, i686, aarch64, armv7l, armv6l; glibc and musl)
Licence
Free and open source. The distribution includes software under a mix of licences (XBPS under BSD, runit under BSD/MIT, the Linux kernel and many tools under GPL).