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, Windows, BSD, Self-Hosted and Mac 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 may also be Linux Distros or Penetration Testing Tools. Other popular filters includes Windows + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows 10.

Windows 10

412

Operating System
Paid • Proprietary

A versatile OS with universal app architecture, free initial year offer, redesigned UI for mouse and touch, virtual desktop, and improved security.

More about Windows 10

Windows 10 alternatives page was last updated Nov 5, 2024

Linux Mint
1095 likes
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: Wilma (22).
185 Linux Mint alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Linux
+8
Top Linux Mint Features
1. Customizable
2. Windows-like
3. Based on Ubuntu
4. Support for Nvidia drivers
5. User friendly
6. Cinnamon Desktop
7. Debian package compatible
8. Linux-based
9. Ad-free
10. Out Of The Box
11. Lightweight
12. No Tracking
Linux Mint VS Windows 10
Is Linux Mint a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Windows 10

Comment summary: Linux Mint is praised for its ease of use, stability, and customization options, making it a suitable alternative to Windows 10. Users appreciate its Windows-like interface, especially the Cinnamon desktop environment, which feels familiar to Windows users. Features highlighted include no spyware, user-friendliness, lightweight requirements, and strong open-source values. It's considered beginner-friendly and respects privacy, offering a robust experience without the bloatware often associated with Windows.
Farook Al-Sammarraie
Windows like UI, easy to use, Free and open source
Top positive comment •Dec 21, 2019
15
mecube
Free, OpenSource, User-friendly, Customizable, has addons
Top positive comment •Apr 15, 2018
5
Sebastian
One of the best Linux Distros you can get :)
Positive comment •Nov 9, 2023
0
Viktor31
Friendly, stable and windows like UI operating system, one of the best for begginers on Linux.
Positive comment •Nov 30, 2021
0
Projjal Moitra
Linux Mint is far ahead of Windows 10 in terms of customizability, performance, privacy, stability. This OS is lovely, therefore give it a try, you'll not be too far from home with it's Windows-like Interface (Cinnamon DE).
Positive comment •Jun 22, 2021
1
Show more comments
5 of 29 comments
- Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows 10.
- Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Windows 10.
- Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
- Linux Mint is Customizable and LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users

Ubuntu
2339 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.
162 Ubuntu alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Linux
- Ubuntu
+1
Top Ubuntu Features
1. Linux-based
2. Customizable
3. Based on Debian
4. User friendly
5. APT package manager
6. Support for Unicode
7. No registration required
8. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
9. Works Offline
10. Ad-free
11. Support for Themes
12. Support for scripting
Ubuntu VS Windows 10
Is Ubuntu a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Windows 10

Comment summary: Ubuntu is praised for being a free, open-source, and secure alternative to Windows 10, offering easy installation and a user-friendly interface. Its strengths include customizable options, fast performance, and a supportive community. However, some users find Ubuntu challenging due to its different UI and potential driver issues. While it's highlighted as a great option for tech-savvy users, others suggest that distributions like Linux Mint might be more accessible for those seeking an easy transition from Windows.
Cora
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 positive comment •Jan 30, 2019
12
Guest
Easiest to get up and running OOTB, even for newbies. It's also the most widely supported Linux distro in existence.
Top positive comment •Aug 28, 2018
18
Jack Vegas
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.
Top negative comment •Apr 28, 2021
1
Guest
Because while Win10 is buggy shit with a lot of bloatware and spyware in it with horrible UI/UX... Ubuntu is FOSS, privacy focused, without bugs and anoying things, without bloatware and spyware, and with much better UI/UX. Still it has some shortcomings but it's one of the best systems and Linux distros at all.
Positive comment •Jun 17, 2021
2
OgMaster
Is from the family of GNU/Linux with everything is opensource
Positive comment •May 5, 2021
0
Show more comments
5 of 27 comments
- Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
- Ubuntu is CustomizableWindows 10 is not according to our users

Debian
1107 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.
198 Debian alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Self-Hosted
+2
Top Debian Features
1. Customizable
2. Low memory usage
3. No Tracking
4. Package Control
5. Lightweight
6. Based on Debian
7. Ad-free
8. Privacy focused
9. No registration required
10. Command line interface
11. Dark Mode
12. Works Offline
Debian VS Windows 10
Is Debian a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Windows 10

