PantherX compared to other distributions

General

PantherX is a GNU Guix downstream distribution, with the aim to provide a more complete, lightweight and user friendly computing environment.

What sparked PantherX was one user’s frustration with the direction of Apple’s MacOS and the endless number of failed attempts to permanently switch to any of the “popular” Linux distributions. While far from perfect (yet), PantherX has finally sealed the deal, and is improving on a daily basis. It just feels right and literally never breaks - much of this is thanks to Guix and LXQt.

GNU Guix

contains no non-free software but PantherX makes them available, where superior (or necessary)
supports GNU Hurd and Linux Libre as Kernel, PantherX additionally supports non-free Kernel
relies on GNU Shepherd as init system, so does PantherX

Read more about the differences between Linux and Linux-libre on stackexchange.com

Debian

relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
has a fixed release model with stable versions often shipping very old packages
has a huge community that supports virtually all desktop environments without specific focus
uses apt package manager

Fedora

relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
releases a new version every 6 months, PantherX uses a rolling release cycle
supports various desktop environments including Gnome, KDE and LXQt. PantherX supports only LXQt.

Slackware

Slackware uses BSD-style init scripts, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
stable snapshots are available but many users rely on the -current branch which makes this effectively rolling
package manager doesn’t handle dependencies

NixOS

GNU Guix and PantherX where in large parts inspired by NixOS
Nix uses various languages, and a special DSL for packaging, PantherX uses Guile for everything
supports various desktop environments

Beginner-friendly

Ubuntu

is based on Debian with GNOME as default desktop environment. PantherX defaults to a more lightweight LXQt.
Ubuntu relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
has a fixed release model

Linux Mint

is based on Ubuntu with Cinnamon as it’s default desktop
Linux Mint relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
has a fixed release model

openSUSE

openSUSE relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd
uses KDE as default desktop environment but supports others as well
is available as a stable and rolling release

Manjaro

is based on Arch with Xfce as it’s default desktop but supports others as well
both Manjaro and PantherX rely on a rolling release cycle
Manjaro relies on systemd as init, PantherX uses GNU Shepherd