Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GhostBSD VS Qubes OS

Compare GhostBSD VS Qubes OS and see what are their differences

GhostBSD logo GhostBSD

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

Qubes OS logo 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.โ€ŽDownload Mirrors ยทย โ€ŽQubes R4.
  • GhostBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-23
  • Qubes OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13

GhostBSD features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    GhostBSD offers a user-friendly interface that is ideal for those who are new to the BSD operating systems, making the transition smoother for users familiar with Linux or Windows.
  • Based on FreeBSD
    Being based on FreeBSD, GhostBSD inherits its robustness, security features, and advanced networking capabilities, providing a stable and reliable operating system.
  • Pre-installed Applications
    GhostBSD comes with a variety of pre-installed applications that cover basic needs such as web browsing, multimedia, and productivity, reducing the setup time for new installations.
  • Community Support
    The GhostBSD community offers support through forums and documentation, which can be helpful for troubleshooting or learning more about the system.
  • Rolling Release Model
    GhostBSD uses a rolling release model, which means users receive continuous updates and new features as soon as they are available.

Possible disadvantages of GhostBSD

  • Limited Software Availability
    Compared to more popular operating systems like Linux, GhostBSD may have limited availability of software packages and applications.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Like many BSD-based systems, GhostBSD can have compatibility issues with certain hardware, which might require additional troubleshooting or alternative drivers.
  • Smaller Community
    The community supporting GhostBSD is smaller compared to more mainstream operating systems like Ubuntu or Fedora, potentially making it harder to find help for specific issues.
  • Lack of Enterprise Features
    GhostBSD might lack some of the enterprise-level features and support that are offered by more established operating systems, making it less ideal for business use.
  • Resource Intensive
    Although relatively lightweight, GhostBSD can be more resource-intensive compared to some other BSD variants, impacting performance on older hardware.

Qubes OS features and specs

  • Security
    Qubes OS is designed with security in mind, implementing strong isolation mechanisms based on Xen-based virtualization to compartmentalize various tasks and applications.
  • Compartmentalization
    By isolating different activities into separate virtual machines (VMs), Qubes OS minimizes the damage that can be done by compromised applications or malware.
  • Privacy
    The compartmentalization, combined with features like Whonix integration for anonymous internet use, offers strong privacy protections for users.
  • Advanced Networking
    Qubes OS includes advanced networking capabilities, allowing users to create secure and separated network environments within isolated VMs.
  • Flexibility
    Users can run different operating systems within Qubes OS, as it supports various Linux distributions and Windows VMs, making it versatile for various needs.

Possible disadvantages of Qubes OS

  • Resource-Intensive
    Qubes OS requires substantial hardware resources, including a large amount of RAM and storage, which can be a barrier for users with older or less powerful hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    The advanced security features and unique architecture require a steep learning curve, potentially making it challenging for less technically proficient users.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Not all hardware is fully compatible with Qubes OS, particularly some specific GPUs and wireless chips, which can limit the usability on various devices.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running multiple VMs simultaneously can introduce performance overhead, impacting the speed and responsiveness of the system.
  • Limited Application Support
    Some applications may not be fully compatible or available in a suitable version for the isolated VMs in Qubes OS, potentially limiting functionality.

Analysis of Qubes OS

Overall verdict

  • Qubes OS is generally regarded as a highly secure operating system, especially suitable for users who need strong protection against cyber threats. Although it offers advanced security features, its complexity and resource requirements may not make it the ideal choice for everyone.

Why this product is good

  • Qubes OS is considered a good operating system because it focuses on security through compartmentalization. By utilizing virtualization, Qubes OS isolates different tasks and applications in separate virtual machines, reducing the risk of malware or other malicious activities affecting the entire system. This architecture enhances privacy and security, making it an attractive choice for users who prioritize these aspects.

