--- title: Netrunner Reviews meta_title: 'Netrunner Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 14 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Netrunner works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.3 review_count: 14 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-06-17' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Netrunner Reviews **Vendor:** Netrunner **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 14 ## About Netrunner Netrunner is a Debian-based Linux distribution that offers a polished and user-friendly computing experience by integrating the KDE Plasma desktop environment. Designed for desktops, laptops, and ARM-based devices, Netrunner provides a comprehensive suite of pre-installed applications tailored for everyday use. Its latest release, Netrunner 25 "Shockworm," is built upon Debian 12 "Bookworm" and features the KDE Plasma 5.27 desktop environment, ensuring a stable and modern platform for users. Key Features and Functionality: - KDE Plasma Desktop: Netrunner utilizes the KDE Plasma desktop, offering a sleek and customizable interface with various themes and window decorations to suit user preferences. - Pre-Installed Applications: The distribution comes equipped with essential software, including Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, and multimedia applications like VLC, providing a ready-to-use environment out of the box. - Flatpak Support: Netrunner includes default support for Flatpak, allowing users to easily install and manage additional applications from a wide range of sources. - Multimedia Codec Support: Built-in multimedia codecs ensure seamless playback of various audio and video formats without the need for additional installations. - System Installer: Netrunner employs the Calamares installer, facilitating a straightforward and user-friendly installation process. Primary Value and User Solutions: Netrunner aims to deliver a seamless and efficient computing experience by combining the robustness of Debian with the flexibility and aesthetic appeal of the KDE Plasma desktop. By providing a comprehensive set of pre-installed applications and features, it caters to users seeking a ready-to-use operating system that balances performance, stability, and visual appeal. The inclusion of Flatpak support and multimedia codecs addresses common user needs, reducing the time and effort required for system setup and configuration. ## Netrunner Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users praise the **easy navigation** of Netrunner, finding it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced users. (1 reviews) - Users praise Netrunner for its **user-friendly interface** , facilitating easy navigation for everyone, from beginners to experts. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users experience a **lack of support** from Netrunner, making it challenging to obtain necessary physical cards. (1 reviews) - Users find that Netrunner has a steep learning curve due to its **complex skill requirements** involving terminology and mechanics. (1 reviews) ## Netrunner Reviews ### 1. Stable and Customizable Linux Environment for Everyday Productivity **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** VINAY P. | Senior Project Engineer, Design, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 31, 2026 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** What I like best about Netrunner is the combination of Debian's stability with the flexibility and visual appeal of the KDE Plasma desktop. In my work, I regularly use productivity tools, documentation software, browsers, and engineering-related applications, so having a stable operating system with strong software compatibility is important. The KDE Plasma environment provides extensive customization options, allowing me to organize the workspace according to my preferences and improve day-to-day efficiency. I also appreciate that Netrunner comes with many useful applications pre-installed, including Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, and multimedia tools, which reduces setup time after installation. Another benefit is the built-in Flatpak support, making it easy to install additional applications when required. The operating system feels polished, responsive, and reliable for daily tasks. The straightforward installation process and ready-to-use environment helped me become productive quickly without spending significant time configuring the system. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** While the KDE Plasma desktop offers excellent customization, some advanced settings can feel overwhelming for new users. The large number of configuration options may require time to fully understand and optimize. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Before using Netrunner, setting up a Linux environment often required installing multiple applications, configuring multimedia support, and spending time adjusting desktop settings to create a comfortable workspace. Netrunner solves this by providing a complete Linux desktop experience out of the box. The operating system includes essential applications, multimedia support, Flatpak integration, and a highly configurable desktop environment. This reduces setup effort and allows users to focus on productive work sooner. As a result, less time is spent on system configuration, software compatibility concerns are minimized, and overall productivity improves. The combination of stability, flexibility, and ease of use makes Netrunner a practical choice for users who want a reliable Linux environment for daily work and personal computing. ### 2. Polished, User-Friendly Linux Desktop with Great Customization **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vijaysing P. | Test Engineer, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 30, 2026 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** The most appealing aspect of Netrunner to me is the well-polished desktop environment and the user-friendly way in which it implements the Linux OS. The result is an efficient operating system that offers good customization capabilities as well as a great interface and software compatibility. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** nothing to add this time from my side everything seems fine **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Netrunner is a Linux operating system that has successfully addressed the problem of having an easy-to-use yet full-featured operating system, which provides both convenience and flexibility. This operating system will prove advantageous to users through easier adoption of Linux, increased efficiency in its desktop environment, and stability of the software. ### 3. NETRUNNER PRINCIPALS **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jeffrey K. | VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 02, 2026 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE MAKING IT EASY FOR BOTH BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED USERS TO NAVIGATE. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** NETRUNNER REQUIRES PLAYERS TO LEARN A LOT OF TERMINOLOGY, CARDS, TIMINGS, AND MECHANICS TO PLAY EFFECTIVELY. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** USERS CAN MODIFY THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE DESKTOP ACCORDING TO THEIR PREFERENCES. ### 4. A Brilliant Asymmetric Cyberpunk Card Game **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mamado B. | Network administrator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 30, 2025 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** I love the asymmetric gameplay — one player as the corp, defending servers and deploying ice, while the other is a runner trying to hack into those servers. The strategic depth is unmatched. Every game feels like a high-stakes mind game, especially with the bluffing and hidden information. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** The learning curve is steep. New players may feel overwhelmed by the rules and terminology. Also, since the game is no longer officially supported by Fantasy Flight Games, getting physical cards can be difficult. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** As someone who enjoys games with deep strategy and replayability, Netrunner gives me a unique intellectual challenge every time. It’s also a great social game for people who love cyberpunk and hacking themes. ### 5. Great product to get yourself familiar with Linux **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Soonk P. | Data Visualization Designer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 21, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** The overall interface is quite familiar looking with a little bit of variation. So you don't necessarily need to take some steps to get familiarized. It's the best value for the product. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Aesthetically, the interface isn't that pretty. That's the only downside. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** The product helps me to set the initial set up even if I wasn't an advanced user. I could run my other apps easily and seamlessly. My overall productivity has been improved over time. ### 6. All in one **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Hariprashath K. | Business Analyst, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 04, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** The best part is its free software with wide range of applications installed in default which is very useful **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Sinec the availabity of the OS is little less comparing to the other big companies **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is a compact software which has its own application itself good thing to solve many of the office real time problems ### 7. Netrunner Review **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Games | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 05, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** It's an exciting game due to its asymmetry: each side has different abilities and uses completely different cards distinguished by alternate card backs. It contrasts with most other CCGs, which usually depict a "battle between peers" where each opponent draws upon the same card pool. While players do not have to play both sides except in tournament play, many believe that a firm understanding of both leads to better overall playing ability. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Due to its unique format, it is not what I do not like. The game has to advance more in popularity so that the gaming platform and all interested gamers can expand and make its card game-based uniqueness appeal to other gamers. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Netrunner was playable online through CCG Workshop in the past, but Wizards of the Coast shut it down. It is now possible to play Netrunner online using Magic Workstation on Runners' Net, which also holds IRC chats and forums to discuss the game. The biggest problem, at least for me, is that not many people know the IRC world. ### 8. A new Debian fresh experience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** José A. J. | Software Tester, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 09, 2021 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** Excellent Debian-based distro with KDE. It has a vibe from Ubuntu, but if you are familiar and like both distros, the experience would be pleasant. There are several installation options for different platforms **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** There are some problems with the installation process, and not all devices in the market are compatible. Installation in some Virtual Machines also sometimes create problems. Some graphic cards are not fully supported. **Recommendations to others considering Netrunner:** If you want to test a new distro, go ahead. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is a new fresh distro to test and use in my day-to-day routine. Combines a Debian-based distro with KDE and some accents from Ubuntu. ### 9. Netrunner Linux **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Velmurugan D. | Senior Quality Analyst, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 11, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** Netrunner been a stable and well packed Linux distribution. Unlike most other destro it has a lot of codec's right out of box. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Not really, being a GNU, Netrunner is one of the ready to go distro. But there could be customised options to get the list of required codecs could reduce storage and improve performance. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** I been practising Linux shell commands and training colleagues to explore. ### 10. Netrunner being a customised version has lot to offer. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** Large pack of available resources and ap **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** application. Some set of commands cause UI issues. Not in my knowledge that I can say. Can add an option to improve the icon quality. Visual enhancements can be there. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helps a lot in my tasks. ### 11. Netrunner feedback **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abo Aondofa E. | Teacher, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 24, 2022 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** I like netrunner because it is easy to play, and I have fun when playing netrunner at any time as it keeps me busy and adds to my learning. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Netrunner can be rough. And it can be very strategic on android and possibly other products. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am trying to see how I can save and replay netrunner, but this has not been easy as I thought, anyway. ### 12. Middle of the road **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 14, 2021 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** The interface of this O.S is very user-friendly, it brings basic programs like Office and Gimp already installed and ready to use, and it also brings Steam. It is very light and fluid. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** Some programs are not compatible, as they are with all Linux distributions, and in my opinion other Linux-based operating systems have better memory management. **Recommendations to others considering Netrunner:** I recommend it if you want to see if you feel comfortable switching to Linux **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Understanding how to programme is certainly something that works a lot better,and I think the main benefit is how user friendly it is compared to similar products on the market. ### 13. Great hosting program! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Primary/Secondary Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 29, 2021 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** Netrunner is a great hosting program that allows users to have memory to save important data. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** I wonder how secure is Netrunner. Also, there is limited memory. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** Understanding how to program works a lot better. The web hosting is beneficial. ### 14. Netrunner is a Stable OS very concise and Functional **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Juan P. | Gerente general de ventas, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 16, 2019 **What do you like best about Netrunner?** With its Linux base, it is a very light OS, easy to understand with a professional side, and consumes very few resources of your team, ideal for your work team, it has predetermined applications very useful for the work environment. **What do you dislike about Netrunner?** very few things dislike me, the incompatibility with some hardwares, such as video cards, and network cards, everything else is excellent. **Recommendations to others considering Netrunner:** I recommend it to those companies or stores, or even for personal use, because it is a free and very complete OS. **What problems is Netrunner solving and how is that benefiting you?** In my company there are very basic computer equipment, and this OS works perfectly in them. ## Netrunner Discussions - [What is Netrunner used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-netrunner-used-for) - [View Netrunner pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/netrunner/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-19+12%3A57%3A45+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=62bec1b2-4971-41d8-820f-6ea127eb66f8&secure%5Btoken%5D=ded697056a377ef6ceb714f03df8656ad6eda575524db68468e43d39181b99ad&format=llm_user) ## Netrunner Integrations - [LibreOffice](https://www.g2.com/products/libreoffice/reviews) ## Netrunner Features **Memory Management - Operating System** - RAM management **Device Management - Operating System** - I/O management **Backup and Recovery - Operating System** - Data backup **Error Detection - Operating System** - System operations monitoring ## Top Netrunner Alternatives - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (931 reviews) - [Windows 11](https://www.g2.com/products/windows-11/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (4,103 reviews) - [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (2,340 reviews)