Launchpad vs systemd-boot
Launchpad
launchpad.netsystemd-boot
freedesktop.orgSide by side
| Figure | Launchpad | systemd-boot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 0 |
| Spec score · Boot Manager Software | 8.3 (#7) | 6.9 (#26) |
| Purpose | Launchpad is a software collaboration and hosting platform for software projects. | systemd-boot is a UEFI boot manager that executes configured EFI images. |
| Security | Launchpad's security documentation says traffic is secured by TLS except package downloads, which are cryptographically verified on the client side. | The systemd repository says it has a security bug bounty program sponsored by the Sovereign Tech Fund and hosted on YesWeHack. |
| Support | Launchpad provides community support through Answers and links to Launchpad Support and a user guide. | The systemd project lists its mailing list, IRC channel, and Matrix channel as support contacts. |
Plans
In their own words
Launchpad
Launchpad is a free platform for open-source collaboration, with tools to build and publish software. Projects can host Git repositories, review and merge changes, and link code changes to bug reports. Bug tracking can also integrate reports from Bugzilla, Trac, GitLab, and Mantis. Teams can build and distribute Debian packages, snaps, rocks, charms, and OCI images; documented architectures include AMD64, AMD64v3, ARM, and RISC-V. Localization tools support importing, exporting, and sharing translations, while blueprints help track project ideas and work. Launchpad Answers supports community help requests and FAQs. Automation options include a REST-style API, the launchpadlib Python client, and webhooks. The platform is available through the web, Linux, API, and self-hosted options. Commercial projects can request private branches, bugs, teams, mailing lists, and PPAs, but these features require Canonical authorization. Security documentation describes least-privilege access, restrictive networking, and fine-grained permissions; it also says automatic security monitoring was not in place as of July 2023.
systemd-boot
systemd-boot is a UEFI boot manager that runs configured EFI images. Its menu displays configured entries, and a default can be selected through a pattern or the on-screen menu. If no timeout is set and no key is pressed, it starts the default entry immediately. Configuration files, kernels, initrds, and other EFI images must be on the EFI System Partition. Linux kernels need CONFIG_EFI_STUB to run directly as EFI images. Entry files can specify a title, version, machine ID, EFI image, kernel options, Linux kernel, and initrd. Hotkeys can select Linux, Windows, macOS, the EFI Shell, or entries numbered 1 through 9. EFI variables store settings such as the default, preferred, one-shot entry, and menu timeout. The systemd project says bootctl can install systemd-boot to the EFI System Partition. The project is free and open source, with GPL-2.0 and LGPL-2.1 licenses listed in its public repository. Its stated firmware support is UEFI, not BIOS, and it supports multiboot.