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This means they will include, and propose, exclusively free software. They will reject nonfree applications, nonfree programming platforms, nonfree drivers, nonfree firmware “blobs,” nonfree games, and any other nonfree software, as well as nonfree manuals or documentation.</p> <p>If one of these distros ever does include or propose anything nonfree, that must have happened by mistake, and the developers are committed to removing it. If you find nonfree software or documentation in one of these distributions, you can <a href="/help/gnu-bucks.html">report the problem, and earn GNU Bucks</a>, while we inform the developers so they can fix the problem.</p> <p>Fixing freedom bugs is an ethical requirement for listing a distro here; therefore, we list only distros with a development team that has told us it will remove any nonfree software that might be found in them. Usually the team consists of volunteers, and they don't make legally binding commitments to users; but if we find out a distro is not properly maintained, we will de-list it.</p> <p>We hope the other existing GNU/Linux distributions will become entirely free software so that we can list them here. If you wish to improve the state of free distros, helping to develop an existing free distro contributes more than starting a new one.</p> <p>Please note that not all hardware works in the free world; each distro's site should say which hardware it supports. We suggest that, after reading the short descriptions below, you consult these sites as well as other available information, to judge which distro is most convenient for you.</p> <div id="fsf-notes"> <hr class="no-display" /> <div id="fsf-licensing" class="note" role="complementary"> <p style="font-size: 80%">This page is maintained by the Free Software Foundation's Licensing and Compliance Lab. You can support our efforts by <a href="http://donate.fsf.org">making a donation</a> to the FSF. </p> <p style="font-size: 80%">You can use our publications to understand how GNU licenses work or help you advocate for free software, but they are not legal advice. The FSF cannot give legal advice. Legal advice is personalized advice from a lawyer who has agreed to work for you. Our answers address general questions and may not apply in your specific legal situation.</p> <p style="font-size: 80%"> Have a question not answered here? Check out some of our other <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing">licensing resources</a> or contact the Compliance Lab at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">licensing@fsf.org</a>.</p> </div> <div id="fsf-disclaimer" class="note"> <p><em>The <a href="http://www.fsf.org/">Free Software Foundation</a> is not responsible for other websites, or how up-to-date their information is.</em></p> </div> <hr class="no-display" /> </div> <h3 id="for-pc" style="clear: both">GNU/Linux distros for PCs and workstations</h3> <p>The distributions that follow are installable to a computer's hard drive and/or can be run live.</p>  <table class="listing"> <thead><tr> <th>Distribution</th> <th>Brief Description</th> </tr></thead> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://dragora.org/index.html"> <img src="/graphics/distros-dragora-modern.svg" alt="Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre" /></a></td> <td><em>Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre</em>, an independent GNU/Linux distribution based on concepts of simplicity.</td></tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://www.dyne.org/software/dynebolic/"> <img src="/graphics/distros-dyne-transp.png" alt="Dyne:bolic" /></a></td> <td><em>Dyne:bolic</em>, a GNU/Linux distribution with special emphasis on audio and video editing. This is a “static” distro, normally run from a live CD. Since it will not receive security updates, it should be used offline.</td></tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="/software/guix/"> <img src="/software/guix/themes/initial/img/Guix.png" alt="Guix" /></a></td> <td><em>Guix System</em>, an advanced GNU/Linux distro built on top of GNU Guix (pronounced “geeks”), a purely functional package manager for the GNU system. </td></tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://www.hyperbola.info/"> <img src="/graphics/distro-hyperbola.png" alt="Hyperbola" /></a></td> <td> <em>Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre</em>, an independent long-term support simplicity-focused system-distribution. </td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://www.parabola.nu"> <img src="/graphics/distros-parabola.png" alt="Parabola GNU/Linux-libre" /></a></td> <td><em>Parabola GNU/Linux-libre</em>, a distribution based on Arch that prioritizes simple package and system management.</td></tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://pureos.net/"> <img src="/graphics/pureos-logo-small.png" style="max-height: 1.8em;" alt="PureOS" /></a></td> <td><em>PureOS</em>, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian with a focus on privacy, security, and convenience.</td></tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://trisquel.info/"> <img src="/graphics/distros-trisquel.png" alt="Trisquel" /></a></td> <td><em>Trisquel</em>, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that's oriented toward small enterprises, domestic users and educational centers.</td></tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"><a href="http://www.ututo.org/"> <img src="/graphics/distros-ututo.png" alt="Ututo" /></a></td> <td><em>Ututo S</em>, a GNU/Linux 100% free distribution. It was the first fully free GNU/Linux system recognized by the GNU Project.</td></tr> </table> <h3 id="small-distros">Small GNU/Linux distros</h3> <p>Below is a list of small system distributions. These distributions are meant for devices with limited resources, like a wireless router for example. A free small system distribution is not self-hosting, but it must be developable and buildable on top of one of the free complete systems listed above, perhaps with the aid of free tools distributed alongside the small system distribution itself.</p> <table class="listing"> <thead><tr> <th>Distribution</th> <th>Brief Description</th> </tr></thead> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="http://librecmc.org/"> <img src="/graphics/librecmc.png" alt="libreCMC" /></a></td> <td><em>libreCMC</em> is an embedded GNU/Linux distro for devices with very limited resources. While primarily targeting routers, it offers support for a wide range of devices and use cases. In 2015, LibreWRT merged with libreCMC.</td></tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"><a href="http://proteanos.com/"> <img src="/graphics/proteanos.png" alt="ProteanOS" /></a></td> <td><em>ProteanOS</em> is a new, small, and fast distribution for embedded devices. Its platform configuration feature allows binary packages to be configured at build-time and run-time for different hardware and use cases.