Windows 10 Alternatives for Linux

Windows 10 is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Windows 10 and loads of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to 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 Package Managers 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

     1215 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.

    195 Linux Mint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
     
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    32
    Linux Mint vs Windows 10 Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Farook Al-Sammarraie
    18

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

    thebenmix11
    Positive
    0

    It's as easy to get used to as it gets

    soul1472
    Positive
    0

    Mint is beginner-friendly + has a decent visual interface (and not just the command line). i'd say it's the easiest distro for ex-Windows users.

    3 of 32 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

     2398 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.

    178 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

    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

     1195 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.

    212 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.

    Guest
    Negative
    -7

    it's not functional without user coding

    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
    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. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     634 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.

    193 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.

    Guest
    Positive
    3

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

    • 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
  8. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     809 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.

    209 Arch Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop
     
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    9
    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
    soul1472
    0

    too complex to switch comfortably.

    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 9 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
  9. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     357 likes

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

    210 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.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

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

    Guest
    Positive
    1

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

    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. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     298 likes

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

    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.

    • 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
  11. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

     352 likes

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

    205 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. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     158 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.

    196 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 !

    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.

    Kepler
    Positive
    3

    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
  13. Xubuntu icon

    Xubuntu

     295 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.

    186 Xubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Xubuntu 19.10
     
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    3
    Xubuntu vs Windows 10 Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    5

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

    Oktay Mercan
    Positive
    2

    Good linux alternative for windows lightweight and ubuntu base.

    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. CachyOS icon

    CachyOS

     69 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...

    84 CachyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    CachyOS screenshot 1
     
  15. Kali Linux icon

    Kali Linux

     295 likes

    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.

    26 Kali Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Kali Linux screenshot 1
     
12 of 152 Windows 10 alternatives