Best Operating Systems for Android
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Compare the Top Operating Systems for Android as of September 2025
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What are Operating Systems for Android?
Operating systems are foundational software that manage computer hardware, software resources, and provide services for applications and users. They handle critical functions such as process scheduling, memory management, device control, file systems, and security. Operating systems provide a user interface—either graphical (GUI) or command-line—that allows individuals to interact with the machine. They also offer APIs and system calls that enable developers to build and run applications consistently across devices. From personal computers to servers, mobile devices, and embedded systems, operating systems are essential for ensuring stability, efficiency, and usability in modern computing environments. Compare and read user reviews of the best Operating Systems for Android currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
Android
Google
This summer, we’re expanding the ways we keep you safe and finding new ways to keep you connected. Here are the latest features available on your Android device. New delightful and helpful experiences across all of the devices that are connected to your Android phone. Your one-stop home for all your favorite entertainment. From movies and TV shows to games and books. Android 11 is optimized for how you use your phone. Helping you manage conversations. And organize your day. With tools designed to help you do more. Meet people using Android to change what's possible in daily life. Watch and read stories about creative, driven people discovering how to make their world more colorful and connected. With Android by their side. Choices for work, gaming, 5G streaming and anything else. There’s over 24,000 phones and tablets that run on Android. So no matter what you’re looking for, there’s something for you. Your security and privacy are at the heart of what we do. -
2
PixelOS
PixelOS
PixelOS is an AOSP based ROM, with Google apps included and all Pixel goodies. We aim to provide an experience similar to Google Pixel phones with numerous performance enhancements and a small amount of useful additional features.Starting Price: Free -
3
crDroid
crDroid
Improve the performance, reliability and customizability of your Android device. With crDroid you get lots of customization options not compromising on performance or security. Customize what icons you see as well as effects and number of QS rows and columns. Choose from gesture nav or old school nav buttons as well as customize what your hardware buttons do. Your lockscreen is what your friends will see first, so impress them from the beginning. Your phone, your style... Set dark mode on or off and choose your colors.Starting Price: Free -
4
Sailfish OS
Jolla
Sailfish OS is a European alternative to dominating mobile operating systems, and the only mobile OS offering an exclusive licensing model for local implementations. On the market since 2013, and now already in its 4th generation, Sailfish OS offers a secure platform for trusted mobile solutions. With Sailfish OS you can also run Android™ apps with our dedicated App Support solution. Sailfish OS is a secure mobile operating system optimized to run on smartphones and tablets, and also easily adaptable to all kinds of embedded devices and use cases. The fourth generation, Sailfish 4, boasts a multitude of new enablers to support different ecosystem projects, be it private corporate solutions or public sector governmental deployments. Sailfish OS has a host of modern security functionalities developed specifically for corporate and governmental environments. In Sailfish 4 user data is fully encrypted and apps are protected by Firejail sandboxing.Starting Price: €29.90 one-time payment -
5
fydeOS
fydeOS
FydeOS is a lightweight operating system with a Linux kernel + browser platform + container technology driver; its use is very similar to Google Chrome OS. FydeOS can run smoothly on most mainstream hardware. Hardware devices installed with FydeOS can perfectly support the latest web application standards, are compatible with Android programs and Linux environments, and can be used in network environments in China without any obstacles, providing a Google Chromebook-like experience. FydeOS is based on the second development of The Chromium Projects. We have modified and optimized its kernel, based on the most optimized browser platform, and added more localization enhancements that conform to the habits of users in China and improve user experience. Cloud technology operating system that truly meets the needs of the Internet era. After a long time of accumulation of technology, we can make FydeOS run in more types of hardware devices and provide an overall solution around FydeOS.Starting Price: $12.99 per year -
6
Android TV
Google
An easier way to enjoy the entertainment you love. Stream from your favorite apps, play music and games, cast from any device, and more. Use your voice to do more on your TV. Press the Google Assistant button and ask Google to search for the latest blockbuster, stream shows or open multiplayer games. Have it dim the lights by connecting smart home devices. Or ask it questions and see the answers right on your TV. Discover 700,000+ movies and shows from across your favorite apps. Cue the latest episode, pick up where you left off or jump to a new show in no time. Even find music, games and YouTube videos—all on your customizable home screen. Get all the top apps and games right on your TV. Watch, play, and do whatever you want, whenever you want with 5000+ apps from Google play. -
7
Nothing OS
Nothing
Nothing OS is a custom user interface based on Android 12. It was developed by Nothing, a technology company founded by Carl Pei, the former co-founder of OnePlus. Nothing OS is designed to be simple, clean, and clutter-free. It features a unique design language called "Glyph Interface," which uses LED lights to provide notifications and status information. Nothing OS also includes a number of other features, such as a new font, a new weather app, and a new launcher. Here are some of the key features of Nothing OS: Simplicity and minimalism: Nothing OS is designed to be simple and easy to use. The UI is clean and clutter-free, and the animations are smooth and fluid. Glyph Interface: The Glyph Interface is a unique way to provide notifications and status information. The LED lights on the back of the phone light up in different patterns to indicate different things, such as incoming calls, messages, and battery status. -
