Top 10 Windows 8 Alternatives & Competitors

Top 10 Alternatives to Windows 8 Recently Reviewed By G2 Community

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Ubuntu
By Canonical Ltd.
4.5/5
(2,314)
Product Description
Super-fast, easy to use and free, the Ubuntu operating system powers millions of desktops, netbooks and servers around the world.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Ubuntu is:
Easier to do business with
Better at meeting requirements
Easier to admin
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Android
By Google
4.6/5
(1,229)
Product Description
Android Enterprise Management is a comprehensive solution designed to simplify the deployment, management, and security of Android devices within business environments. It offers a suite of tools that enable organizations to efficiently configure devices, enforce security policies, and manage applications across their workforce. This platform supports various device management scenarios, including employee-owned devices, company-owned devices, and dedicated devices for specific tasks. Key Features and Functionality: - Zero-Touch Enrollment: Facilitates the rapid deployment of devices by allowing them to be configured remotely upon first boot, reducing manual setup time. - Work Profiles: Creates a clear separation between work and personal data on devices, ensuring corporate information remains secure while respecting user privacy. - Managed Google Play: Enables IT administrators to distribute and manage applications efficiently, providing employees with access to approved apps while maintaining control over app installations. - Comprehensive Security Controls: Offers robust security features, including enforcing lock screens, encryption, and the ability to remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices. - Flexible Management Options: Supports various device management modes, such as fully managed devices for work-only use and dedicated devices locked to specific functions. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Android Enterprise Management addresses the challenges businesses face in managing a diverse range of Android devices by offering a unified platform that enhances security, streamlines device deployment, and simplifies application management. By leveraging these capabilities, organizations can ensure that their mobile workforce operates efficiently and securely, regardless of device ownership or usage scenarios.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Android is:
More usable
Easier to do business with
Better at meeting requirements
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Oracle Linux
By Oracle
4.4/5
(334)
Product Description
Oracle Linux brings the latest Linux innovations to market, delivering extreme performance, advanced scalability, and reliability for enterprise applications and systems along with worldwide, enterprise-class, low-cost support. Optimized for enterprise workloads, Oracle Linux is the only operating system to offer zero-downtime updates.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Oracle Linux is:
Easier to do business with
Better at meeting requirements
More usable
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System
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Apple OS X Mountain Lion
By Apple
4.2/5
(214)
Product Description
OS X Mountain Lion, version 10.8, is the ninth major release of Apple's desktop operating system for Macintosh computers, launched on July 25, 2012. This release introduced over 200 new features, many inspired by iOS, to enhance user experience and system functionality. Key Features and Functionality: - iCloud Integration: Seamless synchronization of Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Messages, Reminders, Notes, and iWork documents across all Apple devices. - Messages App: Replaces iChat, bringing iMessage to the Mac, allowing users to send messages to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or another Mac. - Notification Center: Provides a unified view of alerts from Mail, Calendar, Messages, Reminders, system updates, and third-party apps. - System-wide Sharing: Enables easy sharing of links, photos, videos, and other files without switching apps, with integrated support for services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and Vimeo. - Facebook Integration: Allows posting of photos, links, and comments directly from apps, adds Facebook friends to Contacts, and enables status updates from Notification Center. - Dictation: System-wide voice input mechanism that converts speech to text, requiring an internet connection. - AirPlay Mirroring: Wirelessly mirrors the Mac's screen to an Apple TV, facilitating presentations and media sharing. - Game Center: Brings the iOS gaming network to Mac, allowing users to play and share games with friends. - Gatekeeper: A security feature that helps protect the Mac from malicious software by allowing users to control which apps can be installed. Primary Value and User Solutions: OS X Mountain Lion enhances the Mac experience by integrating features familiar to iOS users, promoting a cohesive ecosystem across Apple devices. The deep iCloud integration ensures that users' data remains consistent and accessible, while features like Notification Center and system-wide sharing streamline daily tasks. Security is bolstered with Gatekeeper, and productivity is enhanced through tools like Dictation and AirPlay Mirroring. Overall, Mountain Lion offers a more connected, secure, and user-friendly environment for Mac users.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Apple OS X Mountain Lion is:
More usable
Easier to do business with
Easier to admin
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

CentOS
By CentOS
4.4/5
(414)
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.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, CentOS is:
Easier to do business with
Better at meeting requirements
Easier to admin
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Red Hat Enterprise Linux
By Red Hat
4.6/5
(952)
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.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is:
Easier to do business with
Better at meeting requirements
Better at support
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Lubuntu
By Lubuntu
4.4/5
(76)
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.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Lubuntu is:
Easier to admin
More usable
Easier to do business with
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Apple OS X El Capitan
By Apple
4.4/5
(255)
Product Description
OS X El Capitan, version 10.11 of Apple's Mac operating system, was released on September 30, 2015. Named after the iconic rock formation in Yosemite National Park, this update focused on enhancing performance, stability, and security. It introduced features like Split View for multitasking, a redesigned Mission Control for better window management, and the Metal graphics API for improved graphics performance. El Capitan also brought refinements to built-in apps such as Safari, Mail, and Notes, and introduced the San Francisco system font for improved readability. Key Features and Functionality: - Split View: Allows users to work with two applications side by side in full-screen mode, enhancing multitasking capabilities. - Mission Control: Offers a streamlined view of all open windows and spaces, making it easier to organize and switch between tasks. - Metal Graphics API: Provides developers with a more efficient way to harness the GPU, resulting in faster and more responsive graphics performance. - Enhanced Built-in Apps: Improvements to Safari include Pinned Sites and a mute button for tabs; Mail introduces swipe gestures and improved full-screen support; Notes supports checklists, inline previews, and rich text formatting. - San Francisco Font: A new system font designed for better legibility and consistency across Apple devices. Primary Value and User Solutions: OS X El Capitan aimed to refine the Mac user experience by improving system performance and introducing features that enhance productivity. The addition of Split View and an improved Mission Control facilitated more efficient multitasking, while the Metal API provided a foundation for more powerful graphics applications. Enhancements to native apps and the introduction of the San Francisco font contributed to a more cohesive and user-friendly interface, addressing user needs for both functionality and aesthetics.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Apple OS X El Capitan is:
More usable
Better at meeting requirements
Easier to set up
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

Fedora
By Fedora
4.4/5
(204)
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.
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Reviewers say compared to Windows 8, Fedora is:
Better at meeting requirements
Easier to admin
Easier to do business with
Categories in common with Windows 8:
Operating System

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