List of alternative operating systems for home users

This is a list of Linux, BSD and other operating systems that I do personally consider the best options for beginners and home users. The list does not include operating systems that is targeting advanced users and enterprises in the first place. All operating systems on this list do take it their priority over anything else to deliver a smooth experience and a reliable, stable and secure operating system for beginners and average home users.

ddabrahim
ddabrahimList by ddabrahim, last updated 
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Fedora icon
     Like

    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
    Fedora screenshot 1
    Fedora screenshot 2
    +9
    XFCE spin
  2. Desktop-focused Linux system offering custom menus, multimedia codecs, browser plugins, native DVD playback, and integrated software manager with user-friendly tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
    Linux Mint screenshot 1
    Linux Mint screenshot 2
    +4
    Linux Mint screenshot 3
  3. Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (KDE)
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (I3)
    +5
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (I3)
  4. Zorin OS icon
     Like

    Linux-based operating system with a customizable interface for Windows users, dual-boot support, WINE compatibility, pre-installed software, and easy setup.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout
    Windows 11 layout
    MacOS layout
    +7
    Deepin layout
  5. Pop!_OS icon
     Like

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 2
    +1
    Pop!_OS screenshot 3
  6. Endless OS is a Linux-based operating system which provides a simplified and streamlined user experience using a customized desktop environment forked from GNOME 3. Rather than using a traditional Linux package management system, Endless OS uses a read-only root file system...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Endless OS screenshot 1
  7. CloudReady is a operating system built and maintained by Neverware. Based on Google’s open source Chromium OS, CloudReady uses web apps and both cloud storage (Google Drive) as well as local storage (File manager). Comes without Android app support.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    CloudReady screenshot 1
    CloudReady screenshot 1
    CloudReady screenshot 2
    +3
    USB media creation
  8. FydeOS icon
     Like

    FydeOS offers a choice for regular PCs to behave like Chromebooks with alternative supporting services, on-premise or in the cloud, with or without Google. Formerly known as "Flint OS".

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Chrome OS
    FydeOS screenshot 1
    FydeOS screenshot 1
    FydeOS screenshot 2
    +1
    FydeOS screenshot 3
  9. Chrome OS icon
     Like

    Google Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system designed by Google that uses the Google Chrome icon Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface, so it works primarily with web applications.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Chrome OS
    Chrome OS screenshot 1
    Chrome OS screenshot 1
  10. MX Linux icon
     Like

    MX Linux is an operating system - a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS communities. It is a midweight OS that combines an elegant and efficient desktop with simple configuration, high stability and solid performance.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    MX Linux screenshot 1
    MX Linux screenshot 1
    MX Linux screenshot 2
    +1
    MX Linux screenshot 3
  11. PCLinuxOS icon
     Like

    PCLinuxOS is a free easy to use Linux-based Operating System for desktops or laptops.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Mate Desktop
    PCLinuxOS screenshot 1
    PCLinuxOS screenshot 2
    +3
    PCLinuxOS screenshot 3
  12. GhostBSD icon
     Like

    GhostBSD is a user friendly desktop operating system based on FreeBSD icon FreeBSD , which attempts to conform to the Single Unix Specification. FreeBSD is known for its stability and security in server environments, which, incidentally, provides an...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    GhostBSD screenshot 1
    GhostBSD screenshot 1
  13. Desktop system for creators with focus on simplicity, elegance, and usability. Based on FreeBSD. Less, but better!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
  14. Haiku icon
     Like

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
    • Self-Hosted
    Haiku screenshot 1
    Haiku screenshot 1
    Haiku screenshot 2
    +7
    Haiku screenshot 3
No comments so far, maybe you want to be first?
Gu