Windows 11 Alternatives

Windows 11 is described as 'The latest Windows update with a redesigned Start menu, Widgets integration, Xbox gaming features, and tighter security requirements, built with modern hardware in mind' and is a operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Windows 11 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, Mac and BSD apps. The best Windows 11 alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Windows 11 are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux.

filter to find the best alternatives

Windows 11 alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros or Desktop Environments you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Linux, Lightweight, EU and Operating System. 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 11.
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Alternatives list

  1. elementary OS icon
     357 likes

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

    210 elementary OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
    elementary OS vs Windows 11 Comments
    Funsy
    0

    I think ElementaryOS is beautiful with it's design, speed/smoothness, etc but it also has some bugs like alot of the app center apps don't open when installed making you need to use the terminal to install it, the extract button when right-clicking a zip folder does nothing and you have to use the terminal to unzip it.

    maurosoft391
    Negative
    -4

    it's like macOS and have a bad UI

    • elementary OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • elementary OS is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • elementary OS is LightweightWindows 11 is not according to our users
  2. macOS icon
     571 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.

    185 macOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
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    2
    macOS vs Windows 11 Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    reliable and trustworthier than windows

    PrinceSheep
    Positive
    -2

    Macos is the choice for creative workers. It is stable, has a nice UI, and is fast. It supports software such as Adobe CC and Microsoft Word.

    • macOS is Free and ProprietaryWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
  3. Pop!_OS icon
     105 likes

    Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.

    185 Pop!_OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Pop!_OS vs Windows 11 Comments
    Rasheed AZ
    Positive
    0

    Pop!_OS on System76 PCs and TuxedoOS on Tuxedo PCs are ideally the best alternatives for newcomers from Windows and Mac... because they are loving crafted with detail by the hardware vendors themselves. The attention to ever-improving UX and normal-user needs is obvious and they have a commercial interest in its success. These are no hobby projects - if the OS is good, the computers sell - otherwise the company goes bust!

    • Pop!_OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Pop!_OS is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • Pop!_OS is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 11 is not according to our users
  4. EndeavourOS icon
     71 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...

    174 EndeavourOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. FreeBSD icon
     276 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...

    203 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  6. Qubes OS icon
     129 likes

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

    201 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
     
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    3
    Qubes OS vs Windows 11 Comments
    Rasheed AZ
    Negative
    0

    Not comfortable as daily driver unless you have 64 GB of memory at least.

    LR88
    Negative
    0

    Not designed to replace Windows 11 or be used as a daily driver. This is a specialty OS for security and privacy operations.

    maurosoft391
    Negative
    -1

    it's like a old OS and it's poorly designed

    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Qubes OS is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • Qubes OS is Security-focused, Privacy focused, Lightweight and CustomizableWindows 11 is not according to our users
  7. NixOS icon
     77 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...

    198 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  8. ReactOS icon
     299 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).

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS
     
  9. Gentoo icon
     174 likes

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

    200 Gentoo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
     
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    2
    Gentoo vs Windows 11 Comments
    Rasheed AZ
    Negative
    0

    This isn't even similar to Ubuntu - how could it be an alternative to Windows?!! People are just uselessly adding their favourite distros here without looking at the purpose and audience.

    sdcondon86
    Negative
    0

    There are so many differences between Gentoo and Windows - not just Windows 11, but Windows in general - that it may prove too difficult for a user moving directly from Windows. And this is coming from someone who daily-drives Gentoo.

    • Gentoo is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Gentoo is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • Gentoo is Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 11 is not according to our users
  10. Lubuntu icon
     248 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.

    187 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    2
    Lubuntu vs Windows 11 Comments
    LR88
    Positive
    0

    Hands down best OS to install on an old Desktop or Laptop. Will make them run like new, and the user interface looks like an improved version of Windows XP.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    LXQT desktop is very similar to Windows 11’s user interface. This spin/variant of Ubuntu does not require an online account to initialize unlike Windows 11, so it is worth checking out if you like the Windows 11 interface but want to use a local account or you have problems with Microsoft accounts. This is my choice for desktop users.

    • Lubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Lubuntu is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • Lubuntu is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedWindows 11 is not according to our users
  11. Xubuntu icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Xubuntu vs Windows 11 Comments
    Rasheed AZ
    0

    Good if you want to save 500 MB on memory but just too ugly to look at :( If you want lightweight, go with WattOS or Alpine Linux. If you want relatively lightweight but good Windows-like aesthetics, go with Kubuntu or Tuxedo OS.

    • Xubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Xubuntu is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
    • Xubuntu is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows 11 is not according to our users
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