Alternatives to Sailfish OS

A Linux-based mobile operating system from Jolla that can run Android apps through AppSupport. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

  • Sailfish OS

    A Linux-based mobile operating system from Jolla that can run Android apps through AppSupport.

    PaidProprietaryLinux

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Sailfish OS.

  • Ubuntu Touch

    A community-maintained Linux mobile operating system for phones and tablets that can act as a desktop.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxAndroid

    Ubuntu Touch is free, open source and community-maintained with a convergence desktop mode, but uses its own app catalog rather than running Android apps.

  • postmarketOS

    A Linux distribution for phones and other devices, built to keep hardware useful for years.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxAndroid

    postmarketOS is free and open source with several user interfaces and no app store lock-in, though hardware features vary with reverse-engineered drivers.

  • Droidian

    A Debian-based GNU/Linux distribution that runs on phones originally shipped with Android.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Droidian is a free, open source Debian distribution for Android phones via Halium and libhybris, working only on supported or user-ported devices.

  • Mobian

    A Debian derivative for mobile devices such as the PinePhone and supported Android phones.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Mobian is a free, open source Debian derivative for phones like the PinePhone, with a smaller mobile Linux app selection and no Android app layer.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Sailfish OS as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Plasma Mobile

    KDE's open-source mobile shell and app ecosystem for Linux phones, built on KDE Plasma.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Sailfish OS is a paid, closed-source Linux system from Jolla that can run Android apps through its AppSupport layer, with Firejail sandboxing and full data encryption.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.