Freedom251 › Operating Systems
Pop!_OS
What Pop!_OS is
Pop!_OS is a free Linux operating system from System76 for computers, laptops, desktops, workstations, and ARM computers. Its automatic window tiling arranges windows and can be adjusted with a mouse or keyboard. The launcher can open apps, switch windows, calculate, find files, search the web, and run commands. Users can put one or two panels along any screen edge and create themes with custom fonts and icons.
Pop!_OS uses APT and Flatpak, and System76 says Ubuntu-compatible tools can run on it. Examples include VS Code, Android Studio, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MATLAB. The download page lists Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS with the COSMIC desktop environment. It supports 64-bit x86 and ARM64 architectures, with installation from ISO or USB and a live USB environment. The installation guide lists 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage as minimum requirements and requires Secure Boot to be disabled. System76 says installation includes full-disk encryption and that the operating system does not collect or store information from user installations. Rolling updates and periodic version upgrades can be installed at the user's convenience.
Who it suits
Pop!_OS suits people looking for a free Linux desktop with adjustable window tiling, customizable panels, and a launcher that handles both app and system searches. It can also suit users who need APT, Flatpak, or Ubuntu-compatible software on 64-bit x86 or ARM64 hardware.
What it does well
- Free to download and use.
- Automatic window tiling works with a mouse or keyboard.
- Launcher searches apps, files, the web, and more.
- Supports APT, Flatpak, and Ubuntu-compatible tools.
- Full-disk encryption is provided during installation.
- Rolling updates and periodic upgrades are available.
What to know first
- Installation requires Secure Boot to be disabled.
- Installation guide lists 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage.
- Requires compatible computer hardware.
Limits
The installation guide requires at least 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage, and Secure Boot must be disabled. The download page recommends 4 GB RAM and 16 GB storage.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS | 24.04 LTS · Standard, NVIDIA, ARM, and ARM-with-NVIDIA ISOs | Free |
As system76.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Pop!_OS website and download the operating system.
- Prepare a compatible 64-bit x86 or ARM64 computer with at least 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage.
- Disable Secure Boot before installation.
- Install from ISO or USB, or start a live USB environment.
- After installation, use the COSMIC Store, OS Upgrade & Recovery, or terminal package tools to manage software and updates.
Verdict
Choose Pop!_OS for a free Linux desktop with adjustable tiling, flexible panels, and APT and Flatpak support. Check the installation requirements first: Secure Boot must be disabled, and the guide calls for 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage.
Questions
How much does Pop!_OS cost?
Pop!_OS is free to download; its listed plan is free.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is a free plan. No free trial is listed.
Which computers does Pop!_OS support?
It supports Linux computers using 64-bit x86 or ARM64 architecture, including laptops, desktops, workstations, and ARM computers.
What are the installation requirements?
The installation guide lists 4 GB RAM and 20 GB storage, and says Secure Boot must be disabled. The download page recommends 4 GB RAM and 16 GB storage.
Which software can run on Pop!_OS?
It uses APT and Flatpak, and System76 says Ubuntu-compatible tools can run on it. Examples include VS Code, Android Studio, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MATLAB.
What does System76 say about privacy and security?
System76 says the OS includes full-disk encryption during installation and does not collect or store information from user installations.
Facts from Pop!_OS's own pages
- Accessibility
- The system includes controls for color blindness, limited vision, impaired hearing, and screen-reader access. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Apps and compatibility
- Pop!_OS uses APT and Flatpak, and the maker says Ubuntu-compatible tools can run on it. · system76.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Bioinformatics tools
- Listed bioinformatics software includes R, Bioconductor, Bioconda, UniProt, Bowtie 2, and Biopython. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- System76 lists Denver, Colorado as its headquarters and manufacturing location. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The product is made by System76, Inc. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The download page identifies Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS as the current release. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can choose single- or dual-panel layouts, move panels to any screen edge, and create themes with custom fonts and icons. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Desktop environment
- Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS uses the Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment. · support.system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- Official compatibility examples include TensorFlow, PyTorch, Caffe, Jupyter, MATLAB, VS Code, ROS, Postman, KiCad, Android Studio, and Arduino IDE. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- System76 publishes installation, desktop-basics, application-management, and troubleshooting documentation. · support.system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The installer enables full-disk encryption by default and leaves the encryption key with the user. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Firmware
- A firmware-management application provides automatic firmware updates. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Gaming
- System76 promotes Steam gaming with integrated driver handling and graphics support. · system76.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Denver, Colorado, United States · system76.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Independent review gaming result
- PC Gamer measured roughly 11.1% lower average performance at 1080p and 16.3% lower at 4K across its Linux-versus-Windows tests, with large game-specific variation. · pcgamer.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review limit
- TechRadar lists 64-bit-only hardware support as a drawback. · techradar.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review limit: application availability
- PC Gamer reports that Adobe, Affinity, Battle.net, Office 365, iTunes, Notion, and several hardware-control utilities lack native Linux versions. · pcgamer.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review limits: bugs
- It's FOSS reported audio-device switching problems, missing dock icons, and OBS Studio screen-recording issues in Pop!_OS 24.04. · itsfoss.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review praise
- TechRadar recommends Pop!_OS for beginner gamers, highlighting keyboard control, hybrid graphics, and default full-disk encryption. · techradar.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review praise: installation
- It's FOSS found the Pop!_OS 24.04 installer straightforward, with simple clean or custom partitioning and useful onboarding. · itsfoss.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Installation limit
- Secure Boot must be disabled before installation, according to the installation guide. · system76.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Install requirements
- The installation guide lists 64-bit x86 or ARM architecture, 4 GB RAM minimum, and 20 GB storage; its download page recommends 4 GB RAM and 16 GB storage. · system76.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Public Pop!_OS repositories use open-source licenses including GPL-3.0, MPL-2.0, and BSD-3-Clause. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: delivery and defects
- Trustpilot complaints include shipping delays, initial hardware defects, international delivery costs, and occasional communication problems. · trustpilot.com, 15 Oct 2026
Where Pop!_OS stands on Freedom251
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