--- title: Slackware Reviews meta\_title: 'Slackware Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta\_description: Filter 33 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Slackware works for a business like yours. aggregate\_rating: rating\_value: 4.4 review\_count: 33 scale: '5' date\_modified: '2026-08-07' parent\_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Slackware Reviews & Product Details Slackware is a longstanding Linux distribution renowned for its simplicity, stability, and adherence to Unix-like principles. Developed by Patrick Volkerding in 1993, it is the oldest actively maintained Linux distribution. Slackware offers a comprehensive operating system suitable for various applications, from desktop workstations to server environments. Key Features and Functionality: - Simplicity and Stability: Slackware emphasizes a straightforward design, minimizing unnecessary modifications to upstream software to ensure a stable and reliable system. - Comprehensive Software Selection: It includes a wide array of software packages, such as the X Window System, development tools, networking utilities, and popular desktop environments like KDE and Xfce. - Flexible Package Management: Slackware utilizes a simple package management system that allows users to install, upgrade, and remove software packages without automatic dependency resolution, granting greater control over the system. - Manual Configuration: The distribution relies on plain text configuration files and shell scripts, enabling users to fine-tune their systems according to specific requirements. Primary Value and User Solutions: Slackware's primary value lies in providing a clean, stable, and flexible Linux environment that closely mirrors traditional Unix systems. It caters to users who prefer manual configuration and a deep understanding of their operating system, making it ideal for advanced users, system administrators, and those seeking a customizable and dependable platform. By avoiding unnecessary modifications and automation, Slackware empowers users with full control over their systems, ensuring a tailored computing experience. * * * Seller [Slackware](https://www.g2.com/sellers/slackware) Discussions [Slackware Community](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/discuss) Solution Type Best-of-Breed Show More ## Value at a Glance Averages based on real user reviews. ### Time to Implement 1 month ### Return on Investment 20 months [ View More Pricing Information ](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/pricing) ## Top-Rated Alternatives [ ![Debian](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Debian") Debian 4.6/5(223) ](https://www.g2.com/products/debian/reviews) [ ![Gentoo](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Gentoo") Gentoo 4.1/5(38) ](https://www.g2.com/products/gentoo/reviews) [ ![CentOS](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "CentOS") CentOS 4.4/5(425) ](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) [ View All Alternatives ](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/competitors/alternatives) ## User Insights Average based on 33 real user reviews. Implementation Time 1 month Perceived Cost $$$$$ [Log in to unlock pricing and user insights](/login) ![Alan S.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Alan S.") AS Alan S. Senior Software Engineer Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 1/25/2021 "Good for learning and for the community, but there are new, more "trendy" alternatives" 3/5 What do you like best about Slackware? Good for learning and for the community. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Slackware? More difficult than others. And there are new, more "trendy" alternatives Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Recommendations to others considering Slackware: A milestone but there are alternatives nowadays Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you? Management of the BE server of a local newspaper website, then replaced with another architecture/OS Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Validated ReviewerIncentivizedSource: G2 invite ![Verified User in Education Management](/assets/icons/anonymous-avatar-purple-4ae1032bdb50ee5682003170c8184aee790d25958bd397abbd384ba52c596a7b.svg "Verified User in Education Management") AE Verified User in Education Management Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 1/20/2021 "Slackware is my first linux distro." 3/5 What do you like best about Slackware? Slackware is modular and light. No heavy hardware needed to run fully functioning linux box. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Slackware? Time consumption to learn from A to Z likely needed to implement Slackware. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you? Hardware limitation is the biggest problem in our country, thus we need a modular and light OS in order to make system run. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Validated ReviewerIncentivizedSource: G2 invite ![Verified User in Gambling & Casinos](/assets/icons/anonymous-avatar-purple-4ae1032bdb50ee5682003170c8184aee790d25958bd397abbd384ba52c596a7b.svg "Verified User in Gambling & Casinos") UG Verified User in Gambling & Casinos Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 7/29/2020 Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores. "Its as good as anything else on the market" 2.5/5 What do you like best about Slackware? It works well across devices and seems to sync well Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Slackware? It has little to offer of its competitors Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Recommendations to others considering Slackware: Check out 365 and Teams. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you? Reduced communications tools and costs. It did not deliver. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Validated ReviewerIncentivizedSource: G2 invite ![Stephen G. L.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Stephen G. L.") SL Stephen G. L. Chief Dogcatcher Information Technology and Services Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 9/14/2018 "Used Slackware circa 1993-1996" 2.5/5 What do you like best about Slackware? Slackware is an ancient distribution for Linux. I haven't used it lately, so have no credibility on how it lives today. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Slackware? Difficulty of keeping the OS plus all installed software current with each others' versions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Recommendations to others considering Slackware: Try a more modern Linux distribution. I use Ubuntu. Haven't looked much into alternatives, lately, since I have a very stable machine. Up 4 days without need of reboot. That is new, for me, and I feel - important. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you? All problems, business and otherwise, that a great OS is capable of solving. I got to know Linux/UNIX and other free UNIX-like-OS based software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Validated ReviewerSource: Seller invite ## Questions about Slackware? Ask real users or explore answers from the community Get practical answers, real workflows, and honest pros and cons from the G2 community or share your insights. [ Ask about Slackware ](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/discussions/new) GU Guest User • Last activity about 4 years ago Is Slackware a good distro? 1 Upvote 1 [ Join the conversation ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-slackware-a-good-distro) ![Syafril R.](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Syafril R.") SR Syafril Rinaldo • Last activity over 5 years ago what is the best way to have OS selection Startup with slackware on the list ? 1 Upvote 1 [ Join the conversation ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-have-os-selection-startup-with-slackware-on-the-list) [ View all Discussions ](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/discuss) ## Pricing Insights Averages based on real user reviews. ### Time to Implement 1 month ### Return on Investment 20 months ### Perceived Cost $$$$$ [ View More Pricing Information ](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/pricing) Slackware Comparisons ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_d8ee572841e069ed16147ca23a2b9144/debian.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Debian 4.6/5(223) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/debian-vs-slackware) ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_5f16753475167e839437a4e56cf422ba/gentoo.png "Product Avatar Image") Gentoo 4.1/5(38) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/gentoo-vs-slackware) ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_c773254455f8ca157da56a0fb65a0396/centos.png "Product Avatar Image") CentOS 4.4/5(425) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/centos-vs-slackware) ## Work at Slackware? 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