</td></tr> </table> <h3 id="howto-get">How to get free GNU/Linux distros</h3> <p>In addition to their own sites, many of these distributions are available from <a href="http://mirror.fsf.org/">mirror.fsf.org</a>. Feel free to download or mirror the distributions from there, preferably using rsync. Free distribution maintainers can request a mirror for their project by mailing the <a href="mailto:sysadmin@fsf.org">FSF sysadmins</a>.</p> <p><a href="/software/software.html">Individual GNU packages</a> (most of which are included in the free distributions here) are described separately.</p> <p>We list <a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom"> companies that sell hardware preinstalled with a free GNU/Linux distribution</a> separately.</p> <h3 id="NewDistro">See something we missed?</h3> <p>Do you know about a distribution that you expected to find on our list, but didn't? First, check our page about <a href="/distros/common-distros.html">why we don't endorse some common distributions</a>. That page explains the reasons why several well-known distributions don't meet <a href="/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html">our guidelines</a>. If the distribution isn't listed there either, and you think it qualifies for a listing under our guidelines, then please let the distribution's maintainers know about this page and encourage them to get in touch—we'd like to hear from them.</p> <p>If you maintain a distribution that follows the <a href="/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html">Free System Distribution Guidelines</a> and would like to be listed here, please write to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a> with an introduction and a link to the project Web site. When you do, we'll explain more about our evaluation process to you, and get started on it quickly. We look forward to hearing from you!</p> <h3 id="Historical">Historical</h3> <p>The distributions that follow were previously listed above, but are no longer recommended.</p> <table class="listing"> <thead><tr> <th>Distribution</th> <th>Brief Description</th> <th>Retirement Info</th> </tr></thead> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200620205430/http://www.blagblagblag.org/"> <img src="/graphics/distros-blag.jpg" alt="BLAG Linux and GNU" /></a></td> <td><em>BLAG Linux and GNU</em>, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Fedora.</td> <td><em>Removed June 2018</em> at the request of the maintainers, as they had stopped maintaining it.</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="icon"> <img src="/graphics/distros-gnewsense.png" alt="gNewSense" /></td> <td><em>gNewSense</em>, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian, with sponsorship from the FSF.</td> <td><em>Removed April 2021</em>.</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="icon"><a href="https://musixdistro.wordpress.com/"> <img src="/graphics/distros-musix.png" alt="Musix GNU+Linux" /></a></td> <td><em>Musix</em>, a GNU+Linux distribution based on Knoppix, with special emphasis on audio production. This is a “static” distro, normally run from a live CD. Since it will not receive security updates, it should be used offline.</td> <td><em>Removed March 2019</em> at the request of the maintainer, as they had stopped maintaining it.</td> </tr> </table> </div>  <div style="clear:both"></div> <div id="language-container"> <div class="backtotop"> <hr class="no-display" /> <a href="#top"><b>▲</b></a> </div> <div id="languages" class="rounded-corners"> <div class="button"> <a href="#top" class="close"><span>BACK TO TOP</span></a> </div> <div id="set-language" class="button"> <span class="gnun-split"></span> <a href="/server/select-language.html?callback=/distros/free-distros.html" rel="nofollow"> Set language <span class="gnun-split"></span> </a> </div> <p>Available for this page:</p> <div id="translations"> <p> <span dir="ltr" class="original">[en] <a lang="en" hreflang="en" href="/distros/free-distros.en.html">English</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[ar] <a lang="ar" hreflang="ar" href="/distros/free-distros.ar.html">العربية</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[ca] <a lang="ca" hreflang="ca" href="/distros/free-distros.ca.html">català</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[es] <a lang="es" hreflang="es" href="/distros/free-distros.es.html">español</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[fr] <a lang="fr" hreflang="fr" href="/distros/free-distros.fr.html">français</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[hr] <a lang="hr" hreflang="hr" href="/distros/free-distros.hr.html">hrvatski</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[it] <a lang="it" hreflang="it" href="/distros/free-distros.it.html">italiano</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[ja] <a lang="ja" hreflang="ja" href="/distros/free-distros.ja.html">日本語</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[nl] <a lang="nl" hreflang="nl" href="/distros/free-distros.nl.html">Nederlands</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[pl] <a lang="pl" hreflang="pl" href="/distros/free-distros.pl.html">polski</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[pt-br] <a lang="pt-br" hreflang="pt-br" href="/distros/free-distros.pt-br.html">português</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[ro] <a lang="ro" hreflang="ro" href="/distros/free-distros.ro.html">română</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[ru] <a lang="ru" hreflang="ru" href="/distros/free-distros.ru.html">русский</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[sk] <a lang="sk" hreflang="sk" href="/distros/free-distros.sk.html">slovenčina</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[sq] <a lang="sq" hreflang="sq" href="/distros/free-distros.sq.html">Shqip</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[tr] <a lang="tr" hreflang="tr" href="/distros/free-distros.tr.html">Türkçe</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[uk] <a lang="uk" hreflang="uk" href="/distros/free-distros.uk.html">українська</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[zh-cn] <a lang="zh-cn" hreflang="zh-cn" href="/distros/free-distros.zh-cn.html">简体中文</a>  </span> <span dir="ltr">[zh-tw] <a lang="zh-tw" hreflang="zh-tw" href="/distros/free-distros.zh-tw.html">繁體中文</a>  </span> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="mission-statement" role="complementary"> <div class="backtotop"> <hr class="no-display" /> <a href="#header"><span>BACK TO TOP </span>▲</a> </div> <div style="clear: both"></div> <blockquote> <p style="direction:ltr; text-align:left"><a href="//www.fsf.org"><img id="fsfbanner" src="/graphics/fsf-logo-notext-small.png" alt=" [FSF logo] " width="75" height="25" /></a><strong> “The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a nonprofit with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom. 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