Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

openSUSE VS ReactOS

Compare openSUSE VS ReactOS and see what are their differences

openSUSE logo openSUSE

openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

ReactOS logo ReactOS

ReactOS is a free, modern operating system in alpha stage, based on the design of Windows XP/2003.
  • openSUSE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-12
  • ReactOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21

openSUSE features and specs

  • YaST
    Yet another Setup Tool (YaST) is a comprehensive system configuration and administration tool that makes managing the OS easy for users of all experience levels.
  • Consistency and Stability
    openSUSE is known for its reliability and stability, making it a great choice for production environments and critical systems.
  • Rolling and Fixed Releases
    openSUSE offers both a rolling release (Tumbleweed) and a fixed release (Leap), allowing users to choose between cutting-edge updates and long-term stability.
  • Strong Security
    The distribution emphasizes security with features like AppArmor, a security module that restricts programs' capabilities, and frequent updates to address security vulnerabilities.
  • Wide Range of Software
    openSUSE has access to a vast collection of software packages thanks to its integration with the openSUSE Build Service (OBS) and other repositories.
  • Community Support
    There is an active and helpful community that offers support through forums, mailing lists, and IRC, making it easier for new users to get help.

Possible disadvantages of openSUSE

  • Learning Curve
    openSUSE's powerful tools and customization options can present a steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with Linux environments.
  • Software Delays
    Users on the Leap version may find that some software packages are not as up-to-date as those in other leading distributions, due to the emphasis on stability.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    openSUSE might not support some newer or less common hardware out-of-the-box, requiring users to manually install drivers or make additional configurations.
  • System Resource Usage
    The default installation can be resource-heavy, which might be less ideal for older or lower-end hardware.
  • Complexity for Basic Needs
    For users who need a simple and straightforward desktop environment, openSUSE's numerous features and configurations might feel overwhelming.

ReactOS features and specs

  • Open Source
    ReactOS is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This allows developers and contributors to participate in its development and enhancement.
  • Windows Compatibility
    ReactOS aims to be binary-compatible with Windows, especially Windows Server 2003, meaning it can run many Windows applications and drivers without modification. This could be beneficial for users who rely on legacy Windows software.
  • Lightweight
    ReactOS is designed to be lightweight, requiring fewer system resources compared to modern Windows operating systems. This makes it suitable for older hardware that may not support contemporary operating systems efficiently.
  • Freedom from Licensing Costs
    Being free and open source, ReactOS eliminates the cost associated with purchasing Windows licenses, providing an alternative for users who wish to avoid these costs.

Possible disadvantages of ReactOS

  • Incomplete Development
    ReactOS is still in the alpha stage of development, which means it is not yet stable or feature-complete. This can lead to various issues such as system crashes, incomplete features, and compatibility problems.
  • Limited Application Support
    Despite its goal of Windows compatibility, ReactOS does not support all Windows applications and drivers, particularly newer ones that require features not yet implemented in ReactOS.
  • Lack of Commercial Support
    Unlike Windows, which has extensive commercial support from Microsoft and third-party service providers, ReactOS lacks official commercial support, which may be a concern for enterprise environments.
  • Security Concerns
    As ReactOS is still under development, it may not have implemented all necessary security features and updates that a more mature operating system might have, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities.

Analysis of openSUSE

Overall verdict

  • openSUSE is a reliable and versatile Linux distribution that is suitable for a variety of use cases, from everyday desktop use to complex server environments. Its flexibility and powerful management tools make it a good choice for both beginners and experienced users.

Why this product is good

  • openSUSE is known for its robust, open-source nature and offers two major distributions: Tumbleweed and Leap. Tumbleweed is a rolling release, providing the latest software updates, while Leap offers a more stable, fixed-release cycle ideal for users who prioritize stability. openSUSE is equipped with powerful tools like YaST for system management, zypper for package management, and offers exceptional support for developers and sysadmins. It's also known for its active community and comprehensive documentation.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a robust development environment
  • System administrators who need advanced management tools
  • Users who appreciate stability and security in their operating system
  • Open-source enthusiasts who enjoy contributing to and using community-driven projects
  • Those who want to explore a rolling release (Tumbleweed) or a stable release (Leap) distribution

Analysis of ReactOS

Overall verdict

  • ReactOS is a promising project with potential, but it is still in the alpha stage of development. This means it may not be stable enough for everyday use and might lack support for some hardware and software. While it offers an interesting alternative to Windows, users seeking stability and complete compatibility may find it falls short.

Why this product is good

  • ReactOS is an open-source operating system intended to be binary-compatible with applications and device drivers made for Microsoft Windows. The project aims to provide users with a free alternative to Windows, which can run Windows applications natively without the need for emulation or virtualization.

