# Systemd - runit - openrc - What's the difference? Should I care? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** systemd\ **Created:** [August 6, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114 "2026-08-06T02:36:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/ifearghal/32/50_2.png) [@ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/ifearghal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/1 "2026-08-06T02:36:58Z")
From Chat: There was a question about thoughts around systemd or other systems. I’m not aware of any tangible difference between them, and didn’t know if anyone here has any experience to explain the differences and how they would help day to day. I know there was some controversy with systemd and age verification that the pitchforks came out for (for the record, i’m not saying voicing concern is a bad thing because we should be concerned), but I’m unsure if using a different system would show up in net benefits of performance day in and day out. Would love to know your thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/nexussfan/32/68_2.png) [@NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/NexusSfan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:12am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/2 "2026-08-06T03:12:01Z")
OpenRC works well and isn’t Nonfreedesktop-ware. ---
**Author:** ![xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/xgui4/32/109_2.png) [@xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/xgui4)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 4:55am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/3 "2026-08-06T04:55:29Z")
true, I also like how it is not from Red Hat or fd.o. And how easy it is . Systemd is evil and i hate how its logs are binary and not texts files. ---
**Author:** ![Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/rootlexx/32/26_2.png) [@Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/Rootlexx)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/4 "2026-08-06T09:14:03Z")
If you don’t know why you should care, then you most probably shouldn’t. Linux people fight over everything. There are musl people who hate GNU standard C library. GNOME vs KDE has been going for decades. Even before systemd there was sysvinit vs BSD init debate. So should you join the cult? — probably not, unless you’re into tilting at windmills. ---
**Author:** ![ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/ifearghal/32/50_2.png) [@ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/ifearghal)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/5 "2026-08-06T12:18:46Z")
Thank you all for responding - I feel like this is starting to answer the questions. I have made multiple decisions for philosophical reasons, and I do consider it a completely valid reason to use software. I most recently moved to debian because of those reasons. @xgui4 could you tell me what you like about the logs and how it helps you? @Rootlexx I’ve dipped in and out of reasons why I use different software so i get what you’re saying lol. I’m really just trying to chase down the tangibles of using other init systems, and if anyone had anecdotes on why they moved to it. Was it worth the trouble? etc. Thanks! @NexusSfan what distro are you using? did you replace systemd or did it come standard on the distro? ---
**Author:** ![xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/xgui4/32/109_2.png) [@xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/xgui4)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/6 "2026-08-06T15:01:11Z")
@ifearghal I hate that systemd need its proprietary-like tool for viewing log (jourrnalctl) which is not very practical if your system is broken as log text file are easier to use. It is easier to read text file than having to learn systemd command which could change and that are less flexible. My current distro is Artix BTW. and also since systemd is everwhere, some program or tool sadly need like supergfxctl which mean my current laptop is stuck in nvidia hybrid/optimus mode. My next laptop is a lenovo legion which have more option in the bios than my current rog strix which required asus-linux (which required systemd and wayland for full support 😥 or Windows for full support) are better supported in non-systemd system so I should be fine. And I could start xgui4 os soon 🙂 when i will get the new laptop, since my current i have issue right now. ---
**Author:** ![nls-22](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@nls-22](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/nls-22)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/7 "2026-08-06T15:12:12Z")
I completely agree with you. Besides, one doesn’t have to get into it more if the init system’s not causing him any trouble already. I mean, for me I switched from systemd to another init system cuz I wanted it to be more lightweight. I have a 15+ year old laptop so it is something I care about. Plus, the dependencies were kind of troublesome for me. Like, I don’t really care that much when it comes to what kind of init system I’d be using, I just prefer having it all more towards minimalism, but it’s just my personal preference and I don’t see it being a concern to most of the people. So, yeah, I think that if the init system’s not causing any trouble it’s not necessary to learn more about its different types. Maybe at least the knowledge that there are other init systems would be nice, but from what I see most of the time it’s definitely not necessary to learn about each one of them more in depth. I hope my message is comprehensible. ---
