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List of Debian rolling release distributions

Updated - January 6, 2020 by Arnab Satapathi

There are quite a few Debian rolling release distros available, but less common. Most of them are based on Debian unstable and Debian testing, but I've fond them surprisingly stable.

Though certain components like plasma desktop, Gnome 3 are somewhat troublesome.

Undoubtedly Debian and Debian derivatives are most popular GNU/Linux distribution. Though Debian stable versions are rock solid, they all lacks latest softwares in their repository. It's highly appreciated for servers, but a bit tough as a regular desktop OS.

So Just install one these  debian rolling release, simply update to latest version and enjoy latest software with Debian goodness.

Contents

  • Debian rolling release distros
    • 1. Siduction
    • 2. SolydXK
    • 3. Linux Mint Debian Edition
    • 4. SparkyLinux
    • 5. Aptosid
    • 6. Kali Linux rolling edition
    • 7. Semplice
    • 8. antiX rolling
    • 9. Parrot OS
  • Conclusion

Debian rolling release distros

Let's explore the different distors one by one, what are the main features and their intended purpose.

1. Siduction

siduction best debian rolling release

One of the most actively maintained Debian beased rolling release distro, focused to be a desktop OS, based on Debian unstable, currently Sid. Though it's a unstable branch, I've never seen any broken package.

Siduction provides many packages not currently available in the official Debian repository. Pre packaged ISO files are availeble for x86 (32 bit) and x86_64 (64 bit) architecture, with all major desktop environments like KDE, Cinnamon, Gnome, LXQt, XFCE  and many.

Official website: http://forum.siduction.org

2. SolydXK

SolydXK logo

It was based on Debian testing, now a Debian stable based rolling release distro, available in two flavors, XFCE based SolydX and KDE based SolydK.

Both SolydX and SolydK are available as ISO files for x86_64 platform, it also provides OS images for Raspberry-Pi 2 with XFCE desktop.

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SolydXK team maintains a quarterly package update schedule, almost perfect timing. Every packages are expected to be stable enough for day by day use.

Official website: https://solydxk.com

3. Linux Mint Debian Edition

linux mint logo

Debian based version of popular Linux Mint, it maintains a semi-rolling release model and currently draws packages from Debian stable.

LMDE team timely releases ISO files for 32bit and 64 bit architecture with two desktop environments, Cinnamon and MATE. It also has it's own package repository and maintained actively.

Official website: http://linuxmint.com

4. SparkyLinux

sparky linux debian based rolling release distor

SparkyLinux is Debian testing based rolling release distro from Poland. The good thing is that it's well maintained and with it's own repository. It's slowly gaining popularity among Debian users.

Many types of SparkyLinux ISO files are available for download, from minimal CLI only editions to huge 4GB "GameOver" editions.

Official website: http://sparkylinux.org/

5. Aptosid

aptosid logo

Previously known as Sidux, based on Debian unstable branch with an aim to be 100% compatible with debian sid, while ensuring system stability with some packages and scripts.

New Aptosid ISO files are released rarely, but the package repository is maintained  actively. It's available in two ISO files, featuring XFCE and KDE desktop respectively.

Official website: http://aptosid.com

6. Kali Linux rolling edition

kali linux logo

The utmost popular computer security and penetration testing distro, now available as a rolling release too. It's based on Debian testing and no doubt heavily maintained.

Kali Linux needs no further introduction, ISO files are available for x86 and x86_64 architecture featuring a Gnome 3 desktop.

Official Website: https://www.kali.org

7. Semplice

simsplice_logo

This one is of Italian origin based on Debian Sid, with their own Openbox based desktop environment, vera .

Simsplice team also maintains their own "unstable" repository for their Current version which is rolling release.

Know more about Simsplice > http://semplice-linux.org/discover

8. antiX rolling

Built on Debian testing, runs great on old hardware, aimed to be lightweight, fast and easy to install. Before shifting to Debian testing, it was based on another Debian derivative MEPIS .

antiX ISO files are released frequently, available for both x86 and x86_64 architecture. It maintains a true rolling release cycle and the package repository is also well maintained.

Official website: http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

9. Parrot OS

debian rolling release distro

An operating system built on top of Debian testing repository, focoused on cyber security and penetration testing.

The downloadable ISO files are available in 3 different flavors. The first of them based on MATE desktop environment, the second based on KDE plasma, and the third one for virtual machines which also runs the MATE desktop.

So, if you're looking for a distro that packs many pre-installed software and enjoy the goodness of Debian rolling release, it's the preferable disto for you.

