Linux kernel Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to Linux kernel for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Linux-libre, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to Linux kernel and ten of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Linux kernel are GNU Hurd, Redox, MINIX 3 and Xinuos OpenServer™ 10.

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Alternatives list

  1. Linux-libre icon
     34 likes

    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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
    Linux-libre vs Linux kernel Comments
    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-libre is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  2. GNU Hurd icon
     28 likes

    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
     
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    1
    GNU Hurd vs Linux kernel Comments
    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.
    • GNU Hurd is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  3. Redox icon
     10 likes

    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 (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4. MINIX 3 icon
     10 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    MINIX 3 vs Linux kernel Comments
    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)

    • MINIX 3 is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  5. Xinuos OpenServer™ 10 is a 64-bit operating system based on the popular FreeBSD and designed to support business applications within an enterprise environment.

    158 Xinuos OpenServer™ 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  6. 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...

    122 BlackBerry QNX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    BlackBerry QNX vs Linux kernel Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It is not for desktop computers but for embedded devcices only

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • BlackBerry QNX is Freemium and ProprietaryLinux kernel is Free and Open Source
  7. Nanos icon
     3 likes

    Nanos is a new kernel designed to run one and only one application in a virtualized environment. It has several constraints on it compared to a general purpose operating system such as Windows or Linux - namely it's a single process system with no support for running...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
     
  8. illumos icon
     19 likes

    illumos is a free and open-source Unix operating system. It derives from OpenSolaris, which in turn derives from SVR4 UNIX and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). illumos comprises a kernel, device drivers, system libraries, and utility software for system administration.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  9. RISC OS icon
     3 likes

    Risc OS is an open-source OS specifically designed to run on the ARM chipset.

    139 RISC OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BeagleBoard
    • Raspberry Pi
     
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    2
    RISC OS vs Linux kernel Comments
    youlk1234
    Positive
    0

    Good for retro-styled machines

    Alternative_adder
    Negative
    0

    It is an OS, not a kernel!

    • RISC OS is Free and Open SourceLinux kernel is also Free and Open Source
  10. BITS-PyOS icon
     1 like

    BIOS-Implementation-Test-Suite-Based Python Operating System.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
     
10 of 10 Linux kernel alternatives