Best Operating Systems for Startups
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Compare the Top Operating Systems for Startups as of October 2025
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What are Operating Systems for Startups?
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 Startups currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
Altima Linux
Gotoogle
Open Source Operating system tweaked and customised the way we like it with a selection of the best open source software applications. A worthy replacement for Windows and MacOS. Based on rock solid Debian Linux. This is a desktop computing environment with all of the free software required for general computing work. Other specialist applications are provided as installation guides. Downloads for free and install on many old computers and bring them back to life. What you thought was an antiquated machine most likely is just suffering from bloat. Major applications included are Libre Office, PhotoShack, InkScape, Sublime Text, QEMU, Nginx, Audacity, VLC Media Player, Epiphany, Remmina. Suggested additional free downloads; VirtualBox. WINE. The best part of Altima Linux is the clever combination of Windows and Mac look and feel so that users, new and experienced will enjoy a clean easy to follow and learn desktop environment. We hope that you enjoy testing and using Altima Linux.Starting Price: Free -
2
Apple iOS
Apple
iOS 14 brings a fresh look to the things you do most often, making them easier than ever. New features help you get what you need in the moment. And the apps you use all the time become even more intelligent, more personal, and more private. You’re able to do more with your iPhone than ever before. So iOS 14 reimagines the most iconic parts of the experience to be even more helpful and personal. Widgets have been totally redesigned to give you more information at a glance — and now you can add them to your Home Screen. Choose from different sizes and arrange however you like. The new App Library automatically organizes all of your apps into one simple, easy‑to‑navigate view. Apps are sorted by category and your most used apps are always just one tap away. Now you can keep watching videos or continue your FaceTime call while you use another app. -
3
Windows 11
Microsoft
Windows 11 provides a calm and creative space where you can pursue your passions through a fresh experience. From a rejuvenated Start menu to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games, and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural way. Access all the apps you need and multi-task with ease with tools like snap layouts, desktops, and a new more-intuitive redocking experience. Connect instantly to the people you care about right from your desktop with Microsoft Teams. Call or chat for free—no matter what device they’re on. With Microsoft Edge and a multitude of Widgets you can choose from, you can quickly stay up to date with the news, information, and entertainment that matters most to you. Easily find the apps you need and the shows you love to watch in the new Microsoft Store. -
4
Windows 10
Microsoft
To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10. You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below. If you are installing Windows 10 on a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, or if you need to create installation media to install Windows 10 on a different PC, see Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC section below. You have a license to install Windows 10 and are upgrading this PC from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. -
5
macOS Big Sur
Apple
macOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy. Unparalleled power. Legendary ease of use. Limitless creativity. macOS Big Sur brings a refined new design that gives you even more of the things you love about Mac. From full-height sidebars to refreshed toolbars, a clean new app design makes sure your content is always front and center. A sleek design update makes getting to your favorite apps even easier. And a new uniform shape for app icons adds consistency while letting the personality of Mac shine through. A new design combines notifications and widgets in a single view for more information at a glance. -
6
Chrome OS
Google
Chromebooks have the everything button. It’s one button that helps you find what you need fast. Like files. And apps. And answers online. Press it, and get what you need — all from one place. Work and play with up to 12 hours on a single charge. With Chromebook, you don’t even need to remember your charger. Battery life may vary based on device and upon usage and other conditions. No Wi-Fi, no problem. Recent documents, spreadsheets, presentations and emails are all available with offline access. Pre-download content and enable offline access for documents, presentations and emails to view offline later. Swipe, tap and scroll the way you want. There are many touchscreen-enabled* Chromebooks. Instant tethering with Chromebook keeps you connected to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot automatically. -
7
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. -
8
Apple iPadOS
Apple
