The Best Windows 10 AlternativesTop Operating Systems and other similar apps like Windows 10

Windows 10 is described as 'A versatile OS with universal app architecture, free initial year offer, redesigned UI for mouse and touch, virtual desktop, and improved security' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Windows 10 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, Mac and BSD apps. The best Windows 10 alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows 10 are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux.

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Windows 10 alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros or Mobile OSs you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, EU, Linux, Open Source, Windows + Free and Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Windows 10.
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Alternatives list

  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1171 likes

    Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.

    184 Linux Mint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
     
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    30
    Linux Mint vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Farook Al-Sammarraie
    17

    Windows like UI, easy to use, Free and open source

    I_d0nt_need_name
    Positive
    1

    It's the best Windows 10 alternative for users want Windows 10 like UI

    Sebastian
    Positive
    1

    One of the best Linux Distros you can get :)

    3 of 30 comments
    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2368 likes

    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.

    166 Ubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46
     
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    28
    Ubuntu vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Cora
    12

    Ubuntu is free of charge, more secure and comes with an office suite and user tools out of the box; something that Microsoft sells at a premium when it barely functions.

    Top Negative Comment
    Jack Vegas
    1

    Ubuntu is only a good alternative for Windows users open to a new OOTB experience and likely power users. For users who want something easy to use and familiar, Linux Mint, Pop_OS and Elementary are better alternatives by far.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Very easy to install and configure plus regular updatesand plenty of tools to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 28 comments
    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  4. Debian icon

    Debian

     1160 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.

    200 Debian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.
     
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    8
    Debian vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    veddev
    1

    I love Debian cuz its rock-solid

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    13

    Debian is a not so good alternative for those who cares about updates. We know that to maintain the stability, the distribution (at least his stable branch) doesn't have the latest updates firstly. This way, some users won't feel truly fulfilled by the distribution.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -7

    it's not functional without user coding

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 8 comments
    • Debian is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  5. Ad
  6. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     599 likes

    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.

    183 Fedora alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
     
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    3
    Fedora vs Windows 10 Comments
    cycroenerugi
    Positive
    5

    Its easy to use and its much faster.

    Guest
    Positive
    4

    Great defaults, good security, and fast updates, thought it does need codecs from a third party to play some media. One of the best OSes for a software developer, sysadmin, or power user.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Easy to use and really good performance. In my I haven't experienced errors with it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Fedora is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Fedora is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  7. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     784 likes

    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.

    200 Arch Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop
     
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    8
    Arch Linux vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Oktay Mercan
    3

    if you are a geek, and you bored Windows and MacOS. if you say "want to more customizable and want more more thing". want to useing CLI like a hacker more control and more permission on OS and want open source OS then you should try ARCH linux. I'm warn you, too complicate use and install, not for end user.

    Top Negative Comment
    williamneis
    61

    This distributions isn't a good choice if you're used to MacOS or Windows. It's very difficult even to install it. Everything is around the terminal and commands. It isn't for newbies, especially these who are entering on Linux world.

    Jack Vegas
    Positive
    0

    I would recommend this for any Windows power user who is sick and tired of how slow and bloated Windows 10 has become. It feels like the polar opposite of what Microsoft has turned Windows 10 into since it first launched.

    3 of 8 comments
    • Arch Linux is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Arch Linux is Customizable, Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  8. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     351 likes

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

    199 elementary OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen
     
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    4
    elementary OS vs Windows 10 Comments
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    3

    If you want to switch from Windows 10 to something more similar to macOS then this is the best alternative for both OS.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Similar UI to MacOS, but free and can run on any computer that runs windows.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Really easy to use and a very simple interface. And, obviously a nice look!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    • elementary OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • elementary OS is LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  10. ReactOS icon

    ReactOS

     291 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).

    195 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
    ReactOS screenshot 1
     
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    6
    ReactOS vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    lounes-tb
    7

    ReactOS is an opensource reimplementation of the NT api (ms windows) with a lot of inovative ideas like the package manager and the BTRFS support.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    2

    This is effectively a clone of Windows XP, and while it runs some software, it can not run most programs. It runs poorly on real hardware.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Mano
    Positive
    2

    This is meant to be an "open source windows". Despite being in alpha, it works and you can still use all your .exes and installers, so no need to worry about having to abandon all your "windows only" programs.

    3 of 6 comments
    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • ReactOS is LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  11. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

     339 likes

    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    192 openSUSE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.
     
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    2
    openSUSE vs Windows 10 Comments
    Maxi_Mega
    Positive
    8

    Every Linux are better than Windows !

    sambaker
    Positive
    2

    It is very light weight, minimalistic and smooth. It has the perfect balance of simplicity and customization.

    • openSUSE is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • openSUSE is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  12. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     284 likes

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

    204 Kubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"
     
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    1
    Kubuntu vs Windows 10 Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    10

    As it says, it's Ubuntu, but with the KDE environment.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Kubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Kubuntu is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  13. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     292 likes

    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.

    181 Xubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10
     
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    3
    Xubuntu vs Windows 10 Comments
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    2

    Good linux alternative for windows lightweight and ubuntu base.

    Guest
    Positive
    5

    Stable, easy to use, lightweight on even lower spec/older computers.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    altenativeto
    Positive
    0

    Extremely fast, stable reliable and fully compatible to Ubuntu.

    • Xubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Xubuntu is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  14. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     143 likes

    Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and privacy-focused updates.

    186 Zorin OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout
     
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    5
    Zorin OS vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    2

    Unless all other linux, his display are stable AND unserfriendly. It don't shit on your face when you try to install a non-free package, it don't care, it try to launch at anycost like a windows. It's easy to install windows software with a wine preconfig. Well, if you want to use the real power of Linux, go for it !

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    I have switched from Windows 10 to Zorin OS (with xfce as a Desktop Enviroment) for almost one year. This operating system is very easy to use, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to try to use a distro based on the Linux Kernel without too much difference from a Windows interface.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kepler
    Positive
    2

    It is like windows 7 and is good for noobs who has just started using linux. Plus, you can run some Windows apps in this with an app called Wine.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Zorin OS is Freemium and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Zorin OS is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  15. macOS icon

    macOS

     565 likes

    A Unix-based OS for Mac with seamlessly integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering an intuitive UI, productivity tools like Finder, Spotlight, and Automator, built-in apps like Safari and Photos, Continuity for cross-device functionality, and security features including FileVault and Gatekeeper.

    176 macOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    macOS screenshot 1
     
    |
    9
    macOS vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Anonymous Boy
    2

    No viruses, cleaner UI, and more accessibility stuff, but you need Ferrari money to use it and there are less games.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    27

    You can't install it OFFICIALLY on any device. If you want macOS OFFICIALLY, you need to buy a Macbook or iMac. Pretty limiting.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    what
    Negative
    2

    You can barely play games on it and the graphics ae horrible. If you're used to windows or linux mint and all tjos OS's don't use Mac OS

    3 of 9 comments
    • macOS is Free and ProprietaryWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
12 of 178 Windows 10 alternatives