Free and open first

Best Operating Systems in 2026

An operating system shapes which applications can run and how devices and workloads are managed. Compare these options on app compatibility, built-in management, CPU architectures, device types, and deployment models. Support lifecycle can help you assess ongoing fit, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide cost details. AlmaLinux OS, pfSense, and Rocky Linux are among the entries, alongside CentOS Stream, Debian, Fedora Linux, and Kubuntu. Check the listed architecture and deployment details against the systems you need to support.

42 apps
Research read 24 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

AlmaLinux OS

Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

AlmaLinux OS offers broad deployment options, security errata, and community support without a distribution fee. Its stated update plans vary by major version, and commercial support is separate.

9.3 Free plan Visit site
2

Apache NuttX

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

Choose Apache NuttX for embedded development when its supported architectures and POSIX/ANSI-oriented APIs fit your project.

9.2 Free plan Visit site
3

Kali Linux

Free plan Open source AndroidLinuxMac+2

Kali Linux offers a broad security-testing environment across many deployment types, with live and custom-image options.

9.0 Free plan Visit site
4

OpenWrt
by OpenWrt
Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+2

Choose OpenWrt if you want a free Linux system for an embedded device and are comfortable checking compatibility and configuring it.

8.9 Open source Visit site
5

OPNsense
by OPNsense
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

OPNsense combines firewall, routing, VPN, failover, and intrusion-prevention features in a self-hosted platform.

8.8 Free plan Visit site
6

Manjaro Linux

Free plan Open source LinuxSelf-hosted

Choose Manjaro if you want a free Arch-based Linux distribution with tested rolling updates, graphical software management, and several official desktop editions.

8.7 Free plan Visit site
7

Pop!_OS

Free plan Open source Linux

Choose Pop!_OS for a free Linux desktop with adjustable tiling, flexible panels, and APT and Flatpak support.

8.3 Free plan Visit site
8

Alpine Linux

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Choose Alpine Linux if you need a free, compact distribution with image options spanning hardware, virtual systems and containers.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
9

Amazon Linux

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Choose AL2023 for AWS-oriented Linux deployments that need EC2 integration, selectable updates, and a support lifecycle through June 30, 2029.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
10

CentOS Stream

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

CentOS Stream offers a free, open development platform that can also serve production and preview needs.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
11

ChromeOS

Free plan LinuxWeb

ChromeOS combines managed hardware, security controls, broad workplace applications, and long update coverage.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
12

Debian

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Debian offers a large package collection, broad architecture support, and multiple installation and deployment options at no cost.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
13

Nix
by Nix
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

Nix offers package management, system configuration, and a broad set of reproducible-build and deployment capabilities at no listed cost.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
14

Fedora CoreOS

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Pick Fedora CoreOS when you need a minimal Linux host for containerized workloads across physical, virtual, or cloud infrastructure.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
15

Fedora Linux

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Choose Fedora Linux if you want a free, open-source platform with distinct options for desktop, server, cloud, and container use.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
16

FreeRTOS

Free plan LinuxWindows

FreeRTOS combines embedded operating-system features with wide architecture support and a two-year LTS maintenance period. Its listed plan is free under the MIT license.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
17

Gentoo Linux

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Choose Gentoo if you want control over package builds, system settings, and desktop or init choices across a wide range of architectures.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
18

elementary OS

Free plan Linux

elementary OS combines a Linux desktop, everyday applications, workspaces, and a pay-what-you-can app store.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
19

Kubuntu

Free plan Linux

Choose Kubuntu if you want a free Linux desktop combining Ubuntu with KDE Plasma and applications.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
20

Linux Mint

Free plan Linux

Linux Mint provides a free desktop system with three editions, built-in apps and a software manager. Check the hardware requirements and driver setup needs for your computer before installing it.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
21

OmniOS

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

OmniOS combines illumos-based server operation with ZFS, containers, virtualization, networking, and tracing tools.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
22

OpenIndiana

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

OpenIndiana provides a free illumos-based operating system with desktop and command-line operation, extensive system technologies, and several package sources.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
23

pfSense
by pfSense
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

pfSense offers firewall, routing, and VPN capabilities across hardware, virtual, and cloud deployments.

7.0 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
24

Lubuntu

Free plan Linux

Lubuntu combines a lightweight LXQt desktop with familiar applications and broad everyday file support. Choosing an LTS release avoids the shorter interim support period.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
25

MX Linux

Free plan Linux

MX Linux offers three desktop editions, graphical management tools, and multiple package sources.

6.9 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

More in Business Operations