Linux is the best-known and most-used open source operating system. As an operating system, Linux is software that sits underneath all of the other software on a computer, receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computer’s hardware.
How does Linux differ from other operating systems?
In many ways, Linux is similar to other operating systems you may have used before, such as Windows, macOS (formerly OS X), or iOS. Like other operating systems, Linux has a graphical interface, and the same types of software you are accustomed to, such as word processors, photo editors, video editors, and so on. In many cases, a software’s creator may have made a Linux version of the same program you use on other systems. In short: if you can use a computer or other electronic device, you can use Linux.
But Linux also is different from other operating systems in many important ways. First, and perhaps most importantly, Linux is open source software. The code used to create Linux is free and available to the public to view, edit, and—for users with the appropriate skills—to contribute to.
Linux is also different in that, although the core pieces of the Linux operating system are generally common, there are many distributions of Linux, which include different software options. This means that Linux is incredibly customizable, because not just applications, such as word processors and web browsers, can be swapped out. Linux users also can choose core components, such as which system displays graphics, and other user-interface components.
Who uses Linux?
You probably already use Linux, whether you know it or not. Depending on which user survey you look at, between one- and two-thirds of the webpages on the Internet are generated by servers running Linux.
Companies and individuals choose Linux for their servers because it's secure, flexible, and you can receive excellent support from a large community of users, in addition to companies like Canonical, SUSE, and Red Hat, each of which offer commercial support.
Many devices you probably own, such as Android phones and tablets and Chromebooks, digital storage devices, personal video recorders, cameras, wearables, and more, also run Linux. Your car has Linux running under the hood. Even Microsoft Windows features Linux components, as part of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
Who “owns” Linux?
By virtue of its open source licensing, Linux is freely available to anyone. However, the trademark on the name “Linux” rests with its creator, Linus Torvalds. The source code for Linux is under copyright by its many individual authors, and licensed under the GPLv2 license.
The term “Linux” technically refers to just the Linux kernel. Most people refer to the entire operating system as "Linux" because to most users an OS includes a bundle of programs, tools, and services (like a desktop, clock, an application menu, and so on). Some people, particularly members of the Free Software Foundation, refer to this collection as GNU/Linux, because many vital tools included are GNU components. However, not all Linux installations use GNU components as a part of the operating system: Android, for example, uses a Linux kernel but relies very little on GNU tools.
What is the difference between Unix and Linux?
You may have heard of Unix, which is an operating system developed in the 1970s at Bell Labs by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others. Unix and Linux are similar in many ways, and in fact, Linux was originally created to be indistinguishable from Unix. Both have similar tools for interfacing with the system, programming tools, filesystem layouts, and other key components. However, not all Unices are free and open source.
Over the years, a number of different operating systems have been created that attempted to be “unix-like” or “unix-compatible,” but Linux has been the most successful, far surpassing its predecessors in popularity.
How was Linux created?
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a then-student at the University of Helsinki. Torvalds built Linux as a free and open source alternative to Minix, another Unix clone that was predominantly used in academic settings. He originally intended to name it “Freax,” but the administrator of the server Torvalds used to distribute the original code named his directory “Linux” after a combination of Torvalds’ first name and the word Unix, and the name stuck.
How can I get started using Linux?
There’s some chance you’re using Linux already and don’t know it, but if you’d like to install Linux on your home computer to try it out, the easiest way is to pick a popular distribution designed for your platform (for example, laptop or tablet device) and give it a try. Although there are numerous distributions available, most of the older, well-known distributions are good choices for beginners because they have large user communities that can help answer questions if you get stuck or can’t figure things out. Popular distributions include Elementary OS, Fedora, Mint, and Ubuntu, but there are many others. It's a common saying that the best Linux distro is the one that works best on your computer, so try a few to see which one best suits your hardware and your style of working.
You can install Linux on your current computer (be sure to back-up your data first), or you can buy a System76 or Purism computer with Linux already installed. If you're not looking for the fastest computing experience possible, you can also install Linux on old computers, or buy a Raspberry Pi.
Once you've installed Linux, read our article on how to install applications on Linux, and check back often for news and tutorials on all the best applications open source has to offer. Ultimately, getting started with Linux is a matter of getting started with Linux. The sooner you try it, the sooner you'll get comfortable with it, and eventually you'll blissfully forget that non-open operating systems exist!
How can I contribute to Linux?
Most of the Linux kernel is written in the C programming language, with a little bit of assembly and other languages sprinkled in. If you’re interested in writing code for the Linux kernel itself, a good place to get started is in the Kernel Newbies FAQ, which will explain some of the concepts and processes you’ll want to be familiar with.
