Windows XP AlternativesTop Operating Systems and other similar apps like Windows XP

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Linux Mint

    1222 likes

   Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.

   197 Linux Mint alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • Ireland
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux

   • Ireland
   • EU

   

   

   

   +4

   

   More about Linux Mint  

   

   Good alternative?Is Linux Mint a good alternative to Windows XP?

    

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   2comments

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   Linux Mint vs Windows XP Comments

   Positive comment by Guest · Aug 24, 2024

   Wasn't on the list of alternatives for windows 7, despite it being the best windows alternative for all versions, and couldn't suggest it as a guest, so found it here in XP. Best Windows alternative, 95 to 11.

   Positive comment by Guest · Jan 15, 2018

   it s all in + User frendly (you dont need to know what an Admin is,if U r root = it s 4 Relatives = They need no (less) support = YOUR Live become easy ;-)))

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
   • Linux Mint is a Linux Distro Windows XP is an Operating System
   • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
2. 

   

   Ubuntu

    2406 likes

   Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

   180 Ubuntu alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • United Kingdom

   Platforms

   • Linux
   • Ubuntu

   • United Kingdom

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about Ubuntu  

   

   Good alternative?Is Ubuntu a good alternative to Windows XP?

    

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   2comments

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   Ubuntu vs Windows XP Comments

   Positive comment by Guest · Jun 14, 2017

   Stable, familiar user interface, safer than Windows from malware, lots of software available. And especially the Lubuntu version, runs VERY well on older computers with less power and memory.

   Negative comment by gdmanjaro0 · Jul 1, 2022

   Doesn't have a 32-bits CPU support. Requires more RAM, than windows xp.

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
   • Ubuntu is a Linux Distro Windows XP is an Operating System
   • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightWindows XP is not according to our users
4. 

   

   Debian

    1199 likes

   The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.

   214 Debian alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • International

   Platforms

   • Windows
   • Linux
   • BSD
   • Self-Hosted

   • Global

   

   

   

   +2

   

   More about Debian  

   

   Good alternative?Is Debian a good alternative to Windows XP?

    
5. Ad

   

   

   Zorin OS

   Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and p...

   https://zorin.com

   Learn More
6. 

   

   Fedora

    638 likes

   Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

   195 Fedora alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Linux

   • United States

   

   

   

   +9

   

   More about Fedora  

   

   Good alternative?Is Fedora a good alternative to Windows XP?

    
7. 

   

   Arch Linux

    812 likes

   Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.

   211 Arch Linux alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • Canada

   Platforms

   • Linux

   • Canada

   

   

   

   +1

   

   More about Arch Linux  

   

   Good alternative?Is Arch Linux a good alternative to Windows XP?

    
9. 

   

   Zorin OS

    163 likes

   Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and privacy-focused updates.

   196 Zorin OS alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Linux Distro
   • Operating System

   Origin

   • Ireland
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Linux

   • Ireland
   • EU

   

   

   

   +2

   

   More about Zorin OS  

   

   Good alternative?Is Zorin OS a good alternative to Windows XP?

    

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   2comments

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   Zorin OS vs Windows XP Comments

   Positive comment by ThomasStevenson · Apr 14, 2017

   Really fast and responsive system. After moving to Zorin OS, my computer ran faster than it ever did with Windows XP, and it doesn't get viruses as it's based on Linux. I could even edit my MS Office documents with Zorin OS out of the box without paying for MS Office.

   Positive comment by Guest · Feb 22, 2018

   Due to the UI customisability of Zorin OS, I have completely switched to exclusively Linux (Zorin & Lubuntu) on my daily driver and so far there haven't been any adverse effects for me personally. Eventually I will have my main and secondary home system running Zorin also!

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • Zorin OS is Freemium and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
   • Zorin OS is a Linux Distro Windows XP is an Operating System
   • Zorin OS is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows XP is not according to our users
10. 

    

    Manjaro Linux

     339 likes

    Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    190 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application typeApplication types

    • Linux Distro
    • Operating System

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    

    +5

    

    More about Manjaro Linux  

    

    Good alternative?Is Manjaro Linux a good alternative to Windows XP?

     
11. 

    

    openSUSE

     352 likes

    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    207 openSUSE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application typeApplication types

    • Linux Distro
    • Operating System

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Linux

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    

    More about openSUSE  

    

    Good alternative?Is openSUSE a good alternative to Windows XP?

     
12. 

    

    Kubuntu

     298 likes

    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application typeApplication types

    • Linux Distro
    • Operating System

    Origin

    • United Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux

    • United Kingdom

    

    

    More about Kubuntu  

    

    Good alternative?Is Kubuntu a good alternative to Windows XP?

     
13. 

    

    Windows 10

     418 likes

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    186 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    • Operating System

    Origin

    • United States

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows

    • United States

    

    

    

    +1

    

    More about Windows 10  

    

    Good alternative?Is Windows 10 a good alternative to Windows XP?

     

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    1comment

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    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 vs Windows XP Comments

    Positive comment by John Fastman · Jan 4, 2017

    If you must use Windows then Windows 10 is the best Windows XP alternative, primarily because XP is no longer supported, no longer receives security updates and should be considered a security liability.

    1 of 1 comments

    

    

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryWindows XP is also Paid and Proprietary
14. 

    

    ReactOS

     301 likes

    ReactOS™ is a FOSS effort to develop a quality operating system based on the architecture of Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems, that is compatible with applications and drivers written for it (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7).

    206 ReactOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

    Application type

    • Operating System

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • ReactOS

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    

    +9

    

    More about ReactOS  

    

    Good alternative?Is ReactOS a good alternative to Windows XP?

     

    |

    2comments

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    ReactOS vs Windows XP Comments

    Positive comment by Guest · Jan 2, 2018

    It runs Windows software on a free OS, but it's not finished.

    Positive comment by Guest · Sep 8, 2018

    Its a great looking operating system for Windows users but its still in alpha and not finished i love the look and feel of react os but its too unstable

    2 of 2 comments

    

    

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceWindows XP is Paid and Proprietary
    • ReactOS is LightweightWindows XP is not according to our users
15. 

    

    elementary OS

     357 likes

    elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .

    212 elementary OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • Linux Distro
    • Operating System

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Linux

    • United States

    

    

    

    +9

    

    More about elementary OS  

    

    Good alternative?Is elementary OS a good alternative to Windows XP?