8
Famoco OS
Famoco
Famoco OS is a secure, enterprise-grade operating system designed for mission-critical business applications. It offers a private, bloatware-free environment, eliminating third-party dependencies and ensuring full data sovereignty by operating without Google Mobile Services. Built-in encryption, strong app isolation, Verified Boot, and a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) protect business assets and prevent unauthorized access. Famoco OS allows full hardware control, enabling management of components like NFC antennas, biometric modules, and secure elements. The user interface can be customized to enforce business-ready policies, lock down settings, and tailor navigation. The OS includes Safeguard, an alternative to Google Play Integrity, to assess device integrity and ensure applications run in secure conditions. Extended APIs support communication with secure elements, biometric modules, printers, and MRZ reading capabilities.Starting Price: Free -
9
CopperheadOS
Copperhead
CopperheadOS is a Secure Android built for encrypted and secure phones by a privacy focused company. Available as security-centric and privacy focused Google-free Android for the latest Pixel devices. Develop or include a secure phone in your businesses mobile security program. CopperheadOS integrates with the latest and greatest mobile security solutions. Mobile devices are easy targets for hackers so we developed the most secure android, CopperheadOS, to protect against a variety of attack vectors. Copperhead's technical documentation is available for review. Security-centric, non- technical user experience. No Google or any tracking analytics. Sandboxing and application isolation. Integrates with the latest mobile device management and intrusion detection system mobility software. -
10
PixelExperience
PixelExperience
PixelExperience is an AOSP based ROM, with Google apps included and all Pixel goodies (launcher, wallpapers, icons, fonts, bootanimation). Our mission is to offer the maximum possible stability and security, along with essential and useful features for the proper functioning of the device.Starting Price: Free -
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ArrowOS
ArrowOS
An AOSP based project started with the goal of keeping things simple, clean, and organized. We added features that will be helpful in the long run, while aiming to deliver smooth performance and longer battery life.Starting Price: Free -
12
Havoc-OS
Havoc-OS
Havoc-OS is an after-market firmware based on Android Open Source Project, inspired by Google Pixel with a refined Material Design UI. We offer a smooth and stable experience for your device with a selected set of amazing features that provide an exceptional user experience. Our ROM is available for over 150+ Devices across 20+ OEMs. Generic System Images (GSI) are available so you can try out our ROM even if your device isn't currently supported. Our device roster keeps growing with support for more devices added every month.Starting Price: Free -
13
Tizen
Tizen
Tizen is an open and flexible operating system built from the ground up to address the needs of all stakeholders of the mobile and connected device ecosystem, including device manufacturers, mobile operators, application developers and independent software vendors (ISVs). Tizen is developed by a community of developers, under open source governance, and is open to all members who wish to participate. Tizen operating system comes in multiple profiles to serve different industry requirements. The current Tizen profiles are Tizen IVI (in-vehicle infotainment), Tizen Mobile, Tizen TV, and Tizen Wearable. In addition to that, as of Tizen 3.0, all profiles are built on top of a common, shared infrastructure called Tizen Common. With Tizen, a device manufacturer can begin with one of these profiles and modify it to serve their own needs, or use Tizen Common base to develop a new profile to meet the memory, processing and power requirements of any device and quickly bring it to market. -
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iMin OS
iMin Technology
Settings and preferences menu immediately appears when the device is powered on. Configure settings quickly and conveniently. iMin UI is an operating system based on the in-depth optimisation of the android system, tailored for intelligent commercial equipment. It is optimised from interactive experience and actual application for best system performance. Launch private mode to prevent applications from running without the system navigation bar, and block other notifications. The user manual troubleshoots product usage problems. If you face any issues regarding the product itself, kindly refer to the user manual which will provide you quick and direct solutions. Using the remote control function, the technician can remotely help the user with any issues. It is as convenient as operating directly on devices locally. The hardware butler provides clear understanding of the device status at one glance. -
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Indus OS
Indus OS
Powered by artificial intelligence, Indus App Bazaar curates locally relevant apps and content for the users based on their demographics, lingual preferences, and behaviour and offers an intuitive user interface with content-led discovery. Indus OS is specifically designed and developed for the unique needs and lingual preferences of smartphone users in diverse ecosystems. It bridges the barriers between app developers and smartphone users and offers a personalized mobile experience. Indus App Bazaar leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable a seamless app discovery journey by delivering contextual app recommendations while helping developers with multi-point distribution and monetization opportunities. -
16
LineageOS
Lineage
LineageOS extends the functionality and lifespan of mobile devices from more than 20 different manufacturers thanks to our open-source community of contributors from all around the world. Your data, your rules. With powerful tools such as Privacy Guard, you are in control of what your apps can do whenever you want. We take security very seriously, that’s why we deliver security updates every month to all our supported devices. And to make your device more secure, lock everything behind an enhanced lock screen. Our open-source apps are here to help you get through the day. Android developers will turn any device into the perfect device for apps development thanks to enhanced tools and exclusive APIs. LineageOS, an open-source Android distribution, is available for several devices, with more being continuously added thanks to the biggest, yet ever growing, Android open-source community. -