But the Linux community is much more than the kernel, and needs contributions from lots of other people besides programmers. Every distribution contains hundreds or thousands of programs that can be distributed along with it, and each of these programs, as well as the distribution itself, need a variety of people and skill sets to make them successful, including:
- Testers to make sure everything works on different configurations of hardware and software, and to report the bugs when it does not.
- Designers to create user interfaces and graphics distributed with various programs.
- Writers who can create documentation, how-tos, and other important text distributed with software.
- Translators to take programs and documentation from their native languages and make them accessible to people around the world.
- Packagers to take software programs and put all the parts together to make sure they run flawlessly in different distributions.
- Enthusiasts to spread the word about Linux and open source in general.
- And of course developers to write the software itself.
Where can I learn more about Linux?
Opensource.com has a huge archive of Linux-related articles. To view our entire archive, browse our Linux tag. Or check out some of our favorites below.
Table of Contents Return to The Top Microsoft Windows 10 Microsoft Windows 11 macOS Monterey Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) Google Chrome OS What Is an Operating System? How to Choose an Operating System
You don’t have a great many choices when it comes to your computer's operating system, but the choice that you make can have wide-ranging consequences. The five OSes included here are your most viable options. That's not a huge number, but these operating systems differ distinctly in strengths and weaknesses. Four come from commercial tech giants, while one, the Linux-based Ubuntu, is a free and open-source option. Windows and macOS are generally the most powerful in terms of hardware and software selection as well as interface conveniences and utilities, while Chrome OS is more lightweight and runs on inexpensive hardware.
But why run just one operating system? What if you need to run software that's only compatible with a particular operating system (usually Windows or macOS)? Multiboot setups and virtualization software can let you run more than one operating system on your computer. For example, you can run Windows on a Mac inside a virtual machine or dual-boot using Boot Camp (if you have an Intel-based Mac). You can also create a Linux partition on a Windows PC and boot to that when the need arises. There's no running macOS outside of an actual Mac computer, though, unless you're comfortable jumping through the technical hoops required to create a Hackintosh(Opens in a new window).
In this list of the best operating systems, we only include consumer operating systems. We'll leave IBM i, Suse Linux, server OSes, and the rest to the PCMag Business team. And well beyond the scope of this article are some bizarre and obscure operating systems that most people have never heard of.
For a blow-by-blow comparison of the two leading choices, read macOS vs. Windows: Which OS Is Best?
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Windows powers more than 1.4 billion PCs, making it by far the most popular desktop operating system. It supports the most hardware and software of any OS. Windows has stumbled over the years, but the consensus is that Windows 10 is a success. It's still not perfect: Glitches occasionally rear their ugly heads, but Windows 10 beats the pants off its predecessors.
Despite that success, Microsoft considered it time to move the platform forward with Windows 11. The new OS modernizes the user interface and adds new productivity and gaming capabilities. There's an entry below for Windows 11, but check out our Windows 11 page for complete coverage. Meanwhile, Windows 10 will be supported until 2025.
Windows 10 is hard to match in interface clarity, wealth of included tools, and usability. Full touch screen support, voice assistance, flexible screenshot and clipboard tools, photo and video editors, stylus input, and even basic 3D modeling all come along with it. Those join the standard tools like Mail, Calendar, Notepad, and Calculator. The right-panel Action Center is a convenience that consolidates notifications and gives quick access to frequently needed settings.
Moving and arranging windows in Windows 10 is unmatched in conveniences and ease, as is using multiple virtual desktops with its unique Timeline feature. Windows and macOS both include app stores with vetted programs. Unlike macOS, Windows 10 can comfortably slip into a very usable tablet mode, with touch gesture support that negates the need for a keyboard.
If you're into gaming, and particularly VR gaming, Windows is the only way to go. It also ties in snugly with Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage and syncing service. As far as mobile integration, macOS has it beat with the ties between iOS and macOS, but Windows' story has vastly improved with impressive Android integrations.
Though Windows 10 is more secure and stable than in the past, it still doesn't match macOS or Linux on those criteria. Its interface presents some inconsistency, especially in control panels, and you still hear occasional complaints about problems resulting from updates, but the number of affected systems is surprisingly small.
Microsoft Windows 10 Review
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Beneath its glossy new surface, Window 11 is largely the same as Windows 10. It runs all the same apps on mostly the same hardware choices—only newer CPUs and PCs with a security chip called a TPM need apply. But those chips have been standard on computers for at least half a decade.
