Alternatives to NetBSD

A free, highly portable Unix-like operating system that runs on dozens of hardware platforms. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as NetBSD.

  • OpenBSD

    A free, security-focused BSD Unix operating system that runs on many hardware platforms.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    OpenBSD focuses on security in the default install and integrated cryptography, runs on many platforms, but supports fewer architectures than NetBSD's wide hardware range.

  • FreeBSD

    An open source Unix-like operating system with native ZFS, jails and the bhyve hypervisor.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostedCommand line

    FreeBSD adds integrated OpenZFS, jails and the bhyve hypervisor for servers and storage, with a thorough Handbook but narrower hardware coverage than NetBSD.

  • DragonFly BSD

    A free BSD operating system with the HAMMER2 filesystem, derived from FreeBSD.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    DragonFly BSD offers the HAMMER2 filesystem and a different kernel design with DPorts packages, but has a smaller user base and hardware support.

  • MidnightBSD

    A BSD-derived desktop operating system for x86 and AMD64 PCs and virtual machines.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    MidnightBSD targets desktop use with mports and an app store, but runs only on x86 and AMD64 hardware rather than dozens of platforms.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.