NixOS-based distributions
Linux distributions and their relation to NixOS
This table lists a non-exhaustive selection of Linux distributions based on NixOS, forked from NixOS, or derived from Nix or NixOS in any other way. Github repositories are linked for distributions that do not have homepages elsewhere.
| Distribution | Relation to NixOS | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athena OS | Based on | Pre-release | For pentesting. Currently available under both Arch and Nix/NixOS |
| Bureautix | Based on | Beta | Bureautix is a working implementation of Sécurix for use in office workstations, IT operations, and bureaucratic institutions who want a secure operating system. |
| CTRL-OS | Based on | Open Beta | CTRL-OS is a commercially supported downstream distribution of NixOS focused on embedded devices. Offers a 5 year long-term support release that meets the conditions of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). |
| Darnix | Based on | Work in Progress (WIP) | A working Darwin environment built using nix. Includes a working Darwin kernel and XNU. Not yet ready for daily use. |
| Finix | Based on | Work in progress (WIP) | NixOS with finit as PID 1 as. Currently working in an experimental capacity with most systems. |
| GLF OS | Based on | Released | Community distro for beginners and gaming oriented |
| Guix System | Forked | Released | NixOS but Guile Scheme instead of Nix and GNU underpinnings. Forked via "Developer & code sharing, project merging". |
| Liminix | Based on | Work in progress (WIP) | Nix-based OpenWRT-style embedded Linux system for configuring consumer wifi routers. |
| NixBook | Based on | Released | Self-updating, simple, minimal, set-and-forget, Chromebook-like NixOS operating system for total beginners. Offers "standard" and "minimal" flavors. Aims to be a replacement to Windows and MacOS for average users. |
| NixBSD | Forked | Released | Unofficial NixOS fork with a FreeBSD kernel. |
| NixNG | Based on | Work in progress (WIP) | Lightweight NixOS for containers with multiple non-systemd init systems and a "minimal by default" package set.
|
| NASty | Based on | WIP but released ;) | NAS operating system built on NixOS and bcachefs. |
| RedNixOS | Based on | Alpha | For cybersecurity enthusiasts. |
| Sécurix | Based on | Beta | Sécurix is a NixOS-based secure operating system tailored for small to medium-sized teams. It provides a minimal, hardened environment with strong isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configurations to ensure operational security and compliance. |
| SnowflakeOS | Based on | Alpha | For beginners. Not yet ready for daily use. |
| Spectrum | Includes nixpkgs
|
Work in progress (WIP) |