GarlicOS vs OnionOS: which custom firmware should you use?
GarlicOS vs OnionOS compared side by side — features, compatible devices, ease of use, and which one is right for your retro handheld.
Both GarlicOS and OnionOS are excellent custom firmware options for retro handhelds — but they target different devices and different types of users. Here’s everything you need to know to pick the right one.
Quick verdict
- Choose OnionOS if you own a Miyoo Mini Plus or Miyoo Flip and want the best all-around experience with a polished UI and active community.
- Choose GarlicOS if you own an Anbernic RG35XX H or RG28XX and want a fast, lightweight firmware that prioritizes performance and battery life.
They don’t actually compete directly — each is built for different hardware. But if you’re choosing a device partly based on firmware, this comparison will help.
Feature comparison
| Feature | OnionOS | GarlicOS |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible devices | Miyoo Mini Plus, Miyoo Flip | RG35XX H, RG28XX |
| UI style | Polished, themeable | Minimal, clean |
| Theme support | ✅ Extensive theme store | ❌ Basic only |
| RetroAchievements | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Via RetroArch |
| Wi-Fi features | ✅ Artwork scraping, sync | ❌ No Wi-Fi on most devices |
| Package manager | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Battery life | Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Boot speed | ~15 seconds | ✅ ~8 seconds |
| Update frequency | Active (monthly) | Slower (major releases) |
| Community size | ✅ Very large | Medium |
| Beginner-friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Latest version | v4.3.1-1 | v2.0.0 |
OnionOS — the full-featured option
OnionOS is the gold standard for Miyoo devices. It transforms the Miyoo Mini Plus from a decent budget handheld into something that feels genuinely premium.
What makes it stand out
The UI is exceptional. OnionOS ships with a clean, fast interface that supports community-made themes. You can make it look like a Game Boy, a PS Vita, or a completely custom design. Stock Miyoo firmware looks embarrassing by comparison.
RetroAchievements integration is seamless. Log in once and you’ll earn achievements across hundreds of classic games — it adds a surprising amount of replay value.
Wi-Fi artwork scraping automatically downloads box art and screenshots for your game library. After scraping, your game list looks like a proper storefront rather than a file browser.
The package manager lets you install additional emulators, apps, and tools without touching the command line. It’s the kind of feature that makes OnionOS feel like a real product.
Limitations
- Only works on Miyoo Mini Plus and Miyoo Flip — no other devices
- Slightly slower boot than GarlicOS
- More complex to set up than MinUI (though still beginner-friendly)
Best for
Anyone with a Miyoo Mini Plus who wants the best possible experience. If you’re buying a Miyoo device, install OnionOS. There’s no reason not to.
👉 Full OnionOS guide & latest version →
GarlicOS — the performance-first option
GarlicOS takes a different philosophy: strip away everything unnecessary and focus on speed, stability, and battery life.
What makes it stand out
Boot speed is noticeably faster. GarlicOS boots in roughly half the time of OnionOS. If you pick up your device for a quick 10-minute session, this matters.
Battery life is excellent. By running a minimal Linux environment, GarlicOS squeezes more playtime out of the same battery. On the RG35XX H, you’ll typically get 30–60 minutes more per charge compared to heavier firmware.
It just works. GarlicOS is stable and predictable. There’s less to configure, fewer things that can go wrong, and the emulator performance is well-tuned for Anbernic hardware.
RetroArch is included and pre-configured for each supported device, so emulation quality is solid out of the box.
Limitations
- No theme support beyond basic customization
- No Wi-Fi features (most supported devices lack Wi-Fi anyway)
- Smaller community than OnionOS
- Update cadence is slower
Best for
Anbernic RG35XX H or RG28XX owners who want a fast, reliable experience without fuss. Also a good choice if you prioritize battery life over features.
👉 Full GarlicOS guide & latest version →
Compatible devices
OnionOS
- Miyoo Mini Plus — the primary device, best experience
- Miyoo Flip — fully supported
GarlicOS
- Anbernic RG35XX H — primary supported device
- Anbernic RG28XX — supported
If you own a different device (TRIMUI Smart Pro, RG405M, Retroid Pocket), neither of these applies. Check out KNULLI or ROCKNIX for broader device support.
What about MinUI?
MinUI is a third option worth mentioning. It supports both Miyoo and Anbernic devices, and takes minimalism even further than GarlicOS — no artwork, no themes, just a black-and-white list of games. It gets the best battery life of any firmware and is beloved by users who want zero distractions.
If GarlicOS sounds appealing but you want even more simplicity, MinUI is worth trying.
Which should you choose?
You own a Miyoo Mini Plus or Miyoo Flip → OnionOS. No contest. It’s the reason these devices are so popular.
You own an RG35XX H or RG28XX and want features → KNULLI. More feature-rich than GarlicOS with broader device support.
You own an RG35XX H or RG28XX and want speed/battery → GarlicOS. Lightweight and fast.
You want the absolute simplest experience → MinUI. Works on both Miyoo and Anbernic devices.
Related
- How to install OnionOS on Miyoo Mini Plus — step-by-step guide
- What is custom firmware? — beginner overview
- Firmware Tracker — latest versions for all major firmware projects
- Miyoo Mini Plus vs RG35XX H — device comparison
Screen Fit Analysis
See how devices mentioned in this article handle popular platforms: