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Petitboot

Petitboot is a free bootloader implemented as userspace programs in a small Linux image.

Place
#22 of 29
Score
5.7
Petitboot's website

What Petitboot is

Petitboot is a free bootloader implemented as userspace programs in a small Linux image. It finds devices and bootable images, reads configurations from formats such as GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot, then starts systems through Linux kexec. Basic functionality is possible on platforms supporting kexec, while platform-specific implementations add features. Documented implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support. Its main interface is an ncurses menu for reviewing boot choices and system information, adjusting settings, running plugins, and opening a shell. Petitboot can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP. Plugins run binaries in the shell and can be found on local devices or in PXE network files. On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and adjust boot behavior with boot device overrides. The project includes pb-sos for collecting diagnostic and crash information and is licensed under GPL-2.0.

Good

  • Reads GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot configurations.
  • Loads images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.
  • Provides an ncurses boot menu.
  • Supports plugins and boot-entry editing.
  • Includes a diagnostic collection utility.

Watch out

  • Additional features depend on platform-specific implementations.
  • IPMI integration is limited to supported platforms.
  • The interface is an ncurses menu.

Who it suits

Petitboot may suit Linux users who need a bootloader with multiboot support and boot-entry editing. Platform-specific features depend on the system, and its documented implementations cover POWER with OPAL and ARM64 with efivarfs.

Verdict

Petitboot offers a range of boot and network-loading capabilities, with some functions tied to platform support. Check that the documented implementation and kexec functionality fit your system.

Plans and prices

From Petitboot's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
PetitbootFreeGPL-2.0 licensed open-source project

The facts

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

What it does

Boot process
It discovers devices and bootable images, parses bootloader configurations, and boots through Linux kexec.checked 8 Oct 2026
Components
The pb-discover server discovers and configures devices, while UI clients communicate with it through the pb-protocol interface.checked 8 Oct 2026
Configuration formats
It supports configuration formats including GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot.checked 8 Oct 2026
Development support
Development and discussion take place on the Petitboot mailing list, which is monitored by a Patchwork instance.checked 8 Oct 2026
Diagnostic utility
The project includes pb-sos, a utility that collects diagnostic and crash information.checked 8 Oct 2026
IPMI integration
On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and modify boot behavior through boot device overrides.checked 8 Oct 2026
License
The project repository identifies Petitboot as GPL-2.0 licensed.checked 8 Oct 2026
Network boot
The project README says it can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.checked 8 Oct 2026
Plugins
Plugins package and run binaries in the Petitboot shell, and can be discovered on local devices or in PXE network files.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Petitboot is a kexec-based bootloader implemented by userspace programs in a small Linux image.checked 8 Oct 2026
User interface
Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot options and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Platform limitation
Petitboot can provide basic functionality on platforms supporting kexec, while platform-specific implementations add additional features.checked 8 Oct 2026
Platform support
The documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support.checked 8 Oct 2026

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