SysV Init was replaced by systemd de facto in most current GNU / Linux distributions. In the middle of that transition, other distros already opted for modified systems such as Upstart based on the init daemon, which was present in Ubuntu, ChromeOS, openSUSE, Debian, Red Hat, Fedora, etc.
The new systemd is much more complex than the old systems, something that did not fit very well with the Unix philosophy of implementing simple programs. Besides that, the fact that it saves the registers in binary has not been liked by many either. However, it must be said that it has made some tasks easier and that it also has its advantages. Nevertheless, still upsetting many users who still prefer the classic system ...
For all those who want to run away from systemd and stick with the classic, you should know that there are many distros that are still free of this other system. And it's not just Devuan (a Debian variant without systemd that has become quite popular).
Here I show you an interesting list of systemd-free distributions:
- Devuan: it is basically a Debian without systemd, going "one step back" in this sense to rid its users of this new system. In fact, its name comes from the fusion of the word Debian + VUA (Veteran UNIX Admins).
- Alpine Linux: is another of the distributions without systemd that you can find. It is based on musl and BusyBox, to be much lighter and safer.
- artixlinux- This joins the various existing distributions based on Arch Linux. A fairly agile distribution to run fast and without systemd.
- Void: it's one of those rare distributions. It is not a fork of an existing one, but it is made from scratch, with its own package manager and using SysV init. It is a powerful option, but it may not be the best if you are looking for something simpler and you are not very experienced. Although if you want to try something different, it is a great option.
- Slackware: a classic for the "old" linuxers. One of the most popular and complicated distributions, along with Gentoo and Arch. But like these, it is super flexible, powerful and very good for those users who are more advanced. In this case it uses a weird scripting system, it is not the SysV init, but it is a BSD-style like those used by some * BSDs.
- Gentoo y funtoo: another of the distros aimed at the most experienced users due to its difficulty, but equally wonderful. This distro also distances itself from systemd using OpenRC.
- GUIX: another of the distributions that get rid of systemd, in this case GNU Daemon Sherped is used as init system. It is not an easy distro to use, and it uses a transactional package management system.
- antiX Linux: another of the free systemd distributions, and based on Debian.
- CRUX: is another distro based on BSD-style scripts and very light.
- PCLinuxOS: If you like the Mandrake distro then you should try this fork which still maintains the SysV init.
- Adelie Linux: a fairly young project that aims to respect three fundamental pillars on which it rests: being fully POSIX-compatible, multi-architecture compatibility, and flexible.
- obarun: another more based on Arch, with all that that implies, as well as focusing on transparency and simplicity. In this case, it uses a strange system called 6s instead of systemd.
- Kiss Linux: its name already gives an idea of ​​what it is, that is, it follows the principle KISS. It is an independent project, created from source, with BusyBox and its startup system.
- LIGURES- It can't be considered one of the common distros either, but it's free from systemd. It is based on Gentoo and uses two options as substitutes for systemd: openRC or s6.
If you are not very skilled in the Linux world or do not want complications, I personally recommend that you stay preferably with Devuan… If you are an advanced user or want to try other alternatives, you are free to choose any of the others.