 Visitor Reviews |
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Reader supplied reviews for PikaOS Linux
Average rating
9.1 from 42 review(s)
Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-05-13
Country: United Arab Emirates
Votes: 3
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I almost gave up on my old laptop after a Windows update bricked it. I bought a new PC for gaming and work, but research led me to CachyOS—only to realize it favored AMD GPUs, while I have NVIDIA. After more digging, I found PikaOS, and it’s been a revelation.
PikaOS is blazing fast, user-friendly, and NVIDIA-compatible out of the box—no tweaks needed. I’ve used it for a month now, and it’s flawless for gaming, work, and even Windows apps via compatibility layers. A minor Wi-Fi slowdown was fixed in minutes with a quick forum search.
The developers deserve huge praise. PikaOS feels tailor-made for NVIDIA users who want a hassle-free Linux experience. It’s stable, performant, and fun to use. If you’re an NVIDIA gamer or creator, this is the distro you’ve been waiting for.
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Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-05-10
Country: Chile
Votes: 2
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This distro is quite good, devs are also amazing and they tend to help a lot if you are in trouble.
It is debian based, which is nice if you worry about compatibility.
I'm a nvidia user, so the whole experience was pretty nice.
The only bad thing about PikaOS, is that it is a hobby distro, and that does not provide safety as a person that uses the computer for serious work (and gaming), and I would say the same about Nobara, Bazzite, etc.
(When you install PikaOS, they are pretty transparent about it, they say it is a hobby project)
I'd love this project to go big and get serious... I think it is the best recommendation for gamers/content creators without a doubt..
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Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-29
Country: United States
Votes: 4
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PikaOS with KDE for Nvidia GPUs has just worked. I'm a big Fedora KDE fan but lately have had too many issues with KDE/Nvidia on Fedora so I switched it up completely and went with PikaOS. I didn't care too much for PikaOS default theme and icons, so I have the desktop environment looking pretty much KDE Breeze default and have not had any issues at all. It's been a breath of fresh air. A stable distro using KDE and it's almost perfect! Glad I tried it out, and it will probably be my daily driver for a while.
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Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-08
Country: India
Votes: 13
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Let me start with a prediction, PikaOS will be one of the most popular linux distro probably in a year or so. It is stable, fast and shows all the great characteristics like mxlinux. I am using the gnome version (traditional layout) right now and extremely satisfied with it. The easy option of switching layouts will make life easier for any new user migrating from windows or mac. The pikman package manager is a great addition as well. Excellent performance with the custom kernel. Till now no issues at all. Used multiple browsers, Using VS Code, github desktop, pgadmin, onlyoffice, bitwarden, sublime text and many other applications (just mentioned the most frequently used apps I use) on it without any issues. Give it try guys, I am pretty sure you will like it.
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Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-03-19
Country: United Kingdom
Votes: 9
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Honestly, PikaOS has been a true delight to use. It's probably one of the most beginner friendly "gaming" distros I have used and has fantastic Nvidia support (at least if you pick the Nvidia specific ISO from their website). I have had zero issues playing any of my steam library thus far and I do love the cutesy default aesthetic the distro goes for with it's adorable wallpapers and welcome noise. I've personally been using the KDE version but it is also available in Gnome, Hyperland, Niri and Cosmic. I have tried the Gnome version as well and it comes with a lot of the extensions for customization right out of the box including pretty much all the most popular ones, so you shouldn't have much of an issue getting it to look how you want right from the get-go. It comes with it's own update manager called Pikman which I've found a lot faster than using the terminal and has a nice friendly gui.
The only thing that prevents me from giving this distro a 10 is that it's a little lacking when it comes to community support They have a discord and a subreddit and that's abut it. No forums and not much of a wiki to speak of, so if you run into issues and aren't a discord user then you're gonna have to look elsewhere for help. Though thankfully with it being a Debian based, it is quite stable and help isn't too hard to find but it would be nice for there to be more ways to connect with the community other than Discord.
With that caveat aside however, this is absolutely a distro you'll want to check out if you haven't already, particularly if you want something that is friendly, fun and good for gaming as well as general use. One I would totally recommend to people switching to Linux for the first time.
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Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-14
Country: United States
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a breath of fresh air. It feels as though the entire distro was crafted with thought and care, from the choices in default desktop environments, the inclusion of excellent artistic wallpapers, and gaming relevant software available right out of the box. Also, the distro being based on Debian Unstable in a world of Arch linux skins is a pretty nice change of pace. Everything I have used in the operating system has worked extremely well and would highly recommend anyone looking for something a bit different than what has been in the vogue the past year or so should give it a try.
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Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-12
Country: Finland
Votes: 2
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I've been on PikaOS for 6 months now and absolutely love it. It's been able to run two of the games (AC and ACR) that my previous distro (Mint) couldn't without lag. And that's the only thing that really matters to me considering it's a gaming distro: that my games run smoothly and effortlessly. It's also super stable and I haven't managed to crash it yet (which I did multiple times on other distros, even plain Debian). Any little hiccups I've had have been solved promptly with help from the Discord channel.
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Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-03-11
Country: United States
Votes: 5
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I'm a relatively new Linux user. About a year in now, I spent the entire time trying many distros that caught my eye. I put my time into Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch and many forks of each, trying to be very granular to find what exactly I like in a project and what I don't. I realize that most distributions are just different starting off points and not really that transformative, giving users an option to have to configure and tinker less if they're not comfortable with it, which is definitely more up my alley. I think there's enough custom work and patches to consider Pika a bit more than Debian with a decorative wrapper on it.
I really love the power and new packages of Arch, but a few times I've accidentally pushed an update through the terminal without reading literature or specific instruction on what to avoid to not have a mess up. Fedora philosophy wise being balanced across the board was really endearing and kept my attention for a while but after some time I realized I like the stability and boring-ness of Debian and it's forks the most. I learned about backporting, and cheating in the more modern tools into Debian to get it working better but it always lacked just a teeny bit, at least for someone not a power user like me.
Then I found PikaOS. Not only was it almost an exact match of my preferences i've accumulated over some time, but the maintainers are people familiar with and contribute to Nobara and have been around the block for this kind of stuff. Cosmo, the lead of PikaOS has put in an admirable amount of work in custom tools and GUI implementations and rewrites of code that he didn't find up to snuff and I think the collaborative effort between Pika and other distros has been awesome. Their kernel switcher, driver manager and all encompassing pikman package managing term have all been awesome.
I think their updating GUI definitely needs some polish, and maybe a different type font that doesn't jump around so much as code strings fly by. A little old school and flat, and sometimes have to hit the commit changes button multiple times for system packages and flatpaks. First few times I also thought updates didn't go through, since it takes you back to a screen after updating that says commit changes. If there are no packages to upgrade, that button should be greyed out and say 'No Updates' or something so you know you're done for sure.
Otherwise I am very pleased and have completely stopped distro hopping for now and the foreseeable future
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Version: 26.01.24
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-26
Votes: 21
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I'm a long time Windows user who has been trying to switch to Linux over the last year. I first used Linux for my education over a decade ago, and I've since used Debian, Arch, and Fedora based distros for a variety of tasks personally, educationally, and professionally. After distro hopping for a bit PikaOS is the first one that has convinced me to completely abandon Windows.
I've tried other popular gaming and performance optimized distros but couldn't switch to them due to hardware and software incompatibilities. Bazzite had too much bloatware and was too locked down for someone like me who likes to tinker. CachyOS was great but on top of me preferring Debian, it would not properly detect my monitor resolutions and refresh rates. While Pop!_OS is great, the late updates and lack of HDR support in COSMIC desktop make it a non-starter. PikaOS was the first distro that fully worked for me with little to no bugs or incompatibilities, and excellent performance in games to boot.
