DietPi

DietPi is a minimal Debian-based operating system designed for single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, Odroid, and Pine64, as well as virtual machines and old PCs. It strips away unnecessary packages to keep resource usage low, then gives you a text-based menu called DietPi-Software to install dozens of server applications with a few keystrokes. You can set up a web server, a NAS, a media center, or a game server without wrestling with dependencies.

It supports over 200 preconfigured software titles including Nginx, Apache, Nextcloud, Plex, Emby, and even desktop environments. The DietPi-Config tool handles system tweaks like overclocking, audio settings, and network optimizations. It runs on 32-bit and 64-bit ARM boards plus x86 hardware, with active community forums and regular updates from the lead developer MichaIng and contributors.

DietPi is free and open source under the GPLv2 license. It is ideal for hobbyists, homelab tinkerers, and anyone who wants a lean Linux server on a low-power device. The project has been running since 2013 and has a loyal user base that appreciates its speed and simplicity.