Void Linux

Free#11 of 24 in App Installation

Void Linux: A free, self-hosted Linux distribution for users comfortable managing packages with XBPS. Ranked #11 of 24 in App Installation by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users installing packages on Void Linux.

7.9/10★★★★☆Editor score

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Void Linux7.9 Visit Void Linux

At a glance

• Editor score
  7.9 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Users installing packages on Void Linux
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  23 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • XBPS installs, updates, removes, and queries packages while checking dependencies.
  • glibc and musl variants, with support for multiple architectures.
  • Live images, rootfs tarballs, ARM images, and OCI containers offer deployment options.

• Where it doesn't

  • Focused on Void Linux rather than portable across distributions.
  • Rolling-release model has no fixed support duration specified.
  • Package builds and system maintenance require Linux-specific administration.

Our verdict on Void Linux

Void Linux is an independent, general-purpose rolling-release Linux distribution developed by volunteers. It is for people who want to configure and maintain a Linux system on PCs, laptops, ARM devices, or in containers. Software installation and updates run through XBPS, and the distribution uses runit for system initialization and service supervision. The project is open source and available without a paid license tier.

XBPS covers the package lifecycle: it installs, updates, removes, and queries packages, checks dependencies and incompatible shared libraries during package changes, and supports package alternatives and database maintenance. Users can work with native binary packages or build from source through xbps-src, which builds in isolated containers and supports native or cross compilation. That scope suits users who want package management and source builds within one distribution. It is specific to Void Linux, though, rather than a portable installer for managing software across Linux distributions.

Installation routes include live images, root filesystem tarballs, ARM platform images, and OCI container images. Supported architectures include x86_64, i686, aarch64, armv7l, and armv6l; device targets include Raspberry Pi, Pinebook Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, and Apple Silicon. The glibc and musl variants offer a choice of system libraries, while runit handles service supervision. Void fits users willing to maintain a rolling-release system and choose their own deployment route. Those seeking a fixed support duration or a broadly portable app installer should consider alternatives.

Your product? Our editors can test Void Linux in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Void Linux pricing

Void Linux fact sheet

Alternatives to Void Linux

• Jamf ProJamf Pro pairs Apple app deployment with enrollment, security controls, and fleet management.9.3
• NNinite ProA Windows app deployment service with per-machine pricing and offline command delivery.9.1
• WinGetA free, open-source Windows package manager for finding, installing, and maintaining apps.8.9

See all Void Linux alternatives →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update