PikaOS has managed to deliver a nearly bug free, stable, and performant Linux distribution. It is the best of both worlds with Debian's stability and the gaming and performance improvements of distros like CachyOS. On top of that, the developers are very responsive on their Discord server and quick to help with or fix any issues found. It should be up there with CachyOS and Bazzite as one of the top recommended gaming distros.
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Version: 26.01.24
Rating: 4
Date: 2026-01-25
Votes: 1
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I wanted to believe in PikaOS promise. Having the advantages of Debian and Arch in an unstable debian seemed like a match made in heaven. Unfortunately it was not as flawless as presumed. Usual qwerty instead of azerty problem of wayland, but tweaking the .config of Hyprland didn’t solve the thing as it does in other distros. A bit underwhelming already. Another annoying little problem: Bluetooth was not able to match with simple devices like a Logitech mouse, where most of the other hopped distros did easily. Pika recommends 580 open nvidia driver instead of 590 which is labeled as experimental; traditional debian distro like Mint recommend 590 and experience is very stable. Strange for a distro which should be haead of traditional debian distros. As a result, simple task like Cuda rendering in Blender seems to overload the GPU and crash the software however the available Vram is really more than sufficient. Same task is easily handled in Mint (again), so what is the point of performance tweaking advertised by Pika ? I didn’t give up on first frustrations, as I believe at least a week is needed to have a good overview of a distro capacity. Here with the lack of a good big community, the troubleshooting is a bit of being alone with yourself and trying solutions which works in neighbour distros. For gaming, it was working ok, but not very much better than any other distro I tried. So for a wide spectrum usage, the problems encountered are more troublesome than the benefits brought by the distribution. I think it is a promising distro, but far from ready. Hard to see it as a daily driver. I think a combo Mint for usual stuff + Cachy for niche needing is more efficient, even if I would have loved that Pika would be the all in one.
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Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 7
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I'm new to Linux and have been distrohopping quite a lot the past few weeks to figure out what way I want to go, and I have now returned to Pika OS.
It works right out of the box on my Nvidia desktop, gaming is very smooth. I even got Clip Studio Paint to work relatively well on it! I don't have to configure Samba for it to immediately find my local network shares from my laptop running Kubuntu. I have yet to stumble upon bugs like I did on for example Nobara where it sometimes doesn't want to launch applications, here it launches Zen browser immediately every time as an example.
The hurdle I had the first time I installed it was because I forgot to disable secure boot, but that was on me. Install is a very smooth experience otherwise, fast as well, however like a reviewer mentioned Nordic keyboard does not work during install, but it works afterwards no problem.
I have yet to have any issues where I required to seek out help but I have been vibe checking the communities of the distros I have tried. The discord server of Pika OS is nicely organized and the people there seems very helpful and nice! I would prefer a traditional forum but I understand this is a small distro. So, it's fine. I feel comfortable that I will be able to get some kind of help if I require it. The few questions I had were answered in the Discord by simply searching for it.
I adore that the standard wallpapers are made by an actual human artist and that she is credited. It's Neytirix for those who are wondering!
The bird is a plus! I changed the application launcher icon to her so she can always hang out with me. :)
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Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 5
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Its pretty good though it has some issues that prevents it to be any higher than a 7.
Firstly we have the blatant problem with installing with anything other than a US keyboard. Things will become very problematic if you don't. Especially if you have a Nordic keyboard and use "alt gr" to use any special characters (which is default on those by the way, and on windows its Ctrl + Alt instead). You cannot create any password with special letters on install. This has to be done after the install or else you'll just get stuck on login or encryption pass phrase.
Secondly we have Aur being completely broken. It refuse to work. PikaOS use a different command for this "pikman" with some docs on their website explaining how its used. It just doesn't work at all and just gives errors so im not sure whats going on with that.
Overall pretty good but needs some more time to become something truly wonderful. If these things gets fixed in the future id give it a 9 or a 10.
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Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-05
Votes: 5
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I was running Deb Forky with KDE Plasma, and there is a lot of post-install configuring for gaming. I tried out PikaOS on an old mini-pc and it was so easy to install and get up and running that I installed it on my gaming computer to try out. Not a real noticeable difference in performance based on the custom tuning I previously did on forky, but a huge difference in the amount of manual configuration I had to do. The installer was neat and clean, having to do the initial reboot before entering user info threw me off at first, but then the next reboot was right into the full system after update and optional package installation where I didn't have to worry about it once I was in a user account. I used the Niri for a while and although I liked the interface on the play computer, I ended up going with KDE Plasma on the gaming computer for ease of use for the kids who like to play there too. Overall solid performance, ease of install, ease of use, good options for desktops, and all Deb based, so a win win win.
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Version: 25.12.16
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-12-20
Votes: 4
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I recently switched from PopOS to PikaOS to take advantage of the KDE Plasma > v6 desktop and simplified integration of asusctl + superfgxctl + Steam on a 2020 Asus G14. Everything installed without any problems.
The post-installation utility is very well designed and functional!
So far, it's been pretty stable to use. The only issue I had with PopOS and Plasma was that after waking from sleep or locking the session, the desktop would be completely black, requiring me to log out and log back in, so this bug may not be directly attributable to the OS.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-07
Votes: 9
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All the CachyOS Cherrys based on Debian instead of arc. A dream comes true :D. Sure there are some hiccups, but they are NVIDIA based in my case (vrr issues). Apart from that, I am totally happy with my choice and I hope more people are joining. Debian > all ;)
I would recommend KDE for newcomers with gaming focus or gnome for newcomers for everyday usage (gnome 48 still has some issues with hdr, with gnome 49, which is not packaged yet, it might get better). For people who love experiments, try out niri or hyprland!
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Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-19
Votes: 15
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I recently switched from LMDE to PikoOS and I'm absolutely thrilled with this system. The Gnome desktop took some getting used to, but with the Mac layout and Dash-to-Dock, it's perfect. Piko bridges the gap between the stability of Debian and the flexibility of Ubuntu, without relying on Ubuntu software. I used Debian with XFCE and later Cinnamon for over 10 years, and then LMDE for 3 years, and I always felt like I had to compromise... stability, convenience, up-to-dateness, ease of use, or simply style. Every system has its pros and cons, but Pika OS strikes a brilliant balance!
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Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-04
Votes: 11
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Been using PikaOS since a couple weeks before the version 4 release and it cured my distro hopping. I'm happy to be using this distro that gets me smooth gaming, the comfort of .deb packages and an amazing community in the discord server.
The distro always provides the newest kernel and drivers, often times even faster than Arch. The distro is not only a Gaming distro, but aims to bring a great modern computing platform for everyone that wants to squeeze all the rest of performance out of their system, while also having a stable experience with a Debian base.
This doesn't mean that all packages are coming from Debian sid. The devs cherry pick every package either from Debian or from their own repo where they build all packages with performance improvements. Package requests seem to be handled really fairly.
While you can run flatpaks on this distro, they kinda defeat the purpose and should only be used in an emergency if no other source was available - especially because the distro comes with great GUI programs for updating, installing drivers, and soon also a GUI store for system packages (there's already a package search web app).
Overall this is my favourite distro and it's growing fast with really solid support by the devs. Speaking of, thanks ot the devs for answering my questions always extremely quickly and thoroughly and to everyone else on the discord server, y'all are really cool.
Here's to adding many more years to the already ongoing 3 years of PikaOS!
(PS. send love to Cosmo's birb Pika!)
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Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-23
Votes: 2
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Absolutely fantastic.
Pika OS, which is based on Debian Sid with a customized kernel, has been working smoothly. It is lightning fast, has the full repository of Debian behind it, and hasn't crashed once since I started using it. All of my games run as smooth as butter, and I certainly enjoy the little Pika logos, wallpapers, themes, and sounds that come with the distro.
Clearly the developers wanted to fill the niche for those of us who love Debian, but want something up to date and customized for gaming. Pika OS is that distro.
