Qubes OS

Linux

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Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.3

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Qubes OS is ranked #15 of 45 in operating systems on Freedom251. It runs on Linux. There is a free plan.

Qubes OS plans and pricing

All plans

Qubes OS Free Free and open-source operating system · Requires compatible x86_64 hardware qubes-os.org · 7 Oct 2026

Compared on operating systems

Free plan: Yes
Device types: Computers with compatible 64-bit Intel or AMD CPUs and required virtualization features
CPU architectures: x86_64 (64-bit Intel or AMD; Intel 64/AMD64)
Support lifecycle: Qubes OS releases are supported for six months after each subsequent major or minor release
Built-in management: Qubes Update tool; Qube Manager; Qubes Template Manager; qvm-template; command-line qube tools
App compatibility: App qubes based on Fedora and Debian templates; community templates include Whonix, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, and Gentoo; Windows qubes supported
Deployment models: Installed on compatible physical computers; may also be installed on a USB flash drive or external disk

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The record

What it does: Qubes OS is an operating system built around securely compartmentalizing activities into isolated qubes.
Isolation: Qubes uses the Xen hypervisor to isolate websites and services from each other.
Multiple operating systems: Qubes lets users run more than one operating system, including Linux distributions and Windows programs, in separate workspaces.
Tor integration: The project says Whonix is integrated into Qubes for using the internet anonymously over the Tor network.
Current release: Qubes OS 4.3.2 is listed as the latest stable release and recommended for new and existing users.
Download verification: The download page provides a detached PGP signature and release signing key for the installer.
Minimum hardware: Minimum requirements include a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor with virtualization and IOMMU support, 6 GB RAM, and 32 GB free storage.
Recommended hardware: The documentation recommends 16 GB RAM, 128 GB free storage, an Intel integrated graphics processor, and a processor that still receives microcode updates.
Compatibility limitation: Meeting the listed system requirements does not guarantee Qubes will install and run; the project recommends consulting its hardware guidance.
Virtual machine limitation: The documentation says installing Qubes inside a virtual machine is not recommended because Qubes uses its own bare-metal Xen hypervisor.
Support: The project directs users with questions to its community forum and describes its users and contributors as the people best positioned to help.
Security updates: The project website publishes security bulletins and advisories, including recent QSB notices.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Operating Systems in 2026#15 of 45

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Sources

qubes-os.org· checked 7 Oct 2026
qubes-os.org/downloads/· checked 7 Oct 2026
doc.qubes-os.org/en/latest/user/hardware/system-requirem· checked 7 Oct 2026