When building embedded devices—from IoT gateways to smart control panels—developers must choose a Linux distribution that meets the specific constraints of their hardware and software stack. Unlike desktop environments, embedded Linux systems often run on ARM-based single board computers (SBCs) with limited memory, compute power, and storage.

If you're new to embedded Linux development or are designing a product around an ARM-based SBC, such as those listed on this industrial SBC page, this guide will help you choose the right distro and understand the pros and cons of each.

Why Linux for Embedded Systems?

Linux has become the standard OS for embedded systems due to:

Open source licensing: No royalties, flexible customization
Broad hardware support: Compatible with most SoCs, including Rockchip and Allwinner
Stability: Powering everything from routers to industrial HMIs
Community and ecosystem: Active developer base, mature toolchains

This flexibility makes Linux an ideal platform for companies building long-term, production-grade embedded solutions, such as the industrial-grade products available at Rocktech's homepage.

Desktop vs Embedded Linux

The biggest mistake new developers make is assuming they can use Ubuntu or Debian out-of-the-box. Desktop Linux distros contain unnecessary drivers, GUI tools, and services, all of which bloat the image and waste precious storage.

Embedded Linux differs in that:

It targets smaller hardware (e.g. Cortex-A53 CPUs, 512MB RAM)
It's often built with cross-compilation
It requires integration with specific hardware peripherals and device trees
It may include a real-time kernel or custom bootloader

Popular Linux Distributions for Embedded Development

1. Yocto Project

Best for: Custom Linux images, enterprise production systems
Strengths:
- Modular “layer” architecture
- Regular releases and excellent documentation
- Strong support from silicon vendors
Drawbacks:
- Steeper learning curve
- Longer build times

Yocto is the preferred choice when you need complete control over your Linux build. It's widely adopted by teams building embedded platforms for automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.

2. Buildroot

Best for: Simpler builds, fast prototyping
Strengths:
- Lightweight and easy to configure
- Uses Makefile-based build system
- Great for static firmware-style images
Drawbacks:
- No package manager by default
- Less modular than Yocto

Buildroot is a favorite for projects that don’t require package updates in the field and are tightly controlled at manufacturing time.

3. OpenWRT

Best for: Networking devices, routers, firewall appliances
Strengths:
- Active package repository
- Designed for dynamic updates
Drawbacks:
- Limited flexibility
- Some overhead due to baked-in features

OpenWRT shines when your embedded product requires frequent networking updates or remote configuration via UI.

RTOS vs Embedded Linux

You might ask: Do I really need Linux, or will a real-time operating system (RTOS) suffice?

RTOS is ideal for systems with critical timing (e.g., motor control, safety sensors), but for anything that includes:

a GUI (like Qt or LVGL)
networking (Wi-Fi, Ethernet)
multimedia (camera, video decoding)

Linux offers better long-term scalability and integration.

Security and OTA Updates

Modern embedded systems must support secure over-the-air updates (OTA). This involves:

Verifying digital signatures
Using HTTPS or secure update protocols
Supporting rollbacks

Linux supports tools like SWUpdate, Mender, and RAUC for secure firmware updates.

For high-availability applications, you may consider livepatching to apply kernel patches without a reboot.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right embedded Linux distribution depends on:

Your hardware constraints
Your team's experience
Required features (e.g. GUI, OTA, real-time)
Your product’s update model

If you're building a commercial embedded device, leveraging pre-configured SBCs and Linux BSPs from a reliable hardware partner can save months of development time. You can explore a range of embedded single board computers here.

Embedded Linux is more than just an OS—it’s a foundation for future-proof, customizable, and secure connected devices.

Choosing the Right Linux Distro for Embedded Development