Software Alternatives & Reviews

Debian VS Whonix

Compare Debian VS Whonix and see what are their differences

Debian logo Debian

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

Whonix logo Whonix

Whonix aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity by helping you use your applications...
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12
  • Whonix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-20

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

Whonix videos

Whonix 15 - Anonymous Web Browsing

More videos:

  • Review - Internet Security Part II: Tor Whonix Tails Comparison and Review
  • Review - Whonix Linux 15.0.0.9.4

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Debian and Whonix)
Operating Systems
85 85%
15% 15
Linux
86 86%
14% 14
Linux Distribution
85 85%
15% 15
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 Whonix

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

Whonix Reviews

Best Linux distro for privacy and security of 2024
As it runs in a virtual machine, Whonix is compatible with all operating systems that can run Virtualbox. Virtual machines can only use a portion of your real system's resources, so Whonix will not necessarily perform as fast as an OS that has been installed to a local hard drive.
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
Meanwhile, the Whonix-Workstation provides a safe, isolated workspace so you can carry out your online activities. This virtual machine is intentionally kept separate from the host operating system and the Whonix-Gateway, establishing a highly secure environment. As a result, even if the Whonix-Workstation were to be compromised, an attacker would still be unable to access...
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
Developed by the Tor Project, Whonix is another privacy-focused OS that relies on virtualization, but it's specifically designed for use within a virtual machine. This Linux distribution routes all your internet traffic through the Tor network, ensuring strong anonymity and privacy.
Avoid The Hack: 11 Best Privacy Friendly Operating Systems (Desktops)
Whonix focuses on privacy, security, and anonymity. It aims to realistically addresses common attack vectors, possibly protecting users from zero-day vulnerability exploitation. Whonix can be figured to run in a "live mode" similar to TAILS, though this is not Whonix's default.
Best Secure Linux Distros for Enhanced Privacy & Security
Whonix has recently added an amnesic live mode that “forgets” user’ activities - not leaving traces on disk. The distro is currently working to create a unified desktop experience. Whonix developer Patrick Schleizer explains, “Our upcoming Whonix-Host extends many of our usability and hardening features to the entire desktop.”

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Debian should be more popular than Whonix. 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 / 3 months 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: 10 months ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: 11 months ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: 11 months ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: 12 months ago
View more

Whonix mentions (13)

  • When downloading and exmaning files from the darkweb, what is the safest option for opening a file in virtualbox tails.
    Virtual box Tails is pointless. Just use Whonix.. To examine files also use VirusTotal. Source: over 1 year ago
  • currently running tails over vm on the most secure settings for both programs what could be a point of weakness like would u recommend a vpn a proxy chain? what would u recommend for extra anonymity?
    Running TAILS in a virtual machine for anonymity is a fools errand. Research Whonix and its independent gateway and workstation VM. Configured correctly the only network interface of the workstation is the gateway over Tor providing a higher assurance of security. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Firefox with tor?
    Whonix is a Linux-based environment that can theoretically transport any TCP/IP application over Tor and greatly reduces the potential for IP leaks by having a secondary 'gateway' that runs Tor independent from the client device over a private network. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How to Code Anonymously, Part 2: Network Security
    The previous strategy is great, but it's actually easier and more effective to just use Whonix. Whonix is a Linux distro - designed to be run out of VirtualBox - that implements all the goodness of the previous strategy. Even better, it comes with a novel network architecture that involves two virtual machines for extra protection:. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • Qubes os Team - issue report
    Since this appears in sys-whonix, I suggest reporting this to the Whonix team. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Tails - Tails is a Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the...

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

Qubes OS - Qubes is a security-oriented, free and open-source operating system for personal computers that allows you to securely compartmentalize your digital life.‎Download Mirrors · ‎Qubes R4.

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.

Linux Kodachi - Kodachi is a Debian-based distro which can be run from a DVD or USB thumb drive.