Windows
Privacy passport
- No tracking
- Yes
- Open source
- Yes
- Only you can read it
- On device
- No account
- Yes
- Free
- Yes
5 of 5 checks
- Linux
Private computer operating systems
11 apps, each with a privacy passport
A desktop operating system sees everything you do, so it should not need an online account, show ads or send usage data by default. Mainstream Linux distributions cover everyday work and gaming on most hardware, while Tails, Qubes and Whonix are built for people who need stronger isolation or anonymity.
Leaving one of these?
If you only try three
Feels familiar after Windows, runs on older PCs
Privacy passport
- No tracking
- Minimal
- Open source
- Yes
- Only you can read it
- On device
- No account
- Yes
- Free
- Yes
4 of 5 checks- Linux
Current software with solid security defaults
Privacy passport
- No tracking
- Minimal
- Open source
- Yes
- Only you can read it
- On device
- No account
- Yes
- Free
- Free plan
4 of 5 checks- Linux
Easiest switch from Windows for most people
All 11 computer operating systems
Passes
Works on
11 of 11 apps
Linux MintPick
Operating system
Friendly Linux desktop with a layout familiar to Windows users, no account and no telemetry.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
FedoraPick
Operating system
Up-to-date Linux desktop backed by Red Hat and a large community, with strong defaults like SELinux.
- Minimal tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Zorin OSPick
Operating system
Polished Linux desktop designed for people coming from Windows or macOS, with Windows-like layouts.
- Minimal tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free plan
- Linux
Ubuntu
Operating system
The most widely used Linux desktop, with long-term support releases and broad hardware support.
- Minimal tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Debian
Operating system
Community-run Linux known for stability and a strict free-software policy, the base of many other systems.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Pop!_OS
Operating system7k
Linux desktop from System76 with its own COSMIC desktop, tiling windows and easy setup for gaming hardware.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
elementary OS
Operating system
Calm, Mac-like Linux desktop with a curated pay-what-you-want app store and no data collection.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Tails
Operating system
Live system you boot from a USB stick that sends all traffic through Tor and forgets everything when shut down.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Qubes OS
Operating system
Desktop system that runs each task in its own isolated virtual machine, so one compromised app can't reach the rest.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
Whonix
Operating system
Pair of virtual machines that routes everything through Tor, so apps can't leak your real IP address.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Kicksecure
Operating system
Security-hardened Debian from the Whonix developers, with stricter defaults for everyday use.
- No tracking
- Open source
- Stays on device
- No account
- Free
- Linux
What to check in computer operating systems
- 1 No online account required to set up or use it
- 2 Telemetry is off by default or doesn't exist
- 3 Regular security updates and a clear support period