**Author:** ![Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/rootlexx/32/26_2.png) [@Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/Rootlexx)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/8 "2026-08-06T18:23:57Z")
> [@xgui4](#): > > systemd need its proprietary-like tool for viewing log (jourrnalctl) which is not very practical if your system is broken You can use `journalctl` on any system and just point at logs via `-D` option. Then the format is open and stable so anyone can implement a reader. Finally, string values are stored as strings, so e.g. `strings` can be used to extract relevant information if you don’t have `journalctl` around. > [@xgui4](#): > > It is easier to read text file than having to learn systemd command which could change and that are less flexible Only in the easiest of use cases. When you need to extract logs by specific ranges, and/or only for specific services, journal proves to be just easier than massaging sed, grep and awk. And thanks to decoupling output format from storage format, and the latter being well structured, `journalctl` can output logs in many forms, from classic syslog style (which you can then grep and awk all you want) to key-value pairs or even JSON which is a godsend for automation. Oh, and user journal is S-tier. What we had before (~/.xsession-errors file) was utterly awful, with no timestamps or any indication which app printed that. ---
**Author:** ![NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/nexussfan/32/68_2.png) [@NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/NexusSfan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/9 "2026-08-06T19:39:53Z")
I’m certainly not a Linux person. Also, what is a cult exactly? ---
**Author:** ![NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/nexussfan/32/68_2.png) [@NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/NexusSfan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/10 "2026-08-06T19:42:26Z")
> [@Rootlexx](#): > > Then the format is open and stable so anyone can implement a reader. But is it libre? > [@Rootlexx](#): > > JSON which is a godsend for automation. \>regex > [@Rootlexx](#): > > Oh, and user journal is S-tier. What we had before (~/.xsession-errors file) was utterly awful, with no timestamps or any indication which app printed that. Xsession errors is not the only file to track logs. ---
**Author:** ![xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/xgui4/32/109_2.png) [@xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/xgui4)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/11 "2026-08-07T13:09:09Z")
> [@NexusSfan](#): > > But is it libre? it is “open” so I don’t think it is libre sadly. Hoewever, it is still proprietary-like so that bad. > [@NexusSfan](#): > > \>regex What wrong with regex ? > [@NexusSfan](#): > > Xsession errors is not the only file to track logs. True, my programs don’t even use that. ---
**Author:** ![mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/mattf11/32/74_2.png) [@mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/mattF11)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/12 "2026-08-10T09:40:44Z")
Runit is quite simple to use,it’s the first init system i cared to look into how it worked,forced by how void linux manage things. Runit lacks features systemd has and people rely on/take as granted:systemd boot,timers,systemd-networkd,no quadlets for containers,systemd-zram… With runit on void linux all these things needs to be handled manually and with other tools if available,they usually don’t have an equivalent,outside of community work like zramen. Systemd installations of gentoo are another example of how systemd made some things simpler. Systemd has wider support,it’s fast and easier to use,unless you want to go the shepherd route,Systemd is the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/xgui4/32/109_2.png) [@xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/xgui4)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/13 "2026-08-10T13:36:46Z")
> Runit lacks features systemd has and people rely on/take as granted:systemd boot,timers,systemd-networkd,no quadlets for containers,systemd-zram… I don’t rely or use any of that lol. For me that bloat lol. > Systemd installations of gentoo are another example of how systemd made some things simpler. How systemd made thing simpler ??? > Systemd has wider support,it’s fast and easier to use,unless you want to go the shepherd route,Systemd is the way to go. Systemd is not easier. And no it is not the way to go imo. I like OpenRC, I do not need or want Red Hat on my system. Sepherd route can be inteesting but I don’t want to have to relearn thing and is only on 100% libre kernel who do not work sadly on my hardware… ---
