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GNU/Linux VS Haiku

Compare GNU/Linux VS Haiku and see what are their differences

GNU/Linux logo GNU/Linux

Friendly Linux Forum

Haiku logo Haiku

Haiku is an open source OS catered specifically to the needs of personal computing.
  • GNU/Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-19
  • Haiku Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-30

GNU/Linux features and specs

  • Open Source
    GNU/Linux is open-source software, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance. This openness promotes transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development.
  • Security
    Linux is renowned for its security features. The open-source nature allows for continuous scrutiny by developers worldwide, leading to quick identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities. Its permission-based system also limits the impact of potential security threats.
  • Stability and Reliability
    Linux systems are known for their stability and reliability, making them a popular choice for servers and critical applications. They can run for extended periods without needing a reboot, even after updates.
  • Customization
    Linux offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their needs, from the graphical user interface to system utilities and features, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
  • Cost-Effective
    Linux is generally free to use, reducing licensing costs compared to proprietary operating systems. This makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations looking to economize on software expenses.

Possible disadvantages of GNU/Linux

  • Learning Curve
    Linux can have a steep learning curve for new users who are accustomed to more commercial operating systems. Becoming proficient may require time and effort, especially for command-line proficiency.
  • Software Compatibility
    While the range of applications for Linux is growing, some software, particularly specialized or niche commercial products, may not be available or may not run natively on Linux systems.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Certain hardware components may lack drivers or support for Linux, potentially necessitating workaround solutions or limiting hardware options, particularly with newer or less common devices.
  • Gaming
    Despite significant improvements, Linux is still not the leading platform for gaming. Some games may not be available or may perform differently compared to their Windows counterparts.
  • Support and Documentation
    While Linux has a strong community and vast documentation, official support may not be as straightforward to access compared to commercial operating systems, which can pose challenges for troubleshooting.

Haiku features and specs

  • Speed
    Haiku is optimized for speed and efficiency, providing a responsive user experience with quick boot times and fast application launches.
  • Simplicity
    The operating system offers a clean and straightforward user interface, making it user-friendly and accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
  • Lightweight
    Haiku has low hardware requirements, making it suitable for older computers and devices with limited resources.
  • Unique Architecture
    Haiku is inspired by BeOS and maintains its unique architecture, which is attractive to developers and users with an interest in alternative operating systems.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Haiku invites contributions from the community, promoting collaborative development and transparency.

Possible disadvantages of Haiku

  • Limited Software Availability
    Haiku has a smaller software repository compared to more popular operating systems, which can limit the availability of applications and tools.
  • Driver Support
    The operating system has limited driver support, which can result in compatibility issues with certain hardware components.
  • Niche User Base
    Haiku caters to a niche audience, which can result in a smaller community and less comprehensive support compared to mainstream operating systems.
  • Incomplete Features
    Some features of Haiku are still under development, and the operating system may lack certain functionalities that users expect from modern OSes.
  • Business Adoption
    Haiku is less likely to be adopted in professional and business environments due to its incomplete features and limited software support.

GNU/Linux videos

Trisquel GNU/Linux 8.0 Install and Review

More videos:

  • Review - Namib GNU/Linux First Impression Install and Review
  • Review - Parabola GNU/Linux LXDE Review

Haiku videos

Haiku OS - What Is It?

More videos:

  • Review - Haiku L Series Smart Fan Review: "Alexa, turn on the fan"
  • Review - Haiku Smart Ceiling Fan Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GNU/Linux and Haiku)
Linux
23 23%
77% 77
Operating Systems
23 23%
77% 77
Linux Distribution
29 29%
71% 71
Operating System
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using GNU/Linux and Haiku. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Haiku might be a bit more popular than GNU/Linux. We know about 10 links to it since March 2021 and only 7 links to GNU/Linux. 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.

GNU/Linux mentions (7)

  • DNS static to redirect a website, but I got err_too_many_redirects
    My teacher gave me a task to redirect Mikrotik.co.id to linux.org using DNS static. But I kept getting err_too_many_redirects. I am a newbie at networking stuff. Source: about 2 years ago
  • DNS static to redirect a website, but I got err_too_many_redirects
    Hi, so I must redirect mikrotik.co.id to linux.org using DNS static. I already checked in CMD using the "dig" command that mikrotik.co.id already has linux.org DNS. But, If I browse mikrotik.co.id, I got err_too_many_redirects. Is this normal? Or do I need to use a web proxy for that? Thanks for your time. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How do I get rid of the folders I added to my "This PC" section
    Do check this solution out and tell me if it works. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What should someone do to troubleshoot why mint is freezing?
    Linux.org can help you if you are lost. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Remmina: keyboard layout in RDP
    I use Linux desktop as my workstation, whose keyboard layout is general jp. I had to connect to a Windows machine with Remmina, one of remote desktop clients, the other day. Additionally, I had to connect to CentOS servers via SSH, whose locale is "C", inside it. What happened then? I pushed : in my keyboard and ' appeared in the screen, for example. It made me puzzled, when using Vim, etc🤕 It seemed caused by... - Source: dev.to / over 4 years ago
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Haiku mentions (10)

  • What do People here Think of QNX?
    If you go to osnews.com and do a search for QNX, you will find many articles that were written over the past 20 years that describe the features, and pros and cons of running QNX. I believe there was also an article that compared BeOS (reborn as Haiku OS, haiku-os.org) and QNX. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Eli5 How come LCARS never became a real operating system?
    I assume you know of https://haiku-os.org. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What are great resources to catch up C++?
    I am in a similar position. I'm not using the very latest C++ features, but maybe this will be of use to you anyway? I decided to get started writing a native app for Haiku (http://haiku-os.org/), which you have to write in C++. So I loaded it up in a VM and started plugging away. I have always avoided CMake, but it's so popular these days that I decided to give in and get comfortable with it. Haiku is really... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What Linux Distro to Install?
    {Yes - I know what I'm about to post is NOT "Linux" ...but if you're wanting to learn something new and/or have some nostalgia for the late-90s/early-00s, read on} I absolutely LOVED BeOS back in the day Though I understand why Apple chose to buy NeXT instead of Be in the 90s, I wish they'd bought both - NeXT to get Steve Jobs and NeXT's way of managing apps (where they're all self-contained... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Does parallels or vmware or UTM allow running older versions of mac OS (like Mojave) on am M1 Mac?
    I agree with this. I can also recommend trying out Haiku OS x86 version with UTM emulation (choose between 32-bit or 64-bit OS version), because it requires very little system resources. Haiku is working on an ARM port, but it’s not ready for real-world usage yet. Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing GNU/Linux and Haiku, you can also consider the following products

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.

KolibriOS - KolibriOS is a tiny yet incredibly powerful and fast operating system.

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

Xubuntu - Xubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Download XubuntuXubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Feature Tour.

NetBSD - PowerPC, Alpha, SPARC, MIPS, SH3, ARM, amd64, i386, m68k, VAX: Of course it runs NetBSD.

DeLicate Linux - DeLicate Linux is a free and lightweight Linux Kernel-based operating system that is intended for computers comprising of very Low RAM.