Omarchy vs EndeavourOS: how they differ
Omarchy and EndeavourOS are often considered side by side. This page compares what each one is built on, how it looks, how software is installed, how updates arrive and what hardware it needs.
Key differences
- Foundation: both are built on Arch, so much of the help, software and troubleshooting advice for one applies to the other.
- Desktop: Omarchy uses Hyprland; EndeavourOS uses Xfce, with other desktops on offer.
- Software tools: both use pacman, so install commands are the same.
- Releases: both follow a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
- Memory: about 4 GB for Omarchy against about 2 GB for EndeavourOS is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Choose Omarchy if
You are among the developers who like a keyboard-driven tiling desktop that is set up for them.
Choose EndeavourOS if
You are among the people who want close-to-pure Arch with a friendly installer.
Quick answers
- Which is easier for a beginner? Neither is aimed at first-time users. If this is your first Linux system, try a beginner-friendly distribution first.
- Which suits older hardware? EndeavourOS asks for less memory.
- Can I try both? Yes. Start each from a live USB drive without installing, or put both on one drive with Ventoy.
Browse the Omarchy USB drive or the EndeavourOS USB drive. Learn more: what is Omarchy and what is EndeavourOS.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Omarchy or EndeavourOS?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose by what you need: Omarchy suits developers who like a keyboard-driven tiling desktop that is set up for them, while EndeavourOS suits people who want close-to-pure Arch with a friendly installer.
Can I install both Omarchy and EndeavourOS?
Yes. Install each one on its own partition, or try both from a live USB drive first. See dual booting for the idea, which also works between two Linux systems.
Which gets updates faster, Omarchy or EndeavourOS?
Omarchy uses a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps; EndeavourOS uses a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.