What are IoT Operating Systems?

When an internet of things (IoT) sensor or microcontroller is embedded into a physical object, that piece of hardware is effectively converted into an internet-ready computer, capable of connecting to a local network and running code-based applications. Just as smartphones and tablets have been normalized as "computers" in their own right, so are these embedded devices, from home appliances (e.g., smart fridges and thermostats) to enterprise assets (e.g., smart factory equipment). IoT operating systems allow developers and business teams to engage with these embedded objects, program their functionalities, and track the data they produce as part of IoT applications, with processing capabilities at the scale necessary for continuous, stable performance. Just as standard operating systems like Linux, iOS, and Windows help users perform functions and manage software on a computer, IoT operating systems allow users to perform computer functions within connected devices. IoT operating systems may be referred to in a number of ways, including IoT OS, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and embedded operating systems (embedded OS). Many of the platforms in this category are offered as open source, allowing any user to review the code and modify it as needed for the IoT projects. To realize the full benefits of smart technology, embedded systems require an IoT OS for processing applications, storing data, and staying protected against unwanted access. Due to the nature of the IoT space, vendors constantly update their products to be in line with the latest capabilities, security threats, and hardware integrations. Developers can manage these software and driver updates along with other critical information on a device’s RTOS, manually executing software or reconfiguring device settings whenever necessary. Users can also leverage these platforms to schedule specific workflows on individual devices, such as automated processes or the powering down of certain features as needed to save battery power. Key Benefits of IoT Operating Systems Connect sensor-embedded devices to cloud services, edge devices, or in-use IoT applications Manage software and data on individual IoT devices Modify programming of each asset for optimal use in an IoT architecture Ensure consistent connections and rapid process execution with minimal delay or downtime Conserve power and resource utilization across IoT hardware

Why Use IoT Operating Systems?

Increasingly, businesses across the spectrum of industries are making IoT strategies a priority. Connected devices and objects can optimize operations as well as the customer experience in ways not previously possible. With that being said, these initiatives are no small undertaking, and may require a substantial investment of resources to embed physical assets with the necessary hardware, design applications on IoT platforms or development tools, and oversee device processes once a project is deployed. IoT operating systems are an essential step in this journey, giving developers access and control over individual devices and helping to execute the intended applications for each asset or system of devices. If your business is considering an IoT project to connect distributed objects, enable new capabilities, and uncover actionable data across the operation, an IoT OS is a critical tool for completing this digital transformation. A core capability of an IoT OS is the rapid execution of a task in response to triggers or specific data that is generated by the embedded sensor or shared from another device on the network. These software platforms are often referred to as real-time operating systems or RTOS because of this reliable, real-time processing with minimal buffer delays. These platforms are built for low resource utilization, with constraints related to size, memory, power, and processing capacity. By investing in the right IoT OS, you can set up your IoT devices for success in whatever scenario you deploy them. Because of the open-source nature of many of these tools, your team can tweak these systems per the demands of your particular IoT framework and assets. The active development community surrounding IoT also empowers users to find custom code that is created by others to help with a wide variety of use cases, as well as sharing of your own custom code across the community. IoT operating systems help users bridge the gap between embedding physical objects with intelligent sensors and bringing them to life in fully realized sensor networks.

Who Uses IoT Operating Systems?

The IoT products in this category are configured and managed with source code, and are compatible with different programming languages (for example, C and C++), depending on the solution. As such, experienced developers are the ideal users for these products. A number of IoT OS solutions are open source, allowing developers to view the complete source code and modify it as necessary for its applications within their business, whether for implementing security measures or developing unique data and process flows. Users may be able to find, utilize, and share custom code on vendor-supported community forums. Wherever an IoT project is deployed, it serves to benefit employees and clients across the operation, while delivering actionable insights that can impact overall business strategy and processes. With that being said, a company’s developers—whether in dedicated IoT roles or general development teams—will be most directly engaging with the IoT OS products that are deployed across connected fleets of devices.

