Whonix AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Whonix

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 popular Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Whonix for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Debian, GNOME, Windows and Web-based apps. The best Whonix alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Whonix are Debian, Tails, elementary OS and Kubuntu.

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

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Whonix alternatives page was last updated May 15, 2025
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  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1118 likes
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    Elegant Linux desktop OS based on Ubuntu and Debian, featuring unique menus, web-based package installation, full multimedia codecs, browser plugins, custom configuration tools, community feedback, robust updates, and approximately 30,000 available packages.

    177 Linux Mint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Linux-based
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Community-based
    12.  Built-in File Manager

    Linux Mint VS Whonix

     
    Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Whonix
    valerie
    Negative Dec 8, 2022
    1

    Mint isn't privacy focused at all. Not a bad distro, just not an alternative to Whonix.

    Whonix Icon
    Linux Mint icon

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Whonix.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Whonix.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceWhonix is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWhonix is not according to our users
  2. Debian icon

    Debian

     1125 likes
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    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.

    192 Debian alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Low memory usage
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Package Control
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Portable

    Debian VS Whonix

     
    Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Whonix
    valerie
    Negative Dec 8, 2022
    1

    Debian isn't a viable alternative to Whonix; it' s not private.

    Whonix Icon
    Debian icon

    • Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Whonix.

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceWhonix is also Free and Open Source
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWhonix is not according to our users
  4. Tails icon

    Tails

     236 likes
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    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...

    130 Tails alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
    Tails screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Booting from USB
    2.  Tor
    3.  Online Anonymity
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  PGP Encryption
    7. Tor icon  Support for TOR
    8.  Based on Debian
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Cold Boot Protection

    Tails VS Whonix

     
    Comments about Tails as an Alternative to Whonix
    Most Recent Comment
    redtrillix
    Positive Nov 25, 2022
    2

    Best alternative on this list.

    Guest
    Positive May 31, 2019
    1

    Tails features Tor routing as well and is designed for privacy and security

    Privacy Pirate
    Positive Dec 8, 2020
    0

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

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    3 of 4 comments
    Whonix Icon
    Tails icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Tails is a great Whonix alternative.

    • Tails is Free and Open SourceWhonix is also Free and Open Source
    • Tails is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightWhonix is not according to our users
  5. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     347 likes
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    elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .

    193 elementary OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  macOS-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Debian package compatible
    4.  Flatpak
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Consistent UI
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  App center
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Works Offline

    elementary OS VS Whonix

     
  6. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     276 likes
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    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    197 Kubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application

    Kubuntu VS Whonix

     
  7. Qubes OS icon

    Qubes OS

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

    189 Qubes OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
    Qubes OS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Virtualization
    2.  Software Compartmentalization
    3.  Container Virtualization
    4.  Domain isolation
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Command line interface
    9.  Two-factor Authentication
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Tor
    12.  Linux-based

    Qubes OS VS Whonix

     
    Comments about Qubes OS as an Alternative to Whonix
    Privacy Pirate
    Positive Dec 8, 2020
    1

    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.

    Whonix Icon
    Qubes OS icon
    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceWhonix is also Free and Open Source
    • Qubes OS is Security-focused, Privacy focused and LightweightWhonix is not according to our users
  9. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     290 likes
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    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.

    178 Xubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  XFCE support
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No Tracking

    Xubuntu VS Whonix

     
  10. Pop!_OS icon

    Pop!_OS

     84 likes
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    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.

    170 Pop!_OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Configurable
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Automatic window tiling
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Content creators
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Dark Mode

    Pop!_OS VS Whonix

     
  11. Parrot Security OS icon

    Parrot Security OS

     48 likes
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    Parrot is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian Testing and designed with Security, Development, and Privacy in mind.

    27 Parrot Security OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Parrot Security OS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Security Testing
    2.  Penetration Testing
    3.  Vulnerability Assessment
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Portable
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Rolling Release
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Linux-based

    Parrot Security OS VS Whonix

     
  12. Puppy Linux icon

    Puppy Linux

     100 likes
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    Puppy Linux is a unique family of Linux distributions meant for the home-user computers. It was originally created by Barry Kauler in 2003.

    190 Puppy Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Puppy Linux screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Portable
    3.  Linux-based
    4.  Persistent Storage

    Puppy Linux VS Whonix

     
10 of 42 Whonix alternatives