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systemd-boot

systemd-boot is a UEFI boot manager that starts configured EFI images and offers a menu for selecting boot entries.

Place
#24 of 29
Score
5.5
systemd-boot's website

What systemd-boot is

systemd-boot is a UEFI boot manager that starts configured EFI images and offers a menu for selecting boot entries. Entries can identify an image, Linux kernel, initrd, title, version, machine ID and kernel options. You can configure a default-entry pattern and menu timeout; without a timeout or a key press, it starts the default entry immediately. Hotkeys can select Linux, Windows, macOS, the EFI Shell or entries numbered 1 through 9. Configuration files, kernels, initrds and other EFI images must reside on the EFI System Partition (ESP). Linux kernels need CONFIG_EFI_STUB to run directly as EFI images. EFI variables can store the default or preferred entry, timeout and one-shot selection, and boot assessment can favor entries that have not used up their attempt counters. The systemd project says bootctl can install it to the ESP. It is free and open source, with GPL-2.0 and LGPL-2.1 licenses listed in its public repository. It supports multiboot and entry editing, but not BIOS firmware.

Good

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports multiboot and boot-entry editing.
  • Hotkeys can select common operating systems and EFI Shell.
  • bootctl can install it to the ESP.

Watch out

  • UEFI support only; BIOS is not supported.
  • Boot files and configuration must reside on the ESP.
  • Linux kernels need CONFIG_EFI_STUB for direct execution.

Who it suits

It suits people setting up multiboot on UEFI systems who want configurable boot entries and menu controls. Linux users need kernels built with CONFIG_EFI_STUB for direct EFI execution.

Verdict

systemd-boot offers configurable entry selection for UEFI systems, with multiboot support and control over defaults and timeouts. Its ESP and Linux-kernel requirements are important setup constraints.

The facts

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

What it does

Boot assessment
The systemd boot assessment mechanism can track boot attempts and prioritize entries that have not exhausted their configured attempt counters.checked 8 Oct 2026
Boot configuration
The loader configuration supports a default-entry pattern and a menu timeout, while entry files can specify a title, version, EFI image, kernel, initrd, and options.checked 8 Oct 2026
Boot control
EFI variables can store the default entry, preferred entry, timeout, and one-shot entry selection.checked 8 Oct 2026
Boot hotkeys
Menu hotkeys can directly select Linux, Windows, macOS, the EFI Shell, or entries numbered 1 through 9.checked 8 Oct 2026
Boot menu
It selects a default entry by configured pattern or on-screen menu, and boots the default immediately when no timeout is configured and no key is pressed.checked 8 Oct 2026
Default behavior
With no configured timeout and no key pressed during startup, systemd-boot executes the default entry immediately.checked 8 Oct 2026
Download
The systemd project’s wiki lists GitHub releases and distribution package repositories as download sources for systemd.checked 8 Oct 2026
EFI System Partition
Configuration files, kernels, initrds, and other EFI images must reside on the EFI System Partition.checked 8 Oct 2026
EFI variables
systemd-boot uses EFI variables for settings and state including the default entry, one-shot entry, menu timeout, and ESP partition UUID.checked 8 Oct 2026
Entry configuration
Boot entries can specify a title, version, machine ID, EFI image, kernel options, Linux kernel, and initrd.checked 8 Oct 2026
ESP requirement
systemd-boot operates on the EFI System Partition (ESP), where its configuration files, kernels, initrds, and other EFI images must reside.checked 8 Oct 2026
Kernel requirement
Linux kernels need CONFIG_EFI_STUB to be directly executed as EFI images by systemd-boot.checked 8 Oct 2026
Management utility
The systemd project says bootctl can install systemd-boot to the EFI System Partition.checked 8 Oct 2026
Other boot choices
The menu lists configured entries and documents hotkeys for Linux, Windows, macOS, and the EFI Shell.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
systemd-boot is a UEFI boot manager that executes configured EFI images.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security
The systemd repository says it has a security bug bounty program sponsored by the Sovereign Tech Fund and hosted on YesWeHack.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security program
The systemd project repository says it has a security bug bounty program sponsored by the Sovereign Tech Fund and hosted on YesWeHack.checked 8 Oct 2026
Source and license
The systemd source repository lists GPL-2.0 and LGPL-2.1 licenses.checked 8 Oct 2026
Source availability
The systemd repository is public and lists GPL-2.0 and LGPL-2.1 licenses.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The systemd project lists its mailing list, IRC channel, and Matrix channel as support contacts.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux kernel requirement
Linux kernels must be built with CONFIG_EFI_STUB to run directly as EFI images.checked 8 Oct 2026

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