In this video, I take a closer look at EndeavourOS, an Arch-based Linux distribution that aims to deliver the Arch Linux experience without the complexity of a manual install.

I cover what EndeavourOS is, how the installation process works, and share my impressions after spending time using it. If you’ve ever been curious about Arch Linux but wanted something more approachable, EndeavourOS is often one of the first recommendations — and in this review, I explain why.

EndeavourOS Review

Intro

Hello, and welcome back to Learn Linux TV!

I think it’s time to take a look at another Linux distribution. This time, I’ll be revisiting EndeavourOS—a distro I haven’t reviewed in quite a while. In fact, the last time I covered EndeavourOS was back in 2019, which was before I became a full-time content creator. So, it’s safe to say that another look is long overdue.

If you’re not familiar with EndeavourOS, it’s a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. Arch is a rolling-release distro, which means there are no major version upgrades—you simply keep your system updated, and you’re always running the latest software. While that’s appealing, Arch can be challenging for newcomers to install and set up. Because of that, several Arch-based distributions were created to make the experience more approachable, and EndeavourOS is one of them.

EndeavourOS traces its roots back to Antergos, one of the earlier Arch derivatives. When Antergos shut down in 2019, EndeavourOS emerged—but it wasn’t just a rebrand. It took its own path, with a strong focus on simplicity and accessibility. Today, EndeavourOS has grown a solid and active community, and we’ll see some of that discussed in this article.

So in this review, I’ll be sharing my impressions of EndeavourOS as it stands in 2026. We’ll start by talking about who this distro is for, then look at what sets it apart from other options, and finally wrap things up with my overall thoughts.

It’s going to be fun—so let’s dive in!

What is EndeavourOS?

First, what exactly is EndeavourOS? Who is it for, and what sets it apart from the alternatives?

As I mentioned in the intro, EndeavourOS is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, so that’s a good place to start.

There’s a handful of distributions built on Arch nowadays, and each one makes its own design choices to target a specific audience. For example, Manjaro is an Arch-based distro that focuses heavily on ease of use and includes numerous customizations—so much so that it has developed its own distinct identity, similar to how Ubuntu differs from Debian. CachyOS, which I reviewed earlier, is also Arch-based, but its primary focus is performance, making it a great option for those who want to squeeze every last bit of power out of their hardware. There are several others as well, but you get the idea.

EndeavourOS, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It’s an Arch-based distro that deliberately avoids calling too much attention to itself. Its biggest advantage is how easy it makes installing Arch. The installation process removes much of the friction that Arch Linux itself is known for, while still staying true to its roots. The installer offers a selection of preconfigured desktop environments along with a few optional tweaks, allowing you to get up and running quickly without being overwhelmed.

What’s interesting, though, is that EndeavourOS really shows its personality after the installation is complete. It’s a bit of an introvert—it actively avoids drama. By that, I mean it doesn’t force its opinions on you and makes very few assumptions about how your system should be configured. While you do end up with a fully functional system, EndeavourOS ships with fewer default settings and fewer preinstalled applications than many other distributions.

Whenever possible, it also stays very close to Arch Linux itself. In fact, EndeavourOS uses the official Arch Linux repositories. Because of this, it’s best described as a distro that gives you a fast and straightforward way to install Arch Linux, resulting in a usable system with sensible defaults—while still leaving you firmly in control.

As for who it’s for, EndeavourOS is best suited to intermediate users. Beginners can absolutely use it as well, but mainly those who are genuinely interested in learning how Linux works. This distro won’t hold your hand—but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to use either. Instead, EndeavourOS simply doesn’t hide the inner workings of the system. Think of it as a distro for users who want to learn, who don’t mind being a bit more hands-on, and who are comfortable taking responsibility for maintaining their own installation.

Installing EndeavourOS

Speaking of the installation process, this is actually one of EndeavourOS’s most noteworthy features. The installer is easy to navigate and looks modern and professional.

If you’ve installed a Linux distribution before, the overall workflow will feel very familiar. You start by downloading an ISO from the EndeavourOS website and using it to create bootable installation media. Once you boot from that media, EndeavourOS launches in live mode, allowing you to test the system before committing to an install—something most distros support these days.

When you launch the installer, you’re given the option to use the offline installer or to download the latest components during installation. From there, it’s just a matter of answering a handful of straightforward questions before the installation begins. One of the highlights is the ability to choose from several desktop environments during setup, each providing a fully functional graphical experience. You simply pick the desktop you want, and the installer handles the rest.

Once the installation finishes, you reboot your system and you’re ready to go. That’s really all there is to it. The installer is simple, reliable, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It’s also very well designed—the entire process feels polished and professional.

My only real complaint is on high-resolution displays. On a 4K screen, the default scaling is so poor that much of the installer is difficult to read. While it’s easy enough to fix by adjusting the scaling manually, having the installer be nearly unreadable by default feels like an unnecessary and somewhat embarrassing flaw, especially given how good everything else looks.

Minor rant aside, the installer works great and gets the job done.

Opinions on EndeavourOS

Next, let’s talk about my overall impressions of EndeavourOS.

The first thing I’ll say is that it’s a fantastic distribution—but it’s not for everyone. While distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora aim to appeal to the broadest possible audience, EndeavourOS is much more focused. And that goes beyond simply targeting intermediate users. Its philosophy of staying out of your way and letting you configure things yourself is both its greatest strength and, at times, a potential drawback.

On the positive side, many people—including myself—actually prefer this approach. If you’re particular about how your system is set up, you’ve probably spent time undoing or working around decisions made by your distro. In that case, there’s real value in a distribution that leaves most of the decision-making up to you. Aside from default wallpapers and desktop themes, EndeavourOS delivers a very vanilla Arch Linux experience.

On the flip side, some of the tweaks and optimizations that other distributions include can be genuinely useful, and you may miss out on those if you choose EndeavourOS. For example, CachyOS focuses heavily on performance and ships with a variety of built-in optimizations designed to get the most out of your hardware. You won’t find many of those kinds of tweaks enabled by default in EndeavourOS. That said, nothing prevents you from implementing them yourself. CachyOS, for instance, enables ZRAM out of the box to improve memory usage—but you can absolutely configure ZRAM on EndeavourOS as well by following the documentation.

Judged on its own terms, though, EndeavourOS is an excellent Linux distribution. It’s very clear about the problem it’s trying to solve and the audience it’s designed for—and it delivers exactly what it promises. EndeavourOS gives you a quick and straightforward way to install an Arch-based system, with an easy-to-use installer and fast access to your preferred desktop environment. The resulting installation keeps customizations to a minimum, but still includes the essentials that matter.

Out of the box, the desktop looks professional, core functionality works as expected, and you get a small set of preinstalled applications for basic tasks, like a web browser and a text editor. From there, it’s simply a matter of installing your favorite applications and adjusting a few settings. If you maintain it well, you’ll end up with a rolling-release system that can serve you indefinitely.

In terms of performance, EndeavourOS feels fast and responsive, but it’s not trying to win any benchmarks. Distributions like CachyOS, which explicitly prioritize performance, will naturally have an edge. Other distros include their own performance tweaks as well. So while EndeavourOS isn’t going to outperform the competition in any dramatic way, it’s more than fast enough in everyday use—and it kept up with me just fine.

Overall, I do recommend EndeavourOS, but with an asterisk. If you fall within its target audience, you’ll likely love it. If not, you may be better served by a different distribution. But at the end of the day, EndeavourOS does an excellent job serving the users it’s designed for, and its focus on simplicity can be genuinely refreshing.