Raspberry Pi Imager vs Solus
| Raspberry Pi Imager | Solus | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | — | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Device types | Raspberry Pi computers; PC and Mac (Raspberry Pi Desktop) | Personal computers (desktop and laptop hardware) |
| CPU architectures | 32-bit and 64-bit | x86-64 (64-bit) |
| Support lifecycle | Regular free updates, including security patches; no fixed support duration stated | Rolling release; homepage describes weekly tested updates. No fixed support duration specified. |
| Built-in management | APT software and firmware updates; graphical Add / Remove Software; raspi-config / Control Centre | Software Center; eopkg command-line package manager supports package operations and rollback |
| App compatibility | APT package manager; desktop Add / Remove Software; 64-bit edition can run 32-bit software | Solus package repository; Flatpak preferred for third-party applications; Snap and AppImage also work |
| Deployment models | Installable disk image on Raspberry Pi boot media; PC and Mac image via Raspberry Pi Desktop | Installable ISO images for physical computers; can be installed alongside another operating system |
Both are listed in Best Operating Systems. On The Geeks Club, Raspberry Pi Imager scores higher on our published basis.