--- title: "Best Free Operating Systems Software Solutions 2026 | Capterra" description: "Find and compare the 2026 best free Operating Systems software solutions, using our interactive tool to quickly narrow your choices based on businesses like yours." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/operating-systems-software/s/free/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- # Best Operating Systems Software for free ## Top 7 free products, ranked by reviewer ratings ### Ranked free Operating Systems products | Rank | Product | Rating | Key attribute | Starting price | Key features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Linux Mint](https://www.capterra.com/p/229032/Linux-Mint/) | 4.8 out of 5 (53 category reviews) | Highly rated for Value for Money | Contact vendor | System Updates, User Interface | | 2 | [MacOS Big Sur](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/) | 4.8 out of 5 (59 category reviews) | Highly rated for Functionality | Contact vendor | App Management, Data Security, Desktop Interface, File Management, For Developers, Kernels, Resource Allocation, System Updates, User Interface | | 3 | [Ubuntu](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/) | 4.7 out of 5 (123 category reviews) | Highly rated for Value for Money | $225.00 Flat Rate, Per Year | App Management, Data Security, Desktop Interface, For Developers, Kernels, System Updates, User Interface | | 4 | [CentOS Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229026/CentOS-Linux/) | 4.6 out of 5 (33 category reviews) | Highly rated for Value for Money | Contact vendor | Data Security, Kernels, System Updates, User Interface | | 5 | [iOS14](https://www.capterra.com/p/228981/iOS14/) | 4.6 out of 5 (52 category reviews) | Highly rated for Ease of Setup | Contact vendor | App Management, File Management, Resource Allocation, System Updates, User Interface | | 6 | [Debian](https://www.capterra.com/p/229027/Debian/) | 4.6 out of 5 (24 category reviews) | Highly rated for Value for Money | Contact vendor | App Management, Desktop Interface, File Management, Kernels, System Updates, User Interface | | 7 | [Android 11](https://www.capterra.com/p/228982/Android-11/) | 4.6 out of 5 (119 category reviews) | Highly rated for Ease of Use | Contact vendor | App Management, Resource Allocation, System Updates, User Interface | For the complete directory, see [the full product list](#full-product-list). --- ## See top 7 product details ### 1. [Linux Mint](https://www.capterra.com/p/229032/Linux-Mint/) Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (53 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Value for Money Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 2. [MacOS Big Sur](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/) Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (59 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Functionality Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - App Management - Data Security - Desktop Interface - File Management - For Developers - Kernels - Resource Allocation - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 3. [Ubuntu](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/) Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (123 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Value for Money Starting price: $225.00 Flat Rate, Per Year Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - App Management - Data Security - Desktop Interface - For Developers - Kernels - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 4. [CentOS Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229026/CentOS-Linux/) Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (33 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Value for Money Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - Data Security - Kernels - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 5. [iOS14](https://www.capterra.com/p/228981/iOS14/) Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (52 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Ease of Setup Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - App Management - File Management - Resource Allocation - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 6. [Debian](https://www.capterra.com/p/229027/Debian/) Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (24 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Value for Money Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - App Management - Desktop Interface - File Management - Kernels - System Updates - User Interface --- ### 7. [Android 11](https://www.capterra.com/p/228982/Android-11/) Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (119 category reviews) Key attribute: Highly rated for Ease of Use Starting price: Contact vendor Free trial: Not available Free version: Available #### Features reviewers most value - App Management - Resource Allocation - System Updates - User Interface --- ## All operating systems software with a free version [## Ubuntu](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/) [4.7 (123)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/reviews/) Ubuntu is a secure Linux operating system for servers, desktops, cloud, and developers. [Learn more about Ubuntu](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface 89% recommend this product [## Android 