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Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-20
Votes: 0
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i switch from cachyos to pikaos just because cachyos update always break my os, i always will go for debian based cause it's for the stability. i use gnome version of pikaos and my god, even my laptop is quite new ryzen 7 7840u , this os will detect what hardware you have and there is an AMD Driver install option out of the box. i know it's a debian unstable version, but if you are damiliar with debian this is the way to go. the only thing i do not like is there is no autologin option in this OS.
i do hope this project stays for a long time and i know it's an niche os same as cachyos. but if you want stability without much tweaking when it's break, then this pikaos is a route to go.
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Version: 25.09.06
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 10
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I have been using the Niri version of PikaOS for a while now. It's an incredible way to get into using a tiling WM. I also love the distro's blend of stable and new packages and the implementation of the custom pikman installer for custom compiled packages. Previously I had been a user of mint, kubuntu, kde neon, and fedora, and this is probably the kost stable and modern distro I have picked up. And in a world of gaming distros being solely based on arch and fedora, I like that debian is being given a shot through Pika. I Highly recommend giving it a shot!
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-28
Votes: 17
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I was totally new to Linux, coming from Windows 10 (and just Windows in general for over 3 decades). I wanted something that was suitable for a normie daily driver, but could also play games or emulation type of usage, with modern features, multi monitor etc. For months I bounced back and fourth from forum post to youtube videos, countless reddit posts. Somehow by the grace of God I stumbled upon PikaOS on my quest for the best.
I like that it is pretty much idiot proof for a new user like me. There is a GUI for mostly everything, or maybe a few simple terminal commands that might come in handy. I like that everything just simply works out of the gate. Controllers, codecs, media playback... it's just like you'd expect from a mainstream operating system. For some reason I feel oddly comfortable with this distro, I don't miss Windows at all. Also - their discord is one of the most friendly I have ever seen. People will help you almost immediately with your problems if it is possible. As a shy noob, I would like to see the website fleshed out a bit more with the wiki and what not. But I know it is a work in progress. Even some simple stuff like a beginner cheat sheet for commands :3
I hope this team stays with this project for a very long time, and I am very thankful for their work.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a fantastic linux distro focused on ease of use and ootb gaming performance. which it achieves splendidly.
with multiple highly useful GUI applications that make everything from kernel and scheduler management to driver management a breeze i cannot recommend it enough to new users. they use their own PikaOS kernel, which is a modified cachyos kernel with a couple extra patches thrown in. it's llightweight and fast. it offers a significant improvement over base debian in terms of gaming capability. and keeps up with other contemporary distros in terms of gaming performance. it is THE debian gaming distro and it is not to be ignored.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a great distro I'm running hyprland and its really enjoyable I'm new to linux so I had some learning to do but so far it is great for the exception of a scaling issue with some programs I'll need to figure out but all in all it is great the tilling is wonderful and the keybinds are a life changer. And the support team on discord are extremely responsive and helpful. I'll be running this distro for awhile because even being newish to Linux and new to hyprland it was easy enough to figure out.
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-22
Votes: 1
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The best Linux distro I've ever used - very polished. One-click installers for gaming tools like Steam, Heroic and others. Totally up-to-date kernel and MESA drivers. Updates apt & flatpak all in one tool. Stable, fast, and everything just works! :-)
Even non-gaming related activities like just opening Firefox or an office suite or using random programs - everything is sooooo quick! I love it! This is now my recommended distro for anyone who wants to start using Linux.
No issues with high-end hardware - running it on an AMD Ryzen 9900X with 64GB RAM and RX 7900 XTX. Been my daily driver since I tried it :-)
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Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 1
Date: 2025-08-17
Votes: 0
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Absolutely the most unprofessional attempt at making a Debian based distro. It boasts being optimized for gaming, but its no more optimized than Sid itself. The installation comes with a ton of bloat and there really are no reasons to use it over debian itself. Its kernel is not impressive, and it performs poorly on newer hardware. Dont waste your time. They claim their own package manager is better than apt because it is "slow". Well, theres is not faster. Download Debian and point apt to sid if you really want to go this route.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 3
Date: 2025-07-29
Votes: 3
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The whole concept seems pretty interesting. I unfortunately couldn't get the live environment to boot despite trying quite a few different fixes. Never had a problem like this with any other live environments.
My inability to get the live environment working mains I cant say much about the distro. I tried multiple USB creation tools, verified the integrity of the ISO, and even tested it on different hardware, but the results were the same. It’s possible the issue is hardware-specific, but it’s still a concerning obstacle for first-time users. For a distribution that appears to be targeting ease of use and accessibility, this kind of boot failure can be a serious deterrent.
I was hoping to explore the desktop environment, bundled applications, and general performance firsthand, but the technical issues made that impossible. Based on what I’ve seen from others’ reviews and online discussions, it seems like the team is working actively on improvements. The concept of a lightweight, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian Sid is certainly appealing, and with the right refinements, PikaOS could carve out a niche for itself.
That said, I’d recommend waiting for future releases if you're considering trying it out. Once the boot issues and stability problems are addressed, I believe PikaOS could become a strong option in the Linux ecosystem. For now, it remains a work in progress with potential.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 7
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I've been thoroughly impressed with PikaOS Linux, especially considering this is its first version. As a long-time Linux Mint user, I was curious to explore something fresh, and PikaOS has exceeded my expectations. Built on the unstable branch of Debian, it strikes an excellent balance between cutting-edge features and remarkable stability.
One of the standout aspects of PikaOS is its seamless driver compatibility. I installed it on my Lenovo laptop, and every piece of hardware—graphics, Wi-Fi, sound, and even my touchpad—worked flawlessly out of the box. This level of plug-and-play functionality is a huge win, especially for a distribution based on Debian's unstable branch, which can sometimes be tricky with hardware support.
PikaOS feels neatly optimized, offering a semi-lightweight experience that doesn’t bog down system resources while still delivering a polished and modern interface. The performance is snappy, and the system feels responsive even on my mid-range laptop. The developers have clearly put thought into balancing performance with aesthetics, making it a great choice for users who want a sleek, efficient OS without sacrificing functionality.
Compared to Linux Mint, which I’ve used for years for its reliability and ease of use, PikaOS brings a refreshing change with its modern approach and streamlined design. It’s not as heavy as some feature-packed distros but still offers enough flexibility for both casual users and tinkerers. The installation process was smooth, and the default setup is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering plenty of room for customization.
Overall, PikaOS is an exciting addition to the Linux ecosystem. For a first release, it’s impressively stable, well-optimized, and versatile. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to try a new Linux distribution that combines the latest software with dependable performance. I’m looking forward to seeing how PikaOS evolves in future updates!
PS: I have not used it for gaming yet! I am using it as my daily driver and been doing usually productivity task and multipedia stuff etc...
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 2
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Runs great! i didn't think debian would be so good for a gaming computer. It really has all the tools and tweaks you need.
The community is very friendly! Everything is up to date the developers are very active.
If you don't use old hardware the distro here is for you.
My distrohopping is over.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-15
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is probably the best experience i've ever had in a deb distro. The installation was flawless and very user friendly, the only small annoyance was that you need to check a box for msi mobos, but a simple question on the discord and i was answered in minutes by one of the main devs about it. They have "Pikman", a package manager that not only allows you to install with apt, but also allows to install even through AUR, creating a sandbox with apx that comes shipped with the distro. The performance was amazing, on par if not slightly better than CachyOS, and the packages you install with pikman are all optimized ootb, making it a smooth and fast experience, and they were all recompiled to be the latest and greatest version of those packages, including their own kernel with patches from CachyOS which is the latest possible version. I strongly recommend this distro to beginners with Linux gaming but also linux users who want a debian based os but are limited by their new hardware.
