Best Operating Systems for Linux
View:
Compare the Top Operating Systems for Linux as of September 2025
Sort By:
What are Operating Systems for Linux?
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 Linux currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
-
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
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. -
3
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. -
4
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 -
5
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. -
6
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. -
7
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 -
8
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. -
9
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. -
10
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. -
11
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. -
12
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 -
13
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 -
14
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 -
15
CloudReady
Neverware
Transform your organization’s computers so they’re secure, easy to manage, and never slow down. CloudReady gives you all the power of the web—without the weight or risk of traditional operating systems. It’s an OS designed for now...and for what’s next. That’s why companies, non-profits, schools, and government agencies around the world use CloudReady to streamline and secure their devices when accessing web apps and VDI. CloudReady is based on Google’s Chromium OS, the same open-source architecture as Chrome OS. Whether your computers are brand new or a decade old, installing CloudReady provides unparalleled speed, simplicity, and security without hardware limitations.Starting Price: $15 per device per year -
16
Zorin OS
Zorin OS
Zorin OS is designed to be easy, so you won't need to learn anything to get started. The Zorin Appearance app lets you change the desktop to resemble the environment you're familiar with, whether it's Windows, macOS, or Linux. Built on an Ubuntu & Linux foundation, Zorin OS runs on the same Open Source software that powers the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and more. Thanks to Linux's advanced security features, Zorin OS is resistant to viruses. Security patches and software updates are available for years to come. Zorin OS works lightning fast and doesn't slow down with updates. The Lite edition runs snappy on computers as old as 15 years, so you can breathe new life into old PCs. From a full Microsoft Office-compatible office suite to professional photo editing software, Zorin OS comes with powerful apps out of the box. Countless more apps and games are available from the Software store and Steam.Starting Price: Free -
17
KDE Plasma
KDE
Use Plasma to surf the web, keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family; manage your files, enjoy music and videos; and get creative and productive at work. Do it all in a beautiful environment that adapts to your needs, and with the safety, privacy-protection and peace of mind that the best Free Open Source Software has to offer. The Plasma Launcher lets you quickly and easily launch applications, but it can do much more – convenient tasks like bookmarking applications, searching for documents as you type, or navigating to common places help you getting straight to the point. With a history of recently started programs and opened files, you can return to where you left off. It even remembers previously entered search terms so you don’t have to. Plasma is made to stay out of the way as it helps you get things done. But under its light and intuitive surface, it's a powerhouse. So you're free to choose ways of usage right as you need them and when you need them. -
18
Parrot OS
Parrot Security
Parrot is a worldwide community of developers and security specialists that work together to build a shared framework of tools to make their job easier, standardized and more reliable and secure. Parrot OS, the flagship product of Parrot Security is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian and designed with Security and Privacy in mind. It includes a full portable laboratory for all kinds of cyber security operations, from pentesting to digital forensics and reverse engineering, but it also includes everything needed to develop your own software or keep your data secure. Always updated, frequently released with many hardening and sandboxing options available. Everything is under your complete control. Feel free to get the system, share with anyone, read the source code and change it as you want! this system is made to respect your freedom, and it ever will be. -
19
Slackware
Slackware Linux
After a long development cycle (including many betas and release candidates to get everything just exactly perfect) we're pleased to announce the availability of the new stable release. You'll find updates throughout the system, with the latest development tools and recent versions of applications, window managers, desktop environments, and utilities. The Linux kernel is updated to version 4.4.14 (part of the 4.4.x kernel series that will be getting long-term support from the kernel developers). We've brought together the best of these and other modern components and worked our magic on them. If you've used Slackware before, you'll find the system feels like home. Want to give Slackware 14.2 a test drive without modifying your disk drive? Then check out Slackware Live Edition! This is a complete Slackware installation that can run from a CD, DVD, or USB stick. Build scripts for all kinds of additional software for Slackware 14.2 are also available. -
