Side by side
MX Linux vs OmniOS
Both stand on operating systems. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
MX Linux offers three desktop editions, graphical management tools, and multiple package sources. Users should account for its Debian basis: the FAQ cautions against Ubuntu PPAs, and firewall behavior may affect some discovery or application use.
Visit MX Linux Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
OmniOS combines illumos-based server operation with ZFS, containers, virtualization, networking, and tracing tools. The free edition is limited to x86-64, while longer support and developer access require the paid support package.
Visit OmniOSThe facts
| MX Linux | OmniOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | OmniOS Support Package: $500 per server a year |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | mxlinux.org | omnios.org |
| On operating systems | #25 of 42 | #21 of 42 |
MX Linux: what it does well
- Free distribution with three desktop editions.
- MX Package Installer includes Debian Backports and Flatpak.
- Live USB and snapshot tools support portability.
- Automatically receives Debian Stable security updates.
- Includes an ISO Signature Verifier for signed checksums.
What to know first
- Official MX-25 releases are 64-bit only.
- Ubuntu PPAs will likely cause problems.
- Firewall settings may interfere with printer discovery and some applications.
OmniOS: what it does well
- Free open-source server operating system
- ZFS includes integrity protection and storage sharing
- Supports bhyve and KVM guest virtualization
- DTrace provides software-stack troubleshooting traces
- Digitally signed package updates
What to know first
- Releases support x86-64 only
- Stable releases receive one year of support
- Support package costs $500 a year
- Support reaction time is best-effort, not guaranteed
Alternatives to MX Linux Alternatives to OmniOS The whole list