# Sailfish OS Reviews **Vendor:** Jolla **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 14 ## About Sailfish OS Sailfish OS is a Linux-based mobile operating system developed by Jolla, designed to offer a unique and privacy-focused alternative to mainstream platforms. Emphasizing user control and customization, Sailfish OS provides a gesture-based interface that enhances intuitive navigation and multitasking. Its open-source nature encourages community involvement, fostering a diverse ecosystem of applications and extensions. Notably, Sailfish OS supports Android applications through a compatibility layer, allowing users to access a wide range of apps while maintaining a secure and independent environment. This combination of privacy, flexibility, and compatibility positions Sailfish OS as a compelling choice for users seeking an alternative mobile experience. Key Features and Functionality: - Gesture-Based Navigation: Sailfish OS utilizes intuitive gestures for navigation, enabling users to perform actions with simple swipes and taps, enhancing the overall user experience. - Multitasking Interface: The operating system offers a multitasking view that displays all running applications in a single view, allowing users to control apps directly from this interface without fully opening them. - Open-Source and Community-Driven: Sailfish OS embraces open-source principles, allowing for greater customization and innovation. The active community contributes to the development of the OS, creating a vibrant ecosystem of apps and extensions. - Android App Compatibility: Through a proprietary compatibility layer, Sailfish OS supports the execution of Android applications, providing users access to a vast array of apps while maintaining the OS's unique environment. - Privacy and Security: Sailfish OS emphasizes user privacy, ensuring that data is not collected or analyzed without consent, contrasting with the policies of mainstream platforms. Primary Value and User Solutions: Sailfish OS addresses the growing demand for privacy-centric mobile solutions by offering an independent platform free from the data collection practices common in other operating systems. Its gesture-based interface and multitasking capabilities provide a seamless and efficient user experience. The open-source nature and active community support allow for extensive customization, enabling users to tailor their devices to their preferences. Additionally, the compatibility with Android applications ensures that users do not have to sacrifice app availability when choosing a privacy-focused alternative. Overall, Sailfish OS delivers a secure, customizable, and user-friendly mobile operating system that empowers users to take control of their digital experience. ## Sailfish OS Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **customization and personalization** options of Sailfish OS, enhancing their experience to fit various needs. (1 reviews) - Users value the **strong privacy features** of Sailfish OS, appreciating encrypted storage and enhanced security measures. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **robust security features** of Sailfish OS, ensuring their data is protected and private. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **prioritization of privacy and security** in Sailfish OS, enhancing their mobile experience significantly. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find the **app/game issues** on Sailfish OS frustrating due to crashes and performance limitations with Android apps. (1 reviews) - Users face **compatibility issues** with Sailfish OS, limiting its support across various devices and affecting accessibility. (1 reviews) - Users face **hardware limitations** with Sailfish OS, as it restricts installation to specific devices, limiting overall accessibility. (1 reviews) - Users face **installation difficulties** with Sailfish OS due to limited hardware compatibility and adoption barriers. (1 reviews) - Users experience **performance issues** with Sailfish OS as some Android apps may crash or lack notifications. (1 reviews) ## Sailfish OS Reviews ### 1. SAILFISH OS PRINCIPALS **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jeffrey K. | VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** SAILFISH OS PROFESSIONAL USES SUPPORT RUNNING ANDROID APPS, ALLOWING USERS TO ACCESS A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM OF SOFTWARE. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** THE SAILFISH OS IS NOT WIDELY SUPPORTED ON ALL DEVICES, WHICH MAY AFFECT ITS AVAILABILITY. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** SAILFISH OS PROFESSIONAL USES ARE OPTIMIZED FOR SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS, AS WELL AS EMBEDDED DEVICES. ### 2. Enhanced Privacy and Security Features **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lynda G. | Marketing Executive, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 20, 2025 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** The OS prioritizes user privacy with features like encrypted data storage, secure boot, and app sandboxing. Built-in VPN support and a firewall further protect user data, ensuring a secure mobile experience. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Although Sailfish OS supports Android apps, certain apps may crash, have reduced performance, lack notifications. We cannot fully rely on Android apps, which can be frustrating. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Unlike Android or iOS, Sailfish OS allows me to use my device without relying heavily on Google or Apple services. This solves the problem of ecosystem lock-in, providing me with flexibility, independence, and more control over which apps and services I choose to integrate into my workflow. ### 3. Customizable Ambiences for Different Modes **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civic & Social Organization | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 08, 2025 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** The Ambiences feature lets us create different profiles with specific settings and app configurations. Whether at work or leisure, us can switch between modes, adapting the phone's behavior to their current needs. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Sailfish OS is primarily available on Jolla devices or select hardware. We cannot install it easily on all smartphones, restricting hardware choices and increasing adoption barriers. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Sailfish OS allows me to create different Ambiences for work, personal use, or leisure. This solves the problem of manually adjusting settings for different contexts and benefits me by saving time and automatically optimizing notifications, themes, and app behavior for each situation. ### 4. Unique open source mobile os with best security. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Prashant S. | Software Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2024 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** I like its security feature,it does not include built in tracker. It has gesture support.It can run android apps smoothly and fast. Jolla provide regular updates. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** It have very less native apps.Its quite complex for new one to understand about gestures. It support less phones . It has very less user than android and ios. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Its provide best privacy for handling confidential data. Its helping me in. maintainig privacy search and important company work. It providing me best solution for doing important company work. ### 5. Most reliable and trusted operating system for your mobile device. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Netram M. | Customer Service management, Consumer Services, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 03, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** Open-source applications and easy customizations are my favorite points while using sailfish OS. The user interface is fantastic and works smoothly on low-end devices. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** The only thing I don't like about sailfish OS is availability. As of now, it only supports a few smartphones. I think they should customize it for more devices in the future so that everyone can take benefit from it. