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Filter by platform, license text, maturity, maintenance cadence, and editorial tags like privacy-focused or self-hosted. Search matches names, summaries, tags, and use cases.

Tails

Also strong

Live Debian-based OS routed through Tor, designed to leave no trace on the host after shutdown.

linuxprivacytorlive

Operating Systems

Puppy Linux

Honorable mention

Tiny live/fast-boot family of distros (Woof-CE builds) that run in RAM and suit rescue and old PCs.

linuxlightweightliveembedded

Operating Systems

Tiny Core Linux

Honorable mention

Minimal Linux using busybox + FLWM and a unique extensions system—often under ~20 MB core.

linuxminimalembeddedlive