17
GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit mitigations and the permission model. GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit mitigations and the permission model. GrapheneOS also develops various apps and services with a focus on privacy and security. Vanadium is a hardened variant of the Chromium browser and WebView specifically built for GrapheneOS. GrapheneOS also includes our minimal security-focused PDF Viewer, our hardware-based Auditor app / attestation service providing local and remote verification of devices. -
18
Mobian
Mobian
Mobian aims to integrate the standard Debian distribution with the Phone Shell (phosh) project in a package that works on certain mobile phones, such as the Pinephone. Over time, the idea is to minimize the Mobian specific pieces by “upstreaming” customization to the original projects. Mobian comes with Phosh, the Phone Shell by Purism. It is based on well known modern Gnome technology like GTK, GSettings and DBus running on a wlroots based wayland compositor called phoc. Mobian aims to integrate the standard Debian distribution with Phone-specific projects and modifications in a distribution that works on certain mobile phones and tablets, such as the Pinephone, the Pinetab and the Librem 5. The idea is to minimize the Mobian specific pieces by “upstreaming” changes to the original projects as much as possible. To achieve this, we tread a delicate balance between carrying customized patches and packages that are required to make Mobian run well on its supported devices. -
19
PilarOS
PilarOS
Enhanced, manageable and secure Android Mobile OS. PilarOS, AKA TRDROIDTM, is ARDIC’s industrial Android distro with extended security and manageability framework over 1800 new API’s build on AndroidTM Open Source. AFEX adds manageability to the OS. Additional layers provide device, applications, connection and data security. From kernel to cloud level for industrial grade, secure, manageable, scaleable services. It won’t let no monkey business on your device; secures connection, applications, USB ports, mics and cameras. Define the required configuration and push it to all your devices. Install/uninstall/disable/force applications on your devices remotely. Access all your devices on a single admin panel, monitor and manage them all or one by one. PilarOS is not just for smart phones, but also for any purpose smart devices, Internet of things, industrial IoT devices. -
20
Fire OS
Amazon
Fire OS is the operating system that runs Amazon's Fire TV and tablets. Fire OS is a fork of Android, so if your app runs on Android, it will most likely run on Amazon's Fire devices too. You can quickly check your app's compatibility with Amazon through the App Testing Service. As a developer, you might not have to adjust your Android code at all to publish your app on Amazon's platform. Most Fire devices receive over-the-air updates to get Fire OS updates automatically. Not every Fire device receives a push of the same Fire OS version at the same time. The updates often roll out to different devices at different times. At the core, both Fire OS and Android share the same foundation. The main way Fire OS differs from Android is in the services. Instead of using Google's services (for activities such as browsing, location, messaging, payments, and so on), Fire OS might use Amazon's services. -
21
Wear OS
Google
See your next meeting, get directions, check your grocery list, and even pay with just your watch. Stay in the moment with smart ways to text, email and see who’s calling, without pulling out your phone. Workout without your phone. Google Fit and other health apps make it easy to get motivated, stay balanced and track your health right from your wrist. Download or stream your favorite music right from your wrist so you can stay motivated down to the last mile. Wear OS by Google lets you be you with hundreds of styles—from fashion to fitness to fun—all from your favorite brands. Wear OS by Google works with phones running the latest version of Android (excluding Go edition and phones without Google Play Store) or iOS. Supported features may vary between platforms and countries with compatibility subject to change. -
22
ClearOS Mobile
ClearCenter
ClearOS Mobile puts individuals in control over their digital identity, privacy, and security while providing access to the Android applications they need. ClearOS Mobile will eventually run on many cell phone hardware manufacturers, cellular carriers, providers and operators. -
23
OxygenOS
OnePlus
OxygenOS glides like silk with next-gen core stability and enhanced reliability. System-level performance is sublimely smooth with HyperBoost and AI System Booster, elevating mobile gaming while ensuring smooth app opening. OxygenOS pays homage to its popular and innovative Always-on Display feature. Evolving the seamless experience further, OxygenOS 13 transforms your standard display information with dynamic information powered by intelligent personalization. Co-developed with Spotify, your song list is intelligently displayed, providing easy control over your favorite tracks. This versatile AOD is music to your ears. We elevated the classic and unique portrait experience with support for enhanced tools, including multiple brushes, line colors, and improved image handling. With an updated UI and significantly faster image conversion, creating compelling and unique wallpapers has never been easier. -
24
KaiOS
KaiOS Technologies
KaiOS Technologies is the company behind KaiOS, the world’s leading operating system for smart feature phones. Nominated by TIME magazine as one of the Best Inventions in the Social Good category, KaiOS brings connectivity and apps to affordable devices. One of this year’s 50 most innovative companies according to FastCompany, KaiOS Technologies is based in Hong Kong and has offices in China, India, France, and the US. Over 300 people worldwide work for KaiOS so that more people can access the internet. Smartphones are expensive. Data plans cost too much. Touchscreen devices and apps are often intimidating to first-time internet users. KaiOS exists to empower people around the world through technology. We believe everyone should have access to the internet to unleash their potential. Our platform brings wifi, GPS, apps, and other advanced features to phones that are affordable and easy to use.
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