CacheOS vs MX Linux: Do you want speed or stability in your distro?

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ZDNET Highlights

• CacheOS and MX Linux are two completely different OS.
• Both have alternatives to KDE Plasma, and each has a different premise.
• Both of these operating systems can be installed and used for free.

CacheOS and MX Linux are very popular at the moment. Even though they’re both enjoying a surge in popularity, it’s important to know that they are different Linux distributions, even if you’re using the same desktop environment (which is exactly what I did).

The big question then becomes: which of these is the best option for you?

CatchyOS

CacheOS is an Arch-based distribution.

That alone will tell you something about this open-source OS. But, don’t be afraid of its arch-ness. Unlike Arch Linux, CacheOS includes two GUI app stores. Although any app store may not be as modern as you would like, it is still better than opening the Terminal app and running the command:

sudo pacman -sy libreoffice-fresh

Then there’s Shelly, which is a sort of anime-themed app store that allows you to add AUR, Flatpak, and AppImage support. Shelley also allows you to handle updates without leaving the GUI. Even though Shelly is more modern than the other included app stores, it is not at the level of KDE Discover or GNOME Software.

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Even updates outside the shell are easier than running them through the Terminal app (although they are actually done through the Terminal). When you see the CacheOS update icon in the panel, click on it, and a Terminal app opens for you to run the update. All you have to do is type “y” to proceed.

CacheOS is a rolling-release distribution (as is Arch), which means it’s more cutting-edge, so you’ll always enjoy the most recently released stable software and frequent updates.

CachiOS is the default for the KDE Plasma desktop environment, and the developers do a great job of sticking with most of the defaults. The basic theme is largely identical to stock KDE Plasma, right down to the floating panel and dark theme.

One of the most impressive things about CacheOS is its speed. This distribution is one of the fastest distributions I have ever used. No matter what I throw at CacheOS, it handles it without blinking.

As far as preinstalled apps go, CacheOS doesn’t offer much. You get Firefox, KDE apps, a system snapshot app (for creating restore points), a multimedia player, and a few utilities. If you want something else, you’ll have to open an app store.

What is CacheOS for?

CacheOS is for people who want a rolling release Linux distribution that’s faster than anything they’re used to. The ideal CacheOS user also likes the idea that their operating system is based on Arch Linux. If you ever want to try Arch Linux, CacheOS can serve as an ideal starting point.

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The best CachiOS user is also one who likes the look and feel of KDE Plasma.

If this sounds like you, give CacheOS a try.

MX Linux

What CacheOS is to Arch Linux, what MX Linux is to Debian.

As soon as you log into MX Linux for the first time, you will understand that, on the desktop, there are icons for FAQ, MX User Manual and quick system information. You also get a nice Conky configuration that displays time, date, and memory/CPU usage percentage.

I decided to compare apples to apples by downloading the KDE Plasma version of MX Linux. Okay, maybe it’s more like comparing Fuji apples to Granny Smith apples.

Either way, MX Linux offers a very nice KDE Plasma look and feel. It’s somewhat closer to vanilla Plasma, but it’s clearly themed and banded for MX Linux.

MX Linux doesn’t offer the speed of CacheOS, but it compensates for it with user-friendliness, which is one of the hallmarks of this distribution.

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Outside of the Arch/Debian base, the biggest difference between the two is the preinstalled applications. With MX Linux, you get everything you need… and much more. It has Firefox, LibreOffice, Thunderbird, Qt Torrent, K3B, Strawberry, VLC Media Player, GIMP, all MX tools, and tons of other utilities. You can install MX Linux and never have to install any other software again.

As I said, MX Linux is all about user-friendliness, so you get the KDE Discover app store, but it doesn’t have Flathub support enabled by default. If you go to Discover > Settings, you’ll find integrations available for both Flatpak and Snap. Enable both of them, and you’ll have a huge array of software to install.

Another difference between CacheOS and MX Linux is that, because MX Linux is based on Debian, the latter gives you more stability. This does not mean that CacheOS is unstable (it is not), but Debian is one of the most stable OS on the market, and MX Linux has inherited this.

And then there’s MX Tools, which offers a wide range of options, such as the MX Samba Config Tool, which makes it easy to share folders on your network.

What is CMX Linux for?

MX Linux is for those who want stability and a ton of pre-installed applications, all wrapped up with a nice bow of user-friendliness. Although MX Linux doesn’t hold your hand along the way, it gives you all the tools you need to feel comfortable using the Linux OS.

So, if you’re new (or new to) Linux, MX Linux is a great choice.

Which is Right for You?

It’s simple: If you want one of the fastest operating systems you’ve ever experienced, and you’re good with Arch Linux and installing the apps you need, CacheOS is the way to go. If you want user-friendliness and stability (with lots of pre-installed apps), then MX Linux is what you want.