Operating Systems

Even your own computer could be compromising your privacy. Discover our recommended OS choices for all the devices you use.

Introductory Operating Systems

Pop!_OS Linux

Pop!_OS logo Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu based Linux distribution developed by System76. Pop!_OS is an easy to use & beginner friendly distro with many built in features. Pop! comes with the Gnome desktop enviroment installed by default.


Linux Mint Linux

Linux Mint logo Linux Mint is an easy to use Linux distro which focuses on stability and ease of use. Linux Mint can be installed with either the Cinnamon, Mate, or Xfce desktop environments which all have a resemblance to the Windows desktop environment making Linux Mint feel familiar and easy to use for people switching over.


Fedora Workstation Linux

Fedora Workstation logo Fedora is a Linux distribution developed by the Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora Workstation is a secure, reliable, and user-friendly edition developed for desktops and laptops. Fedora by default comes with the GNOME desktop environment, other desktop environments are also available.


Advanced Operating Systems

Alpine Linux Linux

Alpine Linux logo Alpine Linux is a very minimal distribution designed to be secure and very resource efficient. Alpine Linux can run from RAM, and merge configuration files into the system on boot using Alpine local backup. Alpine Linux is often used on servers and in Linux containers.


Arch Linux Linux

Arch Linux logo A simple, lightweight Linux distribution. It is composed predominantly of free and open-source software, and supports community involvement. Reproducible builds


Debian Linux

Debian logo Debian is a Unix-like computer operating system and a Linux distribution that is composed entirely of free and open-source software, most of which is under the GNU General Public License, and packaged by a group of individuals known as the Debian project. Reproducible builds


NixOS Linux

NixOS logo NixOS is a Linux distribution with a unique approach to package and configuration management. Built on top of the Nix package manager, it is completely declarative, makes upgrading systems reliable, and has many other advantages. Reproducible builds


Qubes OS Xen

Qubes OS logo Qubes is an open-source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing. Qubes is based on Xen, the X Window System, and Linux, and can run most Linux applications and utilize most of the Linux drivers.


Warning

Tor-Focused Distributions

Tails Linux

Tails logo Tails is a live operating system that can boot on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card you control. It aims at preserving privacy and anonymity, and circumventing censorship by forcing Internet connections through the Tor network; leaving no trace on the computer; and using state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt files, emails, and instant messages.


Whonix Linux

Whonix logo A Debian-based security-focused Linux distribution. It aims to provide privacy, security and anonymity on the internet. The operating system consists of two virtual machines, a "Workstation" and a Tor "Gateway". All communication are forced through the Tor network to accomplish this. Whonix is best used in conjunction with Qubes.


Mobile Operating Systems

Android-based Operating Systems

CalyxOS AOSP

CalyxOS logo CalyxOS is a custom ROM based on the Android Open Source Project with Pixel phones. It aims to be secure and private by default including a number of good choices for default applications. It also supports verified boot.


GrapheneOS AOSP

GrapheneOS logo GrapheneOS (formerly known as CopperheadOS) is a free and open-source security- and privacy-focused mobile operating system built on top of the Android Open Source Project. It currently specifically targets devices offering strong hardware security.


LineageOS (Official Builds) AOSP

LineageOS (Official Builds) logo LineageOS is a custom ROM based on the Android Open Source Project with official support for a wide variety of devices. The project is the successor to the popular CyanogenMod project, focusing on system control and customization, device longevity, and privacy. For security reasons, we do not recommend third-party builds of LineageOS for unsupported devices.


Worth Mentioning

Android Privacy Add-ons

NetGuard

Control your traffic with NetGuard

NetGuard provides simple and advanced methods to block certain apps from accessing the internet, without requiring root privileges. Applications and addresses can be individually allowed or denied access to your Wi-Fi and/or mobile connections, allowing you to control exactly which apps are able to phone home or not.

Orbot

Tor for Android with Orbot

Orbot is a free proxy app that empowers other apps to use the internet more securely. Orbot uses Tor to encrypt your Internet traffic and then hides it by bouncing through a series of computers around the world.

See also

iOS Privacy Add-ons

Passepartout

Use a VPN with Passepartout

Passepartout is a free, open-source, and user friendly OpenVPN app with presets for multiple providers (including Mullvad and ProtonVPN, two PrivacyTools recommended providers) and easy configurability.

AdGuard

Block content in Safari with AdGuard for iOS

AdGuard for iOS is a free (and open-source) content-blocking app that allows you to set filters within Safari. As required by iOS, it uses the native Content Blocker API for even greater privacy.

See also

Other Mobile Operating Systems

Ubuntu Touch Linux

Ubuntu Touch logo Ubuntu Touch is a free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablets. It's an alternative to the current popular mobile operating systems on the market. Only a few devices are supported.


Open Source Router Firmware

OpenWrt Linux

OpenWrt logo OpenWrt is an operating system (in particular, an embedded operating system) based on the Linux kernel, primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic. The main components are the Linux kernel, util-linux, uClibc and BusyBox. All components have been optimized for size, to be small enough for fitting into the limited storage and memory available in home routers.


pfSense BSD

pfSense logo pfSense is an open source firewall/router computer software distribution based on FreeBSD. It is installed on a computer to make a dedicated firewall/router for a network and is noted for its reliability and offering features often only found in expensive commercial firewalls. pfSense is commonly deployed as a perimeter firewall, router, wireless access point, DHCP server, DNS server, and as a VPN endpoint.


LibreCMC GNU/Linux

LibreCMC logo LibreCMC is a GNU/Linux-libre distribution for computers with minimal resources, such as the Ben Nanonote, ath9k-based Wi-Fi routers, and other hardware with emphasis on free software. The project's current goal is to aim for compliance with the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines (GNU FSDG) and ensure that the project continues to meet these requirements set forth by the Free Software Foundation (FSF).


Don't use Windows 10 - It's a privacy nightmare

Windows 10 Privacy
  1. Data syncing is by default enabled.
    • Browsing history and open websites.
    • Apps settings.
    • WiFi hotspot names and passwords.
  2. Your device is by default tagged with a unique advertising ID.
    • Used to serve you with personalized advertisements by third-party advertisers and ad networks.
  3. Cortana can collect any of your data.
    • Your keystrokes, searches and mic input.
    • Calendar data.
    • Music you listen to.
    • Credit Card information.
    • Purchases.
  4. Microsoft can collect any personal data.
    • Your identity.
    • Passwords.
    • Demographics.
    • Interests and habits.
    • Usage data.
    • Contacts and relationships.
    • Location data.
    • Content like emails, instant messages, caller list, audio and video recordings.
  5. Your data can be shared.
    • When downloading Windows 10, you are authorizing Microsoft to share any of above-mentioned data with any third-party, with or without your consent.

Download: W10Privacy

This tool uses some known methods that attempt to disable major tracking features in Windows 10.

Related Information

  • Microsoft Privacy Statement - Microsoft collects, uses and discloses personal information as described here. This allows OneDrive data, Cortana searches, and MS browser history to be sold to third parties.
  • Cortana and privacy - To personalize your experience and provide the best possible suggestions, Cortana accesses your email and other communications and collects data about your contacts (People), like their title, suffix, first name, last name, middle name, nicknames, and company name. If you call, email, or text someone or they call, email, or text you, Cortana collects that person’s email address or phone number.