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Windows alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Windows: strict hardware requirements leave many older PCs out, and microsoft account and internet required during Home setup. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Windows, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. macOS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ubuntu logoUbuntuOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 462.6
2Linux Mint logoLinux MintOpen sourceYesLinux4 of 459.6
3Fedora Linux logoFedora LinuxOpen sourceYesLinux5 of 557.2
4Zorin OS logoZorin OSFree plan + paidYesLinux5 of 540.0
  1. Ubuntu logo

    1. UbuntuTop pick

    Best for: People moving to Linux who want the widest software support and long-term security updates

    Open sourceLinux

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Windows

    Free Linux desktop with no account requirement that runs well on hardware Windows 11 rejects.

    Pros

    • Widest software and hardware vendor support of any desktop Linux
    • LTS releases get five years of standard security updates
    • Huge community, so answers to most problems are easy to find
    • Free, including Ubuntu Pro on a few personal machines

    Cons

    • Snap packages are pushed by default and can be slow to start
    • GNOME with Canonical's tweaks feels less familiar to Windows users than Mint
    • Interim releases are supported for only nine months
    Visit Ubuntu Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ubuntu a good Windows alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    LTS support
    5 years, new LTS every 2 years
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ubuntu Pro
    Free on up to 5 machines
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extended coverage
    Up to 15 years with Ubuntu Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Linux Mint logo

    2. Linux Mint

    Best for: Windows users switching to Linux who want a familiar desktop that works out of the box

    Open sourceLinux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Windows

    Familiar Windows-like layout and free, a common landing spot for people leaving Windows.

    Pros

    • Familiar Windows-like desktop with little to relearn
    • Multimedia support and common drivers work out of the box
    • Long support per release and conservative updates
    • Free, with no Snap packages pushed on you

    Cons

    • Older kernels and apps can struggle with brand-new hardware
    • Cinnamon trails GNOME and KDE on Wayland support
    • Small core team compared with Ubuntu or Fedora
    Visit Linux Mint Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Linux Mint a good Windows alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Debian and Ubuntu
    Checked Oct 25, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
    Checked Oct 25, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Release base
    Long-term support releases only
    Checked Oct 25, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Fedora Linux logo

    3. Fedora Linux

    Best for: Developers and enthusiasts who want current software and an unmodified GNOME or KDE desktop

    Open sourceLinux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Windows

    Free, current Linux desktop with strong developer tooling and no built-in ads.

    Pros

    • Recent kernels, GNOME and KDE soon after they ship
    • Stock desktops without heavy vendor changes
    • Atomic editions like Silverblue offer a read-only, rollback-friendly system
    • Free and community-run with strong Red Hat backing

    Cons

    • Short support window means upgrading about once a year
    • Proprietary codecs and NVIDIA drivers need extra setup
    • Less third-party software targets Fedora than Ubuntu
    Visit Fedora Linux Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Fedora Linux a good Windows alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Sponsor
    Red Hat
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Workstation desktop
    GNOME
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    KDE edition
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Atomic desktop
    Silverblue
    Checked Oct 25, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zorin OS logo

    4. Zorin OS

    Best for: Windows or Mac users trying Linux for the first time, or reviving an older PC

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceLinux

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Windows

    A free Linux desktop designed to look like Windows, which can run many .exe installers and older PCs.

    Pros

    • Desktop layouts that mimic Windows and macOS lower the learning curve
    • Ubuntu base means wide app and hardware support
    • Zorin Connect phone integration is built in
    • Runs well on older hardware

    Cons

    • Several layouts and bundled apps are reserved for the paid Pro edition
    • Major releases lag behind the Ubuntu LTS they are based on
    • Smaller community than Ubuntu or Linux Mint for troubleshooting
    Visit Zorin OS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zorin OS a good Windows alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free edition
    Core edition free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid edition
    Pro, one-time payment
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Ubuntu
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Support period
    Zorin OS 18 until at least June 2029
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Windows alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

macOS logo

Best Windows alternative for most people

macOS

Polished, low-maintenance desktop with tight iPhone integration, if you are happy buying a Mac.

Ubuntu logo

Best Windows alternative for a free option

Ubuntu

Free Linux desktop with no account requirement that runs well on hardware Windows 11 rejects.

Zorin OS logo

Best Windows alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zorin OS

A free Linux desktop designed to look like Windows, which can run many .exe installers and older PCs.

Linux Mint logo

Best Windows alternative for open source

Linux Mint

Familiar Windows-like layout and free, a common landing spot for people leaving Windows.

macOS logo

Best Windows alternative for Mac

macOS

Polished, low-maintenance desktop with tight iPhone integration, if you are happy buying a Mac.

Fedora Linux logo

Best Windows alternative for Linux

Fedora Linux

Free, current Linux desktop with strong developer tooling and no built-in ads.

Windows alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Windows?

macOS ranks first right now. Polished, low-maintenance desktop with tight iPhone integration, if you are happy buying a Mac. Ubuntu and Linux Mint follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Windows?

Yes. macOS (free), Ubuntu (open source), Linux Mint (open source) and Fedora Linux (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Windows?

Yes: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora Linux and Zorin OS.

Which Windows alternatives work on Linux?

Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora Linux and Zorin OS run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Windows?

The complaints we hear most: strict hardware requirements leave many older PCs out; microsoft account and internet required during Home setup; built-in ads and upsells in the interface.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Windows, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.