Individual app performance is negligible and probably not noticeable. However things like boot time and memory usage are definitely better. The kernel is tiny to and weighs in at only 2.1M. e.g. My server boots with only 90.4 M of ram and very few modules loading `top` `%Cpu(s): 0.1 us, 0.0 sy, 0.0 ni, 99.9 id, 0.0 wa, 0.0 hi, 0.0 si, 0.0 st` `MiB Mem : 20065.3 total, 19904.1 free, 90.4 used, 70.8 buff/cache` `MiB Swap: 4096.0 total, 4096.0 free, 0.0 used. 19800.6 avail Mem` and `lsmod` `Module Size Used by` `tun 53248 4` `nf_log_ipv4 16384 1` `nf_log_common 16384 1 nf_log_ipv4` `xt_comment 16384 9` `xt_state 16384 0` `xt_LOG 16384 1` `xt_limit 16384 1` `xt_multiport 16384 17` `hwmon_vid 20480 0` `r8169 86016 0` `radeon 1560576 0` `realtek 20480 1` `k10temp 16384 0` `fam15h_power 20480 0` `ttm 94208 1 radeon` `backlight 16384 1 radeon` My primary incentive was the ability to customize my system and get exactly what I wanted. *(No systemd and no pulseaudio)* 'Worth it' is subjective and will vary for everyone. Personally I think it is for the learning. Also my systems have been running for years and I'm pretty used to it by now. I just kick off updates at night and they are basically done by morning.