Windows 11 Alternatives

One of the most popular alternatives to Windows 11 is Linux Mint, which is free and open source. Other popular alternatives are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Arch Linux. Operating Systems like Windows 11 are a crowded field, with more than 100 alternatives for Linux, self-hosting, Windows, Mac and Chrome OS.

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Most Windows 11 alternatives are Operating Systems, but you can also narrow the list to Linux Distros or Desktop Environments. Other popular filters are Windows, Linux, Lightweight, EU and Operating System. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.

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Windows 11 alternatives page was last updated Aug 27, 2026

elementary OS
358 likes
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
214 elementary OS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
Linux
United States
+9
Good alternative?Is elementary OS a good alternative to Windows 11?

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2comments
elementary OS vs Windows 11 Comments
Comment by Funsy · Mar 12, 2026
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.
Negative comment by maurosoft391 · Jul 30, 2022
it's like macOS and have a bad UI
2 of 2 comments
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
macOS
572 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.
190 macOS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application type
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
United States
+4
Good alternative?Is macOS a good alternative to Windows 11?

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2comments
macOS vs Windows 11 Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Dec 4, 2022
reliable and trustworthier than windows
Positive comment by PrinceSheep · Jul 2, 2021
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.
2 of 2 comments
macOS is Free and ProprietaryWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
EndeavourOS
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...
178 EndeavourOS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
Linux
Netherlands
EU
Good alternative?Is EndeavourOS a good alternative to Windows 11?
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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
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Pop!_OS
106 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.
190 Pop!_OS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
Linux
United States
+1
Good alternative?Is Pop!_OS a good alternative to Windows 11?

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1comment
Pop!_OS vs Windows 11 Comments
Positive comment by Rasheed AZ · Jun 2, 2024
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!
1 of 1 comments
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
ReactOS
302 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).
208 ReactOS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-2.0)
Application type
Operating System
Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
Windows
ReactOS
Germany
EU
+9
Good alternative?Is ReactOS a good alternative to Windows 11?
NixOS
78 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...
202 NixOS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (MIT)
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
Self-Hosted
Netherlands
EU
Good alternative?Is NixOS a good alternative to Windows 11?

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1comment
NixOS vs Windows 11 Comments
Positive comment by Guest · Aug 27, 2026
control, reproducible, privacy and security
1 of 1 comments
NixOS is Free and Open SourceWindows 11 is Paid and Proprietary
NixOS is a Linux Distro Windows 11 is an Operating System
NixOS is Privacy focused and LightweightWindows 11 is not according to our users
FreeBSD
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...
208 FreeBSD alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
BSD
Self-Hosted
United States
Good alternative?Is FreeBSD a good alternative to Windows 11?
Qubes OS
130 likes
Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.
205 Qubes OS alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
Linux
Fedora
Xen
United States
+9
Good alternative?Is Qubes OS a good alternative to Windows 11?

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3comments
Qubes OS vs Windows 11 Comments
Negative comment by Rasheed AZ · Jun 2, 2024
Not comfortable as daily driver unless you have 64 GB of memory at least.
Negative comment by LR88 · Dec 10, 2023
Not designed to replace Windows 11 or be used as a daily driver. This is a specialty OS for security and privacy operations.
Negative comment by maurosoft391 · Jul 30, 2022
it's like a old OS and it's poorly designed
3 of 3 comments
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
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.
188 Xubuntu alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Linux
United Kingdom
Good alternative?Is Xubuntu a good alternative to Windows 11?

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1comment
Xubuntu vs Windows 11 Comments
Comment by Rasheed AZ · Jun 2, 2024
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.
1 of 1 comments
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
Lubuntu
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.
188 Lubuntu alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Linux
United Kingdom
+5
Good alternative?Is Lubuntu a good alternative to Windows 11?

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2comments
Lubuntu vs Windows 11 Comments
Positive comment by LR88 · Dec 10, 2023
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.
Positive comment by Guest · Jul 1, 2022
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.
2 of 2 comments
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
Aurora OS
24 likes
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.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (Apache-2.0)
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
International
Platforms
Linux
KDE Plasma
Fedora
Global
Good alternative?Is Aurora OS a good alternative to Windows 11?
Gentoo
174 likes
Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.
204 Gentoo alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Linux Distro
Operating System
Origin
United States
Platforms
Linux
BSD
FreeBSD
United States
Good alternative?Is Gentoo a good alternative to Windows 11?

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2comments
Gentoo vs Windows 11 Comments
Negative comment by Rasheed AZ · Jun 2, 2024
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.
Negative comment by sdcondon86 · Jun 3, 2025
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.
2 of 2 comments
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

You are at page 2 of Windows 11 alternatives

Windows 11 Alternatives

Alternatives list

elementary OS

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elementary OS vs Windows 11 Comments

macOS

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macOS vs Windows 11 Comments

EndeavourOS

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Pop!_OS

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Pop!_OS vs Windows 11 Comments

ReactOS

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NixOS

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NixOS vs Windows 11 Comments

FreeBSD

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Qubes OS

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Qubes OS vs Windows 11 Comments

Xubuntu

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Lubuntu

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Lubuntu vs Windows 11 Comments

Aurora OS

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Gentoo

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Gentoo vs Windows 11 Comments