Ubuntu Alternatives for Windows

Ubuntu is not available for Windows but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Windows with similar functionality. The best Windows alternative is Debian, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Ubuntu and 14 are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Ubuntu are Windows 10, ReactOS, Windows 11 and Revision (ReviOS).

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Ubuntu alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Lightweight and Linux Distros. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Ubuntu.
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Alternatives list

  1. Debian icon
     1187 likes

    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.

    207 Debian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    12
  2. Windows 10 icon
     417 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.

    181 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    4
  3. ReactOS icon
     296 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).

    201 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
     
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    4
  4. Windows 11 icon
     46 likes

    Experience the latest Windows OS with a new Start menu, integrated Teams, and gaming technologies like Auto HDR. Improved security with stricter requirements enhances protection, and seamless Microsoft Account integration makes it ideal for modern devices.

    171 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    |
    3
  5. Armbian icon
     6 likes

    Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux for ARM single board computers, featuring compact, optimized images, advanced build tools, SSH-ready Ethernet, NAND/SATA/eMMC/USB installs, and comprehensive login system monitoring, with upgrades via apt and robust community support.

    9 Armbian alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  6. illumos icon
     20 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
     
  7. MINIX 3 icon
     11 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
     
  8. Pengwin icon
     2 likes

    The first Linux® distribution optimized for WSL. Based on Debian®. From open-source software startup Whitewater Foundry. Formerly known as WLinux.

    11 Pengwin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9. 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
     
  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
     
12 of 14 Ubuntu alternatives