Alternative Operating Systems

Windows and macOS on the desktop, Android and iOS on mobile. Four operating systems that control practically every device we use. Windows sends telemetry to Microsoft, macOS locks you into the Apple ecosystem, stock Android is deeply integrated with Google services, and iOS dictates what you can and cannot install. Alternatives exist — and some are more accessible than you might think.

On the desktop, Linux has come an enormous way in terms of ease of use. Distributions like Linux Mint or Fedora install in half an hour and offer an experience that's perfectly adequate for most users: web browsing, email, documents, multimedia. You don't need to be a programmer to use Linux in 2025, and the benefits in terms of privacy, security, and hardware longevity are tangible. An old computer that struggles with Windows 11 can come back to life with a lightweight Linux distribution.

On mobile, the situation is more complex. Alternative smartphone operating systems are Android-based but stripped of Google services. GrapheneOS is the most robust from a security standpoint, though it only runs on Pixel phones. LineageOS and /e/OS support more devices and offer a good balance between freedom and compatibility. The transition requires more effort than on the desktop, but the community is active and guides are plentiful.