> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Vanilla OS: More Than Just Vanilla GNOME With Ubuntu - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/vanilla-os-beta/ - Published: 2022-10-26T04:03:41.000Z - Updated: 2022-11-11T05:07:56.000Z - Description: Vanilla OS is Ubuntu on stock GNOME with on-demand immutability and package selection freedom. Sounds fun? Read more here. - Author: Ankush Das - Tags: First Look, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15 That was precisely my thought when I first came across Vanilla OS. When **Mirko Brombin**, the creator of [Bottles](https://usebottles.com/?ref=itsfoss.com), announced it on Twitter, that had me interested in it 😎 I joined their Discord channel and hopped in to become a tester. While I did not point out anything new that other testers already did, keeping an eye on the project development is fun. Back to the vital question: **What is Vanilla OS?** **Vanilla OS aims to offer a clean vanilla GNOME experience with on-demand immutability.** Sounds interesting? Let me tell you a few details about it while I give its first open beta build a try. πŸ’‘ Vanilla OS plans to have a stable release in December, with a release candidate in November. It will follow Ubuntu point releases. So, you can expect **two releases per year**. For example, you can upgrade from Ubuntu 22.04 to Ubuntu 22.10\. You should not replace it as a daily driver unless you know what you are doing. ## Vanilla OS: Yet Another Ubuntu-based Distro? ![vanilla os home](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/vanillaos.jpg) **Yes and no.** For starters, I see the following unique reasons to give it a try: - To get a **stock GNOME experience** on top of Ubuntu. (*Fedora is an excellent option too, but not for everyone!*) - **Allows you to choose and enable Flatpak/Snap/AppImage** with its first-time setup after installation. - **On-demand immutability**, meaning you can make the system read-only to prevent critical changes from third-party applications and updates. - **A new package manager** (apx) allows you to install packages inside a managed container by default. The first-time setup process is a breeze to experience. ℹ️ At the time of our early testing, it featured the Calamares installer. They intend to replace it with their own [Vanilla Installer](https://vanillaos.org/2022/11/01/vanilla-installer.html?ref=itsfoss.com). [Crystal Linux: An Avant-garde Mix of Arch Linux and GNOMECrystal Linux is an upcoming Arch-based distro with a focus to make the setup easy while using latest technologies. Sounds interesting?![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/08/crystal-linux-ft.png)](https://itsfoss.com/crystal-linux-dev/) ![vanilla os installer](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/vanillaos-installer.jpg) The more distributions do things like this; I believe more users would be happy to get on board with Linux. ![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/choosing-package-vanillaos.png) Vanilla OS Package Manager Selection Of course, distributions like Ubuntu MATE and Pop!\_OS have already put in great efforts, and Vanilla OS also adds some improvement to the table. ![Vanilla os color selection](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/vanilla-os-first-setup.png) It looks like a pretty experience! 😊 Once you finish the first-time setup, you have nothing else to worry about. You get the usual GNOME desktop with nice wallpapers out of the box by **Patrik Kramolis.** ![vanilla os home](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/vanillaos-wallpaper.jpg) Image Credits: Mirko Brombin Next, I tried checking the on-demand immutability, which you can see and tweak using the following commands: ![vanilla OS terminal](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/Screenshot-from-2022-10-25-12-54-29.png) You can explore more about the utility (almost) that makes this possible on [GitHub](https://github.com/Vanilla-OS/almost?ref=itsfoss.com). Next, coming to the new package manager, I like the concept of distrobox under the hood, making this possible with apx. The Distrobox creator **Luca di Maio** is also involved in developing Vanilla OS. [Distrobox: Try Multiple Linux Distributions via the TerminalDistrobox is an interesting terminal tool that lets you run multiple Linux distributions without any hassle. Learn more about it here.![](https://itsfoss.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-Logo-redsigned-without-name-270x270.png)It's FOSSPratham Patel![](https://itsfoss.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/distrobox.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/distrobox/) However, when installing a package with apx, you need to initialize the container using the command: `apx init` If it had done it automatically, I would call it intuitive. ![vanilla os apx](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2022/10/apx-install.jpg) Of course, I'm not aware of the technical limitations. But, for the user end, that would feel seamless! Overall, a package manager that installs applications utilizing a container, getting the ability to choose your package managers, on-demand immutability, and vanilla GNOME make it seem like a good deal to keep an eye on. [Notion – One workspace. Every team.We’re more than a doc. Or a table. Customize Notion to work the way you do.![](https://notion.grsm.io/front-static/logo-ios.png)Notion![](https://www.notion.so/front-static/meta/default.png)](https://notion.grsm.io/itsfoss?ref=itsfoss.com) (Affiliate Link) ## The Road Ahead: First Impressions I can see it as my daily driver once it hits the stable release. **The reason is**: I always like the stock GNOME experience, and I do not have to deal with Fedora's regular upgrades. Of course, once I get to use the stable release, I can give you a verdict on the entire user experience. Until then, I'd say it is a project that I believe a lot of users will appreciate πŸ‘ You can download the ISO by joining its Discord channel for now. The ISO is not yet publicly available to all. Take a look at its [documentation](https://documentation.vanillaos.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) if you are curious. [Vanilla OS](https://vanillaos.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) However, as per the [roadmap](https://vanillaos.org/roadmap?ref=itsfoss.com), they plan to have a release candidate soon enough.