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Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-09
Votes: 5
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Worked flawlessly on my Nvidia rig, nothing bad to say here as all the games I tried perform well and sometimes even better than other Linux Distros, fixed some audio issues I had with my wireless headset and also was an extremely easy install process with NO terminal involved at all before, during or after.
A great alternative to what Nobara is but better (for starters, it's far from Fedora) so you get support for .debs too but is usually better to stick with the packages the distro offers.
Their community is extremely friendly and willing to help or just hang out and discuss stuff, so if you encounter any issue you can always head there!
10/10
-ThalinVT
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Version: 25.06.07
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-12
Votes: 10
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Hello PikaOS Community
PikaOS is a fantastic Linux distribution, it is seemingly stable whilst have cutting edge features.
This OS would get 10/10 if I could enable secure boot I install aha and use sbctl to enable secure boot and sign all my files, enable secure boot in the bios and yet secure boot will never work, its a damn shame because anyone who's wanting to have a windows 11 dual boot will find that they can't.
If this is rectified this will be a 10/10 distribution every Linux gamer should try this distribution, you get the stability and fortitude of Debian whilst having the gaming performance of Archlinux.
The update manager is slow to boot with the PC, its quicker to load into KDE and open up Pikman update manager yourself before the icon will show on your taskbar, a small gripe and doesn't hinder the user experience.
I would recommend this distribution to anyone who likes the performance Archlinux provides but is sick and tired of updates breaking your system.
Hope this review persuades people to explore PikaOS.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-01
Votes: 6
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I do a lot of distro hopping and up until I checked out pikaos I always came back to cachyos. But now I switched and it is very good. Everything is stable and very fast. The PikaOS discord has a friendly and competent community and overall I think PikaOS has a bright future.
I like the debian base they build upon and through the falcond deamon you don't have to add parameters to your steam games anymore for optimization. The service takes care of that for you in the background.
Overall I don't have much else to say, it iterated on what cachyos & Nobara did and added automation and brought it's own ideas to the mix. I don't see a single reason to switch.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-05-31
Votes: 0
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There's a lot to like about this distro - Debian testing with a lot of nice tweaks for us gamers! I also do office-type work, so having Libreoffice and the ability to print not installed was just a bit odd, but it's easy enough to install them once you're finished with the initial install. I wasn't a fan of the wallpapers at first, but I'll admit they have grown on me just a little. Even the default layout of KDE's launcher was "a lot to take in" at first, but I also appreciate the usage of space. But again, this is easy to change if you're not a fan.
I don't think I'd use it as my daily driver, but it does have some good points to it.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-23
Votes: 9
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I was using Nobara on desktop and Cachy on laptop and would suggest Bazzite to less technical people who wanted to try Linux. Due to software development work, I needed a Debian distro with KDE. Pika was based on Ubuntu before and so I hadn't tried it but it rebased on Debian testing and now I like it a lot.
What you get is a fully ready rolling Debian release for gaming or anything else you need to do. The devs have reallty done an outstanding job prioviding what I like about other distros in my new favorite.
The only issue I seem to experience is having to repeatedly run dpkg configre in order for all the updates to complete. Other than that it's been smooth sailing. i think this project is on the right track now so will use it until they make a wrong turn which I hope never happens.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-20
Votes: 1
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I've really fallen for this distro. The Debian base makes it really familiar (my last distro was Bookworm) and interoperable with a lot of 3rd party software that provide .deb packages. Setup for gaming is already done for you, and it performs fantastically in that context. The discord is home to a very helpful community as well. The main devs are also very quick to address any issues that arise. And it has some custom tools, most notably the device manager and the package manager, that make managing things a little easier than vanilla Debian. It even treats flatpacks as first class packages, making most Linux software very easy to find.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 2
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This is my daily driver distro.
I love PikaOS because it is a Debian based distro but also close to a rolling release.
The packages are being compiled by the devs with lots of optimizations and the base config is perfectly usable straight out of the box.
This also got me into Hyprland, which I thoroughly enjoy.
For my usecase (gaming) this distro delivers the best gaming experience I've had on linux. FPS are slightly higher than I got with my hardware on other distros and it's also incredibly smooth.
Having access to the latest packaging but also being sure that the new things are being tested before released to the public is awesome.
The discord is really active and I learned a lot from the devs and the community.
May the birb be with you!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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PikaOS takes a good stable base and makes it better. Based on Debian, it takes the hard work out of setting it up and especially in getting Nvidia-drivers installed and working 1st time. For me it just worked. Gaming on Linux is fully featured with all the apps and utils you need to get the most out of your system.
It is easy for a first time user to install and get up and running quickly. With a stable OS the user can then go about simply using their computer.
This OS comes highly recommended.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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Upon installation, I immediately fell in love with this cozy distro. It's so well polished for gaming, everything works out of the box, installation is super easy... I've tried Garuda and it surprised me but had it's issues. PikaOS? First distro i've tried so far with no issues, even if I'm only using for 1 week. Might update my opinion, but I don't see anything bad coming. It's great for gamers and their community is cozy.
The implemented graphical GUI for sched_ext, kernel and pikman package manager-manager is so cool and convenient as well.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 5
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Having dedicated the past 135 days to exploring the PikaOS distribution, I can honestly say it has been an exceptionally positive experience. From the moment I started using it, I was impressed by its smooth performance. What truly stands out for me is its seamless integration with gaming. Every title I've thrown at it runs flawlessly, performing exactly as I'd hoped, if not better. It's clear that PikaOS is meticulously crafted with gamers in mind, optimizing the system for peak gaming performance. Despite being based on Debian, I always receive the very latest drivers, which is fantastic for keeping my gaming experience cutting-edge.
Beyond the excellent gaming experience, the community surrounding PikaOS is a significant asset. Knowing that if I ever encounter a problem, the dedicated members on their Discord server are readily available and willing to assist is incredibly reassuring. They are always responsive and take the time to guide you through any challenges you might face. This level of support truly enhances the overall user experience.
Hyprland the BEST!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 0
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PikaOS is an absolute gem of a Linux distribution! It's sleek, lightning-fast, and incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned Linux enthusiasts. The team behind PikaOS has clearly put a lot of thought into performance and aesthetics—everything just works out of the box. With a modern interface, smart defaults, and seamless hardware support, PikaOS delivers a smooth and enjoyable computing experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a polished and responsive Linux desktop!
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 1
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PikaOS offers a lot to Linux gamers.
From the excellent falcond service that provides optimizations and profile switching automatically upon game launch (say goodbye to always adding launch options), easy package management through the GUI Pikman or command line Pikman installer which allows for easy integration of packages from Arch, AUR, Fedora, or Alpine, and all built on a rock solid but up to date Debian base.
Why choose between stale but stable packages of a point release or a bunch of experimental but fresh packages of a rolling release when PikaOS gives you both stability and some of the newest software around?
Integrated snapper support on BTFS and a beautiful skin on the reFind bootloader makes dual booting easy and fun.
A well balanced and newbie friendly Hyprland configuration will make you feel right at home even if you never tried a tiling window manager before allowing you to tip your fedora as you announce, "I use Hyprland BTW".
Wither you are a Linux veteran or a newbie looking to escape from Microsoft/Apple prison, PikaOS should be on top of your list.
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Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 4
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I am using PikaOS for a couple of weeks now, before I was using Cachy and Nobara. But somehow I had a couple of problems here and there. So I was looking for a more "stable" linux gaming oriented Distro and I found PikaOS.
The first install just went... smooth. After that install (which was like 1-2mins, holy crap thats fast :D) its easy for follow up - you will get greeted with PikaOS Welcome screen for the first steps into that Distro. Just very easy, userfriendly GUI to install gaming oriented stuff and changing some things like the drivers.
I just can highly recommend that Distro to any who's new to linux or even to experienced ones.
The Community and the Dev's are also very helpful and friendly!