Best IoT Operating Systems: User Reviews from September 2026

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the Linux OS that’s made for everyone. Harness the freedom and creativity of open source, from laptops and workstations to servers and IoT devices Published by Canonical, Ubuntu brings you the best of open source, backed by enterprise-grade assurance. Ubuntu delivers a unified and stable experience. Ubuntu serves as an interoperable platform, from the desktop to the edge. Wherever you innovate, you can expect high-performance and the same rich tooling ecosystem. Through community and partnership, we ensure that Ubuntu is always at the cutting-edge. Open source contributors work to ensure that the latest applications, tools and libraries have a home in the Ubuntu ecosystem. Our hardware partners, such as Dell, Lenovo, HP, IBM and NVIDIA, work with us to certify Ubuntu out-of-the-box on the latest boards, devices and chipsets, through a series of over 500 OS compatibility tests per device. When the time comes to scale up, Ubuntu provides integrations to make device governance manageable. Enforce strict identity management protocols with support for Microsoft Active Directory, Entra ID and Google Cloud platform, through Ubuntu’s AuthD broker. Ubuntu’s regular release cadence empowers you to plan ahead with confidence. Across your stack, Ubuntu LTS (long-term support) releases receive 5 years of patching and maintenance as standard. Additional enterprise-grade support is delivered through Ubuntu Pro - Canonical’s comprehensive subscription for open source security. Ubuntu Pro expands security patching and maintenance for up to 12 years and includes tooling for hardening and compliance, enabling you to stay ahead of CVEs, minimize downtime and meet your regulatory requirements. This includes support for frameworks such as FIPS, DISA STIG, NIST and the Cyber Resilience Act.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 2,351

How Do G2 Users Rate Ubuntu?

Quality of Support: 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
Access Controls: 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Ubuntu?

Seller: Canonical Ltd.
Year Founded: 2004
HQ Location: London
Twitter: @Canonical
110,908 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
2,067 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

Who Uses This: Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer
Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
Company Size: 48% Small, 33% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Ubuntu?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros

Users find Ubuntu's user-friendly interface enhances their experience, making it accessible even to Linux newcomers.
Users love Ubuntu for its lightweight efficiency and extensive compatibility, making it ideal for coding and development tasks.
Users love Ubuntu for its open-source nature, allowing customization and free use while ensuring robust security and stability.
Users appreciate the user-friendly interface of Ubuntu, finding it accessible and efficient for both new and experienced users.
Users praise Ubuntu for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both new users and experienced developers.

Cons

Users often face compatibility issues with software, particularly proprietary apps and graphical games, impacting their overall experience.
Users often face limited software availability on Ubuntu, impacting productivity and the ability to use essential applications.
Users often face driver issues with Ubuntu, affecting gaming, AMD chipsets, and WiFi connectivity.
Users often face usage difficulties without prior UNIX/Linux experience, particularly with command lines and snap management.
Users report performance issues with gaming, Snap packages, and overall usability, affecting their experience on Ubuntu.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Ubuntu?

"Stable, Customizable, and Great for Development—Ubuntu Delivers"

Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars

— Muhammed A.

Best IoT Operating Systems

How Many IoT Operating Systems Products Does G2 Track?

Category Stats (Sep 2026)

How Does G2 Rank IoT Operating Systems Products?

G2 Grid® for IoT Operating Systems

How Do G2 Users Rate Ubuntu?

Who Is the Company Behind Ubuntu?

Who Uses This Product?

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Ubuntu?

Pros

Cons

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Ubuntu?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Ubuntu?

How Do G2 Users Rate Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

Who Is the Company Behind Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

Who Uses This Product?

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

Pros

Cons

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

How Do G2 Users Rate Windows for IoT?

Who Is the Company Behind Windows for IoT?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Windows for IoT?

How Do G2 Users Rate Amazon FreeRTOS?

Who Is the Company Behind Amazon FreeRTOS?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Amazon FreeRTOS?

How Do G2 Users Rate TinyOS?

Who Is the Company Behind TinyOS?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of TinyOS?

How Do G2 Users Rate Nucleus RTOS?

Who Is the Company Behind Nucleus RTOS?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Nucleus RTOS?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Nucleus RTOS?

How Do G2 Users Rate Wind River VxWorks?

Who Is the Company Behind Wind River VxWorks?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Wind River VxWorks?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Wind River VxWorks?

How Do G2 Users Rate Tizen?

Who Is the Company Behind Tizen?

Who Uses This Product?

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Tizen?

Pros

Cons

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Tizen?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Tizen?

How Do G2 Users Rate balenaOS?

Who Is the Company Behind balenaOS?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of balenaOS?

Who Is the Company Behind Contiki?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Contiki?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Contiki?

How Do G2 Users Rate Nano-RK?

Who Is the Company Behind Nano-RK?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Nano-RK?

How Do G2 Users Rate OrbiWAN-Professional?

Who Is the Company Behind OrbiWAN-Professional?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of OrbiWAN-Professional?

How Do G2 Users Rate Android OS by emteria?

Who Is the Company Behind Android OS by emteria?

Who Uses This Product?

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Android OS by emteria?

Pros

Cons

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Android OS by emteria?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Android OS by emteria?

How Do G2 Users Rate Apache Mynewt?

Who Is the Company Behind Apache Mynewt?

Who Uses This Product?

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Apache Mynewt?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Apache Mynewt?