Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Debian VS NomadBSD

Compare Debian VS NomadBSD and see what are their differences

Debian logo Debian

Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

NomadBSD logo NomadBSD

NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD.
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12
  • NomadBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-03

Debian features and specs

  • Stability
    Debian is known for its rock-solid stability, making it a preferred choice for servers and critical systems that require long-term reliability.
  • Package Availability
    Debian offers a vast repository of packages, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of software and tools without needing third-party sources.
  • Security
    Debian has a strong focus on security with timely updates and a dedicated security team, providing a secure environment for users.
  • Community Support
    Debian has a large and active community, providing extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Flexibility
    Debian is highly configurable and supports multiple architectures, allowing it to be used on various hardware platforms and for diverse use cases.
  • Free and Open Source
    Debian adheres strictly to the principles of free software, ensuring that users have freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS)
    Debian provides long-term support for its stable releases, making it a suitable option for systems that require extended maintenance.

Possible disadvantages of Debian

  • Older Software Versions
    Due to its focus on stability, Debian tends to use older, well-tested versions of software, which may lack some of the latest features and updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation process for Debian can be complex and intimidating for new users compared to more user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Debian has a slower release cycle which may result in longer wait times for new features, updates, and support for newer hardware.
  • Resource-Intensive Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Debian can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly for users who are not familiar with its system.
  • Less Focus on Desktop Experience
    Debian's strong focus on stability and server use means that desktop users might find it less polished and user-friendly compared to distributions specifically tailored for desktop environments.

NomadBSD features and specs

  • Portability
    NomadBSD is designed as a live system for USB flash drives, making it highly portable and easy to carry around. You can boot it on different machines without installation.
  • Ease of Use
    NomadBSD offers a user-friendly experience out of the box with pre-installed software, making it suitable even for users who are new to the BSD system.
  • Persistence
    Unlike many live systems, NomadBSD allows you to save your data and changes directly to the USB drive, providing a persistent working environment.
  • Customizability
    Being based on FreeBSD, NomadBSD inherits a highly customizable system with access to a wide range of software packages through its package manager.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    NomadBSD includes drivers and configurations that enhance its compatibility with a variety of hardware setups.

Possible disadvantages of NomadBSD

  • Performance Limitations
    Running from a USB flash drive can be slower than a standard installation, which may affect performance for resource-intensive applications.
  • Limited Storage
    The storage capacity is limited to the size of the USB drive, which may be restrictive for users needing large amounts of data or applications.
  • Hardware Support
    While it offers good compatibility, there may still be cases where specific hardware components are not supported or require manual configuration.
  • Learning Curve
    Even though it is user-friendly, users not familiar with BSD systems might face a learning curve compared to more commonly used operating systems like Windows or Linux.
  • Update Process
    Updating the system can be less straightforward compared to fixed installations, potentially requiring more steps to maintain the live USB environment.

Debian videos

Debian 10 "Buster" Full Review and My Thoughts

More videos:

  • Review - Debian 10 Review (GNOME)
  • Review - Debian 10 "Buster" Review! Excited for THIS

NomadBSD videos

NomadBSD | Installation & First Impressions

More videos:

  • Review - NomadBSD: Persistent Live USB OS
  • Review - Quick Look At The NomadBSD Live System

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Debian and NomadBSD)
Operating Systems
92 92%
8% 8
Linux
91 91%
9% 9
Linux Distribution
92 92%
8% 8
Distributions
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Debian and NomadBSD

Debian Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Currently, Debian runs the FreeBSD kernel or Linux kernel. Debian was developed by many volunteers who are managing this operating system amazingly. The significant advantage of Debian is its vast software support. Learn – Install Debian 12 Bullseye on VirtualBox
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
The Debian Project adheres to a rigorous set of principles, the Debian Social Contract. It outlines its relationship with the community and underlines its dedication to delivering a free and secure high-quality operating system. This contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines ensure that the software within Debian's repositories respects your privacy and freedom.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian has a Testing branch, similar to a beta version, it is an intermediary stage between Debian's unstable and stable branches. The Testing branch is intended for users who want a balance between access to newer software and a relatively stable system. Debian Testing gets new features and fixes before the stable Debian release, allowing users who are comfortable...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Debian is what Ubuntu is based on, making it one of the oldest Linux distributions. It was released and developed in 1993. For a long time, the abundance of software packages for Debian was unsurpassed and it is still notable. Commercial programs are easy to install. Installation, maintenance and usage are intuitive and not particularly difficult for both Windows and Mac...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Debian OS also offers a different variant for users to choose from and made the rolling release option available.
Source: techcult.com

NomadBSD Reviews

We have no reviews of NomadBSD yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Debian should be more popular than NomadBSD. It has been mentiond 66 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Debian mentions (66)

  • Coding on a Chromebook
    The terminal is actually a Debian terminal. Debian is a version (distribution) of Linux, so if you've used it or Ubuntu before, you'll be very familiar with the commands. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Can I contribute to a redesign of the Debian website?
    Can't figure out debian.org? Then you probably won't figure out the distribution either. The website is perfectly fine, if you know how to read and think. They have mainly been focusing on making Debian stable, so it's more about reading manuals than expecting user-friendliness from it. There's loads of userfriendly-focused linux distributions out there. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

NomadBSD mentions (15)

  • FreeBSD: How Can We Make It More Attractive to New Users?
    I'm not sure if NomadBSD offers a "live" desktop experience, but like GhostBSD, it is another attempt at a complete FreeBSD desktop: https://nomadbsd.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • how to read content from an old freebsd HD?
    Try with NomadBSD - it's based on Free and has automount feature. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Its possible to install FreeBSD ina External USB HDD?
    Yes. You can check https://nomadbsd.org/ It allow You to install in an external device with persistence. Best regards. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • About Installing Ubunto to USB on MBR
    I know this is about unbuntu, but I use a BSD distro made to run permanently from a USB. It's called Nomad BSD https://nomadbsd.org/ it's pretty fun. It comes with the XFCE desktop and can run Linux apps. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I2p on Tails OS?
    Go to https://nomadbsd.org/ and flash it just like you would with Tails. Its not meant to be a anonymous, private or secure OS, but its very easy to use, based on FreeBSD (which is decently secure already), and should work very well out of the box. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Debian and NomadBSD, you can also consider the following products

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

GhostBSD - GhostBSD is a user friendly desktop operating system based on ...

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

FreeBSD - FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (including Pentium® and Athlon™)...

Fedora - 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.

DragonFly BSD - DragonFly belongs to the same class of operating systems as other BSD-derived systems and Linux.