Computers

The best operating systems, according to hackers

87 operating systems recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.

• Most recommendedWindows1287 people recommend it
• Built to lastMinixowners report a median of 35 years
• Least regretAsteroidOS19 recommend, 0 criticize
• Free and lovedmacOS1041 people recommend it

All operating systems

• WindowsRecommended for running the software and games people depend on, day-to-day stability and solid underlying engineering, but critics widely object to Windows 11's ads, telemetry, forced accounts and UI regressions.1287recommend
• macOSRecommended for consistent keyboard shortcuts, strong security, tight Apple ecosystem integration and getting work done without fiddling, though critics cite recent bugs, CPU spikes, clunky window management and UI regressions.1041recommend
• LinuxA free, open-source OS praised for total control, stability and wide hardware and software support, especially on servers; desktop use can still take extra effort and debugging.745recommend
• FreeBSDLong-time users recommend FreeBSD for reliable, simply managed servers, with excellent documentation, ZFS boot environments and jails; the common caveat is weaker hardware support, especially on laptops.335recommend
• OpenBSDA stable, security-focused Unix with simple configuration, excellent documentation and painless upgrades, though critics note limited hardware support, slower performance, and a minimalism that inflates its security reputation.248recommend
• HaikuA free BeOS-inspired desktop OS praised for being extremely fast and responsive with a clean, consistent UI, though many say it's not yet practical as a daily driver.115recommend
• NetBSDRecommended for running on almost any hardware, including old machines, with a clean, well-documented design, though support for modern hardware and drivers is weak.100recommend
• Qubes OSRecommended for strong security through hardware-virtualized compartments, with disposable and offline VMs that keep secrets safe; critics cite slowness, setup hassle and weaker hardware security than phones.98recommend
• ChromeOSGoogle's locked-down, auto-updating operating system that people praise for security, speed and ease of use. Common caveat: Google ends update support early, and apps are limited.91recommend
• ReactOSRecommended as a free, open-source reimplementation of Windows that runs many Windows programs and drivers without phoning home; critics agree it is not yet stable enough for daily use.74recommend
• Oracle SolarisPeople recommend Solaris for its integrated ZFS, Zones and DTrace tooling, long uptimes and solid kernel. Critics say Sun-era lock-in and paid support kept it from keeping pace with Linux.65recommend
• Plan 9Recommended for its clean design where everything is a file and each process gets its own namespace; experimental, and some find its userland and driver support rough.62recommend
• seL4 microkernelFormally verified microkernel with machine-checked proofs and capability-based isolation, recommended for security-critical systems. Its main caveat is that it runs little existing software.58recommend
• Windows ServerPeople recommend Windows Server for Active Directory, a Windows stack without consumer bloat or ads, and solid desktop use. Critics say licensing is costly and updates force reboots.53recommend
• Fedora SilverbluePeople recommend it for updates that rarely break and easy rollback, with a predictable base system that suits beginners. The common caveat is that changing the core system is harder than on a conventional distro.48recommend
• MS-DOSPeople recommend MS-DOS for its simple, well-organized API, its third-party software and the control it gave users; critics call it insecure and obsolete.47recommend
• BSDFree Unix-like operating system people recommend for stability, simplicity and independence from big tech. Critics say it demands more expertise and has weaker hardware and driver support than Linux.44recommend
• Zorin OSA Linux distribution built for people switching from Windows, praised for its Windows-style layout, polished look and out-of-box app support. Critics mostly question its openness and say it is largely a reskin of Ubuntu.43recommend
• TempleOSRecommended as a striking one-man operating system that is interesting to explore and study, though critics say it lacks networking and USB and would not rely on it.28recommend
• 9frontPlan 9 fork that people recommend for its simple, modular design and how fun it is to tinker with; critics point to missing modern browser and video acceleration.26recommend
• Redox OSFree Rust operating system praised as a memory-safe, cleanly designed alternative to Linux. Critics say it is still a hobby project with limited utility and hardware support.26recommend
• Oberon System 3Recommended as a tiny, fast, self-hosting system and simple language that runs on Raspberry Pi. Critics call the language dated and not well suited to systems programming.25recommend
• Fedora AtomicPeople recommend it for safely staged background updates, rollbacks, and fewer upgrade problems. Critics say it can be a pain for normal installs and driver setup.22recommend
• AmigaOSRecommended for its preemptive multitasking, smart desktop design and reliability, with ideas that were ahead of their time. Caveat: critics say it fits poorly on modern hardware and high-resolution screens.21recommend
• illumosOpen source Solaris descendant that people run on servers, home servers and ZFS storage, valued for zones and Solaris features. One critic reports stock builds lacked DHCPv6 prefix delegation.21recommend
• webOSPraised as ahead of its time and pleasant to use; critics say HP mismanaged it and security is weak.20recommend
