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Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux is a free, independent Linux distribution for power users who value security, simplicity, and efficient resource use.

Place
#25 of 44
Score
5.8
Alpine Linux's website

What Alpine Linux is

Alpine Linux is a free, independent Linux distribution for power users who value security, simplicity, and efficient resource use. It can run on physical computers, Raspberry Pi devices, routers, servers, virtual machines, cloud images, containers, and chroots. A container requires no more than 8 MB, according to the site, while a minimal disk installation needs around 130 MB of storage. Alpine is built around musl libc and BusyBox, with apk for package management and OpenRC for initialization. Its packages are split into binaries so users can control what they install from a large repository. Alpine says its userland binaries are compiled as Position Independent Executables with stack smashing protection, and it maintains a security tracker drawing on CVE, NVD, and its own security-fix data. Downloads include several image types, from Standard and Extended to Netboot, Virtual, and Mini root filesystem, with architectures varying by image. The Standard image needs network access; Extended includes commonly used packages and is described as suitable for routers and servers. Main-repository support typically lasts two years; community-repository support runs until the next stable release.

Good

  • Free distribution with multiple deployment formats.
  • Container footprint requires no more than 8 MB.
  • Packages let users control what gets installed.
  • Includes a security issue tracker.
  • Download images list SHA-256 and GPG links.

Watch out

  • Standard image requires a network connection.
  • Main repository is typically supported for two years.
  • Other use cases assume sufficient Linux familiarity.

Who it suits

Alpine Linux is suited to experienced Linux users choosing an operating system for physical, virtual, cloud, or container environments. Its handbook focuses on traditional desktop and server installations, while other uses assume Linux familiarity.

Verdict

Alpine Linux offers varied deployment images and package control, with a small stated footprint for containers. Review the repository support periods and image requirements against your intended use.

Plans and prices

From Alpine Linux's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Alpine LinuxFreeIndependent, non-commercial Linux distribution · downloadable images and packages

The facts

Each one read from Alpine Linux's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Architectures
The downloads page lists architectures including aarch64, armv7, loongarch64, ppc64le, riscv64, s390x, x86 and x86_64, depending on image type.checked 11 Oct 2001
Container use
The Mini root filesystem is intended for containers and minimal chroots.checked 11 Oct 2001
Core components
Alpine is built around musl libc and BusyBox, and uses the apk package manager and OpenRC init system.checked 11 Oct 2001
Documentation audience
The User Handbook focuses on traditional disk installations, primarily for desktop and server systems, and says other use cases assume sufficient Linux familiarity.checked 11 Oct 2001
Download formats
Downloads include Standard, Extended, Netboot, Raspberry Pi, Mini root filesystem, Virtual, Generic U-Boot and Xen images.checked 11 Oct 2001
Extended image
The Extended image includes commonly used packages, is described as suitable for routers and servers, runs from RAM, and includes AMD and Intel microcode updates.checked 11 Oct 2001
Image verification
The download page provides SHA-256 and GPG links alongside the listed images.checked 11 Oct 2001
Package selection
Its binary packages are split so users can control what they install, and the repository offers a large package selection.checked 11 Oct 2001
Purpose
Alpine Linux is an independent, non-commercial, general purpose Linux distribution designed for power users who value security, simplicity and resource efficiency.checked 11 Oct 2001
Security design
Alpine says all userland binaries are compiled as Position Independent Executables with stack smashing protection.checked 11 Oct 2001
Security tracker
The Alpine Security Issue Tracker monitors distribution security issues using the CVE dictionary, NVD database and Alpine's security fixes database.checked 11 Oct 2001
Small footprint
The site says a container requires no more than 8 MB and a minimal disk installation requires around 130 MB of storage.checked 11 Oct 2001
Standard image requirement
The Standard image is described as a minimal starting point that requires a network connection.checked 11 Oct 2001
Support
The community page lists #alpine-linux for general discussion and quick support questions, and mailing lists for support and development.checked 11 Oct 2001
Virtualization
The Virtual image has a slimmed down kernel and is optimized for virtual systems.checked 11 Oct 2001

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