Oktay Mercan
Like a vanilla linux os and most large packe library. also you can run windows games and other programs on linux.
Top positive comment •Mar 8, 2019
5
Guest
Debian is one of the most stable operating systems ever built, and it supports alot of software
Top positive comment •Dec 27, 2016
12
Guest
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.
Top negative comment •Sep 2, 2017
13
veddev
I love Debian cuz its rock-solid
Positive comment •Oct 30, 2024
0
Guest
it's not functional without user coding
Negative comment •Sep 9, 2020
-7
Show more comments
5 of 8 comments
- Most users think Debian is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Windows 10.
- 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

Fedora
550 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.
187 Fedora alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Linux
+9
Top Fedora Features
1. Linux-based
2. Out Of The Box
3. Customizable
4. Wayland Support
5. Desktop Environment
6. No Tracking
7. Privacy focused
8. Support for BTRFS
9. Ad-free
10. Unix-like
11. Dark Mode
12. Multiple languages
Fedora VS Windows 10
Is Fedora a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about Fedora as an Alternative to Windows 10

cycroenerugi
Its easy to use and its much faster.
Positive comment •Aug 20, 2017
5
Guest
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.
Positive comment •Jul 31, 2020
4
Guest
Easy to use and really good performance. In my I haven't experienced errors with it.
Positive comment •May 23, 2020
3
- Most users think Fedora is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- Fedora is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
- Fedora is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users

Arch Linux
735 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.
198 Arch Linux alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Linux
+1
Top Arch Linux Features
1. Customizable
2. Rolling Release
3. Lightweight
4. Arch User Repository
5. Wiki documentation
6. Minimalistic
7. Community-based
8. Linux-based
9. Bleeding edge
10. No Tracking
11. Privacy focused
12. Ad-free
Arch Linux VS Windows 10
Is Arch Linux a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about Arch Linux as an Alternative to Windows 10

Oktay Mercan
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 positive comment •Mar 8, 2019
3
Guest
Nearly any Linux distro is better that Windows 10
Top positive comment •Dec 6, 2019
6
williamneis
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.
Top negative comment •Jun 8, 2017
59
Jack Vegas
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.
Positive comment •Apr 28, 2021
0
Guest
easy to use and adaptable to your liking
Positive comment •Mar 5, 2021
0
Show more comments
5 of 8 comments
- Most users think Arch Linux is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- 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

elementary OS
335 likes
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
200 elementary OS alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Operating System
- Linux Distro
Platforms
- Linux
+2
Top elementary OS Features
1. Lightweight
2. macOS-like
3. Based on Ubuntu
4. Configurable
5. Flatpak
6. Debian package compatible
7. Ad-free
8. No Tracking
9. No registration required
10. Dark Mode
11. Distraction-free
12. Works Offline
elementary OS VS Windows 10
Is elementary OS a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about elementary OS as an Alternative to Windows 10

RemovedUser
If you want to switch from Windows 10 to something more similar to macOS then this is the best alternative for both OS.
Positive comment •Jan 8, 2021
3
Guest
Really easy to use and a very simple interface. And, obviously a nice look!
Positive comment •May 23, 2020
1
Guest
Similar UI to MacOS, but free and can run on any computer that runs windows.
Positive comment •Jul 31, 2020
1
Jack Vegas
Has an incredibly easy-to-use interface that makes it so simple to grasp for any new Linux user. Easily one of the top options for a beginner-friendly Linux distro.
Positive comment •Apr 28, 2021
0
- Most users think elementary OS is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- elementary OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
- elementary OS is LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users

ReactOS
284 likes
ReactOS™ is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is compatible with applications and drivers written for the Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Seven).
200 ReactOS alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Operating System
Platforms
- Windows
- FreeDOS
+9
ReactOS Features
1. Windows XP Compatibility
2. Run Windows software
3. Lightweight
4. Nt kernel
5. Windows-like
6. Support for BTRFS
7. Community-based
ReactOS VS Windows 10
Is ReactOS a good alternative to Windows 10?
Comments about ReactOS as an Alternative to Windows 10

lounes-tb
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 positive comment •Sep 6, 2018
7
petertrypsteen
Application and driver compatibility.
Top positive comment •Dec 20, 2016
5
Guest
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.
Top negative comment •Jul 31, 2020
0
Arthur
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.
Positive comment •Jan 15, 2020
1
Guest
It's not linux. rather, it's legacy comes from being an alternative beast of it's own! It works well with existing windows applications; keep in mind that it is still actively being developed, so things are being improved over time.
Positive comment •Apr 2, 2019
9
Show more comments
5 of 6 comments
- Most users think ReactOS is a great Windows 10 alternative.
- ReactOS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
- ReactOS is LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users