--- 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 **Vendor:** Slackware **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 33 ## About Slackware 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. ## Slackware Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **stability** of Slackware, enjoying its compatibility and minimal bugs for a hassle-free experience. (2 reviews) - Users value the **knowledgeable and helpful community support** of Slackware, enhancing their overall experience and stability. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **stability and compatibility** of Slackware with various software packages, ensuring a reliable experience. (1 reviews) - Users value the **straightforwardness and stability** of Slackware, finding it efficient and reliable for their needs. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users face **installation issues** due to manual dependencies and outdated documentation, complicating the process for beginners. (2 reviews) - Users find the **command line requirements** of Slackware challenging, needing extensive manual configuration and building from source. (1 reviews) - Users note a **lack of support** due to insufficient documentation and an outdated package manager, challenging for beginners. (1 reviews) - Users find the **outdated package manager** and insufficient documentation to hinder their overall experience with Slackware. (1 reviews) - Users face **challenging skill requirements** as manual dependency installation can complicate package management for novices. (1 reviews) - Usage Difficulty (1 reviews) ## Slackware Reviews ### 1. Exceptionally Stable and Reliable Distro **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Rabindra K. | Network Security Administrator, Computer & Network Security, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 08, 2025 **What do you like best about Slackware?** As a user of slackware distro I find it very stable and compatible with most of the software packages i have been using, unlike other OS there are few bugs and stable releases that are the best thing i like about Slackware. **What do you dislike about Slackware?** Sometime you get stuck with some of the software issue as their dependency should be install manually and if you are not familiar with it then you might get stuck with package installation part. **What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you?** With my experience I can say that it hash helped me to uplift my knowledge in Linux based OS as it has some of the simple and reliable environment which helped me to do manual configuration and scripts that helped me to sharpen my Linux foundation skills as well. ### 2. A Blast from the Past, Still Rocking Today **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Idongesit S. | English Teacher, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 18, 2025 **What do you like best about Slackware?** Honestly, I think Slackware's biggest strength is its straightforwardness - it's a no-nonsense Linux distro that gets the job done without any fuss. I also appreciate how stable it is, and the community is really knowledgeable and helpful. **What do you dislike about Slackware?** To be honest, I find the documentation a bit lacking, and the package manager can be a bit outdated compared to some other distros. Also, the installation process can be pretty manual, which might not be ideal for beginners. **What problems is Slackware solving and how is that benefiting you?** Slackware's solving the problem of overly complex Linux distros, you know? It's giving me a lightweight, stable, and customizable system that I can really control. It's benefiting me by letting me focus on what I need to do, without all the bloat and unnecessary features getting in the way. Plus, it's teaching me a lot about Linux fundamentals! ## Slackware Discussions - [Is Slackware a good distro?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-slackware-a-good-distro) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [what is the best way to have OS selection Startup with slackware on the list ?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-have-os-selection-startup-with-slackware-on-the-list) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Why Slackware?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-slackware) - 2 comments, 1 upvote - [Is Slackware still relevant 2020?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-slackware-still-relevant-2020) - 1 comment - [View Slackware pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/slackware/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2294977&qs=pros-and-cons§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-14+17%3A37%3A23+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=bb8d1c31-caac-4f3a-904e-c6c3af0faacb&secure%5Btoken%5D=6d3503e2cd511267772ddd2d06bec0127b72503884dd1c836918d353fb2d787f&format=llm_user) ## Slackware Features **Memory Management - Operating System** - RAM management - App Management - File Management **Device Management - Operating System** - I/O management **Backup and Recovery - Operating System** - Data backup **Error Detection - Operating System** - System operations monitoring **Additional Functionality** - Generative AI - Data Security - User Interface - Resource Allocation - System Updates - For Developers - AI Copilot - Desktop Interface ## Top Slackware Alternatives - [Debian](https://www.g2.com/products/debian/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (221 reviews) - [Gentoo](https://www.g2.com/products/gentoo/reviews) - 4.1/5.0 (37 reviews) - [CentOS](https://www.g2.com/products/centos/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (409 reviews)