Recommended Linux distros

General use focused

These Linux distributions offer a complete Desktop experience with a large user base. guide to setup/download emulators

Name	Architecture	Latest Version	Active	Recommended
Ubuntu	x86	23.04	✓	✓
Raspberry Pi OS	ARM, x86	Download	✓	✓

Wide range of platforms focused

These Linux distributions provide system development environment experiences on a wide range of platforms, including different hardware architectures.

Name	Architecture	Latest Version	Active	Recommended
T2 SDE	Alpha ARM HPPA (incl. HPPA64) IA64 MIPS PowerPC (incl. PowerPC-64) SPARC (incl. SPARC64) SuperH x86 (incl. x86-64) and theoretically any GCC/Linux supported one.	8.0	✓	✓

Emulation focused

These Linux distributions offer complete emulation packages for PCs, single board computers, consoles and other systems.

Name	Architecture	Frontend	Latest Version	Active	Recommended
Batocera.linux	ARM, x86	EmulationStation fork	38	✓	✓
ChimeraOS	x86	Steam Big Picture	28	✓	✓
Lakka	ARM, x86	RetroArch	5.0	✓	✓
Recalbox	ARM, x86	EmulationStation	9.1-Pulstar	✓	✓
RetroPie	ARM	EmulationStation fork	4.8	✓	✓
SteamOS 3	x86	Steam Big Picture	N/A	✓	✓
BlissOS	x86	Android-x86 fork includes 3 launchers: Taskbar, Quickstep and Smart Dock.	16.9.x	✓*	✓
Berry OS	x86	Based on Android-x86 and Bliss OS Mini Desktop launcher is pre-installed.	16.9.x	✓	✓
Android-x86	x86	Trebuchet (KitKat version)	2022-03-25	~*	~

Also see the Hardware features and Enhancements of sections of Android emulators. for Android-x86 and distros.

AOSP

What does “AOSP Android” really mean?

Name	Architecture	Frontend	Latest Version	Active	Recommended
LineageOS	ARM	Trebuchet	15.1 (Switch) Raspberry Pi 3 builds Raspberry Pi 4 builds Raspberry Pi 5 builds	✓	~