Bazzite is a free Linux operating system for PCs, built on Fedora, that you install in place of Windows or another system. It is aimed at people who want a Linux desktop that works well for gaming, including on Steam Deck-style handhelds and living-room PCs.
App · GitHub · Great for gaming; updates apply safely
Not on GitHubActiveLinuxVerifiedGPL-3.0-or-laterApp
Linux Mint is a free desktop operating system for laptops and computers, designed to work out of the box with the apps most people need. It is aimed especially at people switching from Windows or trying Linux for the first time.
Not on GitHubActiveLinuxVerifiedGPL-2.0-or-laterApp
Fedora is a free Linux operating system that runs on computers and servers, with several versions for desktops, servers and cloud use. It is aimed at people who want a community-built alternative to Windows or macOS.
App · Own website · New versions every 6 months; fast-moving
Ubuntu is a Linux operating system that runs on desktop computers, servers and cloud systems. It is made by Canonical and aimed at developers, businesses and home users who want a free, open alternative to Windows or macOS.
Debian is a free operating system, the software that runs a computer and its programs. It is meant for people who want an open alternative to commercial operating systems.
App · Own website · Very stable but older app versions; less beginner-friendly
Arch Linux is a lightweight Linux operating system that lets experienced users choose and set up every part of their computer. It is aimed at people who want a simple, flexible base and are comfortable doing their own setup.
App · Own website · For experienced users: you set up every part
CachyOS is a free Linux operating system for computers, built on Arch Linux and tuned to run faster. It is aimed at people who want a speedy desktop with an easy installer and a choice of desktop environments.
App · Own website · Rolling updates; best for people comfortable fixing things
Pop!_OS is a free Linux operating system that runs on computers and aims to be secure and easy to customize. It is made for people who want a productive desktop, including those who buy System76 hardware.
App · GitHub · Good for newer laptops and graphics cards
None of these match. Try another device.
Before you build
Planning something for an alternative to Microsoft Windows? See what exists first, so you can reuse parts or explain what's different. Paste this into any AI assistant:
Read the list of open-source alternatives at https://opensourceeverything.org/data/groups/desktop-os.json. Compare it with my project or idea below. Tell me which projects overlap, what I could reuse instead of rewriting, and what mine does that none of them do.
My project or idea:
Here is a list of open-source alternatives to Microsoft Windows, from Open Source Everything (CC BY-SA 4.0):
- Bazzite (Apache-2.0, https://github.com/ublue-os/bazzite; replaces fully): Bazzite is a free Linux operating system for PCs, built on Fedora, that you install in place of Windows or another system. It is aimed at people who want a Linux desktop that works well for gaming, including on Steam Deck-style handhelds and living-room PCs.
- Linux Mint (GPL-3.0-or-later, https://linuxmint.com; replaces fully): Linux Mint is a free desktop operating system for laptops and computers, designed to work out of the box with the apps most people need. It is aimed especially at people switching from Windows or trying Linux for the first time.
- Fedora (GPL-2.0-or-later, https://fedoraproject.org; replaces fully): Fedora is a free Linux operating system that runs on computers and servers, with several versions for desktops, servers and cloud use. It is aimed at people who want a community-built alternative to Windows or macOS.
- Ubuntu (GPL-3.0, https://ubuntu.com; replaces fully): Ubuntu is a Linux operating system that runs on desktop computers, servers and cloud systems. It is made by Canonical and aimed at developers, businesses and home users who want a free, open alternative to Windows or macOS.
- Debian (GPL-2.0-or-later, https://www.debian.org; replaces fully): Debian is a free operating system, the software that runs a computer and its programs. It is meant for people who want an open alternative to commercial operating systems.
- Arch Linux (GPL-3.0, https://archlinux.org; replaces fully): Arch Linux is a lightweight Linux operating system that lets experienced users choose and set up every part of their computer. It is aimed at people who want a simple, flexible base and are comfortable doing their own setup.
- CachyOS (GPL-3.0, https://cachyos.org; replaces fully): CachyOS is a free Linux operating system for computers, built on Arch Linux and tuned to run faster. It is aimed at people who want a speedy desktop with an easy installer and a choice of desktop environments.
- Pop!_OS (GPL-3.0, https://github.com/pop-os; replaces fully): Pop!_OS is a free Linux operating system that runs on computers and aims to be secure and easy to customize. It is made for people who want a productive desktop, including those who buy System76 hardware.
Compare it with my project or idea below. Tell me which projects overlap, what I could reuse instead of rewriting, and what mine does that none of them do.
My project or idea:
