I tried Zenclora, a hyper-fast Linux distro with no bloat – and one truly standout feature
I tried Zenclora, a hyper-fast Linux distro with no bloat – and one truly standout feature
https://www.zdnet.com/article/zenclora-fast-linux-distro-zero-bloat-special-feature/
Publish Date: 2026-03-16 08:04:00
Source Domain: www.zdnet.com
Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Zenclora is a high-performing, beautiful OS.
- Based on Debian, this distro uses a tweaked GNOME DE.
- You can download and install Zenclora for free.
Typically, when I think of Linux distributions that are built for those without experience, I think of Linux Mint, Zorin OS, elementaryOS, Ubuntu, and Pop!_OS. It’s rare that I would consider an unknown distribution, especially one that doesn’t include a GUI frontend for the package manager.
Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro
But there’s always room for change, and Zenclora makes a good case for itself.
What is Zenclora?
Zenclora is a Debian-based Linux distribution that uses a customized version of the GNOME desktop, a unique package manager called Zen, and also includes the usual Debian packages (such as the APT package manager).
Zenclora enjoys the stability of both Debian and GNOME to create a desktop operating system you can depend on.
But what sets Zenclora apart from the never-ending list of Linux distributions?
- It includes a kernel optimized for performance.
- There’s zero bloatware.
- Its GNOME desktop looks like a combination of KDE Plasma and elementaryOS.
- Simple, user-friendly commands for installation.
- It’s 100% open-source.
- Built for gamers and average users.
Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s how
Out of everything, it’s probably the Zen Package Manager that makes Zenclora special. Yes, this is a command-line package manager, but that shouldn’t put you off. With the Zen Package Manager, you can find available packages to install with the command:
zen list
The developer is always adding more apps that can be installed with Zen, so at the moment, the list is somewhat limited.
If you’re a gamer, you can get Zenclora ready by installing the gaming-pack like so:
sudo zen install gaming-pack
The above command installs Lutris,…
