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.

filter to find the best alternatives

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, 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

     268 likes

    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...

    198 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1
     
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    2
    FreeBSD vs Windows 10 Comments
    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.
    • 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. CachyOS icon

    CachyOS

     46 likes

    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...

    76 CachyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    CachyOS screenshot 1
     
  4. macOS icon

    macOS

     567 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.

    178 macOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    macOS screenshot 1
     
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    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
  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

     66 likes

    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...

    168 EndeavourOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Welcome window
     
  7. Qubes OS icon

    Qubes OS

     125 likes

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

    196 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
    Qubes OS screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Qubes OS vs Windows 10 Comments
    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.
    • 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
  8. Lubuntu icon

    Lubuntu

     247 likes

    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.

    184 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The new LXQt desktop.
     
    |
    1
    Lubuntu vs Windows 10 Comments
    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    3

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

    • 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
  10. NixOS icon

    NixOS

     70 likes

    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...

    193 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    NixOS screenshot 1
     
  11. CentOS icon

    CentOS

     152 likes

    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
    CentOS vs Windows 10 Comments
    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.

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

    Gentoo

     166 likes

    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
    Gentoo vs Windows 10 Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    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.

    • Gentoo is Free and Open SourceWindows 10 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Gentoo is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 10 is not according to our users
  13. Windows 11 icon

    Windows 11

     45 likes

    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.

    169 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 11 screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Windows 11 vs Windows 10 Comments
    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 11 is Paid and ProprietaryWindows 10 is also Paid and Proprietary
  15. Raspberry Pi OS icon

    Raspberry Pi OS

     107 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Raspberry Pi OS screenshot 1
     
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