11](https://www.capterra.com/p/228982/Android-11/) [4.6 (123)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228982/Android-11/reviews/) Android 11 is the operating system for Samsung, Galaxy, and OnePlus devices that comes with automatic security and application updates. [Learn more about Android 11](https://www.capterra.com/p/228982/Android-11/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface 87% recommend this product [## MacOS Big Sur](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/) [4.8 (59)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/reviews/) MacOS Big Sur is the latest operating system for mac computers that provides a one-click control center and a customizable start page. [Learn more about MacOS Big Sur](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## Linux Mint](https://www.capterra.com/p/229032/Linux-Mint/) [4.8 (53)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229032/Linux-Mint/reviews/) Linux Mint is an open-source desktop OS offering a user-friendly alternative to Windows and macOS based on Debian and Ubuntu. [Learn more about Linux Mint](https://www.capterra.com/p/229032/Linux-Mint/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## iOS14](https://www.capterra.com/p/228981/iOS14/) [4.6 (53)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228981/iOS14/reviews/) iOS 14 is the updated operating system for iPhones with features such as home screen widgets,application libraries,and compact calling. [Learn more about iOS14](https://www.capterra.com/p/228981/iOS14/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## CentOS Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229026/CentOS-Linux/) [4.6 (34)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229026/CentOS-Linux/reviews/) CentOS Linux is a free operating system that can be run in any linux environment and provides new releases every 6-12 months. [Learn more about CentOS Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229026/CentOS-Linux/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## Debian](https://www.capterra.com/p/229027/Debian/) [4.6 (24)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229027/Debian/reviews/) Debian is a free, open-source Linux operating system providing stability, security, and flexibility. [Learn more about Debian](https://www.capterra.com/p/229027/Debian/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## Raspberry Pi OS](https://www.capterra.com/p/230090/Raspbian/) [4.8 (19)](https://www.capterra.com/p/230090/Raspbian/reviews/) Raspbian is a free Debian-based operating system optimized for Raspberry Pi hardware with over 35,000 precompiled software packages. [Learn more about Raspberry Pi OS](https://www.capterra.com/p/230090/Raspbian/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## Fedora Workstation](https://www.capterra.com/p/229028/Fedora-Workstation/) [4.8 (18)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229028/Fedora-Workstation/#reviews) Fedora Workstation is an operating system designed for developers that comes with an open-source toolbox and application containment. [Learn more about Fedora Workstation](https://www.capterra.com/p/229028/Fedora-Workstation/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface [## Oracle Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229031/Oracle-Linux/) [4.4 (18)](https://www.capterra.com/p/229031/Oracle-Linux/reviews/) Oracle Linux is an operating system that provides an environment for virtualization, data management, and cloud-native computer tools. [Learn more about Oracle Linux](https://www.capterra.com/p/229031/Oracle-Linux/) Operating Systems features reviewers most value App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Filter (25) Products: Sort By: Featured Partners * * * Plan Type Free Trial Popular 85% of professionals opt for a 30-day trial before the software purchase Other subsciption plans: Free Version Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription One-Time License Key Features All key features Popular We have selected the most important and critical features as defined by Capterra user reviews AI Copilot App Management Data Security Desktop Interface File Management For Developers Generative AI Kernels Resource Allocation System Updates User Interface Deployment Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based Desktop Mac Desktop Windows Desktop Linux On-Premise Windows On-Premise Linux Desktop Chromebook Mobile Android Mobile iPhone Mobile iPad Related Software Category: [Remote Desktop Software](https://www.capterra.com/remote-desktop-software/)[Virtual Machine Software](https://www.capterra.com/virtual-machine-software/)[Virtualization Software](https://www.capterra.com/virtualization-software/)[Server Monitoring Software](https://www.capterra.com/server-monitoring-software/)[Data Center Management Software](https://www.capterra.com/data-center-management-software/)[VDI Software](https://www.capterra.com/vdi-software/)[Cloud PBX Software](https://www.capterra.com/cloud-pbx-software/)[Desktop as a Service (DaaS) Software](https://www.capterra.com/daas-software/)[Server Management Software](https://www.capterra.com/server-management-software/) I'm looking for Operating Systems Software that is: [For Small Businesses](https://www.capterra.com/operating-systems-software/s/small-businesses/)