Debian Alternatives

Debian is described as 'The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian' and is a leading Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Debian for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, Mac and BSD apps. The best Debian alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Debian are Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Fedora and CachyOS.

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Alternatives list

  1. EndeavourOS icon
     71 likes

    EndeavourOS is an Arch-based distro that provides an Arch experience without the hassle of installing it manually for both x86_64 and ARM systems. After installation, you’re provided with a lightweight and almost barebones environment ready to be explored with your terminal...

    174 EndeavourOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  2. Pop!_OS icon
     105 likes

    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.

    185 Pop!_OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  3. macOS icon
     571 likes

    A Unix-based OS for Mac with seamlessly integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering an intuitive UI, productivity tools like Finder, Spotlight, and Automator, built-in apps like Safari and Photos, Continuity for cross-device functionality, and security features including FileVault and Gatekeeper.

    185 macOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  4. NixOS icon
     77 likes

    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    198 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  5. Gentoo icon
     174 likes

    Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.

    200 Gentoo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
     
  6. ReactOS icon
     299 likes

    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    204 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
     
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    2
    ReactOS vs Debian Comments
    Kelson V
    Negative
    1

    I like ReactOS, but it serves a very different purpose than Debian: To keep running software build for old versions of Windows.

    rhY
    Positive
    0

    I just like ReactOS in general. In the future when Windows is obsolete, we will need ReactOS.

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • ReactOS is an Operating System Debian is a Linux Distro
  7. Whonix icon
     67 likes

    Whonix is a desktop operating system designed for advanced security and privacy. Whonix mitigates the threat of common attack vectors while maintaining usability. Online anonymity is realized via fail-safe, automatic, and desktop-wide use of the Tor network.

    46 Whonix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. Windows 10 icon
     418 likes

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    185 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    2
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 vs Debian Comments
    Buster_Blue
    Negative
    15

    It isn't open-source, it's not nearly as customization, and it doesn't give the same level of freedom that Debian does regarding what you can do with it. Windows 10 also doesn't have any kind of package managing system, which is painful to lose once you've gotten used to using them. It does have a moderately good shell however, (at least better than its former shell) and because of its popularity, it has a lot of 3rd party support.

    Sega Dreamcast
    Negative
    2

    Not even close to as flexable or secure. Using Windows for server purposes is no different than wearing a target mask at a shooting range.

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryDebian is Free and Open Source
    • Windows 10 is an Operating System Debian is a Linux Distro
  9. Red Hat is the leader in development, deployment, and management of Linux and open source solutions for Internet infrastructure - ranging from embedded devices to secure Web servers. Red Hat was founded in 1994 by visionary entrepreneurs Bob Young and Marc Ewing.

    193 Red Hat Enterprise Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. Nobara Linux icon
     35 likes

    The Nobara Project, to put it simply, is a modified version of Fedora Linux with user-friendly fixes added to it. Fedora is a very good workstation OS, however, anything involving any kind of 3rd party or proprietary packages is usually...

    115 Nobara Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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