Hello, I’m looking for a new distro that aligns with my privacy preferences and offers a wide range of packages without requiring me to search for PPAs, similar to Manjaro. I’ve grown uneasy about Manjaro’s decision to collect unique data like MAC addresses and disk serial numbers by default, even if it’s for diagnostic purposes.

In light of this, I’d like to ask for your recommendations on a Linux distro that meets the following criteria:

  1. No opt-out telemetry: I’m looking for a distro that doesn’t collect any unique data by default.
  2. Access to a wide range of packages: I prefer a distro that offers a vast repository of packages, so I don’t have to search for PPAs or third-party repositories.
  3. User-friendly: I’m not a fan of complicated configurations or steep learning curves, so a distro with a user-friendly approach would be ideal.

I’m curious to hear any recommendations you might have. Thanks!

  • Presi300English
    19•6 hours ago

    EndeavorOS. It’s like manjaro but not bad.

    • @[email protected]
      1•42 minutes ago

      Came here to say the same. Such a great distro, and it’ll be an easy switch from manjaro.

      I’ve been running it with btrfs and it has been rock solid stability wise. If you go btrfs I recommend grub btrfs for easy boot time snapshots and btrfs-assistant in the aur if you want a GUI to manage btrfs maintenance.

  • @ikiddEnglish
    3•4 hours ago

    Fedora/Nobara.

  • chi-chan~
    11•6 hours ago

    If you’re already used to Arch-based systems, and enjoy the convenience of the AUR, what about EndeavourOS?

    It’s basically Arch with GUI install scripts, and a different wallpaper.

    • chi-chan~
      3•6 hours ago

      I saw one commenter suggested Arch itself. IMO it’s even a better idea than EOS.

      archinstall doesn’t have GUI, but it has very nice TUI (like what you have when you use htop), and you could finish selecting the options in very few minutes.

      • @[email protected]English
        0•6 hours ago

        Maybe I’m a dumbass and it’s my fault, but I find that archinstall always has an issue when you run it. It’s easier to install arch manually than run the and troubleshoot.

  • BlxterEnglish
    35•12 hours ago

    I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don’t think it has data collection

    • Fonzie!
      23•11 hours ago

      It doesn’t, and offers an even friendlier experience than Manjaro IMO

      • @[email protected]
        5•9 hours ago

        Endeavour has been an amazing distro for me, noob Linuxer. I started on Ubuntu Cinnamon, then tried Mint, and ended here on Endeavour and I love it.

  • @[email protected]
    29•12 hours ago

    Use Arch Linux. There’s a script called “archinstall” you can use after connecting to the internet, and it’s basically a guided installer

  • @ace_garp
    1•7 hours ago

    Trisquel is a fully ‘Free as in freedom’ distro.

    Zero telemetry now or in the future.

    Ubuntu based, so large FLOSS package repository.

    Mate UI, simple user friendly layout.

    * You will need hardware that works with fully free hardware drivers (for printer, WiFi, GPU etc). Drivers with binary-blobs are not included, due to potential security risks or spyware.

    Test your hardware with a bootable USB.

    • @[email protected]
      4•9 hours ago

      Second this. Tumbleweed is a great distro. Nearly everything you’ll need can be found in default repos. Then there are several endorsed (semi) official add-on repos, and if that fails there’s always OBS (opi is your friend for searching those).

  • @[email protected]
    3•11 hours ago

    I really like Pop!_OS, AFAIK it doesn’t have any telemetry. It’s basically a Ubuntu fork but without the stupid Ubuntu stuff, and they’re currently even working on their own Desktop Environment.