Linux VS FreeBSD

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Last Updated : 14/09/2022

Posted By :- Stevec

In one of the previous article, I mentioned eMMC vs SSD Storage (Difference) but in this article, I have compared 2 free operating systems, i.e, Linux vs FreeBSD, which you can use.

Linux and FreeBSD are two operating systems with similar features, and they are both Unix-like operating systems, but while these similarities exist, there are also differences.

If you need to choose an operating system between these two, this article will help your decision-making. Read on to know more about Linux and FreeBSD.

What Is Linux?

Linux VS FreeBSD

Linux is a family of free, open-source Unix-like operating systems, and it is popular in the market and used by many computers. Some of Linux's most used distributions are Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and Mageia.

Linux is written in C language and Assembly language; the Kernel used is a Monolithic kernel. Linux distributions' target systems are cloud computing, personal computers, mobile devices, embedded systems, servers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers.

Pros Of Linux

Linux is top-rated. You may not have heard about FreeBSD before now, but you should know a few things about Linux. Most people prefer operating systems that are more known.
You can't always like the way your operating system is. Sometimes, you need variety, which is one of the pros of Linux. With Linux, you can choose which distribution is perfect for you.
Linux has good community support. If you have any issues, you can contact Linux customer support to fix them.

Cons Of Linux

Unlike other popular operating systems like Windows and macOS, Linux is hard to learn for beginners. However, its learning process is reasonably easier than FreeBSD.
Most people prefer to have just one version of their operating system. It is not the case with Linux, as it has different distributions. There is no single and official version of Linux.
Some distributions of Linux are not as stable as you would want.
For an operating system to be complete, it must have a kernel, drivers, documentation, and utilities. Linux has only a kernel and drivers and relies on third-party software.

What Is FreeBSD?

Linux VS FreeBSD

FreeBSD is a free, open-source Unix-like operating system provided by The FreeBSD Project. It is a descendant of the AT&T UNIX PCs and was designed based on Unix-like Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) and Research Unix.

FreeBSD is similar to Linux, but there are differences between them in some aspects. FreeBSD is also not as popular as Linux, as only about 1% of the market uses it. The distributors of FreeBSD target servers, workstations, embedded systems, and network firewalls.

Pros Of FreeBSD

FreeBSD is known for being stable. Unlike Linux, it is one whole operating system and does not have different distributions.
Generally, FreeBSD is faster than Linux because it is a complete system with lower latency than Linux, which means it processes inputs faster. Its speed is why large organizations like Netflix, Yahoo, Pfizer, and Goldman Sachs prefer FreeBSD over other operating systems.
FreeBSD is perfect for servers. This operating system is more stable, secure, and scalable and is the kind of operating system servers need to reduce downtime.

Cons Of FreeBSD

FreeBSD is hard for beginners to learn, and it is for servers, and such an operating system is complicated.
It is good to use an operating system that many people use. Since FreeBSD is not as popular as Linux and other operating systems, you may not have access to many software utilities and help. You will have to forgive people if you are underrated for being proficient in FreeBSD instead of Linux.
If you use FreeBSD, you get lesser community support. Because of its less popularity, its community is not as active as Linux, and free users have to pay for dedicated support.
FreeBSD is not as easy to get as Linux. You can't just download and install it; you either build it from the source or use a pre-built image.

Differences Between Linux And FreeBSD

The table below highlights some of the differences between Linux and FreeBSD.

Features	Linux	FreeBSD
Launch year	Linux was launched in 1991.	FreeBSD was launched in 1993.
Target computers	Linux is built for personal computers.	FreeBSD is built for servers, workstations, and embedded systems.
Operating system	Linux is a kernel.	FreeBSD is a complete operating system.
Licensing	Licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL).	Licensed under the BSD license, which it owns.
Community support	Linux has good community support.	FreeBSD has good community support but is not as active as Linux community support.
Security	Linux has good security.	FreeBSD has better security.
Package management	Linux package management depends on distribution.	FreeBSD package management is Port collections/packages.
Performance	Linux has an excellent overall performance.	FreeBSD has a better overall performance than Linux.

Conclusion: Linux Or FreeBSD?

If you must choose between Linux and FreeBSD, your choice should depend on what you need an operating system to do. If you need an operating system for personal use, you should go for Linux. However, if you need an operating system for a large organization, FreeBSD is recommended.