10/10 - easy
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Latest Reviews
Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-05-13
Votes: 3
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I almost gave up on my old laptop after a Windows update bricked it. I bought a new PC for gaming and work, but research led me to CachyOS—only to realize it favored AMD GPUs, while I have NVIDIA. After more digging, I found PikaOS, and it’s been a revelation.
PikaOS is blazing fast, user-friendly, and NVIDIA-compatible out of the box—no tweaks needed. I’ve used it for a month now, and it’s flawless for gaming, work, and even Windows apps via compatibility layers. A minor Wi-Fi slowdown was fixed in minutes with a quick forum search.
The developers deserve huge praise. PikaOS feels tailor-made for NVIDIA users who want a hassle-free Linux experience. It’s stable, performant, and fun to use. If you’re an NVIDIA gamer or creator, this is the distro you’ve been waiting for.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-05-10
Votes: 2
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This distro is quite good, devs are also amazing and they tend to help a lot if you are in trouble.
It is debian based, which is nice if you worry about compatibility.
I'm a nvidia user, so the whole experience was pretty nice.
The only bad thing about PikaOS, is that it is a hobby distro, and that does not provide safety as a person that uses the computer for serious work (and gaming), and I would say the same about Nobara, Bazzite, etc.
(When you install PikaOS, they are pretty transparent about it, they say it is a hobby project)
I'd love this project to go big and get serious... I think it is the best recommendation for gamers/content creators without a doubt..
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-29
Votes: 4
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PikaOS with KDE for Nvidia GPUs has just worked. I'm a big Fedora KDE fan but lately have had too many issues with KDE/Nvidia on Fedora so I switched it up completely and went with PikaOS. I didn't care too much for PikaOS default theme and icons, so I have the desktop environment looking pretty much KDE Breeze default and have not had any issues at all. It's been a breath of fresh air. A stable distro using KDE and it's almost perfect! Glad I tried it out, and it will probably be my daily driver for a while.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.04.04
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-04-08
Votes: 13
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Let me start with a prediction, PikaOS will be one of the most popular linux distro probably in a year or so. It is stable, fast and shows all the great characteristics like mxlinux. I am using the gnome version (traditional layout) right now and extremely satisfied with it. The easy option of switching layouts will make life easier for any new user migrating from windows or mac. The pikman package manager is a great addition as well. Excellent performance with the custom kernel. Till now no issues at all. Used multiple browsers, Using VS Code, github desktop, pgadmin, onlyoffice, bitwarden, sublime text and many other applications (just mentioned the most frequently used apps I use) on it without any issues. Give it try guys, I am pretty sure you will like it.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-03-19
Votes: 9
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Honestly, PikaOS has been a true delight to use. It's probably one of the most beginner friendly "gaming" distros I have used and has fantastic Nvidia support (at least if you pick the Nvidia specific ISO from their website). I have had zero issues playing any of my steam library thus far and I do love the cutesy default aesthetic the distro goes for with it's adorable wallpapers and welcome noise. I've personally been using the KDE version but it is also available in Gnome, Hyperland, Niri and Cosmic. I have tried the Gnome version as well and it comes with a lot of the extensions for customization right out of the box including pretty much all the most popular ones, so you shouldn't have much of an issue getting it to look how you want right from the get-go. It comes with it's own update manager called Pikman which I've found a lot faster than using the terminal and has a nice friendly gui.
The only thing that prevents me from giving this distro a 10 is that it's a little lacking when it comes to community support They have a discord and a subreddit and that's abut it. No forums and not much of a wiki to speak of, so if you run into issues and aren't a discord user then you're gonna have to look elsewhere for help. Though thankfully with it being a Debian based, it is quite stable and help isn't too hard to find but it would be nice for there to be more ways to connect with the community other than Discord.
With that caveat aside however, this is absolutely a distro you'll want to check out if you haven't already, particularly if you want something that is friendly, fun and good for gaming as well as general use. One I would totally recommend to people switching to Linux for the first time.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-14
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a breath of fresh air. It feels as though the entire distro was crafted with thought and care, from the choices in default desktop environments, the inclusion of excellent artistic wallpapers, and gaming relevant software available right out of the box. Also, the distro being based on Debian Unstable in a world of Arch linux skins is a pretty nice change of pace. Everything I have used in the operating system has worked extremely well and would highly recommend anyone looking for something a bit different than what has been in the vogue the past year or so should give it a try.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-03-12
Votes: 2
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I've been on PikaOS for 6 months now and absolutely love it. It's been able to run two of the games (AC and ACR) that my previous distro (Mint) couldn't without lag. And that's the only thing that really matters to me considering it's a gaming distro: that my games run smoothly and effortlessly. It's also super stable and I haven't managed to crash it yet (which I did multiple times on other distros, even plain Debian). Any little hiccups I've had have been solved promptly with help from the Discord channel.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.02.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2026-03-11
Votes: 5
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I'm a relatively new Linux user. About a year in now, I spent the entire time trying many distros that caught my eye. I put my time into Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch and many forks of each, trying to be very granular to find what exactly I like in a project and what I don't. I realize that most distributions are just different starting off points and not really that transformative, giving users an option to have to configure and tinker less if they're not comfortable with it, which is definitely more up my alley. I think there's enough custom work and patches to consider Pika a bit more than Debian with a decorative wrapper on it.
I really love the power and new packages of Arch, but a few times I've accidentally pushed an update through the terminal without reading literature or specific instruction on what to avoid to not have a mess up. Fedora philosophy wise being balanced across the board was really endearing and kept my attention for a while but after some time I realized I like the stability and boring-ness of Debian and it's forks the most. I learned about backporting, and cheating in the more modern tools into Debian to get it working better but it always lacked just a teeny bit, at least for someone not a power user like me.
Then I found PikaOS. Not only was it almost an exact match of my preferences i've accumulated over some time, but the maintainers are people familiar with and contribute to Nobara and have been around the block for this kind of stuff. Cosmo, the lead of PikaOS has put in an admirable amount of work in custom tools and GUI implementations and rewrites of code that he didn't find up to snuff and I think the collaborative effort between Pika and other distros has been awesome. Their kernel switcher, driver manager and all encompassing pikman package managing term have all been awesome.
I think their updating GUI definitely needs some polish, and maybe a different type font that doesn't jump around so much as code strings fly by. A little old school and flat, and sometimes have to hit the commit changes button multiple times for system packages and flatpaks. First few times I also thought updates didn't go through, since it takes you back to a screen after updating that says commit changes. If there are no packages to upgrade, that button should be greyed out and say 'No Updates' or something so you know you're done for sure.
Otherwise I am very pleased and have completely stopped distro hopping for now and the foreseeable future
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.01.24
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-26
Votes: 21
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I'm a long time Windows user who has been trying to switch to Linux over the last year. I first used Linux for my education over a decade ago, and I've since used Debian, Arch, and Fedora based distros for a variety of tasks personally, educationally, and professionally. After distro hopping for a bit PikaOS is the first one that has convinced me to completely abandon Windows.
I've tried other popular gaming and performance optimized distros but couldn't switch to them due to hardware and software incompatibilities. Bazzite had too much bloatware and was too locked down for someone like me who likes to tinker. CachyOS was great but on top of me preferring Debian, it would not properly detect my monitor resolutions and refresh rates. While Pop!_OS is great, the late updates and lack of HDR support in COSMIC desktop make it a non-starter. PikaOS was the first distro that fully worked for me with little to no bugs or incompatibilities, and excellent performance in games to boot.
