The Best Tails AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Tails

Tails is described as 'Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user' and is a very popular Linux Distro in the security & privacy category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Tails for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, BSD and Mac apps. The best Tails alternative is Qubes OS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Tails are Whonix, Kali Linux, Parrot Security OS and Alpine Linux.

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Alternatives list

  1. Qubes OS icon
     129 likes

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    202 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
     
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    7
    Qubes OS vs Tails Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    John Fastman
    11

    Tails is a Debian-based distro you might install on a USB stick and run live. It funnels traffic through TOR to protect anonymity and wipes its behind on the way out. Qubes can do the same through its Whonix VM, but it also offers much more. It's offers security, by building ephemeral VMs in which apps can run. Thsese can be Debian, Fedora or Whonix based. Anonymity+security with Qubes.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Runs everything in Virtual Machines.

    Privacy Pirate
    Positive
    2

    Like Tails, Qubes OS routes all traffic over Tor. It also has advanced virtualization and hardened security settings that would be desirable to anyone who uses tails for its security upgrades.

    3 of 7 comments
    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceTails is also Free and Open Source
    • Qubes OS is CustomizableTails is not according to our users
  2. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Whonix vs Tails Comments
    redtrillix
    Positive
    4

    Unlike most of the other alternatives to Tails, this is a legitimate alternative to Tails.

    • Whonix is Free and Open SourceTails is also Free and Open Source
  3. Kali Linux icon
     296 likes

    Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.

    26 Kali Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    Kali Linux vs Tails Comments
    OAKSIF0
    Negative
    6

    Kali Linux is a penetration testing Linux distro that does not come out of the box with Tor routing all network traffic - which is the primary feature of Tails. Although Kali Linux has hacking tools it has no tools for privacy or anonymity.

    • Kali Linux is Free and Open SourceTails is also Free and Open Source
  4. Parrot is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian Testing and designed with Security, Development, and Privacy in mind.

    31 Parrot Security OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Parrot Security OS vs Tails Comments
    michaelcoxeu
    Positive
    0

    Parrot OS is free from trackers and telemetry "anti-features", and it provides many privacy tools like AnonSurf, Tor Browser, a custom Firefox profile, easy cryptographic tools and much more.

    • Parrot Security OS is Free and Open SourceTails is also Free and Open Source
    • Parrot Security OS is CustomizableTails is not according to our users
  5. Alpine Linux icon
     41 likes

    Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. Artix Linux icon
     26 likes

    Artix Linux is a fork (or continuation as an autonomous project) of the Arch-OpenRC and Manjaro-OpenRC projects. Artix Linux offers a lightweight, rolling-release operating system featuring the OpenRC init software.

    93 Artix Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. Haiku icon
     104 likes

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    235 Haiku alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
     
  8. Q4OS icon
     30 likes

    Fast and powerful operating system based on the latest technologies while offering highly productive desktop environment. We focus on security, reliability, long-term stability and conservative integration of verified new features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
     
  9. Deepin icon
     62 likes

    Deepin is a reinterpretation to creativity and individuality. It is not only a rebirth to the system appearance, but also a brand-new upgrade to the operating experience! All of this lets deepin become the best partner of your computer.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. ReviOS aspires to re-create what Windows as an operating system should have been - easy and simple.

    85 Revision (ReviOS) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    1
    Revision (ReviOS) vs Tails Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    its not even close.. tails is for security and privacy, windows is not

    • Revision (ReviOS) is Free and Open SourceTails is also Free and Open Source
    • Revision (ReviOS) is an Operating System Tails is a Linux Distro
  11. Slackware icon
     72 likes

    Slackware Linux is an advanced Linux operating system, designed with the twin goals of ease of use and stability as top priorities. Including the latest popular software while retaining a sense of tradition, providing simplicity and ease of use alongside flexibility and power...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. PikaOS icon
     8 likes

    PikaOS is a gaming focused Linux distribution focussing on ease of use and high compatibility. Using the know how from Nobara combined with an Ubuntu base.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
12 of 134 Tails alternatives