FOG Project

FOG Project is free, open-source software for imaging and managing networked computers. It is best suited to administrators who can run a Linux server and configure client machines for network boot. Its combination of deployment and client-management tools is compelling for planned fleet work, but Linux client limitations and server security responsibilities narrow its fit.

Overview

FOG captures and deploys Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux distributions, and supports hardware-independent images for deployment across different computer models. It can also manage computers remotely when its server is publicly reachable. That makes it more than a cloning tool, though the benefits depend on a properly configured server and network.

Key features

Network imaging

FOG recommends configuring clients to PXE boot first, so administrators can send imaging tasks without visiting each computer. Multi-site installations are supported as well. These features suit coordinated deployments across a fleet or multiple locations better than occasional, one-machine cloning.

Client management

The FOG Client supports host registration, hostname changes, scheduled power management, snapin installation, and user tracking. That gives administrators ongoing management functions alongside imaging. The client documentation covers Windows, Linux, and OSX, but Linux clients lack the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining, and PrinterManager; organizations relying on those functions should account for that gap.

Security and support

Client-server communications use public-key infrastructure and AES-256 encryption after an RSA-4096 key exchange. The security guide also recommends firewall rules and securing the MySQL database and captured image directory, so encryption does not remove the need for careful server administration. Community forums are the recommended support route, with the project saying posts are often answered within an hour and developers and moderators are present daily; its wiki and IRC channel are additional resources.

Pricing

FOG Project is free for commercial use. Its FOG Project plan costs nothing and includes free community support. There are no paid tiers or trial terms to weigh; the practical cost is the effort of running and securing a Linux server and preparing client machines for deployment.

Platforms

The server runs only on Linux, with server-oriented LTS distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux, or AlmaLinux recommended. The client documentation describes Windows, Linux, and OSX installations. FOG is self-hosted, so its web access and remote-management capability depend on the server setup; remote management requires the server to be publicly reachable. The download page lists version 1.6.0-RC-3, released October 02, 2026.

Who it's for

FOG is a strong fit for organizations that need free, self-hosted imaging across different hardware and can maintain a Linux server, PXE boot configuration, and the related security controls. Its client-management functions add value for administrators maintaining a fleet after deployment. It is less suitable where a Linux server cannot be operated or where Linux endpoints need the client functions FOG does not support.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free for commercial use, with no per-device plan cost stated.
• Pros: Hardware-independent images, PXE-based task deployment, and multi-site installations support organized work across a varied fleet.
• Pros: Host registration, scheduled power management, snapin installation, and user tracking extend the product beyond imaging.
• Cons: The server must run Linux, creating an operational requirement for teams standardized on other server platforms.
• Cons: Linux clients lack the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining, and PrinterManager.
• Cons: Public reachability for remote management and the recommended database, firewall, and image-directory safeguards put security work on the operator.

Alternatives

OPSI is worth considering if its freemium model, free trial, and Community plan with unlimited devices, core features, and one worker process better suit the deployment; its Basic plan is capped at 30 devices.

Canonical MAAS may suit teams looking for a freemium option with a self-support plan free for all machines, provided its lack of HA support, RBAC, Knowledge Base, Sev 1 response SLA, phone, and ticket support is acceptable.

Clonezilla is another free, open-source choice for readers comparing cloning software.

Foreman is a free, self-managed option for readers comparing infrastructure-management software.

iVentoy has a free edition with no usage time limit, but it is non-commercial and capped at 20 clients, making it a poor fit for commercial deployments or larger client groups.

AOMEI Backupper offers a perpetually free Windows PC backup plan, so it is an alternative to consider when Windows backup rather than network imaging is the priority.

ManageEngine OS Deployer has a free plan capped at four workstations and one server; it may suit a small deployment that fits within that limit.

OSDCloud is a free Windows 11 deployment tool that requires WinPE and internet access, an option for Windows-focused deployments that meet those requirements.

Browse OS Deployment Software, Disk Cloning Software, Bare Metal Provisioning Software, or Disk Imaging Software to compare more tools by category.

Verdict

Choose FOG Project if you need free commercial-use network imaging and client management across a fleet, and can support its Linux server and deployment setup. Its broad deployment and management scope is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if Linux client feature gaps or the responsibility of securing a publicly reachable server do not fit your environment.