Windows 11 gets you nearly all the advantages of Windows 10, including the widest selection of computer hardware, software, and video games, in a slick new design. That new design takes cues from both Chrome OS and macOS, with the latter's rounded window corners and the former's centered taskbar.
Windows 11 has a few new capabilities not found in Windows 10, including Snap Layouts for organizing program windows on the desktop, new HDR display support, and better security. PCMag tested Windows 11 performance for productivity and for gaming and found it's a notch faster but mostly on par with Windows 10. Aside from those performance gains, gamers have something to rejoice about because, according to PCMag analyst Jordan Minor, Windows 11 makes every PC an Xbox.
Many of Windows 11's interface changes can be reverted to more closely resemble the look of Windows 10. Notably, you can align the Start menu to the left, which is a huge comfort for those accustomed to that layout. PCMag has published plenty more Windows 11 tips to help you navigate and customize the new OS.
As with any Microsoft release, the inevitable Windows 11 complaints arose. And indeed, our rating is slightly lower than that for Windows 10 because some interface elements are less functional and use on touch tablets takes a hit. For those who prefer the tried-and-true interface of Windows 10, fear not! Microsoft has stated that the version will remain in support through 2025, so you have a few years before you must move on.
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You'd be hard-pressed to find more ardent supporters of their operating system than macOS users, who tend to be creative producers of art, video, and photography. Indeed, Apple's desktop operating system is polished, capable, and reliable. It also ties in well with iPhones and other devices from the tech giant. The OS still gets big updates every year, with Ventura coming later in 2022.
The choice of computers is limited to those sold by a single seller (Apple), but it's a good one, though they're not budget-priced. Options range from the Mac mini and MacBook, to the super powerful Mac Pro. Macs are currently transitioning from Intel CPUs to Apple Silicon. The new processors, with names like M1 and M2, rival the top Intel chips in performance, reduce power consumption, and add even more compatibility with Apple's mobile platforms.
The interface of macOS is as slick as it gets, with more consistency than any of the other OS choices included here. The dark mode is more uniformly rendered throughout all OS tools, and the Finder (equivalent to Windows' File Explorer) offers tabs and handy preview capabilities lacking in Windows. I do prefer the flexible window and multitasking options in Windows, but Ventura's Stage Manager(Opens in a new window) should improve this issue.
Apple's OS is document-based rather than program-based like Windows, so every app has the same menu provided by the OS at the top. It can be a stumbling block for those moving between Windows and macOS. Another is the differences between Windows' Taskbar and macOS's Dock.
Macs are well stocked with included software and utilities, from the very useful Preview to the excellent included productivity and media apps. You also get Maps, Podcasts, Mail, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and we can't forget the fine web browser Safari, which offers good synergy with its mobile counterparts as well as decent privacy.
Gaming has long been something of a weak point for Macs, but Apple includes good parental controls in macOS with Screen Time, and the system has a sterling reputation for security.
Apple macOS Monterey Review
What Linux has over all the other operating systems included here is that it's completely free and open source—not the product of a huge tech company with profit motives. You can install Ubuntu Linux, maintained by Canonical Ltd., on any hardware that can run Windows. You can even run the operating system from a live USB stick, averting the need for installing it on your computer's storage. A few computers come with Linux preinstalled, such as the privacy-focused Purism Librem Mini, and you can get Dell laptops running Linux(Opens in a new window), mostly aimed at developers.
Despite being free, Ubuntu offers a pleasing interface and a workable selection of included apps. It comes with an office suite, browsers, email and media apps, but there are also app repositories where you can get more. Its interface resembles that of macOS more than Windows, but unlike macOS, it supports touch screen functionality (though not as full as Windows' touch screen support).
In general, Linux is customizable with completely different interface shells, and you can find different flavors, also known as distros—Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Mate, and Xubuntu. They differ in preconfigured settings, apps, and designs tailored for different purposes and tastes.
Canonical recently released the latest update to Ubuntu, version 22.04, aka Jammy Jellyfish. The new version updates Ubuntu to the Linux 5.17 kernel and mostly adds features for enterprise and developer usage. Its update to the Gnome 42 interface shell software adds power profiles, speeds up some actions, brings new multitasking options, and polishes some interface elements like the Software store and the Music app. It also offers a new remote desktop connection app, and ten accent color choices for both its dark and light modes.
A drawback is that Linux requires more tech savvy than the other choices here. If you're squeamish about seeing a command line ever, choose another OS. Another drawback is that the support for hardware peripherals is well behind that of Windows, macOS, and even Chrome OS.
