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List of Linux distributions that run from RAM

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of Linux distributions that run from RAM

This is a list of Linux distributions that can be run entirely from a computer's RAM, meaning that once the OS has been loaded to the RAM, the media it was loaded from can be completely removed, and the distribution will run the PC through the RAM only. This ability allows them to be very fast, since reading and writing data from/to RAM is much faster than on a hard disk drive or solid-state drive. Many of these operating systems will load from a removable media such as a Live CD or a Live USB stick. A "frugal" install can also often be completed, allowing loading from a hard disk drive instead. This feature is implemented in live-initramfs and allows the user to run a live distro that does not run from ram by default by adding toram to the kernel boot parameters. Additionally some distributions can be configured to run from RAM, such as Ubuntu using the toram option included in the Casper scripts.

Tables

Linux distributions that run from RAM · Table
Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux
Distribution
Alpine Linux
Based on
Independent
RAM required
base system uses less than 64 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2025-05-30Version: 3.22.0
antiX Linux
antiX Linux
Distribution
antiX Linux
Based on
Debian
RAM required
256 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2024-10-06Version: 23.2
Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Distribution
Arch Linux
Based on
Independent
RAM required
400 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2024-12-01Version: 2024.12.01Kernel: 6.12.1
AUSTRUMI
AUSTRUMI
Distribution
AUSTRUMI
Based on
Slackware
RAM required
less than 100 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive
Latest release
2024-04-05Version: 4.9.3
CoreOS
CoreOS
Distribution
CoreOS
Based on
Independent
RAM required
2048 MB
installation drive/required size
USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2020-05-22Version: 2512.3.0
Debian Live
Debian Live
Distribution
Debian Live
Based on
Independent
RAM required
780 MB (required), 2048 MB (recommended)
installation drive/required size
DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Secure Digital
Latest release
2025-05-17Version: 12.11Kernel: 6.1
Grml
Grml
Distribution
Grml
Based on
Debian
RAM required
256 MB (required), 512 MB (or more, recommended)
installation drive/required size
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2025-05-15Version: 2025.05Kernel: 6.14.4
Kanotix
Kanotix
Distribution
Kanotix
Based on
Debian & Knoppix
RAM required
1024 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2024-04-01Version: Slowfire 2024Kernel: 6.6.13
Knoppix
Knoppix
Distribution
Knoppix
Based on
Debian
RAM required
1024 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2022-05-05Version: 9.3
Lightweight Portable Security (LPS), currently known as Trusted End Node Security (TENS)
Lightweight Portable Security (LPS), currently known as Trusted End Node Security (TENS)
Distribution
Lightweight Portable Security (LPS), currently known as Trusted End Node Security (TENS)
Based on
Thinstation
RAM required
1024 MB (basic), 1.5 GB (deluxe)
installation drive/required size
CD – USB flash drive
Latest release
2021-04-30Version: 3.0.4.1
Nanolinux
Nanolinux
Distribution
Nanolinux
Based on
Tiny Core Linux
RAM required
64 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2015-04-05Version: 1.3
Parted Magic
Parted Magic
Distribution
Parted Magic
Based on
Independent
RAM required
175 MB – 312 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2025-01-22Version: 2025_01_22
PCLinuxOS
PCLinuxOS
Distribution
PCLinuxOS
Based on
Mandriva
RAM required
1024 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2024-10-17Version: 2024.10Kernel: 6.10.10
Porteus
Porteus
Distribution
Porteus
Based on
Slackware
RAM required
512 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive
Latest release
2023-09-26Version: 5.01Kernel: 6.5
Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux
Distribution
Puppy Linux
Based on
Independent
RAM required
64 MB (required), 512 MB (recommended)
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2025-02-13Version: BookwormPup64 10.0.10
Slax
Slax
Distribution
Slax
Based on
Debian and Slackware 15.0.0
RAM required
512 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
Latest release
2023-10-10Version: 12.2.0
SliTaz
SliTaz
Distribution
SliTaz
Based on
Independent
RAM required
192 MB (48 MB for base)
installation drive/required size
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Floppy disk
Latest release
2023-10-01Version: 5.0Kernel: 3.2.53
Tails
Tails
Distribution
Tails
Based on
Debian
RAM required
2048 MB (recommended)
installation drive/required size
DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Secure Digital
Latest release
2025-06-26Version: 6.17
Tin Hat Linux
Tin Hat Linux
Distribution
Tin Hat Linux
Based on
Hardened Gentoo
RAM required
4096 MB
Latest release
2002-02-01Version: 1.0
Tiny SliTaz
Tiny SliTaz
Distribution
Tiny SliTaz
Based on
SliTaz
RAM required
4 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – USB flash drive – HDD – Floppy disk
Latest release
2025-04-06
Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Linux
Distribution
Tiny Core Linux
Based on
Independent
RAM required
46 MB
installation drive/required size
CD – HDD – USB flash drive
Latest release
2025-03-31Version: 16.0Kernel: 6.12.11
Distribution
Based on
RAM required
installation drive/required size
Latest release
Alpine Linux
Independent
base system uses less than 64 MB
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
2025-05-30Version: 3.22.0
antiX Linux
Debian
256 MB
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
2024-10-06Version: 23.2
Arch Linux
Independent
400 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2024-12-01Version: 2024.12.01Kernel: 6.12.1
AUSTRUMI
Slackware
less than 100 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive
2024-04-05Version: 4.9.3
CoreOS
Independent
2048 MB
USB flash drive – HDD
2020-05-22Version: 2512.3.0
Debian Live
Independent
780 MB (required), 2048 MB (recommended)
DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Secure Digital
2025-05-17Version: 12.11Kernel: 6.1
Grml
Debian
256 MB (required), 512 MB (or more, recommended)
CD – USB flash drive – HDD
2025-05-15Version: 2025.05Kernel: 6.14.4
Kanotix
Debian & Knoppix
1024 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2024-04-01Version: Slowfire 2024Kernel: 6.6.13
Knoppix
Debian
1024 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2022-05-05Version: 9.3
Lightweight Portable Security (LPS), currently known as Trusted End Node Security (TENS)
Thinstation
1024 MB (basic), 1.5 GB (deluxe)
CD – USB flash drive
2021-04-30Version: 3.0.4.1
Nanolinux
Tiny Core Linux
64 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2015-04-05Version: 1.3
Parted Magic
Independent
175 MB – 312 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2025-01-22Version: 2025_01_22
PCLinuxOS
Mandriva
1024 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2024-10-17Version: 2024.10Kernel: 6.10.10
Porteus
Slackware
512 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive
2023-09-26Version: 5.01Kernel: 6.5
Puppy Linux
Independent
64 MB (required), 512 MB (recommended)
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2025-02-13Version: BookwormPup64 10.0.10
Slax
Debian and Slackware 15.0.0
512 MB
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD
2023-10-10Version: 12.2.0
SliTaz
Independent
192 MB (48 MB for base)
CD – DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Floppy disk
2023-10-01Version: 5.0Kernel: 3.2.53
Tails
Debian
2048 MB (recommended)
DVD – USB flash drive – HDD – Secure Digital
2025-06-26Version: 6.17
Tin Hat Linux
Hardened Gentoo
4096 MB
2002-02-01Version: 1.0
Tiny SliTaz
SliTaz
4 MB
CD – USB flash drive – HDD – Floppy disk
2025-04-06
Tiny Core Linux
Independent
46 MB
CD – HDD – USB flash drive
2025-03-31Version: 16.0Kernel: 6.12.11

