Free Distros

These distros listed here include only 100% free/libre software, and those that can be used with only free/libre software. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Ja H
Ja HList by Ja H, last updated 
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  1. Debian icon
     Like

    Debian is fully free software out of the box, however they maintain a repository of proprietary software - you can always choose not to use those.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.
    Debian screenshot 1
    Debian screenshot 2
    +2
    Debian screenshot 3
  2. Fedora icon
     Like

    Fedora is also fully free software out of the box, however there are still proprietary blobs in their kernel. It's possible to switch it out with the Linux-libre kernel.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
    Fedora screenshot 1
    Fedora screenshot 2
    +9
    XFCE spin
  3. Gentoo icon
     Like

    You can always choose to build Gentoo with only fully free software included and with the Linux-libre kernel.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Gentoo screenshot 1
    Gentoo screenshot 1
    Gentoo screenshot 2
  4. GNU Guix icon
     Like

    An advanced GNU/Linux distro built on top of GNU Guix (pronounced “geeks”), a purely functional package manager for the GNU system.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • GNU Hurd
    Xfce desktop environment
    GNOME desktop environment
    Login screen
    +1
    Guix Emacs interface
  5. Like Gentoo, you can always choose to build LFS with only fully free software included and with the Linux-libre kernel.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
  6. Parabola icon
     Like

    A distribution based on Arch that prioritizes simple package and system management.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Parabola screenshot 1
    Parabola screenshot 1
    Parabola screenshot 2
  7. PureOS icon
     Like

    A GNU distribution based on Debian with a focus on privacy, security, and convenience.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    PureOS screenshot 1
    PureOS screenshot 1
  8. Trisquel icon
     Like

    A GNU/Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that's oriented toward small enterprises, domestic users and educational centers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Trisquel screenshot 1
    Trisquel screenshot 1
    iso
    +11
    Login
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