Raspberry Pi OS AlternativesOperating Systems & Linux Distros like Raspberry Pi OS

Raspberry Pi OS is described as '(previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it with NOOBS or download the image below and follow our installation guide' and is a popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Raspberry Pi OS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, BSD, Windows and GNU Hurd apps. The best Raspberry Pi OS alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Raspberry Pi OS are Arch Linux, Fedora, Manjaro Linux and Windows 10.

Raspberry Pi OS alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Raspberry Pi OS.

Raspberry Pi OS

Free • Open Source
Operating System

Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it...

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Ubuntu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Ubuntu
206 Ubuntu alternatives
Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.
- - Ubuntu is the most popular Linux alternative to Raspberry Pi OS.
- - Ubuntu is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Raspberry Pi OS.
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Ubuntu Features
1. Support for scriptingUbuntu supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. PortableUbuntu can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightUbuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUbuntu can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Linux-based
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
APT package manager
Support for Unicode
OTA Updates
Kde support
KDE
X server
Comments about Ubuntu as a Alternative to Raspberry Pi OS
pros, cons and recent comments
ZAlex
Its not an OS for Raspberry Pi
Negative comment •
1
Arch Linux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
217 Arch Linux alternatives
Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
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Arch Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseArch Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightArch Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Ad-freeArch Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Privacy focusedArch Linux is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. No TrackingArch Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Command line interfaceArch Linux either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
7. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Arch Linux without registration.
Customizable
Arch User Repository
Wiki documentation
Minimalistic
Community-based
Linux-based
Bleeding edge
FOSS
Package Control
ARM support
Comments about Arch Linux as a Alternative to Raspberry Pi OS
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Arch Linux has a port available that will run on the Raspberry Pi.
Positive comment •
0
Fedora
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
225 Fedora alternatives
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.
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Fedora Features
1. No TrackingFedora will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedFedora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeFedora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeFedora supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Fedora without registration.
6. Rolling ReleaseFedora supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
7. LightweightFedora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Out Of The Box
Linux-based
Customizable
Wayland Support
Support for BTRFS
FOSS
Unix-like
Separated workspaces
Multiple languages
Key rebinding
Manjaro Linux
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Arch Linux
246 Manjaro Linux alternatives
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...
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Manjaro Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseManjaro Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightManjaro Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingManjaro Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Ad-freeManjaro Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Manjaro Linux without registration.
Based on Arch Linux
Customizable
Arch User Repository
User friendly
Linux-based
Community-based
Simple installation
Out Of The Box
Clean design
Support for Nvidia drivers
Windows 10
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Operating System
Windows
163 Windows 10 alternatives
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems
- - Windows 10 is the most popular Windows alternative to Raspberry Pi OS.
- - Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to Raspberry Pi OS.
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Windows 10 Features
Auto Update
Usability
PowerShell Scripting
Xbox Streaming
Onedrive integration
Tablet support
Binary packages
Comments about Windows 10 as a Alternative to Raspberry Pi OS
This alternative is disputed. Windows 10 is still a legitimate Raspberry Pi OS alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
It's not open source, not free and because it's not a Linux distribution, it works in a different way.
Negative comment •
1
elementary OS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
234 elementary OS alternatives
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
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elementary OS Features
1. Lightweightelementary OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Distraction-freeelementary OS has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
3. Ad-freeelementary OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. No Trackingelementary OS will not track you or use your personal data.
macOS-like
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Configurable
Flatpak
App center
Consistent UI
Out Of The Box
Unix kernel
openSUSE
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
224 openSUSE alternatives
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
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openSUSE Features
1. Rolling ReleaseopenSUSE supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. Ad-freeopenSUSE doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingopenSUSE will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Privacy focusedopenSUSE is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Kde support
Customizable
User friendly
Linux-based
Community-based
Kubuntu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
232 Kubuntu alternatives
Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
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Kubuntu Features
1. Ad-freeKubuntu doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Rolling ReleaseKubuntu supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
3. LightweightKubuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. No TrackingKubuntu will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Privacy focusedKubuntu is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Based on Ubuntu
KDE
Customizable
User friendly
Based on Debian
Desktop Application
Xubuntu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
187 Xubuntu alternatives
Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.
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Xubuntu Features
1. LightweightXubuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
XFCE support
Based on Ubuntu
Based on Debian
Zorin OS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
145 Zorin OS alternatives
Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Windows users who want to have easy and smooth access to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world.
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Zorin OS Features
1. Ad-freeZorin OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Dark ModeZorin OS supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. LightweightZorin OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
User friendly
Windows like desktop
Linux-based
Windows-like
Out Of The Box
Printer compatibility
Intuitive Interface
Customizable
Run Windows software
Based on Ubuntu
Lubuntu
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
178 Lubuntu alternatives
Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT.
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Lubuntu Features
1. LightweightLubuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Customizable
Unix-like
XFCE support
Based on Debian
FreeBSD
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
BSD
Self-Hosted
225 FreeBSD alternatives
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...
- - FreeBSD is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Raspberry Pi OS.
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FreeBSD Features
Unix-like
Geeky
ARM support
Package Control
Comments about FreeBSD as a Alternative to Raspberry Pi OS
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
FreeBSD has a port available that will run on the Raspberry Pi.
Positive comment •
2