References

  1. "Re: Debian live entirely in RAM?"
    https://lists.debian.org/debian-live/2008/10/msg00112.html
  2. "Booting Ubuntu To RAM"
    https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BootToRAM
  3. linuxbsdos.com
    http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2010/08/23/alpine-linux-2-review/
  4. alpinelinux.org
    http://wiki.alpinelinux.org/wiki/Alpine_Linux:Overview
  5. antixlinux.com
    https://antixlinux.com/the-most-extensive-live-usb-on-the-planet/
  6. latgola.lv
    http://cyti.latgola.lv/ruuni/#ABOUT
  7. coreos.com
    https://coreos.com/blog/boot-on-bare-metal-with-pxe.html
  8. "Live install images"
    https://www.debian.org/CD/live/
  9. www.debian.org
    https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/amd64/ch02s05.en.html
  10. www.debian.org
    https://www.debian.org/releases/bookworm/amd64/ch03s04.en.html
  11. grml.org
    http://grml.org/
  12. kanotix.com
    http://kanotix.com/FAQ-myfaq-yes-id_cat-63.html#q245
  13. pendrivelinux.com
    https://pendrivelinux.com/knoppix-cheatcodes/
  14. Distrowatch.com
    https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=tens
  15. softpedia.com
    http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/Nanolinux-102963.shtml
  16. sourceforge.net
    https://sourceforge.net/projects/nanolinux/
  17. Parted Magic – About
    https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120705104410/http://partedmagic.com/doku.php
  18. pclosmag.com
    http://pclosmag.com/html/Issues/200908/page12.html
  19. porteus.org
    http://www.porteus.org/tutorials/26-general-info-tutorials/117-cheatcodes-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them.html
  20. distrowatch.com
    http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=puppy
  21. Puppy Linux Wiki
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190218163409/http://puppylinux.org/wikka/MinimumSystemRequirements
  22. "Documentation – Slax Linux"
    https://www.slax.org/starting.php
  23. slitaz.org
    http://www.slitaz.org/en/
  24. slitaz.org
    http://doc.slitaz.org/en:guides:uncommoninst
  25. slitaz.org
    http://floppy.slitaz.org/
  26. boum.org
    https://tails.boum.org/
  27. dyc.edu
    https://web.archive.org/web/20161017102320/http://opensource.dyc.edu/tinhat
  28. slitaz.org
    http://pizza.slitaz.org/tiny/
  29. Tiny Core Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    http://tinycorelinux.net/faq.html#req
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