To take full advantage of the large canvas iPad offers, core elements of the iPadOS experience have been redesigned and streamlined. So you can get more done, more easily than ever. Today view widgets have been redesigned to show you more information right from the home screen. You can choose among different sizes or add a smart stack of widgets, which uses on-device intelligence to show the right widget at the right time in your day. New enhancements like sidebars and pull-down menus let you quickly and easily access more app functions from a single location, without switching views. A more compact search design lets you stay focused on your main task and open apps or search the web with just a tap. And a new as-you-type experience delivers faster, more relevant results. With Scribble, you don’t have to put Apple Pencil away to do other things. You can write by hand in any text field across iPadOS, and your words automatically convert to text.1 Now available in even more languages. -
9
Manjaro
Manjaro
Is an accessible, friendly, open-source operating system. Providing all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, automated tools to require less manual intervention, and help readily available when needed. Manjaro is suitable for both newcomers and experienced computer users. Unlike proprietary operating systems you have full control over your hardware without restrictions. This makes Manjaro a powerful Operating System ideal in home, work, and development environments. It is easily possible to run many popular Windows applications, using compatibility software such as Wine, PlayonLinux or Proton via Steam. The examples given here are far from comprehensive! Representing a perfect middle-ground for those who want good performance, full control, and cutting-edge software but also a degree of software stability. -
10
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Better security. More packages. Newer tools. All your open source, from cloud to edge. Secure your open source apps. Patch the full stack, from kernel to library and applications, for CVE compliance. Governments and auditors certify Ubuntu for FedRAMP, FISMA and HITECH. Rethink what’s possible with Linux and open source. Companies engage Canonical to drive down open source operating costs. Automate everything: multi-cloud operations, bare metal provisioning, edge clusters and IoT. Whether you’re a mobile app developer, an engineering manager, a music or video editor or a financial analyst with large-scale models to run — in fact, anyone in need of a powerful machine for your work — Ubuntu is the ideal platform. Ubuntu is used by thousands of development teams around the world because of its versatility, reliability, constantly updated features, and extensive developer libraries. -
11
Debian
Debian
Debian is distributed freely over Internet. This page has options for installing Debian Stable. If you are interested in Testing or Unstable, visit our releases page. Many of the vendors sell the distribution for less than US$5 plus shipping (check their web page to see if they ship internationally). You can try Debian by booting a live system from a CD, DVD or USB key without installing any files to the computer. When you are ready, you can run the included installer (starting from Debian 10 Buster, this is the end-user-friendly Calamares Installer). Provided the images meet your size, language, and package selection requirements, this method may be suitable for you. Read more information about this method to help you decide. -
12
macOS Catalina
Apple
If you're using one of these computers with OS X Mavericks or later, you can install macOS Catalina. Your Mac also needs at least 4GB of memory and 12.5GB of available storage space, or up to 18.5GB of storage space when upgrading from OS X Yosemite or earlier. To get the latest features and maintain the security, stability, compatibility, and performance of your Mac, it's important to keep your software up to date. Apple recommends that you always use the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. The version of macOS that came with your Mac is the earliest version it can use. For example, if your Mac came with macOS Big Sur, it will not accept installation of macOS Catalina or earlier. If a macOS can't be used on your Mac, the App Store or installer will let you know. For example, it might say that it's not compatible with this device or is too old to be opened on this version of macOS. -
13
Chromium OS
Google
Chromium OS is an open-source project that aims to build an operating system that provides a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web. Here you can review the project's design docs, obtain the source code, and contribute. We think of Chromium as a tabbed window manager or shell for the web rather than a browser application. We avoid putting things into our UI in the same way you would hope that Apple and Microsoft would avoid putting things into the standard window frames of applications on their operating systems. The tab is our equivalent of a desktop application's title bar; the frame containing the tabs is a convenient mechanism for managing groups of those applications. In future, there may be other tab types that do not host the normal browser toolbar. -
14
TrueNAS
iXsystems
TrueNAS is the world's most deployed storage software. TrueNAS is a universal data platform that allows users to easily adopt a modern, open source approach to storing and protecting their growing data. TrueNAS is open source and harnesses the power of the legendary ZFS file system to provide unified storage (File, Block Object, and Apps) with the reliability and performance demanded by virtualization, backup, and many other data-heavy workloads. The TrueNAS CORE edition (formerly FreeNAS) is based on FreeBSD for unified scale-up storage. The TrueNAS SCALE edition is based on Debian Linux for either scale-up or scale-out solutions, and offers Linux Containers, VMs (KVM), and scale-out ZFS storage capabilities. Both are known to work well on standard hardware. Join the millions already using TrueNAS, including the majority of Fortune 500 companies, and experience why TrueNAS is very highly rated for yourself.Starting Price: Free -
