Top 10 Debian Alternatives & Competitors

(189)4.6 out of 5

Explore the best alternatives to Debian for users who need new software features or want to try different solutions. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Debian include security. The best overall Debian alternative is Ubuntu. Other similar apps like Debian are Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Windows 7, Oracle Linux, and CentOS. Debian alternatives can be found in Operating Systems.

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Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Debian

Ubuntu
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Windows 7
Oracle Linux
CentOS
Fedora
Linux Mint
Raspbian

Top 10 Alternatives to Debian Recently Reviewed By G2 Community

Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Debian stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Information Technology and Services, Telecommunications, and Government Administration, and find the best product for your business.

Product Description

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Ubuntu is:

Easier to set up

More usable

Better at meeting requirements

Categories in common with Debian:

Operating System

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

By Red Hat

4.6/5

(942)

Product Description

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a enterprise operating system designed to provide a secure, stable, and high-performance environment for modern IT infrastructures. It supports a wide range of applications across physical, virtual, and cloud environments, making it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes. Key Features and Functionality: - Security: RHEL offers live kernel patching, security profiles, and adheres to security standards certifications, ensuring a robust defense against vulnerabilities. - Consistent Lifecycle: The operating system follows a predictable lifecycle with three phases: full support, maintenance support, and an extended life phase, providing long-term stability and planning capabilities. - Cloud Integration: RHEL is optimized for cloud environments and collaborates with major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, facilitating seamless workload migration and management. - Developer Access: Red Hat provides developers with free access to RHEL through the "Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Business Developers" platform, allowing up to 25 instances for development purposes. Primary Value and Solutions: RHEL addresses the need for a reliable and secure operating system that can handle diverse workloads across various environments. Its comprehensive security features mitigate risks, while the consistent lifecycle ensures long-term support and stability. The integration with leading cloud providers simplifies cloud adoption and management, and the provision of free developer access fosters innovation and accelerates application development. Overall, RHEL empowers organizations to build, deploy, and manage applications efficiently, aligning with business demands for production-readiness and operational excellence.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is:

More expensive

Better at support

Better at meeting requirements

Categories in common with Debian:

By Microsoft

Product Description

Windows 7, released by Microsoft in October 2009, is a desktop operating system designed to enhance user experience and system performance. Building upon its predecessor, Windows Vista, it introduced a more intuitive interface and improved functionality, catering to both home and business users. Key Features and Functionality: - Redesigned Taskbar: The new taskbar allows users to pin applications for quick access and provides live previews of open windows, streamlining navigation. - Aero Snap and Aero Shake: These window management features enable users to easily organize open windows by snapping them to screen edges or minimizing all but the active window with a simple shake gesture. - HomeGroup: Simplifies home networking by allowing users to share files and printers across multiple PCs effortlessly. - Libraries: Aggregates files from various locations into unified views, making it easier to manage documents, music, pictures, and videos. - Improved Performance: Optimized for faster boot times and efficient resource management, Windows 7 delivers a more responsive computing experience. - Enhanced Security: Features like the Action Center provide a centralized location for security and maintenance notifications, while User Account Control (UAC) has been refined to be less intrusive. Primary Value and User Solutions: Windows 7 addresses the shortcomings of previous operating systems by offering a more stable and user-friendly environment. Its enhanced performance and intuitive features reduce system crashes and improve productivity. The streamlined interface and advanced window management tools allow users to multitask more effectively. Additionally, improved networking capabilities simplify the sharing of resources among multiple devices, making it an ideal solution for both personal and professional use.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Windows 7 is:

Slower to reach roi

More expensive

More usable

Categories in common with Debian:

Operating System

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CentOS

By CentOS

4.4/5

(407)

