18.6
OPNsense is an open-source firewall platform with web and mobile apps.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWeb
Best Operating Systems in 2026
OPNsense leads this chart of 42 (8.6/10, free plan). OpenWrt is next (7.8/10, free plan), and Kali Linux is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.6/10). Operating systems provide the software base for devices; compare supported platforms and app compatibility before choosing. For a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet, check Android support first. Then compare Windows, Linux, macOS, self-hosted and API options, along with device types and CPU architectures.
27.8
OpenWrt is a free, open-source operating system project for network devices.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidWebAPI
37.6
Kali Linux bundles tools for forensics, reverse engineering, and finding vulnerabilities.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidLinuxmacOS
- 4
Apache NuttX
Apache NuttX is a small-footprint real-time operating system for embedded systems.
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.3Free plan - 5
AlmaLinux OS
AlmaLinux OS is a free, open-source, community-owned enterprise Linux distribution that is binary compatible with RHEL.
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxSelf-hostedWindows7.2Free plan - 6
Manjaro Linux
Manjaro Linux is a free Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, designed to make Arch’s power and flexibility more accessible.
Free planOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted7.0Free plan - 77.0Free plan
- 8
Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS lets users arrange desktop windows automatically using a mouse or keyboard.
Free planOpen sourceLinux7.0Free plan - 9
Nix
Nix is a package manager and system configuration tool for creating reproducible, declarative environments.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.7Free plan - 10
postmarketOS
postmarketOS makes free software to extend the life of consumer electronics.
Free planAndroidLinux6.6Free plan - 11
Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Server supports cloud and data center workloads, with five years of standard LTS security updates.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.6From $25 a year - 12
OmniOS
OmniOS is an open-source server operating system based on illumos for physical servers and virtual machines.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.5From $500 a year - 13
Solus
Solus is an independent Linux system for home and office, available in four desktop editions.
Free planLinux6.4Free plan - 14
MX Linux
MX Linux offers Debian Stable desktops with graphical tools for boot and repository settings.
Free planLinux6.3Free plan - 15
ChromeOS
Google OS for Chromebooks with web apps, Linux support, and centralized device management.
WebLinux6.2 - 16
Raspberry Pi Imager
Raspberry Pi Imager installs operating systems, including Ubuntu, for use on a Raspberry Pi.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.2Free plan - 17
Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux is a free, open-source enterprise operating system designed for bug-for-bug compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Free planLinuxSelf-hostedWindows6.2Free plan - 18
Amazon Linux
Amazon Linux 2023 is an AWS-integrated Linux distribution optimized for Amazon EC2.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.1Free plan - 19
Ubuntu Touch
Mobile Linux OS with dialer, contacts, calendar, files, terminal, OpenStore, and desktop mode.
Free planAndroidSelf-hosted6.1Free plan - 20
Debian
Free Linux or FreeBSD system offering APT and more than 70,000 software packages.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.0Free plan - 21
FreeRTOS
FreeRTOS supports over 40 processor architectures and includes SMP scheduling and an IPv6 TCP stack.
Free planLinuxWindows6.0Free plan - 22
Photon OS
Photon OS runs on bare metal, VMware ESXi, and public clouds for cloud and edge workloads.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.0Free plan - 23
Sailfish OS
AndroidLinux6.0From €4.90 a month - 24
Void Linux
Independent rolling-release Linux system using the XBPS package manager.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.0Free plan - 25
Alpine Linux
Alpine Linux is a compact, security-focused distribution built around musl libc and BusyBox.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.9Free plan
Choosing well
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Choose an operating system that supports the platforms you plan to use, such as Android, Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted deployments or an API.
If you want to use it with a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet, confirm Android support in the product details before choosing.
Which devices and CPU architectures does it support?
Match the operating system's supported device types and CPU architectures with your hardware.
This check matters for systems such as Apache NuttX, OpenWrt or Raspberry Pi Imager, where the target device is central to setup.
Do you need a free plan or open source code?
Check the pricing model and whether a free plan is included before installing.
If you need to read or change the code, check the item's open-source status and licence terms.
How long will it receive support?
Compare the support lifecycle so you know how the operating system is maintained over time.
Also check built-in management and app compatibility when you need administration tools or existing software to keep working.
How will you deploy it?
Pick a deployment model that fits your setup, such as a local installation or self-hosted deployment.
Review the deployment details alongside device support and management features before committing.
Questions people ask
Which operating systems support Android?
The chart includes operating systems with Android support. Check the platform details for the product you want before choosing it for a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet.
Are these operating systems free?
Check the pricing model and free-plan field for the operating system you are considering. Pricing can differ between products.
Which operating systems are open source?
Open-source status is shown for the products where it applies. Check the item's licence details if you need to inspect or modify its code.
How do I choose an operating system for my device?
Compare supported device types, CPU architectures, platform availability, app compatibility and support lifecycle with your hardware and software needs.
Can I self-host an operating system?
Self-hosted deployment is listed as a platform option for products where it applies. Confirm the deployment model in the product details before setup.