OPNsense
by OPNsenseOpen-source firewall and routing operating system with web, API and self-hosted platforms.
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Best Operating Systems 2026
Facts read 30 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Operating systems manage hardware, run apps and define how devices are deployed. This list helps you compare systems for computers, phones, network equipment and embedded hardware.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 OPNsense | Open-source firewall and routing operating system with web, API and self-hosted platforms. | 6.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 02 OpenWrt | Open-source operating system for network devices, with Linux, web and API platforms. | 5.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Web, Linux, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 03 pfSense | pfSense suits home and remote workers, businesses, government, education and service providers seeking firewall and routing software. | 5.6 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Linux, Self-hosted | 2 Oct 2026 |
| 04 Kali Linux | Debian Linux distribution for vulnerability discovery, computer forensics, reverse engineering and other security work. | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, Windows, Mac, Linux | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 05 Ubuntu Server | Server operating system for data centers and clouds, with LTS security maintenance and Kubernetes support. | 5.4 | $25 a year | Free plan | Linux, Self-hosted | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Apache NuttX | NuttX suits developers building software for embedded boards and devices across its supported processor architectures. | 5.1 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Mac, Linux, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 07 AlmaLinux OS | Community-owned Linux distribution that follows RHEL binary compatibility and is available at no cost. | 5.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Windows, Linux, API, Self-hosted | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 08 ChromeOS | Google OS at the core of Chromebooks, with cloud-focused tools, Gemini features and device administration. | 5.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Linux | 11 Oct 2026 |
| 09 Pop!_OS | Linux operating system focused on productive, personal use with adjustable automatic window tiling. | 5.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Linux | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 10 Manjaro Linux | 4.8 | Free plan | Free plan | Linux, Self-hosted | 15 Oct 2026 |
Entries are ordered by release recency, with figures published by their makers. Nothing is scored; compare pricing, platforms, architecture support, lifecycle, management, app compatibility and deployment model for your needs.
02
OpenWrt
Open-source operating system for network devices, with Linux, web and API platforms.
AndroidWebLinux+2 Record5.6 Visit
03
pfSense
pfSense suits home and remote workers, businesses, government, education and service providers seeking firewall and routing software.
WebLinuxSelf-hosted Record5.6 Visit
04
Kali Linux
Debian Linux distribution for vulnerability discovery, computer forensics, reverse engineering and other security work.
AndroidWindowsMac+2 Record5.5 Visit
05
Ubuntu Server
Server operating system for data centers and clouds, with LTS security maintenance and Kubernetes support.
LinuxSelf-hosted Record5.4 Visit
6
Apache NuttX
WindowsMacLinux+2 Free plan Record5.1 Visit NuttX suits developers building software for embedded boards and devices across its supported processor architectures.
7
AlmaLinux OS
WindowsLinuxAPI+1 Free plan Record5.0 Visit Community-owned Linux distribution that follows RHEL binary compatibility and is available at no cost.
8
ChromeOS
WebLinux Free plan Record5.0 Visit Google OS at the core of Chromebooks, with cloud-focused tools, Gemini features and device administration.
9
Pop!_OS
Linux Free plan Record5.0 Visit Linux operating system focused on productive, personal use with adjustable automatic window tiling.
11
Nix
WindowsMacLinux+1 Free plan Record4.8 Visit Nix suits developers, test engineers, DevOps engineers, system administrators, data scientists, students, and open-source enthusiasts who are comfortable with…
12
postmarketOS
AndroidLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Free mobile Linux software that lets users adjust, install and update a device system.
13
Raspberry Pi Imager
WindowsMacLinux Free plan Record4.8 Visit Writes Raspberry Pi OS and supported operating-system images to cards or drives on Linux, macOS and Windows.
14
Sailfish OS
AndroidLinux €4.90 a month Record4.8 Visit Linux mobile platform for phones, tablets and embedded devices, with gesture apps and Android app support.
15
Amazon Linux
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.6 Visit AWS Linux portfolio including AL2023, an RPM-based distribution optimized for EC2 and cloud scale.
17
Rocky Linux
WindowsLinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.6 Visit Open-source Linux enterprise operating system built from RHEL sources with a 10-year support lifecycle.
18
Ubuntu Touch
AndroidSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.6 Visit Mobile operating system with core apps that can expand to a windowed desktop on a monitor or TV.
19
Alpine Linux
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.5 Visit Small Linux distribution for power users, built with musl libc and BusyBox for security and resource efficiency.
20
Linux Mint
Linux Free plan Record4.5 Visit Free Linux desktop system for laptops and PCs, offered in Cinnamon, Xfce and MATE editions.
21
Photon OS
LinuxSelf-hosted Free plan Record4.5 Visit Photon OS suits developers and operators building cloud, edge, container, or Kubernetes environments.
22
Solus
Linux Free plan Record4.5 Visit Independent Linux desktop system for home and office computers, offered in four desktop editions.
23
Zorin OS
Linux Free plan Record4.5 Visit Linux desktop with familiar layouts, built-in apps and support for many Windows programs.
Before you choose
Check the cost model
Review the Free plan and Paid from fields together. A free plan can reduce trial cost, while paid pricing may begin at a stated entry point or require a pricing request.
Free-trial availability is listed where provided. Confirm the terms for the system you are considering.
Match your target platform
Platform labels include Linux, self-hosted, Android, Windows, API and macOS. Start with the device or service you plan to run, then check the platform tags.
Device types and CPU architectures show whether the system fits your hardware plans.
Review support and management
Compare the support lifecycle before adopting a system for a long-lived device or service. Built-in management can affect setup and ongoing administration.
Use these fields to match the operating system with the maintenance work your environment can support.
Check apps and deployment
App compatibility helps you judge whether required software can run on the operating system. Deployment models describe how the system can be installed or delivered.
Compare these details with your current tools and rollout plan before choosing an entry.
Read the licence details
Open-source status differs across operating systems. If you need to read, change or redistribute code, review the licence information for the system you are considering.
Questions
How is this operating-system list ordered?
The page orders entries by release recency and uses figures published by makers. It does not score the systems.
What pricing details can I compare?
Listings show whether a free plan is available, the paid starting point when provided and, for some systems, a pricing-on-request note.
Which platforms appear in the list?
Platform labels include Linux, self-hosted, Android, Windows, API and macOS.
Can I check hardware fit?
Yes. Compare the listed device types and CPU architectures with the hardware you plan to use.
Do listings show trial access?
Free-trial availability is provided where the listing includes it. Check the individual operating-system entry for its terms.
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