PikaOS has managed to deliver a nearly bug free, stable, and performant Linux distribution. It is the best of both worlds with Debian's stability and the gaming and performance improvements of distros like CachyOS. On top of that, the developers are very responsive on their Discord server and quick to help with or fix any issues found. It should be up there with CachyOS and Bazzite as one of the top recommended gaming distros.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.01.24
Rating: 4
Date: 2026-01-25
Votes: 1
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I wanted to believe in PikaOS promise. Having the advantages of Debian and Arch in an unstable debian seemed like a match made in heaven. Unfortunately it was not as flawless as presumed. Usual qwerty instead of azerty problem of wayland, but tweaking the .config of Hyprland didn’t solve the thing as it does in other distros. A bit underwhelming already. Another annoying little problem: Bluetooth was not able to match with simple devices like a Logitech mouse, where most of the other hopped distros did easily. Pika recommends 580 open nvidia driver instead of 590 which is labeled as experimental; traditional debian distro like Mint recommend 590 and experience is very stable. Strange for a distro which should be haead of traditional debian distros. As a result, simple task like Cuda rendering in Blender seems to overload the GPU and crash the software however the available Vram is really more than sufficient. Same task is easily handled in Mint (again), so what is the point of performance tweaking advertised by Pika ? I didn’t give up on first frustrations, as I believe at least a week is needed to have a good overview of a distro capacity. Here with the lack of a good big community, the troubleshooting is a bit of being alone with yourself and trying solutions which works in neighbour distros. For gaming, it was working ok, but not very much better than any other distro I tried. So for a wide spectrum usage, the problems encountered are more troublesome than the benefits brought by the distribution. I think it is a promising distro, but far from ready. Hard to see it as a daily driver. I think a combo Mint for usual stuff + Cachy for niche needing is more efficient, even if I would have loved that Pika would be the all in one.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-15
Votes: 7
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I'm new to Linux and have been distrohopping quite a lot the past few weeks to figure out what way I want to go, and I have now returned to Pika OS.
It works right out of the box on my Nvidia desktop, gaming is very smooth. I even got Clip Studio Paint to work relatively well on it! I don't have to configure Samba for it to immediately find my local network shares from my laptop running Kubuntu. I have yet to stumble upon bugs like I did on for example Nobara where it sometimes doesn't want to launch applications, here it launches Zen browser immediately every time as an example.
The hurdle I had the first time I installed it was because I forgot to disable secure boot, but that was on me. Install is a very smooth experience otherwise, fast as well, however like a reviewer mentioned Nordic keyboard does not work during install, but it works afterwards no problem.
I have yet to have any issues where I required to seek out help but I have been vibe checking the communities of the distros I have tried. The discord server of Pika OS is nicely organized and the people there seems very helpful and nice! I would prefer a traditional forum but I understand this is a small distro. So, it's fine. I feel comfortable that I will be able to get some kind of help if I require it. The few questions I had were answered in the Discord by simply searching for it.
I adore that the standard wallpapers are made by an actual human artist and that she is credited. It's Neytirix for those who are wondering!
The bird is a plus! I changed the application launcher icon to her so she can always hang out with me. :)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 7
Date: 2026-01-14
Votes: 5
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Its pretty good though it has some issues that prevents it to be any higher than a 7.
Firstly we have the blatant problem with installing with anything other than a US keyboard. Things will become very problematic if you don't. Especially if you have a Nordic keyboard and use "alt gr" to use any special characters (which is default on those by the way, and on windows its Ctrl + Alt instead). You cannot create any password with special letters on install. This has to be done after the install or else you'll just get stuck on login or encryption pass phrase.
Secondly we have Aur being completely broken. It refuse to work. PikaOS use a different command for this "pikman" with some docs on their website explaining how its used. It just doesn't work at all and just gives errors so im not sure whats going on with that.
Overall pretty good but needs some more time to become something truly wonderful. If these things gets fixed in the future id give it a 9 or a 10.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 26.01.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2026-01-05
Votes: 5
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I was running Deb Forky with KDE Plasma, and there is a lot of post-install configuring for gaming. I tried out PikaOS on an old mini-pc and it was so easy to install and get up and running that I installed it on my gaming computer to try out. Not a real noticeable difference in performance based on the custom tuning I previously did on forky, but a huge difference in the amount of manual configuration I had to do. The installer was neat and clean, having to do the initial reboot before entering user info threw me off at first, but then the next reboot was right into the full system after update and optional package installation where I didn't have to worry about it once I was in a user account. I used the Niri for a while and although I liked the interface on the play computer, I ended up going with KDE Plasma on the gaming computer for ease of use for the kids who like to play there too. Overall solid performance, ease of install, ease of use, good options for desktops, and all Deb based, so a win win win.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.12.16
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-12-20
Votes: 4
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I recently switched from PopOS to PikaOS to take advantage of the KDE Plasma > v6 desktop and simplified integration of asusctl + superfgxctl + Steam on a 2020 Asus G14. Everything installed without any problems.
The post-installation utility is very well designed and functional!
So far, it's been pretty stable to use. The only issue I had with PopOS and Plasma was that after waking from sleep or locking the session, the desktop would be completely black, requiring me to log out and log back in, so this bug may not be directly attributable to the OS.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-12-07
Votes: 9
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All the CachyOS Cherrys based on Debian instead of arc. A dream comes true :D. Sure there are some hiccups, but they are NVIDIA based in my case (vrr issues). Apart from that, I am totally happy with my choice and I hope more people are joining. Debian > all ;)
I would recommend KDE for newcomers with gaming focus or gnome for newcomers for everyday usage (gnome 48 still has some issues with hdr, with gnome 49, which is not packaged yet, it might get better). For people who love experiments, try out niri or hyprland!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-19
Votes: 15
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I recently switched from LMDE to PikoOS and I'm absolutely thrilled with this system. The Gnome desktop took some getting used to, but with the Mac layout and Dash-to-Dock, it's perfect. Piko bridges the gap between the stability of Debian and the flexibility of Ubuntu, without relying on Ubuntu software. I used Debian with XFCE and later Cinnamon for over 10 years, and then LMDE for 3 years, and I always felt like I had to compromise... stability, convenience, up-to-dateness, ease of use, or simply style. Every system has its pros and cons, but Pika OS strikes a brilliant balance!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.11.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-11-04
Votes: 11
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Been using PikaOS since a couple weeks before the version 4 release and it cured my distro hopping. I'm happy to be using this distro that gets me smooth gaming, the comfort of .deb packages and an amazing community in the discord server.
The distro always provides the newest kernel and drivers, often times even faster than Arch. The distro is not only a Gaming distro, but aims to bring a great modern computing platform for everyone that wants to squeeze all the rest of performance out of their system, while also having a stable experience with a Debian base.
This doesn't mean that all packages are coming from Debian sid. The devs cherry pick every package either from Debian or from their own repo where they build all packages with performance improvements. Package requests seem to be handled really fairly.
While you can run flatpaks on this distro, they kinda defeat the purpose and should only be used in an emergency if no other source was available - especially because the distro comes with great GUI programs for updating, installing drivers, and soon also a GUI store for system packages (there's already a package search web app).
Overall this is my favourite distro and it's growing fast with really solid support by the devs. Speaking of, thanks ot the devs for answering my questions always extremely quickly and thoroughly and to everyone else on the discord server, y'all are really cool.
Here's to adding many more years to the already ongoing 3 years of PikaOS!
(PS. send love to Cosmo's birb Pika!)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-23
Votes: 2
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Absolutely fantastic.
Pika OS, which is based on Debian Sid with a customized kernel, has been working smoothly. It is lightning fast, has the full repository of Debian behind it, and hasn't crashed once since I started using it. All of my games run as smooth as butter, and I certainly enjoy the little Pika logos, wallpapers, themes, and sounds that come with the distro.
