Best Operating Systems for Linux

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

The open-source enterprise server OS with just the features you need. ZFS, OmniOS' native file system, combines a volume manager and file system with strong data-integrity protection. Easily share volumes via iSCSI, CIFS, and NFS. Run lightweight OmniOS or Linux virtual machines in containers without the overhead of a traditional hypervisor and with full resource control. OmniOS also provides full hardware virtualization via bhyve and KVM for running guests such as Microsoft Windows, FreeBSD, and many others. Virtualize your network infrastructure through Crossbow virtual interfaces and switches and even allocate dedicated resources for specific services. DTrace provides a comprehensive dynamic tracing framework to aid troubleshooting across the whole software stack. Always available, instrument anything on demand. OmniOS is open-source, self-hosting, and maintained on GitHub. All development is done out in the open with pull requests and anyone can grab the source and build OmniOS.

Whether it’s an IoT sensor monitoring industrial devices or an edge system that must act instantly on external inputs, SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time is a real time operating system designed to reduce latency and increase the predictability and reliability of time-sensitive, business-critical applications. Banks, manufacturers, government agencies and others rely on time-dependent applications which must execute accurately and predictably all the time, every time. To act as a single unit, distributed systems need time accuracy not only within a server but across all servers. The Precision Time Protocol (PTP) synchronizes servers via the high-speed network, up to sub-microsecond accuracy. Includes support for device interrupt threads, enabling tuning at the device level, and hardware latency detectors to ensure predictability of application behavior. SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time gives you the time advantage you need to beat the competition.

Democratizing how we access networks through a universal router and open source software. Our vision at VyOS is to dramatically change how we access networks so that we can all build the solutions we always dreamed of, without restrictions, limitations, or prohibitive costs. We fundamentally believe that internet access is as vital to our human development as air, food, water, and healthcare. Built by engineers for engineers, VyOS is an open source software company that democratizes how we access networks so that the many, not the few, benefit from building solutions without limitations and prohibitive fees. We do this as VyOS through our open source software and virtual platforms. Stateful firewalls, zone-based firewall, all types of source and destination NAT (one to one, one to many, many to many). The entire codebase and build toolchain are available to everyone for auditing, building customized images and contributing.

Stable servers reduce churn and allow you to increase density, and therefore magnify your profit. The CloudLinux OS stability features prevent resource spikes and make your servers rock-solid stable, even in the most stressful situations. CloudLinux OS protects your servers from attacks by virtualizing users’ file systems and prevent sensitive information disclosure. Our kernel-level technology prevents all known symbolic link attacks, which further enhances the security level of the servers. Secure the unsupported versions of PHP where, vulnerabilities, even if discovered, are not patched by the PHP.net community. Multiply the number of users on a more stable server with Cloudlinux OS and manage any resources limits for each customer. Troubleshooting performance problems with Detailed information on system bottlenecks, slow database queries, functions, or external calls.

An open source, community-owned and governed, forever-free enterprise Linux distribution, focused on long-term stability, providing a robust production-grade platform. AlmaLinux OS is 1:1 binary compatible with RHEL® and pre-Stream CentOS. Our GitHub organization contains source code and tools used to build AlmaLinux OS and related infrastructure. Join our vibrant Reddit community, interact with other AlmaLinux OS users, receive updates, find and provide help. Join a real time discussion with other AlmaLinux OS community members, governance team and AlmaLinux OS developers. Ask questions, get answers and contribute community support to others in AlmaLinux OS community and developers alike. As a standalone, completely free OS, AlmaLinux OS enjoys $1M in annual sponsorship from CloudLinux Inc and support from other sponsors. Ongoing development efforts are governed by the members of the community.

Junos® OS automates network operations with streamlined precision, furthers operational efficiency, and frees up valuable time and resources for top-line growth opportunities. Built for reliability, security, and flexibility, Junos OS runs many of the world’s most sophisticated network deployments, giving operators an advantage over those who run competing network operating systems. Reduces the time and effort required to plan, deploy, and operate network infrastructure. Extends traditional disaggregation by creating a flexible consumption model for network applications and provides a highly scalable software that keeps pace with evolving requirements. Makes the insertion of line cards and the subsequent network OS upgrade a non-service impacting event. Cloud providers understand that operating a flexible, cost-effective network requires simplified operations across a highly scalable infrastructure.

With HPE OpenVMS, get a platform that is proven to deliver. OpenVMS is a general-purpose, multi-user Operating system that offers immunity to both planned and unplanned downtime with proven continuous computing, including disaster-tolerant, multisite clusters at an open system price. While most enterprise IT environments measure uptime in days or weeks, OpenVMS customers characterize uptime in terms of years. You can depend on OpenVMS for uncompromising reliability, availability, scalability, and security. HPE provides a high performance development and production environment on OpenVMS. HPE OpenVMS Cluster software is an integral part of the OpenVMS operating system, providing the basis for many of the key capabilities used by OpenVMS enterprise solutions. HPE OpenVMS provides a full range of security products and services from HPE and our partners designed to protect a company's vital assets.

