Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Libreboot VS Clover EFI bootloader

Compare Libreboot VS Clover EFI bootloader and see what are their differences

Libreboot logo Libreboot

Libreboot is a distribution of ...

Clover EFI bootloader logo Clover EFI bootloader

This is EFI-based bootloader for BIOS-based computers created as a replacement to EDK2/Duet...
  • Libreboot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-15
  • Clover EFI bootloader Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

Libreboot features and specs

  • Freedom and Security
    Libreboot is a free and open-source project that removes proprietary blobs from BIOS/UEFI, providing users with greater transparency and control over their system's firmware and improving security.
  • Privacy
    Without proprietary code, there is a reduced risk of hidden backdoors or privacy-compromising elements in the firmware, enhancing user privacy.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, Libreboot benefits from a community of developers and users who contribute to its improvement and offer support.
  • Sustainability
    Libreboot supports older hardware, allowing users to continue using their devices longer, contributing to electronic sustainability.

Possible disadvantages of Libreboot

  • Hardware Compatibility
    Libreboot supports a limited range of hardware, primarily focusing on older devices, which may not meet the needs of users requiring modern systems.
  • Technical Expertise Required
    Installing and managing Libreboot can be complex and requires technical expertise, which can be a barrier for average users.
  • Performance Limitations
    Due to the lack of proprietary optimizations present in standard BIOS/UEFI, some users may experience performance limitations compared to vendor-provided firmware.
  • Lack of Features
    Some features available in proprietary firmware, such as specific power management functions and certain peripherals support, might be absent in Libreboot.

Clover EFI bootloader features and specs

  • Customizability
    Clover EFI Bootloader offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tweak the bootloader's theme, drivers, and other settings to best suit their system's needs.
  • MacOS Booting
    Clover is particularly popular among Hackintosh users, as it supports booting macOS on non-Apple hardware, handling the necessary patches and drivers to enable compatibility.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    In addition to macOS, Clover supports booting other operating systems like Windows and Linux, making it versatile for users with dual-boot systems.
  • Legacy and UEFI Support
    Clover can handle both legacy BIOS and newer UEFI systems, providing flexibility for a wide range of hardware configurations.

Possible disadvantages of Clover EFI bootloader

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Clover EFI Bootloader can be complex and intimidating for beginners due to its technical nature and the detailed configuration required.
  • Maintenance Requirement
    Clover often requires regular updates and maintenance, especially with changes in operating systems or hardware, which can be cumbersome for some users.
  • Incompatibility Issues
    While Clover aims for broad compatibility, certain hardware or software configurations may still face issues, requiring additional troubleshooting and adjustments.
  • Community Support
    As Clover is a community-driven project, support primarily comes from forums and user communities, which may not always provide immediate or comprehensive assistance.

Libreboot videos

How To Actually Libreboot a Thinkpad X200

More videos:

  • Review - Thinkpad T500 Quad Core (The fastest libreboot laptop?)

Clover EFI bootloader videos

Clover EFI Bootloader Manual Installation via Ubuntu (UEFI)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Libreboot and Clover EFI bootloader)
IT Automation
49 49%
51% 51
Developer Tools
41 41%
59% 59
Cloud Computing
39 39%
61% 61
OS & Utilities
36 36%
64% 64

User comments

Share your experience with using Libreboot and Clover EFI bootloader. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Libreboot seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 39 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.

Libreboot mentions (39)

  • Librebooting the ThinkPad T480
    Https://libreboot.org/ Has reasons why you would want a Free bios. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • PixieFail: Nine Vulnerabilities UEFI Implementations
    > is there any motherboards out there for AMD64/X86_64 that comes without UEFI/BIOS? Your computer needs UEFI/BIOS for hardware initialization. There is a open implementation tho, see https://libreboot.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Just about every Windows/Linux device vulnerable to new LogoFAIL firmware attack
    UEFI is just another M$ abomination 8-( In this specific vulnerability, I wonder how possible it is to modify that boot logo remotely? Wouldn't exploiting this vuln require local access? As in all things, open firmware is the way to go: https://www.linuxboot.org/ https://libreboot.org/ https://www.coreboot.org/users.html. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • GNU Boot sent a cease and desist to Libreboot
    There was the spat of drama in 2016, and the view of "always in the middle of drama" is IMO confirmation bias since then. Today's drama is part of larger culture wars going on in the community: - The pro-RMS vs anti-RMS thing going on since RMS's removal from the FSF in 2019, much amplified by his reinstatement in 2021 (the latter of which lead to most of the FSF staff walking out). Is RMS still fit to lead the... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Returning my ReMarkable 2
    I don't own a cell phone and my computer is entirely free, its BIOS replaced with libreboot running Trisquel, a 100% free-software operating system. Others can do this, too, if they really want the freedom. It is not hard, nor does it require expertise. It only requires the will to do it. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Clover EFI bootloader mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Clover EFI bootloader yet. Tracking of Clover EFI bootloader recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Libreboot and Clover EFI bootloader, you can also consider the following products

PLoP Boot Manager - The PLoP Boot Manager is a small program to boot different operating systems.

GRUB - Multiboot boot loader

EasyUEFI - Manage EFI/UEFI Boot Options & Manage EFI System Partitions & Fix EFI/UEFI Boot Issues

Systemd-Boot - Systemd-Boot, formerly known as Gummiboot, is one of the simplest UEFI boot managers that lets you boot Linux and Windows in EFI mode even if the system is BIOS only supported.

U-Boot - Das U-Boot (the Universal Bootloader) and Embedded Linux

Grub2Win - Safely dual boot Windows and Linux without touching the Windows MBR.