Here's the official website, Parror OS.

Conclusion

There is a proposal of true Debian rolling release distribution named Debian CUT, but it didn't showed much activity since it's proposal in 2012.It's also possible to use Debian testing as rolling release, until they are frozen to be stable.

This list is pretty comprehensive, if you are using/know about some other actively maintained Debian based rolling release distro, please inform me, I'll add them to this list.

Note: All logos are sole property of their respective owners, used here in good faith.

Filed Under: how to Tagged With: Debian, rolling release

Your comments
  1. Remco says

    April 28, 2020

    AptoSid is dead. Last release = 2013

    Reply
  2. Den2001 says

    February 6, 2020

    I am a novice in Linux. I already tried to install Manjaro or some analogues (similarities) with Archlinux. Everything are worked, but they were unstable, as I don't know much about Archlinux. Please advise me a distribution, not to be very complex, but, at the same time, a stable rolling release, preferably based on Debian. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Arnab Satapathi says

      February 6, 2020

      I'm currently running the Debian Sid, called the unstable.
      However never faced any major issue, never ever any broken package.
      But it's hard to get running some software, which is not available from the repository.

      Reply
      • Randee Ashell says

        September 20, 2020

        Try LMDE, very easy to use,

        Reply
    • Chandra says

      May 2, 2020

      You might wanna try Pop os

      Reply
  3. Phoenix66 says

    January 5, 2020

    Also add Parrot OS

    Reply
    • Arnab Satapathi says

      January 6, 2020

      Sure, I'll add it to this list.

      Reply
  4. Santiago says

    December 20, 2017

    In the old days, I used to love Linux Mint Debian edition as it started as a rolling distribution intended to be a more stable than Debian testing. Lamentably, this is no longer the case. Though it's been a year that Debian moved from Jessie to Stretch, LMDE is still on Jessie. That is, not only today LMDE is even more conservative than the already conservative Debian distribution, but it also has buried its original goal.

    Reply
    • Arnab Satapathi says

      December 20, 2017

      Yeah, now LMDE is a disappointment.

      Reply
  5. Antonio says

    October 16, 2017

    SolydX is very impressive. Solid, quick, Debian 9. Wonderful!

    Reply
    • Arnab Satapathi says

      October 16, 2017

      Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
      • Jim says

        November 20, 2017

        thank you for your time writing this up. Looks like I'll be filling my thumb drives this week.

        Reply
  6. Thoys says

    July 8, 2017

    Hei,

    thanks for this list. Aptosid is "inactive" on distrowatch.

    Greets

    Reply
    • Arnab Satapathi says

      August 15, 2017

      But Aptosid's repository is very much active, confusing !

      Reply
      • Name says

        December 21, 2017

        ¬¬
        http://aptosid.com/

        First line: Welcome to aptosid : Current release: aptosid 2013-01

        Reply
    • Jaan Sass says

      February 9, 2019

      Forgot Netrunner os based on Debian testing using KDE. It is a great desktop operating system.

      Reply
  7. Cam says

    January 16, 2017

    I think Deepin is a rolling debian? Not 100% sure on that, but a great distro

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      January 17, 2017

      Never tried Deepin, I'll give it a test run soon.

      Reply
  8. Andino says

    October 30, 2016

    Sparky Linux is a very interesting debian based rolling distribution

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      October 30, 2016

      Thanks Andino, I've already downloaded it, just out of USB drives to give it a try !

      Reply
  9. Balaji Pooruli says

    September 29, 2016

    Point Linux and Robo Linux are also based on debian stable.

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      September 29, 2016

      Thanks,,, I've to try Robo Linux

      Reply
  10. Franklin Green says

    August 23, 2016

    Also forgot to list Sparky Linux based on testing.

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      August 23, 2016

      Hey,,, thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to test Sparky Linux soon.

      Reply
  11. Franklin Green says

    August 23, 2016

    Forgot Simplice Linux based on unstable.

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      August 23, 2016

      Thanks, never heard of this 🙁 surely I'm gonna to check this too.

      Reply
  12. Adi says

    March 19, 2016

    Kali rolling is based on Debian unstable

    Reply
    • Arnab says

      March 20, 2016

      First, thanks Adi for your feedback.
      I've a little confusion, the official Kali news says that It's based on Debian testing. https://www.kali.org/news/kali-linux-rolling-edition-2016-1/
      Please could you share the reference where it says Kali rolling based on Debian unstable ?

      Reply
      • david says

        July 8, 2016

        No he can't.

        Reply

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