Best Operating Systems with a Free Trial of 2025

TrueNAS is the world's most deployed storage software. TrueNAS is a universal data platform that allows users to easily adopt a modern, open source approach to storing and protecting their growing data. TrueNAS is open source and harnesses the power of the legendary ZFS file system to provide unified storage (File, Block Object, and Apps) with the reliability and performance demanded by virtualization, backup, and many other data-heavy workloads.

FydeOS is a streamlined operating system that combines a Linux kernel with a browser platform and container technology, mirroring the functionality of Google Chrome OS. It operates efficiently on a wide range of mainstream hardware. Devices equipped with FydeOS are fully capable of supporting modern web application standards, running Android applications, and integrating with Linux environments, all while functioning seamlessly in Chinese network settings, offering users an experience akin to that of a Google Chromebook. Built upon the second development of The Chromium Projects, FydeOS has undergone significant modifications and optimizations to its kernel, enhancing its browser platform and incorporating localization features tailored to Chinese users, thereby enriching the overall user experience. As a cloud technology operating system, it is designed to cater specifically to the demands of the Internet age. Through extensive technological advancements, FydeOS has expanded its compatibility across various hardware types, presenting a comprehensive solution centered around its capabilities. This adaptability ensures that users can leverage FydeOS for diverse applications, enhancing its utility in both personal and professional environments.

Windows Server 2022 brings forth enhanced multi-layered security features, hybrid functionalities with Azure, and a versatile application platform. Begin by fortifying your organization's security framework right from the operating system. Expand your data center capabilities to Azure to achieve improved IT efficiency. Equip developers and IT professionals with a robust application platform designed for building and deploying a range of applications. Discover how using Azure can lead to significant cost reductions through programs like the Azure hybrid benefit and extended security updates. Transform your workloads using Azure, recognized as the reliable cloud solution for Windows Server. Seamlessly connect your on-premises Windows Servers to Azure via Azure Arc. Upgrade to the latest operating system to enjoy superior security, enhanced performance, and increased value. By leveraging Azure, you can now fully tap into the myriad advantages of cloud computing. Starting is free, enabling you to manage servers, clusters, hyper-converged infrastructure, and Windows 10 PCs effectively with Windows Server, making your transition to cloud services smoother and more efficient than ever before.

Experience the web with Plasma, effortlessly connect with colleagues, friends, and family; manage your files; enjoy your favorite music and videos; and enhance your creativity and productivity in a captivating environment that adjusts to your preferences. It offers the security, privacy, and tranquility that only the finest Free Open Source Software can provide. The Plasma Launcher is designed not just for quick application access, but also offers handy features like bookmarking apps, instant document searches as you type, and easy navigation to frequently visited locations, enabling you to get straight to the point efficiently. With a record of recently used programs and files, returning to your tasks is seamless, and it even retains your prior search terms for added convenience. Plasma is crafted to be unobtrusive while effectively supporting your productivity goals. Beneath its sleek and user-friendly interface lies a robust system, allowing you the freedom to utilize its features in whichever way suits your needs, whenever you need them, making it a versatile tool for both work and leisure.

Introducing the pioneering operating system designed to unify all your AI and automation tools within a single visual interface. Many automation and AI projects fail primarily due to insufficient analysis of the specific business processes that require automation; therefore, conducting a thorough process analysis is essential. This system visualizes potential candidates for automation and AI integration while facilitating process discovery and analysis. Additionally, its AI-driven engine provides tailored solution proposals. Poor planning and execution are frequent causes of failure in automation and AI initiatives, but DelphiOS is here to help you navigate these obstacles effectively. With a top-tier methodology for implementing your solutions, DelphiOS streamlines development by strategically allocating tasks and approval processes. Managing a variety of automation and AI technologies from different suppliers can pose significant challenges; thus, maintaining full visibility and control over your existing solutions is imperative. You can oversee robots, AI models, and solutions across six different technologies through the DelphiOS Control module, which provides real-time performance metrics and diagnostics for all your automation and AI applications. This comprehensive oversight ensures that your initiatives are not only effective but also continuously optimized for success.