• Debian TestingRecommended as a rolling Debian desktop with newer packages than stable yet tested before release, though updates can break systems and security fixes can lag.20recommend
• SmartOSFans praise its USB-bootable design, ZFS-based VM hosting, zone management and CLI tooling. Common caveat: it is niche, with weaker driver support and more friction than Linux.20recommend
• Fuchsia OSGoogle's open-source microkernel OS, praised for capability-based security and interesting design ideas, though it has been shelved repeatedly and has little real-world use.19recommend
• AsteroidOSFree, open source Linux-based operating system for supported smartwatches, praised for privacy, long-term maintenance and small overhead.19recommend
• GNU HurdA microkernel design that people admire for its architecture, its GPL licence and its steady progress, though critics agree it is not yet practical for everyday use.18recommend
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscriptionPeople recommend Red Hat as a dependable Linux vendor for servers, and it shows open-source businesses can succeed. Critics say it has declined since IBM bought it.16recommend
• RISC OSPeople recommend it as a fast, clean, distinctive desktop OS built from scratch, free to run on Raspberry Pi. Critics cite legacy baggage and quirky app-switching behavior.16recommend
• Os8088Free operating system for IBM XT-class PCs, praised for its Mac-like look and compact assembly code, though critics say the font spoils the Mac illusion.16recommend
• IncusOSImmutable, read-only Linux host that runs Incus containers and VMs with A/B updates and no package manager, managed through the Incus API. Common caveat: no shell access.15recommend
• MinixFree microkernel Unix-like system praised for isolated drivers and teaching OS design; critics call it a toy that lacks parts for a working system.15recommend
• Genode OSRecommended as a free, long-running capability-based microkernel OS framework for building secure special-purpose systems. Caveat: not yet a daily driver for most.14recommend
• macOS MavericksMany people recommend it as the best-looking macOS, with less skeuomorphism, Aqua-era polish and useful performance fixes. Few critics; one says design got worse for professionals.14recommend
• TailsRecommended for anonymity and privacy, it boots from a USB stick and leaves no trace on the host machine. One critic says it is too complicated for average consumers.14recommend
• SerenityOSA Unix-like operating system with a classic Windows 2000 look, built as a hobby project for tinkering. Critics note weak hardware support and slowed momentum since its lead developer left.14recommend
• IBM AIXRecommended for its early design, such as LVM and a pageable kernel, and for nostalgia; critics call it dated and costly to license from IBM.13recommend
• VitruvianOSFree Linux-based desktop that borrows the look of BeOS and uses Linux hardware support; people praise its speed and novelty, though web browsing can be slow.13recommend
• Inferno operating systemFree operating system from the Plan 9 lineage, praised for its everything-is-a-file design and typed shell, but it was never fully completed and has bit-rotted.12recommend
• FreeDOSFree DOS-compatible operating system for running old software, retro programming and legacy machines. Critics note it is weak on newer hardware, especially BIOS boot support and sound cards.12recommend
• MenuetOSImpressive graphical OS fitting one floppy disk, admired for its longevity. Critics say it is incomplete and reads more like a technology demo.12recommend
• Ironclad OSPeople like that it is an open source, formally verified Unix-like kernel written in Ada, and that many UNIX programs reportedly run on it. Critics say it is not yet proven for real-time production use and that its verification claims are unclear.12recommend
• CP/MEarly 8-bit operating system, comparable to MS-DOS and widely supported on Z80 machines; critics say CP/M-86 came out late and its tools and command interpreter were weak.11recommend
• iOS and macOSPeople recommend iOS and macOS for seamless device integration, stability and features that just work. The most common caveat is a proprietary, locked-in ecosystem with buggy, sloppy parts.11recommend
• Raspberry Pi OSThe official OS for Raspberry Pi, praised for polish, a light responsive desktop and maximum compatibility. Some find it bloated and tied to its imager.11recommend
• DR-DOSPeople recommend DR-DOS as a capable alternative that is objectively better than MS-DOS. Critics mostly cite occasional compatibility hiccups and a license limited to educational and evaluation use.11recommend
• OpenVMSRecommended for its file locking, asynchronous operations, ACL security and long uptime records. Critics note it is proprietary and costs money for commercial use.10recommend
• IBM iRecommended for a robust platform that runs business systems such as Costco's inventory management; the most common caveat is license costs.10recommend
• GentleOSPeople recommend GentleOS for its clean, readable C code and its lovely retro look on vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs.10recommend
• CharlotteOSFree experimental modern OS people call an attractive idea and not another POSIX clone, though changing drivers means recompiling the whole kernel.10recommend
• AROSFree, open-source operating system compatible with AmigaOS, seen as promising and worth developing. Critics agree it lacks a usable modern web browser and is a chore to set up.9recommend
• XousA pure Rust operating system built around message passing, praised for its novel, interesting design. Critics say it's unclear which hardware it runs on.9recommend