Product Description

CentOS is a community-driven, free software project that provides a robust and reliable Linux distribution, serving as a foundational platform for open-source communities, cloud providers, hosting services, and scientific data processing. Derived from Fedora Linux, CentOS Stream offers a continuously delivered distribution that tracks just ahead of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), with major releases every three years and each maintained for five years. This structure allows CentOS Stream to function as a production operating system, a development environment, or a preview of upcoming RHEL releases. Key Features and Functionality: - Continuous Delivery: CentOS Stream provides a rolling-release model, delivering updates that precede RHEL's official releases, ensuring users have access to the latest features and improvements. - Community Collaboration: The project fosters a collaborative environment where Special Interest Groups (SIGs) develop and package software tailored to specific needs, such as cloud infrastructure, storage solutions, and virtualization technologies. - Enterprise Compatibility: By closely tracking RHEL, CentOS Stream ensures compatibility and stability, making it suitable for enterprise deployments and development environments. Primary Value and User Solutions: CentOS Stream addresses the need for a stable yet forward-looking Linux distribution that bridges the gap between development and production environments. It offers a reliable platform for developers to test and deploy applications that will be compatible with future RHEL releases, thereby reducing the time and effort required for migration and ensuring smoother transitions. Additionally, the active community and SIGs provide specialized solutions and support, enhancing the overall ecosystem and catering to diverse user requirements.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, CentOS is:

Better at meeting requirements

More usable

Categories in common with Debian:

By Fedora

Product Description

Fedora IoT is a specialized edition of the Fedora Linux operating system, designed to provide a robust and flexible foundation for Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing environments. It leverages the latest open-source technologies to deliver a container-based host system that runs efficiently on a variety of hardware platforms, including x86_64 and ARM architectures. This makes it particularly suitable for deploying workloads outside traditional data centers, such as on edge devices. Key Features and Functionality: - Leading Technology: Built on the latest advancements in open-source software, ensuring users have access to cutting-edge features and improvements. - Container-Based Architecture: Utilizes a container-based host system, facilitating efficient deployment and management of applications on edge devices. - Open-Source Ecosystem: Fully supported by the Fedora Project's free and open-source ecosystem, promoting transparency and community collaboration. - Flexibility: Offers a wide range of supported installation methods, accommodating diverse hardware configurations and user requirements. - Edge Support: Optimized for workloads computed outside traditional data centers, making it ideal for edge computing scenarios. - Hardware Compatibility: Developed in collaboration with hardware vendors to ensure excellent support across a broad spectrum of devices. Primary Value and User Solutions: Fedora IoT addresses the growing need for a secure, scalable, and adaptable operating system tailored for IoT and edge computing applications. By providing a container-based platform, it simplifies the deployment and management of applications on edge devices, enhancing operational efficiency. Its commitment to open-source principles ensures users benefit from a transparent and community-driven ecosystem, fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Additionally, Fedora IoT's flexibility and extensive hardware support enable organizations to deploy it across various devices and environments, effectively meeting the diverse challenges of modern IoT deployments.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Fedora is:

Easier to set up

Categories in common with Debian:

Operating System

Linux Mint

By Linux Mark Institute

4.5/5

(179)

Product Description

Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution that aims to provide a modern, elegant, and comfortable operating system that is both powerful and easy to use. Based on Ubuntu and Debian, it offers full multimedia support out of the box and comes bundled with a variety of free and open-source applications. The default desktop environment is Cinnamon, developed by the Linux Mint team, with MATE and Xfce available as alternatives. Linux Mint is available for x86-64 systems. Key Features and Functionality: - User-Friendly Interface: Linux Mint features the Cinnamon desktop environment, which combines modern design with traditional desktop elements, providing an intuitive and familiar user experience. - Comprehensive Software Suite: Pre-installed applications include LibreOffice for office productivity, Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird for email management, and VLC media player for multimedia playback. - Multimedia Support: Out-of-the-box support for various multimedia formats, including MP3, MP4, and DVD playback, ensuring users can enjoy their media without additional configurations. - Software Management: The Software Manager allows easy installation and management of thousands of applications, while the Update Manager ensures the system remains secure and up-to-date. - Customization and Flexibility: Users can personalize their desktop with various themes, applets, and extensions, tailoring the system to their preferences. Primary Value and User Solutions: Linux Mint addresses the need for a user-friendly and fully functional operating system that caters to both beginners and experienced users. By providing a stable and secure environment with comprehensive multimedia support and a rich set of pre-installed applications, it eliminates the need for extensive post-installation configurations. Its commitment to simplicity and ease of use makes it an ideal choice for those transitioning from other operating systems or seeking a reliable Linux experience.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Linux Mint is:

