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Sailfish OS
Tampere, Finland
What it is
Sailfish OS is a Linux-based operating system for smartphones and tablets that can also be adapted for embedded devices. It supports native gesture-based apps built with Qt and can run Android apps through AppSupport, which the maker says has reached Android 13 level. Device policies and extension points can be configured for custom apps, cloud accounts, location providers, VPN solutions, and authentication methods. Its device-management capabilities cover remote setup, settings and policy provisioning, software management, device locking, and multiple users. Security features include on-device encryption, app and core-service sandboxing, a firewall, VPN support, and over-the-air updates. Jolla says the system does not collect or sell personal data and allows users to connect trusted services or use their own cloud. Licensees receive full source-code access to the OS, tooling, and infrastructure. Jolla officially supports downloads for selected devices, while community ports cover nearly a hundred devices. Sailfish OS was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Tampere, Finland. A voluntary subscription is €4.90 a month.
For and against
For
- Native Qt apps and optional Android AppSupport
- Remote provisioning and configurable device policies
- On-device encryption, firewall, and VPN support
- Licensees receive full source-code access
- Automatic cloud backups with trusted or own services
Against
- Paid product, despite a free plan
- Official downloads cover selected devices
- Voluntary subscription: €4.90 a month
- Android app support is optional
The verdict
Sailfish OS combines mobile device management, configurable deployment, and native and optional Android app support. Its fit depends on supported devices, deployment needs, and the desired licensing arrangement.
Who it suits
Sailfish OS may suit organizations considering managed mobile deployments, including corporate or governmental use, as well as consumer or embedded projects. Device support and the optional Android compatibility are relevant considerations when choosing it.
Plans and prices
Sailfish OS voluntary subscription
Voluntary contribution to support Sailfish OS development and community services
Read 11 Oct 2026 · commerce.jolla.com
On the record
- Adaptation
- Configurable device policies and extension points support custom apps, cloud accounts, location providers, VPN solutions, and authentication methods.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Android app support
- Sailfish OS can run Android apps through AppSupport, and the maker says its AppSupport has reached Android 13 level.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Backup
- Sailfish OS supports automatic cloud backups with a service the user trusts or their own backup servers.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Community support
- Jolla identifies the Sailfish OS forum as a place for developer community support and collaboration.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Developer tools
- The developer offering includes Docker-based cross-platform builds, a command-line interface, Clang Code Model, 64-bit builds, C++14, and Rust.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Device management
- Its MDM supports remote device setup, settings and policy provisioning, software management, device locking, and multiple-user management.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Jolla presents Sailfish OS for corporate and governmental deployments as well as consumer mobile devices and embedded use cases.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- The maker says Sailfish OS offers an exclusive licensing model for local implementations.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Jolla is a Finnish company founded in 2011.jolla.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Native apps
- The platform supports gesture-based native apps powered by the Qt framework.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The platform is based on Linux and more than 500 open-source projects, and licensees receive full source-code access to the OS, tooling, and infrastructure.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Jolla says Sailfish OS does not collect or sell personal data, and lets users connect trusted services or set up their own cloud.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sailfish OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets that can be adapted for embedded devices.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The maker describes on-device data encryption, Firejail app sandboxing, systemd sandboxing for core services, a firewall, VPN support, and over-the-air updates.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Supported devices
- Jolla officially supports downloadable Sailfish OS for selected devices, while the site says community ports cover nearly a hundred devices.sailfishos.org · read 11 Oct 2026