With Ubuntu, you can't get some major apps, such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Sure, you can find substitutes that do the same basic functions, but you miss out on the slickness and rich tool sets of the genuine software. Don't expect much in the way of video game selection, either, though it is possible to run games on Linux.
Ubuntu is notable for being about as secure and stable an operating system as you'll find—no doubt this is why Linux powers so many servers that demand a high level of uptime. Ubuntu includes built-in security protections, and Canonical provides regular security patches and updates.
Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) Review
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Google's desktop operating system started out as one that delivered a browser and web applications to computers without much complexity. The idea was for it to be an entirely cloud-powered app, using Google Drive to store all your data. Chrome OS has moved beyond that now. It offers true desktop features like file folders for local files, the Google Assistant voice AI, a night mode, and tight integration with Android phones.
A variety of inexpensive Chromebook laptops and Chromeboxes (the desktop version) run Chrome OS, as well as more-expensive devices from Google, including the Pixelbook ($999 and up) and the Pixelbook Go ($649 and up). There's now even a big all-in-one Chromebase from HP. The OS also supports touch screen and stylus input in the form of the Pixel Pen, and many printer models, though not as many as macOS and Windows.
The operating system's interface is clear and minimal. You can't pin apps or documents to the desktop. It just sits there looking pretty. The Dock is fine, though not as functional as Windows' Taskbar, but the program launcher and settings are well implemented.
Chrome OS has two very different app stores, the Chrome Web Store and Google Play, and it's not clear when you should use one versus the other because they carry some of the same apps. A related problem is that Android apps behave inconsistently on Chrome because most of them were designed for the small, portrait-mode phone screen rather than the wide computer screen.
Additionally, you won't find high-end professional applications on Chrome OS, such as the full Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, or powerful video editing software. On the other hand, Google has created a full suite of apps and services for the education market, and third-party offerings cater to that market as well.
Google continues to add conveniences(Opens in a new window), like Android phone tethering, picture-in-picture video, better offline functionality, multiple virtual desktops, and a clever Tote feature that keeps recent documents and images at the ready.
If you're a student or someone on a limited budget who can do everything you need in a web browser, Chrome OS may be for you. If you want to play the latest AAA video games, edit videos and photos with professional grade software, or run advanced hardware like VR headsets or 3D printers, you're better off with another OS.
Google Chrome OS ReviewWhat Is an Operating System?
An operating system is software that makes your computer work at all. It provides an interface between the hardware, the application software running on the hardware, and the user interacting with the software. Today's modern OSes include slick user interfaces and loads of utilities, tools, and preloaded apps that let you do a lot without even installing third-party application software. Those apps include photo editors, video editors, web browsers, email clients, calendars, text editors, music players, among others.
An operating system also includes tools to keep your computer running smoothly, safely, and malware-free. Most even include built-in security features and support for VPNs. Much of an operating system's security and stability is maintained by an automated update process that makes sure the system receives timely fixes to hardware and software compatibility and vulnerability issues.
With smartphones being such a predominant part of modern life, a good desktop operating system needs to work in concert with those devices. The cloud (aka online storage and syncing) is another prevalent theme in today's technology domain, and most operating systems integrate with their own cloud services in varying degrees of functionality.
While Ubuntu is what's known as free and open-source software (FOSS). Chrome OS is based on the company's open-source Chromium project, meaning volunteer coders can contribute to the code and third parties can put out their own versions, but Chrome OS is Google's proprietary version of that code base. In fact, you can't even install Chrome OS proper on computer hardware that's not sanctioned by Google, something you can do with Windows and Linux.
How to Choose an Operating System
In our linked reviews of the five operating systems discussed below, we take into account the following criteria, which can help inform your choice of OS:
Range of hardware options
Range of software available, including gaming and productivity
Interface design and windowing niceties
Included apps and utilities
Mobile and cloud integrations
Stability, security, and updates
If you need to run software that's only supported by one of these operating systems, your choice is obvious. You can get around this sometimes by running a virtual machine (see above), but running native apps provides a superior experience. For example, if you want to use Final Cut Pro as your video editor and Adobe Premiere Pro just won't do, your only option is macOS. If you want to run AAA video games, you'll want to stick with Windows. The same holds for peripherals. You may have a VR headset or 3D printer that only provides drivers for one type of system.
Read on for a summary of each desktop operating system in order of usage share(Opens in a new window). For far more detail, click the links to our full reviews of each operating system above.