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On the recordRead 11 Oct 202615 facts
Alpine Linux
Plans and prices
Alpine Linux
Free
Independent, non-commercial Linux distribution · downloadable images and packages
Read 11 Oct 2026 · alpinelinux.org
On the record
- Architectures
- The downloads page lists architectures including aarch64, armv7, loongarch64, ppc64le, riscv64, s390x, x86 and x86_64, depending on image type.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Container use
- The Mini root filesystem is intended for containers and minimal chroots.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Core components
- Alpine is built around musl libc and BusyBox, and uses the apk package manager and OpenRC init system.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Documentation audience
- The User Handbook focuses on traditional disk installations, primarily for desktop and server systems, and says other use cases assume sufficient Linux familiarity.docs.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- Downloads include Standard, Extended, Netboot, Raspberry Pi, Mini root filesystem, Virtual, Generic U-Boot and Xen images.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Extended image
- The Extended image includes commonly used packages, is described as suitable for routers and servers, runs from RAM, and includes AMD and Intel microcode updates.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Image verification
- The download page provides SHA-256 and GPG links alongside the listed images.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Package selection
- Its binary packages are split so users can control what they install, and the repository offers a large package selection.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Alpine Linux is an independent, non-commercial, general purpose Linux distribution designed for power users who value security, simplicity and resource efficiency.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security design
- Alpine says all userland binaries are compiled as Position Independent Executables with stack smashing protection.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security tracker
- The Alpine Security Issue Tracker monitors distribution security issues using the CVE dictionary, NVD database and Alpine's security fixes database.security.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Small footprint
- The site says a container requires no more than 8 MB and a minimal disk installation requires around 130 MB of storage.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Standard image requirement
- The Standard image is described as a minimal starting point that requires a network connection.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The community page lists #alpine-linux for general discussion and quick support questions, and mailing lists for support and development.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Virtualization
- The Virtual image has a slimmed down kernel and is optimized for virtual systems.alpinelinux.org · read 11 Oct 2026