20
Deepin
Wuhan Deepin Technology
Deepin is an elegant, easy to use and reliable domestic desktop operating system released by Deepin Technology Co., Ltd. Deepin featured applications have been preinstalled in Deepin. It allows you to experience a variety of recreational activities, but also to meet your daily needs. With continually improved and perfected functions, we believe Deepin will be loved and used by more and more users. Deepin Technology takes the requirements of users as core, adhering to the idea of creative objectives and based on the market demand to provide users with better products and services. In a comfortable and free working environment, one can create more efffective work. No more long and boring workflows or waiting times here, everything in the system is quick and cooperative. As the leading research and development team of the operating system in China, Deepin Technology provides safe, reliable, beautiful and easy to use operating system and open source solutions. -
21
Tails
Tails
Tails is a portable operating system that protects against surveillance and censorship. Tails uses the Tor network to protect your privacy online and help you avoid censorship. Enjoy the Internet like it should be. Shut down the computer and start on your Tails USB stick instead of starting on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Tails leaves no trace on the computer when shut down. Tails includes a selection of applications to work on sensitive documents and communicate securely. Everything in Tails is ready-to-use and has safe defaults. You can download Tails for free and independent security researchers can verify our work. Tails is based on Debian GNU/Linux. Activists use Tails to hide their identities, avoid censorship, and communicate securely. Journalists and their sources use Tails to publish sensitive information and access the Internet from unsafe places. Domestic violence survivors use Tails to escape surveillance at home. -
22
SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux is a GNU/Linux distribution created on the top of Debian GNU/Linux operating system. Sparky is fast, lightweight and fully customizable OS which offers a few versions for different users and different tasks, such as fully featured OS with a lightweight desktop environment, which works out of the box and contain a selection of pre installed common use software for home users. MinimalGUI with Openbox window manager preinstalled only with basic software installed for users whose want to configure their OS/desktop as they want, on the top of Debian, plus any desktop environment or window manager they like. MinimalCLI with no X server, for advanced users whose want to build and configure their desktops in own way. Sparky supports about 20 desktop environments and window managers giving you freedom of choice, having in mind that your computer is made for working, having fun, entertainment, keeping in touch with friends, and many, many other things. -
23
Bodhi Linux
Bodhi Linux
Bodhi Linux, a lightweight distribution featuring the fast & fully customizable Moksha Desktop. The 64-bit is built on top of Ubuntu (20.04). The 32-bit Non-PAE architecture has a Ubuntu 18.04 base, Bodhi Linux 6.0.0 is the Enlightened Linux Distribution. Bodhi is a small open-source distro with a rather small team of active Team Members, we are always looking for help. In particular, we are looking for c, bash, and python programmers, translators, graphic artists, theme developers, and more. If you think you can help contact us. Not all users can contribute to the code and documentation so even a small financial donation helps tremendously. It’s known for minimalism, resource efficiency, and user choice. The team behind Bodhi Linux works to make the distribution as lean as possible and believes that the end-user should be able to choose the applications that they want rather than have a bunch of pre-installed applications that are unnecessary. -
24
Pop!_OS
System76
Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it. Pop!_OS is designed for fast navigation, easy workspace organization, and fluid, convenient workflow. Your operating system should encourage discovery, not obstruct it. While you’ve got your wheels turning, take the scenic route with a dock and touchpad gestures, or race along a minimalist track from behind the wheel of a revving keyboard. With a variety of both mouse-driven and keyboard-driven customizations, you’re empowered to navigate your workflow the way you’ve always wanted. Pop!_OS uses auto-tiling for the same reason that people hire assistants: Organizing your work is incredibly time-consuming. Sure, you could still move, resize, and arrange windows yourself, but why spend the time when your OS does it for you? -
25
Fedora
Fedora