15
Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution that strives to provide the latest stable versions of most software by following a rolling-release model. The default installation is a minimal base system, configured by the user to only add what is purposely required. Arch Linux defines simplicity as without unnecessary additions or modifications. It ships software as released by the original developers (upstream) with minimal distribution-specific (downstream) changes, patches not accepted by upstream are avoided, and Arch's downstream patches consist almost entirely of backported bug fixes that are obsoleted by the project's next release. Arch ships the configuration files provided by upstream with changes limited to distribution-specific issues like adjusting the system file paths. It does not add automation features such as enabling a service simply because the package was installed. -
16
Linux Mint
Linux Mint
The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. It works out of the box, with full multimedia support and is extremely easy to use. It's both free of cost and open source. It's community-driven. Users are encouraged to send feedback to the project so that their ideas can be used to improve Linux Mint. It's safe and reliable. Thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager and the robustness of its Linux architecture, Linux Mint requires very little. -
17
Qubes OS
Qubes OS
Qubes OS is a free and open-source, security-oriented operating system for single-user desktop computing. Qubes OS leverages Xen-based virtualization to allow for the creation and management of isolated compartments called qubes. These qubes, which are implemented as virtual machines (VMs), have specific Purposes with a predefined set of one or many isolated applications, for personal or professional projects, to manage the network stack, the firewall, or to fulfill other user-defined purposes. Qubes brings to your personal computer the security of the Xen hypervisor, the same software relied on by many major hosting providers to isolate websites and services from each other. Can't decide which Linux distribution you prefer? Still, need that one Windows program for work? With Qubes, you're not limited to just one OS. With Whonix integrated into Qubes, using the Internet anonymously over the Tor network is safe and easy.Starting Price: Free -
18
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 -
19
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 -
20
PCLinuxOS
PCLinuxOS
PCLinuxOS is a free easy to use Linux-based Operating System for x86_64 desktops or laptops. PCLinuxOS is distributed as a LiveCD/DVD/USB ISO image, and can also be installed to your computer. The LiveCD/DVD/USB mode lets you try PCLInuxOS without making any changes to your computer. If you like it, you can install the operating system to your hard drive. Locally installed versions of PCLinuxOS utilize the Advanced Packaging Tool (or APT), a package management system (originally from the Debian distribution), together with Synaptic, a GUI frontend to APT for easy software installation. PCLinuxOS has over 12,000 rpm software packages available from our software repository. PCLinuxOS has a script called mylivecd, which allows the user to take a ‘snapshot’ of their current hard drive installation (all settings, applications, documents, etc.) and compress it into an ISO CD/DVD/USB image. -
21
Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is a unique family of Linux distributions meant for the home-user computers. Ready to use, all tools for common daily computing usage already included. Ease of use, grandpa-friendly certified. Relatively small size, 300 MB or less. Fast and versatile. Customizable within minutes, remasters. Different flavours, optimized to support older computers, newer computers. Variety, hundreds of derivatives (“puplets”), one of which will surely meet your needs. Puppy Linux is not a single Linux distribution like Debian. Puppy Linux is also not a Linux distribution with multiple flavours, like Ubuntu (with its variants of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc) though it also comes in flavours. Puppy Linux is a collection of multiple Linux distributions, built on the same shared principles, built using the same set of tools, built on top of a unique set of puppy specific applications and configurations and generally speaking provide consistent behaviours and features. -
22
Void Linux
Void Linux
Void is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux kernel. Its package system allows you to quickly install, update and remove software; software is provided in binary packages or can be built directly from sources with the help of the XBPS source packages collection. It is available for a variety of platforms. Software packages can be built natively or cross compiled through the XBPS source packages collection. Unlike trillions of other existing distros, Void is not a modification of an existing distribution. Void's package manager and build system have been written from scratch. Void Linux supports both the musl and GNU libc implementations, patching incompatible software when necessary and working with upstream developers to improve the correctness and portability of their projects. -
23
BunsenLabs Linux
BunsenLabs