Recommended for

    Qubes OS is recommended for security-conscious individuals, privacy advocates, journalists, researchers, and IT professionals who manage sensitive data or perform at-risk operations. It is also suitable for technical users who are comfortable navigating and managing a Linux-based environment and who value security over ease of use.

GhostBSD videos

GhostBSD 20.08.04 Install & Review

More videos:

  • Review - GhostBSD 20.02 w/Mate Overview | Distro Delves S2:Ep14
  • Review - GhostBSD First Impression Install and Review

Qubes OS videos

Qubes OS Review | Windows Integration

More videos:

  • Review - Qubes OS Part 1: Overview and Features
  • Tutorial - Qubes OS Tutorial | Install, Config, and Introduction

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GhostBSD and Qubes OS)
Operating Systems
27 27%
73% 73
Linux
27 27%
73% 73
Linux Distribution
29 29%
71% 71
Open Source
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 GhostBSD and Qubes OS

GhostBSD Reviews

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Qubes OS Reviews

The 10 Best Immutable Linux Distributions in 2024
Given the nature of immutable distributions, a strong emphasis on security is essential. Distributions that implement robust security measures, whether through sandboxing applications, using secure package management systems, or providing advanced isolation techniques (like in Qubes OS), were given priority.
Best Linux distro for privacy and security of 2024
Thanks to its radically different approach, Qubes does have a learning curve. However it isnโ€™t abrupt enough to prevent you from using the distro like a normal Linux installation. Qubes is based on Fedora and uses the Xfce desktop environment. But instead of a list of apps, its application menu lists several qubes such as work, personal, untrusted, each of which rolls the...
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
In short, Qubes is an operating system that separates tasks and applications into distinct VMs and further isolates them using containers. By leveraging these technologies, Qubes OS can deliver enhanced performance and security.
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
Qubes OS is a unique privacy-focused Linux distribution that prioritizes security through virtualization. It allows you to create isolated virtual machines (VMs) for different tasks, enhancing privacy and security. Each VM runs separately, reducing the risk of data leaks and malware infections.
Avoid The Hack: 11 Best Privacy Friendly Operating Systems (Desktops)
Qubes is unique in that it uses Xen-based virtualization, which enables strong isolation of different pieces of software - which can include operating systems. Multiple operating systems can run at the same time through Qubes - and they won't even "know" other operating systems exist.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Qubes OS should be more popular than GhostBSD. It has been mentiond 71 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.

GhostBSD mentions (13)

  • GhostBSD June 1, 2023 release available https://ghostbsd.org/download
    Robonuggie Video Don't give up the Ghost(BSD)ghostbsd.org. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Can SGIโ€™s Enthusiast Community Bring IRIX Back to Life?
    People are still actively working on Illumos. The last change was yesterday morning. * https://illumos.org People are still actively working on MirBSD. There's a CVS commit account that can be followed on the FediVerse. * http://www.mirbsd.org It's DragonFly BSD, not Dragon BSD, and the irony of that is that you missed FreeBSD, which is of course still going. * https://dragonflybsd.org * https://freebsd.org As... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Suspicious content on GhostBSD's website
    There's a number of dubious looking websites listed at the bottom of https://ghostbsd.org (life insurance, "how to game", etc). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Microsoft provides The DirectX Shader Compiler binaries for Linux
    It will work for BSD Unix also. I will test it on ChostBSD, but I don't know about support AMD RX 6500 XT at the present time. After replacing RX 560 I can't start X11 :(. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Would you recommend FreeBSD to a home user/enthusiast?
    Though I'm not a UNIX desktop guy, when I do want FreeBSD I like to use GhostBSD, since it's well maintained and saves me some time with setup. You might want to start there. Source: almost 3 years ago
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Qubes OS mentions (71)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing GhostBSD and Qubes OS, you can also consider the following products

FreeBSD - FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (including Pentiumยฎ and Athlonโ„ข)...

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

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

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

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

Whonix - Whonix aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity by helping you use your applications...