• VisopsysA free hobby operating system built by a single developer since 1997, praised as an impressive passion project for learning how an OS works. Critics say it is not practical for everyday use.9recommend
• Plan9 operating systemFree operating system from Bell Labs built around files, praised for a small, understandable design that people see as superior to Unix.8recommend
• Fedora CoreOSRecommended for servers that update themselves and run containers with little upkeep, and config kept in one place. Critics say Ignition-based setup is too involved for one-off systems.8recommend
• Dusk OSFree Forth-based 32-bit operating system that people recommend for its philosophy and for doing what it says without moralizing.8recommend
• RavynOSOpen-source operating system based on Darwin and FreeBSD code, appealing as a community-driven take on macOS, though critics note it is pre-alpha with a dated-looking interface.8recommend
• PebbleOSPeople recommend it as an open-source smartwatch OS released under Apache-2.0, with rapid iteration on watch faces and apps possible. Critics say the browser build is slow and unstable, and it still includes some proprietary blobs.8recommend
• WriterdeckOSRecommended as a distraction-free writing setup for an existing laptop, with interest in plaintext sync. Critics say it is hard to install, hard to read, and lacks autosave.8recommend
• SculptOSPeople recommend SculptOS as a free, general-purpose OS built on capabilities for security, and say it works well for daily productive use.7recommend
• openSUSE MicroOSMinimal immutable rolling Linux for container hosts and homelab servers, with automatic updates and rollback; the most common caveat is that the rolling release adds maintenance work.7recommend
• Mach kernelOld free microkernel praised for its virtual memory API and design, but critics say its IPC overhead is high and it lags newer microkernels like L4.7recommend
• YunoHostPeople recommend it for an easy install that comes with common self-hosting apps ready to click on. The most common caveat is that it feels amateurish, though it is good for starting.7recommend
• Windows on ARMPeople recommend Windows on Arm for ARM laptops that run native apps as expected and feel much improved; the most common caveat is app incompatibility and weak performance under x86 emulation.7recommend
• AsterinasA free Rust operating system kernel that people find novel and see as a safer alternative to Linux, though critics note its ties to SUSTech.7recommend
• GhostBSDA FreeBSD-based desktop operating system with a graphical installer and MATE desktop, recommended by people who want an easier route into FreeBSD.7recommend
• DragonFly BSDA free BSD operating system recommended for its parallel and SMP design, strong performance from a small team, and filesystem and encryption options.7recommend
• Pick operating systemA long-running operating system and database that recommenders say they enjoy using and that was influential in its era.7recommend
• VinixA hobby operating system written in V under GPLv2, people recommend it for tinkering, contributing, and learning. Critics say its claims outrun a barely functional, not production-ready system.7recommend
• Lions Operating SystemResearch operating system built on the seL4 microkernel, recommended for its security focus, formal verification and reliability. Critics say it is not yet a daily driver.7recommend
• KolibriOSFree, small operating system people call mature, with commented code worth reading. One critic questions whether it is still active.6recommend
• Pebble Watch softwareOpen-sourced so the software can keep working even if the company fails, and praised as a good open source example. Critics say some parts remain closed source.6recommend
• Linux Mint Debian EditionA Debian-based Linux desktop with Mint's easy interface. People recommend it for a stable Debian base, a familiar start menu, and sane defaults that work out of the box.5recommend
• Collapse OSRecommended as a free, plausible project for computing after societal collapse; one critic calls its approach unrealistic.5recommend
• FUZIXA free Unix-like operating system for small cheap boards that people find fun to explore. The most common caveats are poor documentation and spotty hardware support.5recommend
• L4 microkernel familyPeople recommend the L4 microkernel family for its fast synchronous IPC design, which they say makes it efficient enough for real systems. One critic says it stays niche.5recommend
• visionOSApple's operating system for the Vision Pro headset, recommended for custom environments and as the most viable platform in its class. Critics agree it has a limited market and is a walled garden.5recommend
• AtlasOSPeople use AtlasOS, a free stripped-down variant of Windows, to make Windows less cluttered and more sensible.5recommend
• IBM z/OSRuns COBOL and mainframe workloads plus Python, Go and Rust; the main caveat is high cost, which rises with machine size.5recommend
• RaspbianFree Raspberry Pi operating system people praise as snappy and go-to for reviving old PCs. One critic noted early versions wrote to disk on every read.5recommend
• OpenIndianaRecommended for anyone wanting Solaris on x86_64, praised as rock solid with handy zones and boot environments; one reviewer hit display cut-offs under libvirt.5recommend
• TribblixRetro illumos-based distribution that keeps SPARC support alive and installs on old UltraSPARC hardware. Ethernet and wifi are not supported.5recommend
• Anos microkernelPeople recommend Anos for exploring OS ideas without POSIX constraints, and for its docs as a learning resource.5recommend