Clearly the developers wanted to fill the niche for those of us who love Debian, but want something up to date and customized for gaming. Pika OS is that distro.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.10.15
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-10-20
Votes: 0
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i switch from cachyos to pikaos just because cachyos update always break my os, i always will go for debian based cause it's for the stability. i use gnome version of pikaos and my god, even my laptop is quite new ryzen 7 7840u , this os will detect what hardware you have and there is an AMD Driver install option out of the box. i know it's a debian unstable version, but if you are damiliar with debian this is the way to go. the only thing i do not like is there is no autologin option in this OS.
i do hope this project stays for a long time and i know it's an niche os same as cachyos. but if you want stability without much tweaking when it's break, then this pikaos is a route to go.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.09.06
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-10-12
Votes: 10
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I have been using the Niri version of PikaOS for a while now. It's an incredible way to get into using a tiling WM. I also love the distro's blend of stable and new packages and the implementation of the custom pikman installer for custom compiled packages. Previously I had been a user of mint, kubuntu, kde neon, and fedora, and this is probably the kost stable and modern distro I have picked up. And in a world of gaming distros being solely based on arch and fedora, I like that debian is being given a shot through Pika. I Highly recommend giving it a shot!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-28
Votes: 17
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I was totally new to Linux, coming from Windows 10 (and just Windows in general for over 3 decades). I wanted something that was suitable for a normie daily driver, but could also play games or emulation type of usage, with modern features, multi monitor etc. For months I bounced back and fourth from forum post to youtube videos, countless reddit posts. Somehow by the grace of God I stumbled upon PikaOS on my quest for the best.
I like that it is pretty much idiot proof for a new user like me. There is a GUI for mostly everything, or maybe a few simple terminal commands that might come in handy. I like that everything just simply works out of the gate. Controllers, codecs, media playback... it's just like you'd expect from a mainstream operating system. For some reason I feel oddly comfortable with this distro, I don't miss Windows at all. Also - their discord is one of the most friendly I have ever seen. People will help you almost immediately with your problems if it is possible. As a shy noob, I would like to see the website fleshed out a bit more with the wiki and what not. But I know it is a work in progress. Even some simple stuff like a beginner cheat sheet for commands :3
I hope this team stays with this project for a very long time, and I am very thankful for their work.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a great distro I'm running hyprland and its really enjoyable I'm new to linux so I had some learning to do but so far it is great for the exception of a scaling issue with some programs I'll need to figure out but all in all it is great the tilling is wonderful and the keybinds are a life changer. And the support team on discord are extremely responsive and helpful. I'll be running this distro for awhile because even being newish to Linux and new to hyprland it was easy enough to figure out.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-24
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is a fantastic linux distro focused on ease of use and ootb gaming performance. which it achieves splendidly.
with multiple highly useful GUI applications that make everything from kernel and scheduler management to driver management a breeze i cannot recommend it enough to new users. they use their own PikaOS kernel, which is a modified cachyos kernel with a couple extra patches thrown in. it's llightweight and fast. it offers a significant improvement over base debian in terms of gaming capability. and keeps up with other contemporary distros in terms of gaming performance. it is THE debian gaming distro and it is not to be ignored.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-08-22
Votes: 1
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The best Linux distro I've ever used - very polished. One-click installers for gaming tools like Steam, Heroic and others. Totally up-to-date kernel and MESA drivers. Updates apt & flatpak all in one tool. Stable, fast, and everything just works! :-)
Even non-gaming related activities like just opening Firefox or an office suite or using random programs - everything is sooooo quick! I love it! This is now my recommended distro for anyone who wants to start using Linux.
No issues with high-end hardware - running it on an AMD Ryzen 9900X with 64GB RAM and RX 7900 XTX. Been my daily driver since I tried it :-)
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.08.03
Rating: 1
Date: 2025-08-17
Votes: 0
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Absolutely the most unprofessional attempt at making a Debian based distro. It boasts being optimized for gaming, but its no more optimized than Sid itself. The installation comes with a ton of bloat and there really are no reasons to use it over debian itself. Its kernel is not impressive, and it performs poorly on newer hardware. Dont waste your time. They claim their own package manager is better than apt because it is "slow". Well, theres is not faster. Download Debian and point apt to sid if you really want to go this route.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 3
Date: 2025-07-29
Votes: 3
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The whole concept seems pretty interesting. I unfortunately couldn't get the live environment to boot despite trying quite a few different fixes. Never had a problem like this with any other live environments.
My inability to get the live environment working mains I cant say much about the distro. I tried multiple USB creation tools, verified the integrity of the ISO, and even tested it on different hardware, but the results were the same. It’s possible the issue is hardware-specific, but it’s still a concerning obstacle for first-time users. For a distribution that appears to be targeting ease of use and accessibility, this kind of boot failure can be a serious deterrent.
I was hoping to explore the desktop environment, bundled applications, and general performance firsthand, but the technical issues made that impossible. Based on what I’ve seen from others’ reviews and online discussions, it seems like the team is working actively on improvements. The concept of a lightweight, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian Sid is certainly appealing, and with the right refinements, PikaOS could carve out a niche for itself.
That said, I’d recommend waiting for future releases if you're considering trying it out. Once the boot issues and stability problems are addressed, I believe PikaOS could become a strong option in the Linux ecosystem. For now, it remains a work in progress with potential.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 2
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Runs great! i didn't think debian would be so good for a gaming computer. It really has all the tools and tweaks you need.
The community is very friendly! Everything is up to date the developers are very active.
If you don't use old hardware the distro here is for you.
My distrohopping is over.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-23
Votes: 7
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I've been thoroughly impressed with PikaOS Linux, especially considering this is its first version. As a long-time Linux Mint user, I was curious to explore something fresh, and PikaOS has exceeded my expectations. Built on the unstable branch of Debian, it strikes an excellent balance between cutting-edge features and remarkable stability.
One of the standout aspects of PikaOS is its seamless driver compatibility. I installed it on my Lenovo laptop, and every piece of hardware—graphics, Wi-Fi, sound, and even my touchpad—worked flawlessly out of the box. This level of plug-and-play functionality is a huge win, especially for a distribution based on Debian's unstable branch, which can sometimes be tricky with hardware support.
PikaOS feels neatly optimized, offering a semi-lightweight experience that doesn’t bog down system resources while still delivering a polished and modern interface. The performance is snappy, and the system feels responsive even on my mid-range laptop. The developers have clearly put thought into balancing performance with aesthetics, making it a great choice for users who want a sleek, efficient OS without sacrificing functionality.
Compared to Linux Mint, which I’ve used for years for its reliability and ease of use, PikaOS brings a refreshing change with its modern approach and streamlined design. It’s not as heavy as some feature-packed distros but still offers enough flexibility for both casual users and tinkerers. The installation process was smooth, and the default setup is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering plenty of room for customization.
Overall, PikaOS is an exciting addition to the Linux ecosystem. For a first release, it’s impressively stable, well-optimized, and versatile. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to try a new Linux distribution that combines the latest software with dependable performance. I’m looking forward to seeing how PikaOS evolves in future updates!
PS: I have not used it for gaming yet! I am using it as my daily driver and been doing usually productivity task and multipedia stuff etc...
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-07-15
Votes: 2
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PikaOS is probably the best experience i've ever had in a deb distro. The installation was flawless and very user friendly, the only small annoyance was that you need to check a box for msi mobos, but a simple question on the discord and i was answered in minutes by one of the main devs about it. They have "Pikman", a package manager that not only allows you to install with apt, but also allows to install even through AUR, creating a sandbox with apx that comes shipped with the distro. The performance was amazing, on par if not slightly better than CachyOS, and the packages you install with pikman are all optimized ootb, making it a smooth and fast experience, and they were all recompiled to be the latest and greatest version of those packages, including their own kernel with patches from CachyOS which is the latest possible version. I strongly recommend this distro to beginners with Linux gaming but also linux users who want a debian based os but are limited by their new hardware.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.07.01
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-07-09
Votes: 5
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Worked flawlessly on my Nvidia rig, nothing bad to say here as all the games I tried perform well and sometimes even better than other Linux Distros, fixed some audio issues I had with my wireless headset and also was an extremely easy install process with NO terminal involved at all before, during or after.