BunsenLabs Linux Lithium is a distribution offering a light-weight and easily customizable Openbox desktop. The project is a community continuation of CrunchBang Linux. The current release is derived from Debian 10. The distribution consists of configuration and resource packages installed on top of Debian. There are no changes to the way the Debian base system is administrated. Pre-configured Openbox window manager with tint2 panel, conky system monitor and jgmenu, a feature-rich desktop menu. Assortment of harmonising GTK2/3 themes, wallpapers and conky configurations. Various configuration and application utilities to maintain this system. Additional desktop-, multimedia- and hardware-related packages come pre-installed to offer a better “out-of-the-box” experience. There is no limit to customization. We offer combined live-CD and installation media for the Debian amd64 (x86-64) architectures and i386 (i686) architectures. -
24
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 -
25
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 -
26
Windows Server
Microsoft
Windows Server 2022 introduces advanced multi-layer security, hybrid capabilities with Azure, and a flexible application platform. Elevate the security posture of your organization starting with the operating system. Extend your data center to Azure for greater IT efficiency. Empower developers and IT pros with an application platform to build and deploy diverse applications. See how your cost savings will add up on Azure with offers such as Azure hybrid benefit and extended security updates. Modernize your workloads on Azure, the trusted cloud for Windows Server. Connect on-premises Windows Servers to Azure with Azure Arc. Update to the latest operating system for enhanced security, performance and value. Now you can leverage all of the benefits of the cloud with Azure. It’s free to start, so manage your servers, clusters, hyper-converged infrastructure, and Windows 10 PCs with Windows Server.Starting Price: $501 one-time payment -
27
Artix Linux
Artix Linux
Artix Linux is a rolling-release distribution, based on Arch Linux. It uses real init systems because PID1 must be simple, secure, and stable. It is possible to install any init system (openrc, runit, s6, suite66, or dinit) from any ISO. Artix can either be installed through the console or the GUI installer. There are 3 different kinds of installation media Artix currently provides, base, graphical, and community. Unless you really know your way around Linux, use a community edition. The base installation can be performed from within any ISO; this may prove useful to people who have trouble getting their wireless network cards to work or for any reason need an active graphical environment during installation. You can also install a different init system than that of the installation medium. Base ISOs allow for a fully customised installation, which is done in a TTY and is intended for knowledgeable users.Starting Price: Free -
28
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS
A terminal-centric distro with a vibrant and friendly community at its core. A vibrant and friendly community, the beating heart of this distro, to guide you through your journey. Experience our distro with light and always evolving base. Read and download it on our latest release page. The EndeavourOS knowledge base, the place where you can find our wiki articles and video tutorials, is here as your guideline during your exploration in building your unique and personal system. Create your own destiny with an incredible journey. If you like to roll up your sleeves and go on an adventure, then you might want to give us a try. EndeavourOS isn’t an expressway to a predefined destination in computing, it is all about the journey towards your own destination, and on top of that, you’ll be meeting new and friendly faces during that exploration. Or more appropriate, your new Endeavour.Starting Price: Free -
29
NomadBSD
NomadBSD
NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD®. Together with automatic hardware detection and setup, it is configured to be used as a desktop system that works out of the box, but can also be used for data recovery, for educational purposes, or to test FreeBSD®'s hardware compatibility. The images for 64-bit and 32-bit computers fit on a 5GB USB flash drive. A system with a 1.2GHz CPU and 1G of RAM should be able to run NomadBSD decently. Booting is possible via BIOS and UEFI. We've decided to change the versioning scheme to the following form: FFfX-YYYYMMDD, where FF is the major two-digit FreeBSD version, f is the minor version, and X stands for ALPHA (A), BETA (B), RC, or RELEASE (R). Followed by a date. The new scheme allows us to provide images with different version of FreeBSD.Starting Price: Free -
30
macOS Sequoia
Apple
macOS Sequoia is Apple’s latest operating system designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and seamless device integration for Mac users. It introduces Apple Intelligence, a smart assistant that personalizes helpful insights based on your context. The update allows you to mirror your iPhone directly on your Mac, control it, and manage notifications with ease. New window tiling features and keyboard shortcuts streamline multitasking by organizing your workspace efficiently. The OS also brings new capabilities to apps like Safari, Messages, Maps, and Notes, including smarter reading tools, message scheduling, detailed topographic maps, and live audio transcription. Additionally, macOS Sequoia supports high-quality gaming with titles optimized for Apple silicon, alongside improved privacy and security controls.Starting Price: Free