OpenIndiana
OpenIndiana is a free, community-developed, illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris.
What OpenIndiana is
OpenIndiana is a free, community-developed, illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris. It runs on 64-bit x86 PCs, workstations, and servers, and can be installed on physical machines or used as a cloud image. The Hipster branch offers live and text installers, with a MATE-based graphical desktop and command-line shell access. Core technologies include ZFS, DTrace, Crossbow, SMF, FMA, COMSTAR, KVM, Zones, Time-Slider, RBAC, IPMP, and DLMP. OpenIndiana uses the network-based Image Packaging System for installing, searching, and updating software, with beadm for boot environment management. Packages come from the main openindiana.org publisher and an encumbered publisher, while SFE and pkgsrc provide additional options. Hipster is a rolling release with snapshots approximately every six months. The project provides community support through IRC, mailing lists, and its issue tracker.
Good
- Free plan for 64-bit x86 systems
- MATE desktop and command-line shell
- IPS installation, search, and updates
- Supports physical and cloud deployments
- Includes ZFS, DTrace, and Zones
Watch out
- 32-bit systems are unsupported
- SPARC is unavailable for Hipster
- Hipster software may be unsuitable for mission-critical production
- No fixed support duration is stated
Who it suits
OpenIndiana suits people running 64-bit x86 workstations, servers, or PCs who want a free Unix-like system. It also fits administrators needing IPS package management, boot environment tools, and optional SFE or pkgsrc repositories.
Verdict
OpenIndiana combines a free illumos-based system with graphical and command-line operation, broad core technologies, and several software sources. Its rolling Hipster model and unsupported 32-bit and SPARC platforms are important considerations before deployment.
Plans and prices
From OpenIndiana's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OpenIndiana Hipster | Free | Community-developed distribution · x86 64-bit; 32-bit systems unsupported |
The facts
Each one read from OpenIndiana's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional software
- OpenIndiana can use SFE and pkgsrc repositories for additional software options.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Core features
- Listed features include ZFS, DTrace, Crossbow, SMF, FMA, COMSTAR, KVM, Zones, Time-Slider, RBAC, IPMP, and DLMP.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Desktop
- The default windowing GUI is based on MATE, and OpenIndiana can also be controlled through a command-line shell.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware support
- OpenIndiana works on most x86 PCs; 32-bit systems are unsupported, and the current download page lists 64-bit x86 images.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Image integrity
- The download page says installations can receive security fixes through regular Hipster repository updates and that images have been signed with the OpenIndiana Release Engineering GPG key since 2017.04.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- OpenIndiana contains software under multiple licenses, including CDDL-1.0, PDL, MIT, BSD 2-Clause, and GNU licenses.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The project warns that Hipster's frequently updated software warrants caution in mission-critical production environments.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Packages
- OpenIndiana uses the network-based Image Packaging System (IPS) to install and update software.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release cadence
- The project says it releases a Hipster snapshot approximately every six months, and describes Hipster as a rapid development branch.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Repositories
- Its package sources include the main openindiana.org publisher and an encumbered publisher for multimedia codecs and other components that may be subject to software patents.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project says it seeks to quickly mitigate known flaws in the actively maintained Hipster branch and asks users to report concerns through its bug tracker.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community support is available through IRC, mailing lists, and the issue tracker; the project is developed and maintained by volunteers.checked 8 Oct 2026
- What it is
- OpenIndiana is a community-driven illumos-based Unix-like operating system derived from OpenSolaris.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Who it suits
- The Hipster snapshots are intended for both workstations and servers, with live and text installer options.checked 8 Oct 2026
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