Unraid OS provides unparalleled management of your data, media, applications, and desktops, enabling users to leverage nearly any hardware configuration. It is particularly beneficial for video producers, streamers with large video collections, media editors, photographers, musicians, and music enthusiasts who want to minimize their upfront expenses. You can begin with just two drives and expand your storage incrementally as needed. Gamers who also operate media servers and prefer customizing their systems rely on Unraid to maintain their performance without compromise. Furthermore, designers, 3D animators, developers, and photographers utilize Unraid for storing large amounts of assets locally, ensuring quick and efficient access. You can also employ services like Apple Time Machine and Windows Backup to securely archive large volumes of data that aren’t frequently used. Beyond this, software engineers, game development studios, AR/VR designers, and educational institutions take advantage of Unraid to conduct tests across various platforms, operating systems, and devices, enhancing their workflow and productivity. This versatility makes Unraid a valuable tool for anyone looking to optimize their data management solutions.

VxWorks®, a leading real-time operating platform in the industry, provides all the performance, reliability, safety and security capabilities you need for the most critical infrastructure's embedded computing systems. VxWorks is a preemptive, deterministic RTOS that prioritizes real-time embedded applications. It has low latency and minimaljitter. VxWorks has many security features that address the evolving security threats connected devices face at every stage, from boot-up to operation to data transfer to powered off. VxWorks has been certified to IEC 61508, ISO 26262, and DO-178C safety standards. VxWorks is built on an extensible, future-proof architecture that allows you to quickly respond to changing market demands, customer needs, technological advancements, and preserves your investment.

Entsecure OS is a user-friendly and secure operating system suitable for any laptop, allowing centralized management and monitoring of inventory, usage, and vulnerable systems from virtually anywhere. It includes automated security updates, patch management, and software updates to streamline operations. Designed with the end-user experience in mind, it offers self-service tools that alleviate the burden on service desks. With integrated automated tools, IT teams can significantly reduce their workload while enhancing their capabilities. The system also features insights, policy support, and reporting tools powered by a machine learning engine, making it easier to analyze usage patterns. Its design prioritizes security and ease of deployment, helping organizations meet compliance goals while lowering IT costs. Additionally, built-in features aid in achieving compliance, including policy management, automatic patch management, configuration management, central device management, and full disk encryption. Ultimately, Entsecure OS simplifies IT management and empowers end-users to take control of their technology needs more effectively. By enhancing both security and efficiency, it fosters a more productive organizational environment.

Open source software and a universal router are key to democratizing the way we access networks. VyOS' vision is to revolutionize how we access networks, so that everyone can build the solutions they have always wanted, without limitations, restrictions, or prohibitive prices. We believe that internet access is just as important to human development as food, water, air, and healthcare. VyOS was founded by engineers for engineers. It is an open-source software company that makes it possible to access networks without restrictions or prohibitive fees. Through our open-source software and virtual platforms, we do this as VyOS. Stateful firewalls, zone based firewall, all types source and destination NAT (one-to-one, one-to many, many to many). For auditing, creating customized images and contributing, everyone has access to the entire codebase and build toolchain.

NVIDIA presents pure SONiC, an open-source, community-driven, Linux-based network operating system that has been fortified in the data centers of major cloud service providers. By utilizing pure SONiC, enterprises can eliminate distribution constraints and fully leverage the advantages of open networking, complemented by NVIDIA's extensive expertise, training, documentation, professional services, and support to ensure successful implementation. Additionally, NVIDIA offers comprehensive support for Free Range Routing (FRR), SONiC, Switch Abstraction Interface (SAI), systems, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) all consolidated in one platform. Unlike traditional distributions, SONiC allows organizations to avoid dependency on a single vendor for updates, bug resolutions, or security enhancements. With SONiC, businesses can streamline management processes and utilize existing management tools throughout their data center operations, enhancing overall efficiency. This flexibility ultimately positions SONiC as a valuable solution for those seeking robust network management capabilities.

