Alternatives to Ubuntu Touch

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

  • postmarketOS

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxAndroid

    postmarketOS is a Linux distribution aiming to keep phones useful for about ten years with a choice of user interfaces, though hardware features vary due to reverse-engineered drivers.

  • Sailfish OS

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

    PaidProprietaryLinux

    Sailfish OS is paid and closed source from Jolla, but can run Android apps through AppSupport and includes Firejail sandboxing and full data encryption.

  • Mobian

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Mobian is Debian-based with familiar packages and tools, runs on phones like the PinePhone, and supports a more limited range of devices.

  • Droidian

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Droidian runs Debian on supported Android phones through Halium and libhybris, with images published continuously from CI and a porting guide for new devices.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Ubuntu Touch 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

    Ubuntu Touch is a community Linux phone OS with its own app catalog, a graphical installer and a convergence mode that turns the phone into a windowed desktop on an external screen.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.