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** We mainly use this for debugging because it is easy to download from git-hub, and most applications are available in open-source code format. It is always accessible under open source, and we can customize it as per our needs. ### 6. interesting Platform to escape the Apple/Google ecosystem **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Telecommunications | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** It is a perfect option for those who consider not depending on the Apple or Google Ecosystem. The last version of the OS is really focused on delivering Security and privacy-caring features. This is also 100% EU GDPR Compliant. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Since there is a like of vision for the future of the OS, the community stays really limited for now. This has an impact on the development of new apps in the store. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Sailfish OS is a perfect option for those considering not depending on the Apple or Google Ecosystem. from an Android User's perspective, this Sailfish OS is an interesting option. ### 7. Best OS for open sourcing software **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Avesh K. | Software Executive, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 14, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** Sailfish OS is still the best counterpart of android. It is the most reliable and trusted operating system based on Linux. The best part is there are many open source software available for the OS. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** It is only available for the mobile operating system. Notifications on sailfish os are sometimes not working while the screen is off. It is best if you don't like buggy android, but I think there are still many areas where sailfish os still needs to work hard. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** We mainly use this for open-source projects, which works well with that. ### 8. Decent OP but maybe not for the average person **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Carl O. | client services associate, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 19, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** There are lots of great features that I feel other OS don't have as good a version of, such as the desktop. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** I am quite technical, but even for me it was quite difficult to get to grips with Sailfish because I think you need to have a very technical mind to utilise it to the max. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** No problems per-se, but I think it's a perfectly adequate OS for my Jolla phone. ### 9. Secure but not up to date **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ar. Kriti B. | Architect, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 15, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** The security of this operating system is the best part **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** The operating system is not updated for today's usage. It's quite lagging behind in terms of updates **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** It provides a secure means to communicate in our organisation. Also it's basic interface is easy for all. ### 10. Sailfish is getting there **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aidan A. | Technical Consultant, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** Features are nice enough, somewhat competes with other custom builds like graphene. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Alot of people complain about speed, but generally run it on much older smartphones, ran on a flagship runs like a flagship. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Getting away from the Google and Apple ecosystem. ### 11. Easy, Fast and secure **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** vishala j. | Accountant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 10, 2021 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** It's different and easy to use. Switching from android was not difficult. Kind of brings a change after using both iOS and Android. Somehow felt more secure using Saillfish OS. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Copying data from other OS like Android to Sailfish. Notifications handling was not the best experience. Switching between apps can be made much better as well as photos application **Recommendations to others considering Sailfish OS:** It's different and easy to use. Switching from android was not difficult. Kind of brings a change after using both iOS and Android. Somehow felt more secure using Sailfish OS. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** No problems as such but it could enable more features. Notifications handling was not the best experience. Switching between apps can be made much better, as well as photos application ### 12. Sailfish OS Review **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Market Research | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2022 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** I liked that the security features of the system. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** I didn't think it aligned with my markeitng goals. **Recommendations to others considering Sailfish OS:** Shop around to make sure you are looking at the right solution. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** This solution does not fit my needs as I thought. ### 13. Simple yet content **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 29, 2020 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** The best feature of sailfish OS is the CLI. It has the best command line interface so far i have used in mobile OS. Also the Gesture is pretty smooth. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** Documentation is not that extensive. It would be very hard to find it online... **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have checked most AOSP based custom OS. Sailfish was most suitable for CLI. ### 14. Sailfish is a great mobile operating system for tinkering with, but isn’t as compatible as Android. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Dusan D. | COO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2018 **What do you like best about Sailfish OS?** SailfishOS is free and open-source, and greatly resembles Linux. It’s split up in packages and all of the core updates get pushed off via Git. The OS uses a beautiful UI, that’s fluid and fast. It’s great to code for, with a bunch of libraries and tools to even edit the OS itself. **What do you dislike about Sailfish OS?** The things that make Sailfish great end up being its downfall as well. It’s split into packages, (Android app support being one of them), so you cannot ensure that your end users will have the required configuration that your app or service requires. Its UI is great, but limiting at the same time. It’s not supported and services that require Android as it’s main system (such as some of Google’s developer services) don’t work at all. **Recommendations to others considering Sailfish OS:** While Sailfish is a notch above it’s competitors, the open-source Linux-based mobile OS market, it still suffers from the same issues that similar products, like Tizen, those being lack of support in the mainstream market, and lack of an active userbase. **What problems is Sailfish OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** Sailfish is good for initial testing of apps or projects that you want to roll out, as it lets you have much more precise control over the app’s behavior, down to the kernel level, but as a platform to deploy on globally, it’s still cut short by the lack of compatibility and the lack of an active userbase. ## Sailfish OS Discussions - [vz](https://www.g2.com/discussions/vz) - 1 upvote - [View Sailfish OS pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/sailfish-os/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-16+09%3A20%3A04+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=5c0a6108-e9a5-4748-a91a-fac558f486a8&secure%5Btoken%5D=f8741f28655777a27e4ab82986a44cfed24abe9e01a06e80c46199b96fda526e&format=llm_user) ## Sailfish OS 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 Sailfish OS Alternatives - [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (2,320 reviews) - [Android](https://www.g2.com/products/android/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (1,206 reviews) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (930 reviews)