ReactOS Reviews & Product Details

ReactOS is a free and open-source operating system designed to be compatible with Windows applications and drivers. It aims to provide a familiar user experience by replicating the look and feel of Windows, enabling users to run their favorite Windows software in an open-source environment. ReactOS is developed from scratch, ensuring that it is not a derivative of Linux, but a standalone system with its own architecture. Key Features and Functionality: - Windows Compatibility: ReactOS is capable of running a wide range of Windows applications and drivers, offering users the flexibility to use software they are accustomed to. - Familiar Interface: The operating system mirrors the appearance and functionality of Windows, reducing the learning curve for new users. - Open Source: Being open-source, ReactOS allows users and developers to view, modify, and distribute its source code, fostering a collaborative development environment. - Active Community: The project is supported by a global community, providing opportunities for collaboration, skill enhancement, and contribution to the development of the operating system. Primary Value and User Solutions: ReactOS addresses the need for a free and open-source operating system that maintains compatibility with Windows software and drivers. This is particularly beneficial for users and organizations seeking an alternative to proprietary systems without sacrificing the ability to run essential Windows applications. Additionally, ReactOS serves as an educational platform for those interested in learning about operating system development and Windows internals, offering practical experience in a real-world project.

Seller

ReactOS Foundation

Discussions

ReactOS Community

Value at a Glance

Averages based on real user reviews.

Perceived Cost

$$$$$

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UI

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

6/24/2021

"ReactOS review"

4/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

As of me the most helpful for me is:

- Virtual sandbox for safe development and browsing

- Free of license restrictions

- Free of charge

- Very small image file to setup ReactOS, something about several hundred megabytes only Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

- Not 100% polished and user friendly OS as Windows

- No x64 applications support, so you have to choose which version of app to install

- Also I had troubles with running Python on ReactOS - resolved only by installing earlier version of Python

- Hard to install on some specific devices, like Dell laptops. So you can spend several hours or even days on installing specific version of ReactOS on specific hardware. There are lots of videos on Youtube on resolving possible issues.

- No tools to check health of HDD/SDD Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering ReactOS:

First review if you actually have at least small experience as a developer. If not, carefully consider other more user-friendly OS, like Windows or MacOS. Second, check if someone already tried installing ReactOS on your type of hardware. Review carefully what type of problems users like you facing during installation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is ReactOS solving and how is that benefiting you?

Safely and freely run applications. Use several instances without paying for each license. Secure browsing. Free OS that I can play installing and comparing with previous version. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

UE

Verified User in E-Learning

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

7/29/2021

"Good Open Source OS"

4.5/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

1. It is free and open source.

2. Easily compatible with applications.

3. Written in Easy to understand language C and JavaScript.

4. Written from scratch and is Linux-based, which is well known for a time.

5. Development is easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

1. User data safety is the primary concern.

2. It is less stable though provides good functionality.

3. It Doesn't stand out from its other competitors in the market.

4. Still under development stage Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

UC

Verified User in Computer Software

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

8/23/2021

"OS that supports windows software"

4/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

It is an OS that supports windows software what we need more while testing an OS,

It looks like windows only and also are free.

Open-source. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

It is not stable till now.

We cannot take it in everyday use.

The files result to be corrupted. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

GK

Gagan K.

Senior SDET

Computer Software

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

7/28/2021

"Windows OS with little less functionality"

3.5/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

It is open source and DOS mode enables easy installation of apps and other functionalities Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

It is not flashy and less attractive compared to windows when it comes to user interface Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

GA

Glen Elvis M J A.

Senior Associate

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

11/26/2020

Business partner of the seller or seller's competitor, not included in G2 scores.

"Great OS Let's bring open source to legacy applications."

3.5/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

Very interesting project : "an open source Windows". You know (and can check) that there are no code spying your data.

Obviously, it is a very big work: construct a compatible Windows, not a clone, from bare metal. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

While not all programs made for Windows can be ran flawless, a lot of them do.

It is not perfect, since the work is in progress, but considering the effort done, this project deserves a full 10 ! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

RM

ravi m.

Software Development Engineer

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

2/20/2019

"Open source Operating System for natively running Windows applications."

5/5

What do you like best about ReactOS?

So, taking a look at ReactOS, it's a free and open-source operating system that has been built from the ground up to run native Windows programs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ReactOS?

Things like wscript and cscript may not exist in reactOS. Corrupting the boot partition or MBR is still possible. Nothing will work 100%. (ReactOS will corrupt itself before we will get malware.)

Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering ReactOS:

Highly recommend it to others. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is ReactOS solving and how is that benefiting you?

I've known ReactOS for a few years, now. This is something that I really would like to see finished and fully operational. It has a lot of potential as well. It was also useful for understanding how files are stored in FS.

Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.