Windows 8 AlternativesOperating Systems and other similar apps like Windows 8

Windows 8 is described as 'Operating system that is optimized for tablets, desktops and hybrid devices. It features the new Modern UI (formerly called Metro-Style) that is designed for touchscreen, mouse, keyboard, and pen input' and is a very popular operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Windows 8 for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, BSD, Mac and Windows apps. The best Windows 8 alternative is Windows 10. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try CentOS or Raspberry Pi OS. Other great apps like Windows 8 are OpenMandriva Lx, GhostBSD, Univention Corporate Server (UCS) and KaOS.

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Alternatives list

  1. Windows 10 icon

    Windows 10

     418 likes

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    185 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 vs Windows 8 Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Better, more secure and faster

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryWindows 8 is also Paid and Proprietary
  2. CentOS icon

    CentOS

     154 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
     
  4. Raspberry Pi OS icon

    Raspberry Pi OS

     112 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.

    201 Raspberry Pi OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Raspberry Pi OS screenshot 1
     
  5. OpenMandriva Lx icon

    OpenMandriva Lx

     12 likes

    The OpenMandriva distribution is a full-featured Linux desktop and server, sponsored by the OpenMandriva Association, and is based on ROSA, a Russian Linux distribution project which forked Mandriva Linux in 2012.

    182 OpenMandriva Lx alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The logon screen
     
  7. GhostBSD icon

    GhostBSD

     21 likes

    GhostBSD is a user friendly desktop operating system based on FreeBSD , which attempts to conform to the Single Unix Specification. FreeBSD is known for its stability and security in server environments, which, incidentally, provides an...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    GhostBSD screenshot 1
     
  8. Univention Corporate Server (UCS) icon

    Univention Corporate Server (UCS)

     35 likes

    UCS is an open platform for central identity & access management, IT management, and active directory, with a web portal for easy access to applications.

    94 Univention Corporate Server (UCS) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Kubernetes
    Univention App Center
     
  9. KaOS icon

    KaOS

     12 likes

    KaOS is a desktop Linux distribution that features the latest version of the KDE desktop environment, the Calligra office suite, and other popular software applications that use the Qt toolkit. It was inspired by Arch Linux, but the developers build their own packages which are...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    KaOS screenshot 1
     
  10. Bodhi Linux icon

    Bodhi Linux

     49 likes

    Bodhi Linux, a lightweight distribution featuring the fast & fully customizable Moksha Desktop (https://alternativeto.net/software/moksha/about/). The 64-bit is built on top of Ubuntu (20.04). The 32-bit Non-PAE architecture has a Ubuntu 18.04 base – Bodhi Linux 6.0.

    111 Bodhi Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Bodhi Linux screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Bodhi Linux vs Windows 8 Comments
    N.A. Ferrell
    Positive
    0

    Bodhi runs very well on older PCs.

    • Bodhi Linux is Free and Open SourceWindows 8 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Bodhi Linux is a Linux Distro Windows 8 is an Operating System
    • Bodhi Linux is MinimalisticWindows 8 is not according to our users
  11. SUSE Linux Enterprise icon

    SUSE Linux Enterprise

     16 likes

    SUSE is the original provider of the enterprise Linux distribution and the most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing. It's the only Linux recommended by VMware, Microsoft and SAP. And it's supported on more hardware and software than any other enterprise...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SUSE Linux Enterprise screenshot 1
     
  12. Ubuntu Core icon

    Ubuntu Core

     11 likes

    Ubuntu Core, a minimalist rendition of Ubuntu , is a lightweight, transactionally updated operating system designed for deployments on embedded and IoT devices, cloud and more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  13. Ubuntu Budgie icon

    Ubuntu Budgie

     15 likes

    Ubuntu Budgie (previously budgie-remix) is an Ubuntu-based distribution featuring the Budgie desktop, originally developed by the Solus project. Written from scratch and integrating tightly with GNOME stack, Budgie focuses on simplicity and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Ubuntu Budgie screenshot 1
     
12 of 52 Windows 8 alternatives