A great alternative to what Nobara is but better (for starters, it's far from Fedora) so you get support for .debs too but is usually better to stick with the packages the distro offers.
Their community is extremely friendly and willing to help or just hang out and discuss stuff, so if you encounter any issue you can always head there!
10/10
-ThalinVT
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.06.07
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-12
Votes: 10
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Hello PikaOS Community
PikaOS is a fantastic Linux distribution, it is seemingly stable whilst have cutting edge features.
This OS would get 10/10 if I could enable secure boot I install aha and use sbctl to enable secure boot and sign all my files, enable secure boot in the bios and yet secure boot will never work, its a damn shame because anyone who's wanting to have a windows 11 dual boot will find that they can't.
If this is rectified this will be a 10/10 distribution every Linux gamer should try this distribution, you get the stability and fortitude of Debian whilst having the gaming performance of Archlinux.
The update manager is slow to boot with the PC, its quicker to load into KDE and open up Pikman update manager yourself before the icon will show on your taskbar, a small gripe and doesn't hinder the user experience.
I would recommend this distribution to anyone who likes the performance Archlinux provides but is sick and tired of updates breaking your system.
Hope this review persuades people to explore PikaOS.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-06-01
Votes: 6
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I do a lot of distro hopping and up until I checked out pikaos I always came back to cachyos. But now I switched and it is very good. Everything is stable and very fast. The PikaOS discord has a friendly and competent community and overall I think PikaOS has a bright future.
I like the debian base they build upon and through the falcond deamon you don't have to add parameters to your steam games anymore for optimization. The service takes care of that for you in the background.
Overall I don't have much else to say, it iterated on what cachyos & Nobara did and added automation and brought it's own ideas to the mix. I don't see a single reason to switch.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-05-31
Votes: 0
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There's a lot to like about this distro - Debian testing with a lot of nice tweaks for us gamers! I also do office-type work, so having Libreoffice and the ability to print not installed was just a bit odd, but it's easy enough to install them once you're finished with the initial install. I wasn't a fan of the wallpapers at first, but I'll admit they have grown on me just a little. Even the default layout of KDE's launcher was "a lot to take in" at first, but I also appreciate the usage of space. But again, this is easy to change if you're not a fan.
I don't think I'd use it as my daily driver, but it does have some good points to it.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-23
Votes: 9
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I was using Nobara on desktop and Cachy on laptop and would suggest Bazzite to less technical people who wanted to try Linux. Due to software development work, I needed a Debian distro with KDE. Pika was based on Ubuntu before and so I hadn't tried it but it rebased on Debian testing and now I like it a lot.
What you get is a fully ready rolling Debian release for gaming or anything else you need to do. The devs have reallty done an outstanding job prioviding what I like about other distros in my new favorite.
The only issue I seem to experience is having to repeatedly run dpkg configre in order for all the updates to complete. Other than that it's been smooth sailing. i think this project is on the right track now so will use it until they make a wrong turn which I hope never happens.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-20
Votes: 1
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I've really fallen for this distro. The Debian base makes it really familiar (my last distro was Bookworm) and interoperable with a lot of 3rd party software that provide .deb packages. Setup for gaming is already done for you, and it performs fantastically in that context. The discord is home to a very helpful community as well. The main devs are also very quick to address any issues that arise. And it has some custom tools, most notably the device manager and the package manager, that make managing things a little easier than vanilla Debian. It even treats flatpacks as first class packages, making most Linux software very easy to find.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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Upon installation, I immediately fell in love with this cozy distro. It's so well polished for gaming, everything works out of the box, installation is super easy... I've tried Garuda and it surprised me but had it's issues. PikaOS? First distro i've tried so far with no issues, even if I'm only using for 1 week. Might update my opinion, but I don't see anything bad coming. It's great for gamers and their community is cozy.
The implemented graphical GUI for sched_ext, kernel and pikman package manager-manager is so cool and convenient as well.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 0
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PikaOS takes a good stable base and makes it better. Based on Debian, it takes the hard work out of setting it up and especially in getting Nvidia-drivers installed and working 1st time. For me it just worked. Gaming on Linux is fully featured with all the apps and utils you need to get the most out of your system.
It is easy for a first time user to install and get up and running quickly. With a stable OS the user can then go about simply using their computer.
This OS comes highly recommended.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-17
Votes: 2
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This is my daily driver distro.
I love PikaOS because it is a Debian based distro but also close to a rolling release.
The packages are being compiled by the devs with lots of optimizations and the base config is perfectly usable straight out of the box.
This also got me into Hyprland, which I thoroughly enjoy.
For my usecase (gaming) this distro delivers the best gaming experience I've had on linux. FPS are slightly higher than I got with my hardware on other distros and it's also incredibly smooth.
Having access to the latest packaging but also being sure that the new things are being tested before released to the public is awesome.
The discord is really active and I learned a lot from the devs and the community.
May the birb be with you!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 4
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I am using PikaOS for a couple of weeks now, before I was using Cachy and Nobara. But somehow I had a couple of problems here and there. So I was looking for a more "stable" linux gaming oriented Distro and I found PikaOS.
The first install just went... smooth. After that install (which was like 1-2mins, holy crap thats fast :D) its easy for follow up - you will get greeted with PikaOS Welcome screen for the first steps into that Distro. Just very easy, userfriendly GUI to install gaming oriented stuff and changing some things like the drivers.
I just can highly recommend that Distro to any who's new to linux or even to experienced ones.
The Community and the Dev's are also very helpful and friendly!
10/10 - easy
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 1
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PikaOS offers a lot to Linux gamers.
From the excellent falcond service that provides optimizations and profile switching automatically upon game launch (say goodbye to always adding launch options), easy package management through the GUI Pikman or command line Pikman installer which allows for easy integration of packages from Arch, AUR, Fedora, or Alpine, and all built on a rock solid but up to date Debian base.
Why choose between stale but stable packages of a point release or a bunch of experimental but fresh packages of a rolling release when PikaOS gives you both stability and some of the newest software around?
Integrated snapper support on BTFS and a beautiful skin on the reFind bootloader makes dual booting easy and fun.
A well balanced and newbie friendly Hyprland configuration will make you feel right at home even if you never tried a tiling window manager before allowing you to tip your fedora as you announce, "I use Hyprland BTW".
Wither you are a Linux veteran or a newbie looking to escape from Microsoft/Apple prison, PikaOS should be on top of your list.
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 0
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PikaOS is an absolute gem of a Linux distribution! It's sleek, lightning-fast, and incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned Linux enthusiasts. The team behind PikaOS has clearly put a lot of thought into performance and aesthetics—everything just works out of the box. With a modern interface, smart defaults, and seamless hardware support, PikaOS delivers a smooth and enjoyable computing experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a polished and responsive Linux desktop!
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Project: PikaOS Linux
Version: 25.05.05
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-05-06
Votes: 5
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Having dedicated the past 135 days to exploring the PikaOS distribution, I can honestly say it has been an exceptionally positive experience. From the moment I started using it, I was impressed by its smooth performance. What truly stands out for me is its seamless integration with gaming. Every title I've thrown at it runs flawlessly, performing exactly as I'd hoped, if not better. It's clear that PikaOS is meticulously crafted with gamers in mind, optimizing the system for peak gaming performance. Despite being based on Debian, I always receive the very latest drivers, which is fantastic for keeping my gaming experience cutting-edge.
Beyond the excellent gaming experience, the community surrounding PikaOS is a significant asset. Knowing that if I ever encounter a problem, the dedicated members on their Discord server are readily available and willing to assist is incredibly reassuring. They are always responsive and take the time to guide you through any challenges you might face. This level of support truly enhances the overall user experience.
Hyprland the BEST!
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View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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