Alpine Linux vs. SparkyLinux vs. balenaOS Comparison


Alpine Linux	SparkyLinux	balenaOS balena	+
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About Alpine Linux is an independent, non-commercial, general purpose Linux distribution designed for power users who appreciate security, simplicity and resource efficiency. Alpine Linux is built around musl libc and busybox. This makes it smaller and more resource efficient than traditional GNU/Linux distributions. A container requires no more than 8 MB and a minimal installation to disk requires around 130 MB of storage. Not only do you get a fully-fledged Linux environment but a large selection of packages from the repository. Binary packages are thinned out and split, giving you even more control over what you install, which in turn keeps your environment as small and efficient as possible. Alpine Linux is a very simple distribution that will try to stay out of your way. It uses its own package manager called apk, the OpenRC init system, script driven set-ups and that’s it! This provides you with a simple, crystal-clear Linux environment without all the noise.	About SparkyLinux is a GNU/Linux distribution created on the top of Debian GNU/Linux operating system. Sparky is fast, lightweight and fully customizable OS which offers a few versions for different users and different tasks, such as fully featured OS with a lightweight desktop environment, which works out of the box and contain a selection of pre installed common use software for home users. MinimalGUI with Openbox window manager preinstalled only with basic software installed for users whose want to configure their OS/desktop as they want, on the top of Debian, plus any desktop environment or window manager they like. MinimalCLI with no X server, for advanced users whose want to build and configure their desktops in own way. Sparky supports about 20 desktop environments and window managers giving you freedom of choice, having in mind that your computer is made for working, having fun, entertainment, keeping in touch with friends, and many, many other things.	About Containers will revolutionize connected devices, and balenaOS is the best way to run them. Made to survive harsh networking conditions and unexpected shutdowns. A minimal Linux with the services needed to run Docker reliably on an embedded device - nothing else. Based on Yocto Linux for easy porting to most capable device types across varied CPU architectures. Actively developed in the open; community participation warmly welcomed. In our quest to build balenaCloud, a platform that brings the tools of modern software development to the world of connected hardware, we started by porting Docker to ARM chips in 2013. We soon realised that we also needed an operating system optimized for the use case: a minimal OS ideal for running containers on embedded devices.
Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Not Supported Linux Supported Cloud Not Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported	Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Not Supported Linux Supported Cloud Not Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported	Platforms Supported Windows Not Supported Mac Not Supported Linux Not Supported Cloud Supported On-Premises Not Supported iPhone Not Supported iPad Not Supported Android Not Supported Chromebook Not Supported
Audience Operating System solution for IT teams	Audience Individuals and developers interested in a customizable operating system that supports desktop environments and window managers	Audience OS tailored solution for anyone wanting to run containers on embedded devices
Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported	Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Supported	Support Phone Support Not Supported 24/7 Live Support Not Supported Online Not Supported
API Offers API Not Supported	API Offers API Not Supported	API Offers API Not Supported
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing No information available. Free Version Not Supported Free Trial Not Supported	Pricing No information available. Free Version Not Supported Free Trial Not Supported	Pricing No information available. Free Version Not Supported Free Trial Not Supported
Reviews/Ratings Overall 0.0 / 5 ease 0.0 / 5 features 0.0 / 5 design 0.0 / 5 support 0.0 / 5 This software hasn't been reviewed yet. Be the first to provide a review: Review this Software	Reviews/Ratings Overall 4.0 / 5 ease 4.0 / 5 features 4.0 / 5 design 4.0 / 5 support 4.0 / 5 Read all reviews	Reviews/Ratings Overall 0.0 / 5 ease 0.0 / 5 features 0.0 / 5 design 0.0 / 5 support 0.0 / 5 This software hasn't been reviewed yet. Be the first to provide a review: Review this Software
	Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Hardware support. Old 32bit machines stay alive. Large repos. VPN rise up included. Also considers users in repressive regimes. Current software. Cons Nothing major at all. No respin snapshot. Update distro might break, Debian's structure.
Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported	Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported	Training Documentation Supported Webinars Not Supported Live Online Not Supported In Person Not Supported
Company Information Alpine Linux alpinelinux.org	Company Information SparkyLinux Founded: 2012 sparkylinux.org	Company Information balena Founded: 2013 United Kingdom www.balena.io/os/
Alternatives Chainguard	Alternatives BunsenLabs Linux BunsenLabs	Alternatives balenaEngine balena
Amazon Linux 2 Amazon	Neptune OS Neptune	TorizonCore Toradex
Artix Linux	Altima Linux Gotoogle	OpenBalena balena
Arch Linux	Salix	balena
SparkyLinux View All	Mageia View All	OpenWrt View All
Categories Operating Systems Supported	Categories Operating Systems Supported	Categories IoT Operating Systems Supported

Integrations AWS Marketplace Supported Azure Marketplace Supported DNSGuard Supported DataClarity Unlimited Analytics Supported Elixir Supported F5 NGINX App Protect Supported F5 NGINX Plus Supported Flockport Supported JFrog Supported Kasm Workspaces Supported Mondoo Supported Netdata Supported OpenBalena Not Supported RapidFort Supported balena Not Supported Show More Integrations View All 14 Integrations	Integrations AWS Marketplace Not Supported Azure Marketplace Not Supported DNSGuard Not Supported DataClarity Unlimited Analytics Not Supported Elixir Not Supported F5 NGINX App Protect Not Supported F5 NGINX Plus Not Supported Flockport Not Supported JFrog Not Supported Kasm Workspaces Not Supported Mondoo Not Supported Netdata Not Supported OpenBalena Not Supported RapidFort Not Supported balena Not Supported Show More Integrations	Integrations AWS Marketplace Not Supported Azure Marketplace Not Supported DNSGuard Not Supported DataClarity Unlimited Analytics Not Supported Elixir Not Supported F5 NGINX App Protect Not Supported F5 NGINX Plus Not Supported Flockport Not Supported JFrog Not Supported Kasm Workspaces Not Supported Mondoo Not Supported Netdata Not Supported OpenBalena Supported RapidFort Not Supported balena Supported Show More Integrations View All 2 Integrations
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