Whonix Alternatives

Whonix is described as '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' and is a Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Whonix for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Self-Hosted solutions, Electrum and Fedora. The best alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Whonix are Debian, Windows 7, Tails and elementary OS.

Whonix alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros or Penetration Testing Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Whonix.

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Whonix

Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Linux

Whonix is a desktop operating system designed for advanced security and privacy. Whonix mitigates the threat of common...

Learn more about Whonix

Linux Mint
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
219 alternatives to Linux Mint
Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Vera (21.1).
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Linux Mint Features
1. Ad-freeLinux Mint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. No TrackingLinux Mint will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightLinux Mint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Dark ModeLinux Mint supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Customizable
Windows-like
Based on Ubuntu
Support for Nvidia drivers
Debian package compatible
Cinnamon Desktop
Linux-based
User friendly
Out Of The Box
Based on Debian
Linux Mint vs Whonix opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
tier50obby
Mint isn't privacy focused at all. Not a bad distro, just not an alternative to Whonix.
Negative comment•
1
Debian
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
Windows S
BSD
Self-Hosted
229 alternatives to Debian
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.
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Debian Features
1. Rolling ReleaseDebian supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingDebian will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightDebian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedDebian is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeDebian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Debian vs Whonix opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
tier50obby
Debian isn't a viable alternative to Whonix; it' s not private.
Negative comment•
1
Windows 7
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Operating System
Windows
144 alternatives to Windows 7
Windows 7 is the successor to Windows Vista . The new OS introduces a compelling combination of welcome innovations and much-needed polish. Windows 7 is built with the codebase from Vista and is a minor upgrade (6.
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Windows 7 Features
Usability
Windows XP Compatibility
Package Installing
Snap windows
Discontinued
Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015. Extended support with security updates ended on January 14, 2020.
Tails
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Electrum
Tor Browser Bundle
GNOME
Tor
VeraCrypt
Thunderbird
116 alternatives to Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...
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Tails Features
1. Privacy focusedTails is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No TrackingTails will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeTails doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightTails consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. PGP EncryptionTails supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tails without registration.
Tor
Booting from USB
Online Anonymity
Security focused
Based on Debian
Compatible with TrueCrypt
Support for TOR
RAM Scraping Protection
Lock screen controls
Cold Boot Protection
Tails vs Whonix opinions
Almost everyone thinks Tails is a great alternative to Whonix.
RedTrillix
Best alternative on this list.
Positive comment•
1

privacy_pirate
Still routes all internet traffic over Tor. Live booting from USB/CD provides even greater isolation than Whonix virtualization does.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Its amnesia makes it the best
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Tails features Tor routing as well and is designed for privacy and security
Positive comment•
1
elementary OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to elementary OS
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.
macOS-like
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Configurable
Flatpak
App center
Consistent UI
Out Of The Box
Unix kernel
Pop!_OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.
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Pop!_OS Features
1. Ad-freePop!_OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Privacy focusedPop!_OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. No TrackingPop!_OS will not track you or use your personal data.
Customizable
Based on Ubuntu
User friendly
Linux-based
Automatic window tiling
Content creators
Configurable
Kubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to Kubuntu
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. No TrackingKubuntu will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedKubuntu is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeKubuntu doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Based on Ubuntu
KDE
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
Desktop Application
Xubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
201 alternatives to Xubuntu
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
Qubes OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Fedora
Xen
207 alternatives to Qubes OS
Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.
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Qubes OS Features
1. Container VirtualizationQubes OS can make use of isolated user spaces called "containers" to run applications.
2. Privacy focusedQubes OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Command line interfaceQubes OS either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
4. Rolling ReleaseQubes OS supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. Dark ModeQubes OS supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. LightweightQubes OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. No TrackingQubes OS will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Two-factor AuthenticationQubes OS supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
9. PortableQubes OS can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Security focused
Software Compartmentalization
Domain isolation
Tor
Customizable
No registration required
Linux-based
Hypervisor
Based on Fedora
Ad-free
Qubes OS vs Whonix opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
privacy_pirate
Qubes OS uses Whonix VMs to ensure all traffic is routed over the Tor network. Qubes is security-centered and is likely the most secure OS that can be used to host Whonix.
Positive comment•
1
Puppy Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
235 alternatives to Puppy Linux
Linux is a free operating system, and Puppy Linux is a special build of Linux meant to make computing easy and fast.
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Puppy Linux Features
1. LightweightPuppy Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortablePuppy Linux can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Linux-based
Persistent Storage