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Operating Systems · head to head

AlmaLinux vs Manjaro

AlmaLinux logo

AlmaLinux

Operating Systems

RHEL-compatible Linux from a non-profit foundation that chose interface compatibility over an exact rebuild

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Manjaro logo

Manjaro

Operating Systems

Arch-based Linux distribution with an installer and sane defaults

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AlmaLinux it is deliberately not identical to RHEL, so any validation, certification or compliance process that assumes matching package contents needs re-examining before you standardise on it.; Manjaro holding packages back from Arch can break AUR packages built against current Arch, which is its best-known complaint
  • They diverge on capability: AlmaLinux covers ABI compatibility, Manjaro covers Graphical installer.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AlmaLinux and Manjaro actually diverge.

Attributes where AlmaLinux and Manjaro differ
AttributeAlmaLinuxManjaro
Platformsx86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, ContainersLinux, Desktop

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Operating Systems).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AlmaLinux

  • ABI compatibility
  • x86-64-v2 build
  • ELevate
  • Restored hardware support
  • Elected governance
  • Frame pointers enabled

Only in Manjaro

  • Graphical installer
  • Delayed updates
  • Hardware detection
  • Multiple desktops

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AlmaLinux

  • Keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point RHEL 10 will install on themnot Manjaro
  • Hosting providers and control panel users, where CloudLinux lineage means cPanel and similar stacks are testednot Manjaro
  • Teams that want faster security patching than a strict downstream rebuild can offernot Manjaro
  • Migrating CentOS 7 estates in place using ELevate rather than rebuilding every machinenot Manjaro

Manjaro

  • Wanting Arch and the AUR without the manual installnot AlmaLinux
  • Desktops needing current package versions with some stability buffernot AlmaLinux
  • Hardware that benefits from automatic proprietary driver handlingnot AlmaLinux

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AlmaLinux

  • It is deliberately not identical to RHEL, so any validation, certification or compliance process that assumes matching package contents needs re-examining before you standardise on it.
  • Shipping security fixes ahead of Red Hat means running code Red Hat has not published, which some regulated buyers treat as unvalidated rather than as an advantage.
  • No ISV support contract names AlmaLinux, so escalations with database and application vendors can stop at the operating system question.
  • Funding is concentrated in CloudLinux and a few cloud sponsors, so the elected board governs a project whose engineering capacity still depends heavily on one company.
  • Divergence from RHEL accumulates across a ten-year lifecycle, and the further into a release you are, the harder it becomes to argue that a RHEL test result predicts AlmaLinux behaviour.

Manjaro

  • Holding packages back from Arch can break AUR packages built against current Arch, which is its best-known complaint
  • Still a rolling release, so updates can require intervention and are not fit-and-forget
  • The project has had public incidents around expired certificates and governance that dented confidence
  • Not as current as Arch nor as stable as a fixed-release distribution, which is the cost of sitting between them

Pricing, plan by plan

AlmaLinux

Free
  • AlmaLinuxFree
    • No subscription or registration
    • Unlimited installations
    • All architectures including x86-64-v2

Manjaro

Free
  • ManjaroFree
    • Full functionality
    • Commercial use permitted
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose AlmaLinux if

  • You need abi compatibility.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on x86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, Containers.
  • You also want x86-64-v2 build.
AlmaLinux review

Choose Manjaro if

  • You need graphical installer.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Desktop.
  • You also want delayed updates.
Manjaro review

Questions people ask

Is AlmaLinux or Manjaro better?
Neither clearly leads. AlmaLinux starts at Free and Manjaro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AlmaLinux or Manjaro?
AlmaLinux starts at Free and Manjaro at Free.
Does AlmaLinux or Manjaro run on more platforms?
AlmaLinux runs on x86-64, x86-64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x, Cloud images, Containers. Manjaro runs on Linux, Desktop.
Can I use AlmaLinux for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AlmaLinux best used for?
AlmaLinux is most often used for keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point rhel 10 will install on them, hosting providers and control panel users, where cloudlinux lineage means cpanel and similar stacks are tested, teams that want faster security patching than a strict downstream rebuild can offer, migrating centos 7 estates in place using elevate rather than rebuilding every machine. Of those, keeping pre-2015 x86 servers in production past the point rhel 10 will install on them and hosting providers and control panel users, where cloudlinux lineage means cpanel and similar stacks are tested are not what Manjaro is typically brought in for.
What can AlmaLinux do that Manjaro cannot?
AlmaLinux covers ABI compatibility, x86-64-v2 build, ELevate, Restored hardware support. Manjaro covers Graphical installer, Delayed updates, Hardware detection, Multiple desktops.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AlmaLinux: What does ABI compatible mean in practice?

Binaries and kernel modules built for RHEL load and run. Package versions, patch sets and hardware support may differ. If your software only calls interfaces, you will notice nothing; if it inspects versions, you might.

Manjaro: Is Manjaro free?

Yes, entirely free and open source.

AlmaLinux: Which should I choose between AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux?

Rocky if a third party certifies against exact RHEL package versions or you want the closest possible copy. AlmaLinux if you need older CPU support, faster patches, or a foundation with an elected board.

Manjaro: Is Manjaro the same as Arch?

It is based on Arch and uses pacman and the AUR, but holds packages back for testing and ships a graphical installer, so it is not identical.

AlmaLinux: Is there paid support?

Yes, but not from the foundation. CloudLinux and TuxCare sell support and extended lifecycle services, quoted rather than published.

Manjaro: Why can AUR packages break on Manjaro?

AUR packages are built against current Arch. Manjaro delays packages, so an AUR build can expect a library version Manjaro has not shipped yet.

AlmaLinux: Can I convert an existing RHEL or CentOS machine?

Yes. almalinux-deploy converts same-version RHEL and CentOS installs, and ELevate handles major version jumps, including from CentOS 7.

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