openSUSE Leap
Key info
- Distro type
- Fixed releases
- Built on
- openSUSE
- Package manager
- Zypper
- Focus
- Fewer changes
- Difficulty
Leap is openSUSE’s fixed-release distro. Routine updates maintain your installed release, while larger system changes arrive when you upgrade to a new version.
Its software changes less between releases than Tumbleweed’s. That suits a system you want to keep consistent, though package versions may lag behind those in the rolling release.
Unique features
- Agama installer: Guided setup in Leap 16.
- Cockpit: Manage Leap 16 through a web browser.
- Steady releases: Fewer changes between versions.
Leap vs Tumbleweed
Whether you choose Leap or Tumbleweed comes down to how much change you want between updates. Leap keeps things more consistent until your next major upgrade. Tumbleweed brings newer software sooner, with more frequent changes to keep up with.
Leap
Fewer changes. Leap is a fixed release. You get updates for the version you have, then bigger changes when you upgrade to the next one.
Tumbleweed
Newer software. Tumbleweed is a rolling release. Updates come in tested batches, so there are no separate major versions to upgrade to. You do need to keep up with updates.