SUSE Linux Micro is a lightweight, container-optimized Linux operating system designed for edge computing and microservices environments. It offers a small footprint with security and performance optimized for deploying containerized applications. The platform enables fast, scalable, and cost-efficient cloud-native development, especially in resource-constrained environments. With built-in automation tools and compatibility with Kubernetes, SUSE Linux Micro supports seamless integration into modern containerized infrastructures. It is ideal for developers and IT operations teams who need to deploy and manage applications across distributed environments efficiently.

Wind River Linux enables you to build and deploy secure Linux-based devices and systems without the risk and development efforts associated with roll-your-own (RYO) in-house efforts. Let Wind River keep your code base up to date, track and fix defects, apply security patches, customize your runtime to adhere to strict market specifications and certifications, facilitate your IP and export compliance, and significantly reduce your costs. Accelerate time-to-market by getting started today, building your Linux distribution with freely available Yocto Project source code, with assurance that you can easily move to one of our flexible subscription offers later. Rely on fully validated, maintained, and supported source code with access to a team of Linux experts to help you tackle all your development lifecycle needs. Calculate your TCO. Wind River Linux allows you to build your own Linux operating system with a variety of service options to help you with that process.

OpenMandriva Lx is a unique and independent distribution and direct descendant of Mandriva Linux. The OpenMandriva Association's goal is to develop a pragmatic distribution that provides the best user experience for everyone, from newbies to developers. We will achieve our objectives for the best balance between the most modern features and stability. Our roots are in Mandrake and its traditions, we are a worldwide community of people who are passionate about free software working together and take our technical and strategic decisions in a collaborative manner. We do not just build a Linux distro, we exchange knowledge and make new friends. Welcome to OpenMandriva Community! Click here to know who are us and what we are doing. A free Desktop Operating System which aims to stimulate and interest first time and advanced users alike. It has the breadth and depth of an advanced system but is designed to be simple and straightforward in use.

Designed for mixed environments and includes a complete suite of required business applications to support employees’ productivity. SLE Desktop shares the core of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and is equipped with enhanced security providing unparalleled protection of valuable enterprise data. A flexible and highly secure desktop operating system suitable for environments where reliability, ease of maintenance and updates are key. Includes dozens of leading applications, including web browser, email client, collaboration tools – all required to enable employees’ productivity. Security features, such as application security system, integrated VPN and antivirus tools, deliver bullet-proof security and protection against virus and malware attacks. Comes with enterprise-grade support and maintenance services from SUSE. Provides users a high degree of customization to meet their business requirements.

Sabayon is a beginner-friendly Gentoo-based open-source Linux distribution. We aim to deliver the best "out of the box" user experience by providing the latest open source technologies in an elegant format. In Sabayon everything should just work. We offer a bleeding edge operating system that is both stable and reliable. Fast and optimized for your hardware! It’s up to you whether you turn a fresh Sabayon installation into a geeky Gentoo ~arch system or simply enjoy the power of our binary package manager. From testing to Community Repositories. Install just once, you can upgrade everytime you wish to the latest release. Just start it, everything should be already in place. Daily and Monthly images available. Multiple Desktop Environment, KDE, Gnome, Mate, and XFCE. Build your own Sabayon spin easily! It can even be built with Docker! Support for Raspberry Pi 2⁄3, Odroid X2, U2/3 C2 and more.

IBM z/VM is an operating system with security-rich and scalable hypervisor and virtualization technology designed to run guest servers such as Linux, z/OS and z/TPF virtual machines as well as Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Z and LinuxONE servers. IBM z/VM runs hundreds to thousands of guest servers on a single IBM Z or IBM LinuxONE server with high efficiency and elasticity. It supports multiple machine images and architectures, simplifying migrations, facilitating application transitions, and consolidating systems onto one server. IBM z/VM excels in sharing system resources among virtual machines, offering extreme scalability, security, and efficiency, leading to cost savings and a robust foundation for cognitive computing. Use on-premises cloud computing in a hybrid cloud strategy. Scale and run thousands of Linux and container workloads efficiently. Help ensure continuous availability with IBM's resiliency offerings.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a robust, scalable, and secure enterprise-grade operating system designed for businesses and organizations. It offers a reliable platform for running mission-critical workloads and applications across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server provides advanced features such as high availability, virtualization, and cloud integration, making it ideal for deploying complex IT infrastructures. It is known for its stability and long-term support, ensuring organizations can maintain a secure and consistent environment over time. SUSE's management tools allow for streamlined configuration and automation, simplifying the deployment and maintenance of servers. It supports a wide range of hardware architectures, including x86_64, ARM, and IBM Power, ensuring flexibility for various business needs. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is also optimized for performance, with strong security features.

Vampire OS is the alternative to Windows and macOS designed to make your computer faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting. We believe privacy is a fundamental human right. That's why Vampire OS doesn't collect personal data, so advertisers and governments can't spy on your activity. Vampire OS is Open Source, so anyone can audit its source code to verify its privacy. Users can use hard disk or RAM so users can experience lightspeed with stunning animation. Vampire OS is comes with more than 5 advance security tools and user can also change their security level with vampire tools form low secure mode to high secure mode. Vampire Connect is integrated into the Vampire OS desktop to merge the experience between your computer and Android device.It works over an encrypted connection on your local network, so your data stays private and never reaches the cloud.