Fedora Workstation is a reliable, powerful, and easy-to-use operating system for desktop and laptop computers. It is functional for a wide range of developers, from hobbyists and students to professionals in business environments. Focus on your code with the GNOME 3 desktop environment. GNOME is developed with the needs of developers in mind and is free from unnecessary distractions, so you can focus on what really matters. Avoid the hassle of trying to find or compile the tools you need. With Fedora's comprehensive collection of open source languages, tools, and utilities, it's just a click or command away. There are even hosting projects and repositories like COPR to share your code and make builds available to the entire community. -
26
openSUSE Tumbleweed
openSUSE Project
You install it once and enjoy it forever. No longer do you have to worry every six months about massive system upgrades that risk bricking your system. You get frequent updates that not only address vulnerabilities or squash bugs, but reflect latest features and developments, such as fresh kernels, fresh drivers and recent desktop environment versions. Updates are thoroughly tested against industry-grade quality standards, taking advantage of a build service other Linux distributions envy us. Not only is each new version of a package individually tested, but different clusters of versions are are tested against each other, making sure your system is internally consistent. With a single command you can update thousands of packages, rollback to last week’s snapshot, fast-forward again, and even preview upcoming releases. -
27
JupyterHub
JupyterHub
With JupyterHub you can create a multi-user Hub which spawns, manages, and proxies multiple instances of the single-user Jupyter notebook server. Project Jupyter created JupyterHub to support many users. The Hub can offer notebook servers to a class of students, a corporate data science workgroup, a scientific research project, or a high performance computing group. JupyterHub officially does not support Windows. You may be able to use JupyterHub on Windows if you use a Spawner and Authenticator that work on Windows, but the JupyterHub defaults will not. Bugs reported on Windows will not be accepted, and the test suite will not run on Windows. Small patches that fix minor Windows compatibility issues (such as basic installation) may be accepted, however. For Windows-based systems, we would recommend running JupyterHub in a docker container or Linux VM. -
28
ReactOS
ReactOS
ReactOS is an operating system. Our own main features are that ReactOS is able to run Windows software, and it is also able to run Windows drivers. ReactOS looks-like Windows, and it is free and open source. ReactOS is a free and open source operating system written from scratch. Its design is based on Windows in the same way Linux is based on Unix, however ReactOS is not Linux. ReactOS looks and feels like Windows, is able to your run all your Windows applications and software, as well as all your Windows drivers, and is familiar to Windows users. You can create your own ReactOS versions! You’re using Open Source software daily if you use Firefox, LibreOffice, OpenOffice, GNU-Linux distributions among zillions of Open Source projects out there. The Open Source projects, as ReactOS, are driven for and by its Community, so being active translating, donating, or coding is a way to help ReactOS boost forward. -
29
DelphiOS
Turbotic
Meet the worlds first operating system that connects all your AI and automations into one visual platform. Automation & AI initiatives often fail due inadequate analysis of what exact business processes to automate. A well defined process analysis is key. Visualizes Automation & AI process candidates. Process discovery and analysis. Solution proposals by our AI-engine. Automation & AI implementations often fail due to inadequate planning and execution. DelphiOS helps you avoid these common pitfalls. Best-in-class methodology how to implement your solutions. Shortens your development by appropriately allocating development tasks and approval steps. Controlling and managing multiple Automation and AI technologies from different vendors can be very challenging. Full control and overview of existing solutions is crucial. Manage robots, AI-models and solutions in 6 technologies. The DelphiOS Control module shows performance and diagnostics of your Automation & AI solutions in real time.Starting Price: $99 per month -
30
NethServer
NethServer
Analyzes all web traffic and blocks selected websites via HTTP and even HTTPS using Squid proxy. Integrated with ClamAV antivirus and site blacklists. Multi-domain web server with ready LAMP stack. Virtual hosting allows to host multiple domain names on a single server. Based on NextCloud provides universal access to your files via the web, your computer or your mobile devices, wherever you are. Provide a private Slack-alternative with Mattermost. Open source messaging platform that enables secure team collaboration. Modern and powerful web interface based on Cockpit that simplifies common administration tasks, very easy and fast installation. Based on CentOS/RHEL, a widespread and popular server distribution, trusted by routine security updates, and rock solid stability.Starting Price: €48 per year