Windows 10 Alternatives

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, Linux, Open Source, EU, Free and Windows + 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. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     266 likes
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    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    194 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1
     
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    2
    16
    Comments about FreeBSD as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    6

    Diffrent and more stable and optimise but hard to use.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    This is a real alternative. While Linux is great, this thing runs it's own kernel. This may come in very handy in the near future all things considered.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows 10 Icon
    FreeBSD icon

    • Most users think FreeBSD is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focused and LightweightWindows 10 is not according to our users
  2. Kali Linux icon

    Kali Linux

     283 likes
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    Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.

    22 Kali Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Kali Linux screenshot 1
     
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    6
  4. CachyOS icon

    CachyOS

     32 likes
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    CachyOS is designed to deliver lightning-fast speeds and stability, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable computing experience every time you use it. Whether you're a seasoned Linux user or just starting out, CachyOS is the ideal choice for those looking for a powerful...

    70 CachyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    CachyOS screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Zorin OS icon
    Zorin OS

    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 p...

    https://zorin.com
    Learn More
  6. EndeavourOS icon

    EndeavourOS

     58 likes
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    EndeavourOS is an Arch-based distro that provides an Arch experience without the hassle of installing it manually for both x86_64 and ARM systems. After installation, you’re provided with a lightweight and almost barebones environment ready to be explored with your terminal...

    163 EndeavourOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Welcome window
     
  7. Lubuntu icon

    Lubuntu

     244 likes
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    Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT.

    183 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The new LXQt desktop.
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about Lubuntu as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    3

    I think Most and the best lightweight linux distro and good altarnative windows. same time ubuntu base.

    Windows 10 Icon
    Lubuntu icon

    • Most users think Lubuntu is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • Lubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Lubuntu is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  8. Qubes OS icon

    Qubes OS

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

    191 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
    Qubes OS screenshot 1
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about Qubes OS as an Alternative to Windows 10
    altenativeto
    Positive
    2

    Qubes is focused on security if you have hardware which supports Hardware-assisted virtualization you could run an windows inside Qubes.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Qubes can literally run windows inside itself. The only downside is worse performance and awful performance for graphics. It also wont be great on a laptop battery

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Windows 10 Icon
    Qubes OS icon

    • Most users think Qubes OS is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Qubes OS is Security-focused, Privacy focused, Lightweight and CustomizableWindows 10 is not according to our users
  10. Windows 11 icon

    Windows 11

     43 likes
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    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.

    168 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 11 screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Windows 11 as an Alternative to Windows 10
    PrinceSheep
    Positive
    2

    Windows 11 is the next generation of Windows, it supports all the same applications, and has a new user experience with many new features

    Windows 10 Icon
    Windows 11 icon

    • Most users think Windows 11 is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • Windows 11 is the most popular commercial alternative to Windows 10.

    • Windows 11 is Paid and ProprietaryWindows 10 is also Paid and Proprietary
  11. CentOS icon

    CentOS

     150 likes
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    CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The logon screen
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about CentOS as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    3

    Good altarnative but its more than windows server altarnative. if you make a server and searcing for OS you can try cent os.

    Windows 10 Icon
    CentOS icon

    • Most users think CentOS is a great Windows 10 alternative.

    • CentOS is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
  12. NixOS icon

    NixOS

     62 likes
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    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    188 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    NixOS screenshot 1
     
  13. Gentoo icon

    Gentoo

     163 likes
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    Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Gentoo screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Gentoo as an Alternative to Windows 10
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Really only good for a software enthusiast, or someone who genuinely needs to build a custom-compiled OS for some reason.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ab1
    Negative
    -1

    Seamless switch is impossible between WIndows and Linux. Different kernels. Different formats of executable files. Different and missing driver for peripheral on Linux.

    Windows 10 Icon
    Gentoo icon

    • Some users think Gentoo is a great Windows 10 alternative, some don't.

    • Gentoo is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Gentoo is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  14. Aurora OS icon

    Aurora OS

     18 likes
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    Aurora is a delightful KDE desktop experience for end-users that are looking for reliability and developers for the most-hassle free setup. Zero maintenance included.

    63 Aurora OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Fedora
    Aurora OS screenshot 1
     
  15. Raspberry Pi OS icon

    Raspberry Pi OS

     105 likes
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    Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it with NOOBS or download the image below and follow our installation guide.

    194 Raspberry Pi OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Raspberry Pi OS screenshot 1
     
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