**Author:** ![mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/mattf11/32/74_2.png) [@mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/mattF11)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/14 "2026-08-10T14:57:30Z")
you might like openrc but with systemd has clear advantage in some use cases and it’s much more “featurefull” compared to runit,that’s my experience with it. Services are written like shell scripts with runit and systemd has clearly a more defined structure for their file ,i talked about shepherd because it’s guile,a programming language for everything is still better than understanding how to configure 10 different things. If you read the gentoo wiki,the installation part,systemd makes the installation faster with less things to care about,files to change and things to configure,it could be even less if you some other things from the systemd ecosystem. ---
**Author:** ![ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/ifearghal/32/50_2.png) [@ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/ifearghal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/16 "2026-08-19T01:48:05Z")
> [@NexusSfan](#): > > If you are too dumb to not be able to configure OpenRC why use Gentoo at all? This is uncalled for and not in the spirit of why i posed the initial question to begin with. This is supposed to be somewhat educational, and this derails any net positive that can be gained from this thread. it’s not a pissing contest. ---
**Author:** ![NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/nexussfan/32/68_2.png) [@NexusSfan](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/NexusSfan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/17 "2026-08-19T01:50:01Z")
> [@ifearghal](#): > > This is uncalled for and not in the spirit of why i posed the initial question to begin with. It is not that difficult to configure Gentoo with OpenRC. > [@ifearghal](#): > > net positive that can be gained from this thread Such as? ---
**Author:** ![ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/ifearghal/32/50_2.png) [@ifearghal](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/ifearghal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/18 "2026-08-19T01:50:56Z")
You seem to enjoy arguing with others. I’m not the one to engage that way. ---
**Author:** ![xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/xgui4/32/109_2.png) [@xgui4](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/xgui4)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/19 "2026-08-19T02:20:31Z")
> [@NexusSfan](#): > > You mean more bloated? How is an init system supposed to have an OOM killer, Container manager, etc.? true. > [@NexusSfan](#): > > This does not always mean it is good. also true > [@NexusSfan](#): > > OpenRC exists. I agree > [@NexusSfan](#): > > If you are too dumb to not be able to configure OpenRC why use Gentoo at all? true, you could use a more easy distro. it will be easier > [@NexusSfan](#): > > No? Shepherd works on normal GNU/Linux too. i did not said i could not work, but you will have to a lot of effort and time to do it. ---
**Author:** ![mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/mattf11/32/74_2.png) [@mattF11](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/mattF11)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 7:49am UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/20 "2026-08-19T07:49:13Z")
i don’t use gentoo now,i think the “dumb” for gentoo systemd users isn’t a good thing to say,especially when they work hard to support both of them. If you use the "dumb reasoning’,any nix/guix user should call everyone dumb at every question about the distro: “learn nix/guile you dumbass,too dumb to learn it?”,i don’t think that’s a good way to call people with questions. Sytemd has some advantages but like everything in life,you can call them “useless/not needed” if you have a need for them,there must be a reason about the systemd support for gentoo… I still consider minimalism a modern way to “waste your time”,unless you’re the project mantainer,my project is important because it’s mine,not because the community has a need for it. After all we aren’t talking about the unix philosophy followers and i can’t see why someone should use runit,openrc if your distro has systemd support and i prefer systemd the same way a prefer gnu emacs/or an ide to vim/neovim. ---
**Author:** ![Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/user_avatar/forum.linuxrenaissance.com/rootlexx/32/26_2.png) [@Rootlexx](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/u/Rootlexx)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.linuxrenaissance.com/t/systemd-runit-openrc-whats-the-difference-should-i-care/114/21 "2026-08-19T20:58:42Z")
> [@NexusSfan](#): > > If you are too dumb to not be able to configure OpenRC why use Gentoo at all? This is not how we talk to each other in this community and will not be tolerated, so please restrain from saying such derogatory things in the future.