Zorin OS icon
Zorin OS icon

Zorin OS

 121 likes

Zorin OS is an easy to use, Linux-based operating system designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.

Windows 10 layout

License model

  • FreemiumOpen Source

Country of Origin

  • IE flagIreland
  • European Union flagEU

Platforms

  • Linux
4.1 / 5 Avg rating (23)
121likes
19comments

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  User friendly
  2.  Intuitive Interface
  3.  Customizable
  4.  Lightweight
  5.  Gaming-focused
  6.  Privacy focused

Features

  1.  Windows like desktop
  2.  Linux-based
  3.  Windows-like
  4.  Out Of The Box
  5.  Run Windows software
  6.  Printer compatibility
  7.  Ad-free
  8.  Based on Ubuntu
  9.  Dark Mode
  10.  Debian package compatible
  11.  No Tracking
  12.  User Levels
  13.  Works Offline
  14.  macOS-like
  15.  X86/x64 Compatibility
  16.  No registration required
  17.  Google integration

 Tags

Zorin OS News & Activities

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Recent News

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Recent activities

  • App icon
    OpenSourceSoftware added Zorin OS as alternative to EU OS
    6 days ago
  • OpenCored rated Zorin OS  
    6 days ago
  • Overspend7763 reviewed Zorin OS  
    18 days ago

    Very pretty and easy to use

  • Overspend7763 liked Zorin OS
    18 days ago
  • App icon
    POX added Zorin OS as alternative to Aurora OS
    23 days ago
  • App icon
    aliriza-keskin23 added Zorin OS as alternative to Turkman Linux
    about 1 month ago
  • hendrikmahdi, sredfred, matmarspace and BIGLINUX liked Zorin OS
    about 1 month ago
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Comments and Reviews

   
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Comment summary: Zorin OS, praised for its Windows-like interface, is seen as an excellent choice for those transitioning from Windows to Linux. Many users appreciate its ease of use, aesthetic design, and compatibility with Windows apps. However, it has received criticism for bugs, poor support, and less frequent updates. Despite its simplicity for newcomers, some experienced users feel limitations due to its slower release schedule. While its proprietary elements and mixed reviews of its support community are noted, Zorin remains a favorable introductory Linux distro.
Top Positive Comment
robgr11
Apr 14, 2017
6

If you use Windows but want to make the switch to Linux, Zorin is definitely the distro to choose.

After trying all the other distros (Ubuntu, elementary, Mint etc.) Zorin has the best desktop interface and, since it looks like Windows, I didn't need to learn anything new to start using it. All I notice is that my computer runs faster than it ever did before, doesn't crash like Windows does, and has loads of cool apps which you can get for free for it. I can even work with all of my Office documents without having to pay M$ for it.

If you're using Windows right now (or even if you aren't), do yourself a favor and get Zorin!

Top Negative Comment
Alternation_202
Jan 16, 2018
-4

As of 01/16/2018, Zorin OS became commercial, it's unclear if it's still free personal or not as the website seems to have a misleading page (saying download... it redirects you straightforwardly to a "Purchase" page)

elijahkashin
Aug 5, 2018

that's not correct - they pursue the so-called "pay what you want" policy, so you can actually type 0 at the bottom of the page and you'll be immediately redirected to downloads page with the respective iso

architsastam
Feb 7, 2020

you are wrong, it depends on what version you choose. If you choose the ultimate version, then you have to pay but all the other versions which most people use is Core, Lite and Education versions.

Overspend7763
Apr 5, 2025
0

Very pretty and easy to use

ToedlichesAuge
Nov 22, 2024
1

Free, easy to use, has Windows App compatibility

Bill de Haan
Jan 5, 2024
1

Although clearly aimed at new Linux users, it's also usable by experienced Linux users, as well.

Pros:

  • Very well laid out, with intelligent defaults that parallel the Windows approach
  • The default application mix provides pretty much everything the average Windows user would need, out of the box.
  • Simple integration with cloud services like Google and Outlook mail and calendar

Cons:

  • Based on older (but not obsolete) kernel

For new users, Zorin is the simplest out of box experience I've found. Quite a number of Windows 10 users who cannot (or will not) update their PCs to Windows 11 have switched to Zorin 16 (and now 17) first as dual boot, and then full time within a month, and been able to do everything they did in Windows 10 without problem.

For experienced Linux users, Zorin's slow release schedule means that it's usually a baseline behind Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, and others, so you don't get the latest features in those distros. That can be a serious limitation for people that like to tinker with their OS, but for "set it and forget it" types, it's not an issue.

I find that it's a great distro to introduce Windows users to Linux. Some will outgrow it, and move to Mint, or Debian, or even Arch, but for those who just use their PC for email, YouTube videos, Netflix, office documents and the like, Zorin is a faster and more secure OS that will run on the PCs where Windows 11 will not.

Victor Bennie
May 6, 2023
4

Zorin OS is better than linux mint. Zorin OS has better looks, it's more polished and intuitive. Also unlike Linux Mint which seems stagnant Zorin OS has vibrant development. You can see an improvement after an improvement with each update released. I see no reason to use linux mint really if we have Zorin. Can't see one advantage of linux mint over zorin.

BaronVonButthole
Oct 4, 2022
-5

Just terrible.

Like most other Linux distros, it gives you no option to enable FDE unless you're installing to an entire disk. Dual booting? You're out of luck, unless you want to try your luck following some random guy's instructions from years ago, involving about 817 command lines.

People actually argue about which third-party utility to use to create the bootable USB flash drive. Zorin recommends balenaEtcher, but lots of people report issues with it. By contrast, when you're preparing to install Windows, Microsoft provides their own utility for this purpose.

Oh, such a great UX, and we haven't even installed yet!

Expect your resolution to be locked at a maximum of 1024x768, even if you install the NVIDIA drivers. Oh wait, there may be an obscure workaround mentioned somewhere on the internet...

Sound? You want SOUND to work? LOL, OK, we'll give you random speaker pops, how's that? Does that work for you?

Support? LOL, thanks for the money for Pro, but if you've read the above, you've gotten all the support you'll get. That's literally true.

Trash.

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7 of 19 comments

What is Zorin OS?

Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Windows users who want to have easy and smooth access to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world.

Zorin OS features the unique Zorin Appearance app, which allows you to change the desktop to resemble the environment you're familiar with, whether it's Windows, macOS or Linux. Other unique programs include Zorin Web Browser Manager and Zorin Background Plus.

Zorin OS gives users more flexibility. It allows you to use Zorin OS alongside your current operating system and run Microsoft Windows programs in Zorin OS with the help of WINE and PlayOnLinux.

Out-of-the-box software: Zorin OS is packed with all the software you'll ever need out of the box. From office software to video editors, it's got it all.

Zorin OS Videos

Official Links

Zorin OS information

  • Developed by

    IE flagZorin OS
  • Licensing

    Open Source and Freemium product.
  • Pricing

    One time purchase (perpetual license) that costs $39 + free version with limited functionality.
  • Rating

    Average rating of 4.1 (23 ratings)
  • Alternatives

    180 alternatives listed
  • News

    8 news article related to Zorin OS
  • Supported Languages

    • English

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Our users have written 19 comments and reviews about Zorin OS, and it has gotten 121 likes

Zorin OS was added to AlternativeTo by atjnjk on Sep 25, 2011 and this page was last updated Mar 3, 2024. Zorin OS is sometimes referred to as Zorin, ZorinOS.