More usable

Easier to set up

Categories in common with Debian:

By Raspbian

Product Description

Raspbian is a free, Debian-based operating system optimized for the Raspberry Pi hardware. Designed to leverage the full potential of Raspberry Pi devices, Raspbian offers a user-friendly environment suitable for both beginners and experienced users. It comes pre-installed with a comprehensive suite of software, including programming tools, educational applications, and general-purpose utilities, making it an ideal platform for learning, development, and various projects. Key Features and Functionality: - Optimized Performance: Tailored specifically for Raspberry Pi hardware to ensure efficient operation and responsiveness. - Comprehensive Software Suite: Includes a wide range of pre-installed applications such as LibreOffice, Python, Scratch, and more, catering to diverse user needs. - Educational Tools: Provides resources and applications aimed at facilitating learning and teaching in programming and computing. - Regular Updates: Maintained by a dedicated community, ensuring continuous improvements, security patches, and access to the latest software versions. - User-Friendly Interface: Features a graphical user interface (GUI) that is intuitive and easy to navigate, suitable for users of all skill levels. Primary Value and User Solutions: Raspbian serves as a robust and versatile operating system that transforms Raspberry Pi devices into powerful tools for education, development, and experimentation. By offering an accessible platform with a rich set of pre-installed applications, it lowers the barrier to entry for individuals interested in computing and programming. Whether for educational purposes, hobbyist projects, or professional development, Raspbian provides a stable and supportive environment that empowers users to explore and innovate.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Raspbian is:

More usable

Easier to set up

Better at meeting requirements

Categories in common with Debian:

By Lubuntu

Product Description

Lubuntu is a lightweight Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, utilizing the LXQt desktop environment to deliver a fast and energy-efficient operating system. Designed with simplicity and resource efficiency in mind, Lubuntu is particularly well-suited for older computers or devices with limited hardware capabilities. Despite its minimalistic approach, it offers a fully functional system capable of handling general computing tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia playback. Key Features and Functionality: - Lightweight Desktop Environment: Employs LXQt, known for its low resource consumption and user-friendly interface. - Energy Efficiency: Optimized to consume less power, making it ideal for laptops and energy-conscious users. - Compatibility: Maintains compatibility with a wide range of Ubuntu repositories and applications. - Customizability: Offers a modular design, allowing users to tailor the system to their specific needs. - Regular Updates: Benefits from Ubuntu's regular release cycle, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches. Primary Value and User Solutions: Lubuntu addresses the need for a functional and efficient operating system that can breathe new life into aging hardware. By requiring significantly fewer system resources compared to standard Linux distributions, it enables users to extend the lifespan of their computers without compromising on performance. This makes Lubuntu an excellent choice for individuals and organizations seeking a cost-effective solution to utilize existing hardware for everyday computing tasks.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Lubuntu is:

Easier to set up

More usable

Easier to admin

Categories in common with Debian:

By Xubuntu

Product Description

Xubuntu is a community-developed operating system that combines elegance and ease of use. It utilizes the Xfce desktop environment, known for its stability, lightness, and configurability. Xubuntu is designed for users seeking a modern and efficient computing experience on desktops, laptops, and netbooks, while also performing well on older hardware. Key Features and Functionality: - Lightweight Desktop Environment: Xfce provides a responsive and resource-efficient interface, ideal for systems with limited resources. - Comprehensive Software Suite: Includes essential applications for daily tasks, such as the Thunar file manager, Mousepad text editor, Parole media player, and Ristretto image viewer. - High Customizability: Users can personalize their desktop experience with adjustable panels, themes, and icons to suit individual preferences. - Long-Term Support (LTS): Xubuntu offers LTS releases, like the 24.04 "Noble Numbat," providing stability and support for extended periods. Primary Value and User Solutions: Xubuntu addresses the need for a user-friendly and efficient operating system that performs reliably on both modern and older hardware. Its lightweight nature ensures that users can maximize the performance of their systems without compromising on functionality. By offering a stable and customizable environment, Xubuntu empowers users to tailor their computing experience to their specific needs, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balance between performance and usability.

Reviewers say compared to Debian, Xubuntu is:

More usable

Categories in common with Debian:

Operating System