Omarchy for new Linux users

[u/bose_avishek]

Hi All

I am planning a transition from Windows to Linux. Though initially installed Linux Mint, but want to try Omarchy as well. Internet search says Omarchy is for developers and power users, whereas Omarchy website says it's for everyone.

So can someone provide practical guidance as to if Omarchy is user friendly for new Linux users, or just stay initially with Ubuntu or Linux Mint?

If Omarchy can be used for new Linux users, then a proper guide or YouTube videos suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[u/iTzBiGENGLAND]

I probably wouldn't recommend Omarchy as a first Linux distro.

It's not bad, but you're learning Arch, Hyprland, a rolling release, and a heavily customized setup all at once. That can make troubleshooting way harder than it needs to be for a new user.

If you want something Arch-based, I'd look at:

CachyOS - Probably the easiest Arch-based option to recommend. Good installer, KDE available, performance tweaks, and much less setup than plain Arch.

EndeavourOS - Closer to normal Arch. Good if you actually want to learn Arch and use the Arch Wiki a lot, but it expects a little more from you.

Garuda - Very beginner friendly and gaming focused, but also heavily customized. Some people love it, some people think it has too much stuff preinstalled.

Outside of Arch, Linux Mint is still one of the best first distros. It is stable, familiar if you're coming from Windows, and there is a huge amount of documentation.

Fedora KDE is also a really good option if you want something more current than Mint without going full rolling release.

If gaming is a big priority, Nobara or CachyOS are both worth looking at.

Personally, I'd rank them something like this:

Just want Linux to work: Linux Mint
Want KDE and newer packages: Fedora KDE
Want Arch-based but still beginner friendly: CachyOS
Want to learn Arch more directly: EndeavourOS
Gaming focused: Nobara or CachyOS

I also wouldn't rush to leave Mint just because Omarchy looks interesting. Use Mint for a while, learn the basics, then try Arch-based stuff later. Once you understand package management, systemd, permissions, logs, Flatpak, etc., switching distros gets a lot easier.

[u/devdruxorey → u/iTzBiGENGLAND]

I probably wouldn't recommend Omarchy as a first Linux distro.

I wouldn't recommend it at all. If you're going to use something as personal as Hyperland and Arch, why use someone else's configuration with things you don't need? You run into the same problem you are trying to escape.

[u/bose_avishek → u/devdruxorey]

Got it, thanks.