Stratodesk NoTouch, the #1 Thin Client OS and management software in the world, is available now. Stratodesk NoTouch is a combination of NoTouch OS, NoTouch Center and can transform any PC, Thin Client or Laptop into a centrally managed Thin Endpoint. NoTouch OS can be instantly deployed to thousands of devices, and managed from oStratodesk NoTouch. NoTouch OS is the best Thin Client OS and management solution. Stratodesk NoTouch is a combination of NoTouch OS, NoTouch Center and can be used to transform any PC, Thin Client or Laptop into a centrally managed Thin Endpoint. NoTouch OS can be instantly deployed to thousands of devices and managed from one browser. NoTouch OS is a minimal-sized OS that can be installed from your server onto your computer, laptop, thin client, or Raspberry Pi device. NoTouch Center is the best endpoint management software to manage your VDI endpoints.

Accelerate the deployment of your critical embedded systems with our commercial real-time operating system, development resources, and expert services. BlackBerry QNX provides a proven RTOS, hypervisor, and a suite of embedded software designed to enhance your success in various applications. Our platform is the preferred choice in industries such as medical technology, transportation, and automation, where it powers essential devices like ventilators, train control systems, and medical robotics. Regardless of whether your focus is on meeting safety standards, enhancing security, or optimizing performance, our comprehensive software solutions and tools can assist you in creating more dependable products. We are prepared to support you in enhancing security or safety measures, as well as refining your cross-platform development workflows. By utilizing our RTOS and hypervisor specifically designed for embedded systems, including variants that come pre-certified, we can help turn your innovative ideas into reality. Additionally, our modular microkernel design not only enhances reliability but also minimizes redundant OS development efforts across various products, making it a smart choice for businesses looking to streamline their processes. Ultimately, we are committed to empowering your projects with the best tools available.

Wind River Linux allows you to create and deploy secure Linux-based devices without the risks and development effort associated with in-house roll-yourself (RYO). Wind River will keep your code base current, track and fix bugs, apply security patches and customize your runtime to meet strict market specifications and certifications. This will allow you to reduce your IP and export compliance as well as your costs. You can speed up time-to-market by getting to work today and building your Linux distribution using Yocto Project source code. With the assurance that you can easily switch to one of our flexible subscriptions later, it will be easy. You can rely on fully verified, maintained, and supported code, as well as access to a team Linux experts to assist you with all aspects of your development lifecycle. Calculate your TCO. Wind River Linux lets you build your own Linux operating systems with a variety service options to assist you.

OcNOS is a powerful and flexible operating system designed for use across the complete range of Open Compute platforms offered by top network device manufacturers. This design ensures uniform operations, enhances workflow automation, and maintains high availability, all while leading to a notable decrease in operational costs. Drawing inspiration from the well-established ZebOS product line, OcNOS boasts a comprehensive feature set and durability that have been proven in countless customer networks over the years. It includes an industry-standard Command Line Interface (CLI), supports all common Management Information Bases (MIBs), and integrates with standard operational and management tools. Furthermore, the system features a centralized management and provisioning framework that supports transaction-based configurations and device feature modeling. This management layer is equipped with capabilities for Netconf and REST APIs, in addition to the ability to generate custom CLI commands. As a result, network administrators can easily configure, oversee, and manage an OcNOS system through a dedicated Network Management System, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. In essence, OcNOS represents a significant advancement in network operating systems, combining innovation with reliability.

Simplify complexities and achieve seamless interoperability throughout your data center by utilizing Linux. In addition to standard industry security features, Cumulus Linux provides enhanced security levels unique to its platform. You can leverage existing Linux-based management tools and expertise, allowing for a greater number of switches to be managed by each engineer. Benefit from seamless integration and premier tools designed for automation, monitoring, and analytics, among other functionalities. By running multiple network paths without requiring additional switches, you can ensure traffic isolation and network segmentation for various devices. Transitioning from design to physical connections becomes straightforward and efficient. With PTM, your data center can be programmed to quickly verify connections and troubleshoot issues. Experience ultra-fast speeds and minimal latencies through RoCE implementation that requires just a single line of code. This approach not only enhances performance but also streamlines operations across your entire network infrastructure.