Linux kernel AlternativesTop Operating Systems and other similar apps like Linux kernel

Linux kernel is described as 'The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system. It's responsible for managing the system's resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software. It was first created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and is open-source, allowing for' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Linux kernel for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, BSD, Self-Hosted and Windows apps. The best Linux kernel alternative is FreeBSD, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Linux kernel are Linux-libre, OpenBSD, GNU Hurd and MINIX 3.

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Alternatives list

  1. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     266 likes
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    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    193 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1
     
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    12
    Comments about FreeBSD as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    burnx50
    Negative
    4

    FreeBSD is not a kernel, it's a full OS

    The Linux Maniac
    Negative
    1

    Free BSD May Give You More Complete Delivery Than Linux But It Has Bad Compatibility And It Is Not Completely Free Compared To Linux, But Still Good Thought.

    voreni
    Positive
    2

    it's best alternative for linux

    Linux kernel Icon
    FreeBSD icon

    • Most users think FreeBSD is a great Linux kernel alternative.

    • FreeBSD is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Linux kernel.

    • FreeBSD is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Linux kernel.

    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focusedLinux kernel is not according to our users
  2. Linux-libre icon

    Linux-libre

     34 likes
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    Linux-libre is a GNU package that is maintained from modified versions of the Linux kernel. The aim of the project is to remove any software that does not include its source code, has its source code obfuscated or released under proprietary licenses.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux-libre screenshot 1
     
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    18
    Comments about Linux-libre as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    youlk1234
    Positive
    0

    It is kinda good, but for every proprietary card's driver (bcm43xx, nvidia, etc) you will not be able to use that card. So not really as good for daily-driving as Linux.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It does not allow malisous code in it. it is vastly supirior to the standard linux.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Linux kernel Icon
    Linux-libre icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Linux-libre is a great Linux kernel alternative.

    • Linux-libre is the most popular Linux alternative to Linux kernel.

    • Linux-libre is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  4. OpenBSD icon

    OpenBSD

     67 likes
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    The OpenBSD project produces a FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. Our efforts emphasize portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security and integrated cryptography.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    Example OpenBSD 5.2 desktop using Gnome 3.4.2 desktop environment
     
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    1
    Comments about OpenBSD as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    Alternative_adder
    Negative
    1

    OpenBSD is not a kernel, it's a complete Operating System.

    Linux kernel Icon
    OpenBSD icon
    • OpenBSD is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
    • OpenBSD is Security-focusedLinux kernel is not according to our users
  5. GNU Hurd icon

    GNU Hurd

     28 likes
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    GNU Hurd (usually referred to as the Hurd) is a computer operating system kernel designed as a replacement for Unix, released as free software under the GNU General Public License. It has been under development since 1990 by the GNU Project of the Free Software Foundation.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNU Hurd screenshot 1
     
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    1
    9
    Comments about GNU Hurd as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    Guest
    Negative
    -10

    The GNU Hurd kernel is not compatible in any way with anything compiled for the linux kernel. The system libraries are different, owing to the different design decisions taken when making the two kernels.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Linux kernel Icon
    GNU Hurd icon

    • Most users think GNU Hurd is a great Linux kernel alternative.

    • GNU Hurd is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  6. MINIX 3 icon

    MINIX 3

     10 likes
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    MINIX is a POSIX-compliant Unix-like operating system based on a tiny microkernel running in kernel mode with the rest of the operating system running as a number of isolated, protected, processes in user mode.

    150 MINIX 3 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    MINIX 3 screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about MINIX 3 as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    youlk1234
    Positive
    0

    MINIX is the reason we have Linux (aka Linus Torvalds got a 486 but Minix (developped by his teacher) didn't yet support his CPU, so he wrote Linux)

    Linux kernel Icon
    MINIX 3 icon

    • MINIX 3 is the most popular Windows & Mac alternative to Linux kernel.

    • MINIX 3 is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  7. Redox icon

    Redox

     10 likes
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    Redox is a Unix-like Operating System written in Rust, aiming to bring the innovations of Rust to a modern microkernel and full set of applications.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Redox OS running COSMIC Editor
     
  9. XNU icon

    XNU

     2 likes
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    XNU kernel is part of the Darwin operating system for use in OS X and iOS operating systems. XNU is an acronym for XNU is Not Unix. XNU is a hybrid kernel combining the Mach kernel developed at Carnegie Mellon University with components from FreeBSD and C++ API for writing...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    Comments about XNU as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    youlk1234
    Positive
    0

    The base of macOS, pretty stable

    Linux kernel Icon
    XNU icon
    • XNU is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  10. NomadBSD icon

    NomadBSD

     7 likes
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    NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD. Together with automatic hardware detection and setup, it is configured to be used as a desktop system that works out of the box, but can also be used for data...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    NomadBSD screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about NomadBSD as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    youlk1234
    Positive
    0

    This OS is cool and lightweight. Installable on a flashdrive to keep your computer on any computer with USB

    Alternative_adder
    Negative
    1

    NomadBSD is a complete Operating System, not a Kernel.

    Linux kernel Icon
    NomadBSD icon
    • NomadBSD is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  11. Xinuos OpenServer™ 10 icon

    Xinuos OpenServer™ 10

     2 likes
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    Xinuos OpenServer™ 10 is a 64-bit operating system based on the popular FreeBSD and designed to support business applications within an enterprise environment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  12. BlackBerry QNX icon

    BlackBerry QNX

     3 likes
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    Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, BlackBerry QNX has provided foundational software for many of the world’s mission-critical embedded systems since 1982. From nuclear power plants, surgical robots and class III life-critical medical devices to autonomous vehicles and brands like...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    Comments about BlackBerry QNX as an Alternative to Linux kernel
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It is not for desktop computers but for embedded devcices only

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Linux kernel Icon
    BlackBerry QNX icon
    • BlackBerry QNX is Freemium and ProprietaryLinux kernel is Free and Open Source
  13. NixBSD icon

    NixBSD

     3 likes
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    NixBSD is an attempt to make a reproducible and declarable BSD, based on NixOS. Although theoretically much of this work could be copied to build other BSDs, all work thus far has been focused on building a FreeBSD distribution.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
     
  14. ExectOS icon

    ExectOS

     1 like
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    ExectOS aims to be a stable and flexible, general purpose operating system written from scratch. It is designed to be modular, maintainable and compatible with existing software. It implements a brand new XT architecture and features own native application interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
12 of 17 Linux kernel alternatives