What is Gentoo? Who it is for
Gentoo is built independently rather than on another distribution. It uses none by default as its desktop and Portage for software, and it follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
Gentoo at a glance
- Foundation: built independently rather than on another distribution
- Desktop: none by default
- Software tools: Portage
- Release style: a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps
- Installer: a manual installation
Who Gentoo suits
Gentoo suits enthusiasts who want to build and tune the system from source code.
Strengths
- Fine control over how the system is built and what it contains.
- Software stays close to the newest versions without waiting for a new release.
Things to consider
- It expects you to read documentation and solve problems yourself, so it is not the best first Linux system.
- Updates never stop arriving, so update often and keep a backup in case an update needs fixing.
- As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Try Gentoo from a USB drive
The easiest way to find out is to start it from a USB drive without changing your computer. See the Gentoo bootable USB drive, then follow our install guide when you are ready. New to this? Read how to try Linux without installing it and how to boot from a USB drive.
Compare Gentoo
Installing software on Gentoo
Gentoo uses Portage. These commands search for a program and install it (replace name with the program):
emerge --search name sudo emerge --ask name
Most desktop systems also have a graphical software store. See how to install software on Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gentoo good for beginners?
It can be used by beginners, but Gentoo is aimed more at enthusiasts who want to build and tune the system from source code. If you are brand new, a beginner-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu is usually an easier first step.
What desktop does Gentoo use?
Gentoo uses none by default. To learn how desktops differ, read what GNOME, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon are.
How much RAM does Gentoo need?
As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Is Gentoo based on another distribution?
Gentoo is built independently rather than on another distribution.
How often is Gentoo updated?
Gentoo follows a rolling release, so updates arrive continuously with no big version jumps.
How can I try Gentoo without installing it?
Write it to a USB drive, restart, choose the drive from the boot menu and pick the live or try option. Nothing on your internal disk changes unless you choose to install.