Recommended for

  • Technology enthusiasts who enjoy testing and contributing to open-source projects.
  • Developers interested in operating system design and contributing to an open-source effort.
  • Users looking to experiment with a Windows-compatible OS alternative for non-critical tasks.

openSUSE videos

openSUSE Leap 15 In-Depth Review - Linux Distro Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - openSUSE Tumbleweed w/KDE Overview | Distro Delves S2:Ep17
  • Review - openSUSE Leap 15.2 | Review and Final Thoughts

ReactOS videos

ReactOS Demo

More videos:

  • Review - ReactOS 0.4.12 Review - Window Snapping, New Fonts, New Looks!
  • Review - ReactOS Is An Open Source Windows-Inspired Operating System

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to openSUSE and ReactOS)
Linux
63 63%
37% 37
Operating Systems
71 71%
29% 29
Linux Distribution
76 76%
24% 24
Text Editors
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 openSUSE and ReactOS

openSUSE Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
openSUSE is a versatile Linux distribution that offers both openSUSE Leap (a stable release) and openSUSE Tumbleweed (a rolling-release version). Known for its YaST configuration tool, openSUSE simplifies system administration. It provides a choice of desktop environments, including KDE and GNOME.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
OpenSUSE Leap is the regular release edition of the open source OpenSUSE Linux distro. It combines the stability of a fixed-release model with the availability of up-to-date software packages. It aims to provide a reliable and user-friendly operating system for both desktop and server environments. OpenSUSE is generally considered to be stable for production use, and those...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
openSUSE operating systems are well-optimized for businesses and characterized by user-friendliness and stability. While openSUSE Tumbleweed and its spinoff openSUSE Leap are used for workstations, openSUSE MicroOS is primarily used for edge computing and openSUSE Kubic for container solutions.
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
OpenSUSE is recognized for its Linux distributions, particularly Tumbleweed and Leap. MicroOS and Kubic are new transactional self-contained desktop and container distributions. The community project started with a beta of SUSE Linux 10. OpenSUSE Leap 15.3 is the current fixed release.
Avoid The Hack: 11 Best Privacy Friendly Operating Systems (Desktops)
It's important to note that openSUSE is Linux beginner friendly (like Fedora), however it doesn't necessarily cater to new or transitioning users via ease-of-use. Generally, for brand new users, some brief documentation reading may be required post-install due to the learning curve.

ReactOS Reviews

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

Based on our record, ReactOS should be more popular than openSUSE. It has been mentiond 70 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.

openSUSE mentions (18)

  • Problem with freshly installed Discord on MicroOS
    I don't understand. What is the alternative way to install codecs on a Tumbleweed/Leap system? There are instructions on how to use the Packman repositories for multimedia on opensuse.org so it is easy for one to assume that this is the recommended proper method. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Something wrong with the Opensuse Leap 15.4 repositories?
    That's the problem, The error messages just that. I tried to download libOpenCL.so.1 because Resolve needs that to run, and every repository my system attempts to reach fails to download. The repository (all coming from opensuse.org by the way) links appear to not have any valid metadata on them, then says the repository types can't be determined, and it moves on to the other links, which also get similar... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Update: I notice that they've replaced the leap 15.4 ad with MicroOS now.
    I've noticed on opensuse.org, you will now see a link to download micro os. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I know I sound dumb but legitimately have no idea
    Why not try it out? You might like it! It's not popular amongst desktops but many users who tried (including me) prefers it over Windows. I would recommend trying out OpenSUSE. You could install it on a virtual machine such as virtualbox if you don't want to affect your existing ones. Source: over 2 years ago
  • is it just me or has TW been super buggy lately?
    TW with KDE is runs fine without any issues on my laptop. Have you downloaded the iso from opensuse.org and checked the checksum after download? Maybe your iso was faulty. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

ReactOS mentions (70)

  • Unofficial Windows 7 Service Pack 2
    > but there’s no reason why a thoughtfully engineered Win7 clone DE on a lightweight Linux Why not a "thoughtfully engineered Win7 clone Desktop Environment" (without Linux :-) ). By the way: people are working on ReactOS: > https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Free95: An open-source windows-compatible operating system
    Seems very WIP. Might be easier to start with something like ReactOS[0] and work backwards. [0]https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • You can now write React in Lua
    Soon, everything will be in react. Your browser? React. OS? React. Car operating system? React. I thought I was making a joke and then googled some and here it is: https://github.com/shirakaba/react-native-web-browser-app https://star.global/posts/react-native-for-automotive/ They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • ExectOS – brand new operating system which derives from NT architecture
    Why this over ReactOS, a much more mature open source OS, which is also based on NT? https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Someone connected Windows XP to the internet, and it didn't survive long
    I wonder how ReactOS does as it is Windows XP/2003 compatible? https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing openSUSE and ReactOS, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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

Sublime Text - Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

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.