Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PureOS VS e.foundation /e/

Compare PureOS VS e.foundation /e/ and see what are their differences

PureOS logo PureOS

A user friendly, secure and freedom respecting OS for your daily usage

e.foundation /e/ logo e.foundation /e/

/e/ is a fork of LineageOS that aims to be completely free of everything Google.
  • PureOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-20
  • e.foundation /e/ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-30

PureOS features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    PureOS is designed with privacy and security in mind, providing users with an operating system that prioritizes data protection and minimizes data collection.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, PureOS allows users to inspect and modify the code, fostering transparency and community-driven development.
  • Linux-based
    As a Linux-based OS, PureOS benefits from a stable and mature foundation, along with access to a wide range of software packages available in the Linux ecosystem.
  • User-friendly interface
    PureOS comes with a clean and modern user interface, making it accessible for both new and experienced users.
  • PureOS Store
    The OS includes the PureOS Store, which offers a variety of free and open-source applications that are curated for security and privacy.

Possible disadvantages of PureOS

  • Limited hardware compatibility
    PureOS may not be compatible with all hardware out of the box, potentially requiring additional effort or technical knowledge to get certain devices working.
  • Smaller user community
    Compared to more popular operating systems, PureOS has a smaller user base, which might limit community support and the availability of forums for troubleshooting.
  • Application availability
    While many common applications have alternatives available on PureOS, some specific applications may not be supported, limiting options for users dependent on those applications.
  • Performance trade-offs
    Focusing on privacy and security may lead to some performance trade-offs, such as slower updates or additional processes running in the background for security measures.

e.foundation /e/ features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    e.Foundation is dedicated to user privacy by stripping away Google services and trackers, providing an operating system that centers around data protection and privacy.
  • Open Source
    The OS is based on open-source software, allowing for transparency in development and an opportunity for community-driven improvements.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who might not be tech-savvy.
  • Regular Updates
    The foundation provides frequent updates and security patches to ensure a smooth and secure user experience.
  • Compatibility with Numerous Devices
    Support for a wide range of existing Android devices, enabling users to install the OS on many older devices and extending their life.

Possible disadvantages of e.foundation /e/

  • Limited App Ecosystem
    Due to the absence of Google Play Services, finding equivalent apps or workarounds may be challenging for some users.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some proprietary features or hardware functionalities may not fully function as expected.
  • Learning Curve
    For users accustomed to standard Android or iOS experiences, there might be a learning curve adapting to this different interface.
  • Reliance on Alternatives
    Users may need to rely on alternative app stores and services, which might not meet the comprehensive needs provided by mainstream options.
  • Smaller Community Support
    While growing, the community support may not be as robust or fast as those enjoyed by larger ecosystems like Google's Android.

Analysis of e.foundation /e/

Overall verdict

  • e.foundation /e/OS is a compelling choice for those who want to escape the data-hungry nature of mainstream mobile operating systems without significantly compromising on app functionality and compatibility.

Why this product is good

  • e.foundation's /e/OS is popular for users who prioritize privacy and data protection on their mobile devices. It is a de-Googled Android operating system designed to keep user data private by stripping out unnecessary data collection practices. It offers a range of open-source apps and services and continually enhances privacy-focused functionalities.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious users seeking alternatives to mainstream mobile operating systems.
  • Individuals looking for a Google-free digital experience on their smartphones.
  • Tech enthusiasts interested in open-source software and community-driven projects.

PureOS videos

PureOS 8.0 - Based on Debian 10 Buster and Using GNOME 3.30 as Default Desktop Environment

More videos:

  • Review - Is PureOS Really a Secure and Private OS?

e.foundation /e/ videos

No e.foundation /e/ videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PureOS and e.foundation /e/)
Mobile OS
39 39%
61% 61
Mobile SDK
37 37%
63% 63
Operating Systems
100 100%
0% 0
Roms
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare PureOS and e.foundation /e/

PureOS Reviews

The 10 Best Immutable Linux Distributions in 2024
Why itโ€™s on the list: PureOS offers a great balance of immutability and usability. While not fully immutable, it incorporates many immutable principles, particularly in handling software updates and system stability.
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
PureOS is a privacy-focused Linux distribution developed by Purism, a company committed to user privacy and open-source software. It comes pre-installed on Purism's Librem laptops and is designed to provide a secure and privacy-conscious computing environment.
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
Itโ€™s more of a Linux-based smartphone rather than a Linux-based smartphone OS, but I believe that the convergent PureOS should be able to run on other devices with some tweaks.
Source: itsfoss.com
Top 15 Best Security-Centric Linux Distributions of 2020
PureOS is a user-friendly Debian-based distribution built with a focus on user privacy and security by Purism โ€“ the company behind Liberem computers and smartphones.
Source: www.tecmint.com

e.foundation /e/ Reviews

Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
/e/ OS is completely open-source and has been developed by the non-profit /e/ Foundation which is based in France. Currently, it supports more than 240 smartphone models which include popular Samsung phones and some Fairphone models. You can also buy smartphones preloaded with /e/ OS from its website. Overall, /e/ OS is a great solution for users who are looking to buy a...
Source: beebom.com
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
/e/ is in active development and you can try to install it on a range of devices already. You can even buy refurbished devices preinstalled with /e/. That is one of the several ways of supporting the /e/ project.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, e.foundation /e/ should be more popular than PureOS. It has been mentiond 24 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.

PureOS mentions (14)

  • Alternative Laptop Manufacturers
    Purism is located in USA. They are selling open-source friendly smartphones, laptops, tablets and desktops. They also have created their own Linux distribution based on Debian called PureOS (see distrowatch). - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Laptops with Linux
    Librem 14 by Purism, can't recall the specifics for this one; sorry*. I do remember that we owe PureOS to them. Source: about 3 years ago
  • I am losing my mind while protecting my online privacy
    Another option is PureOS, and you might even consider buying privacy-oriented hardware, such as the Libram product line of computers, laptops, smartphones from Purism, which is just one among many manufacturers in this market. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Are there any useable Linux phone Os besides Ubuntu Touch
    There's ClearOS https://www.clearos.com/products/clearos-editions/clearos-mobile and PureOS https://pureos.net/ which the Librem 5 uses. Source: about 4 years ago
  • GNOME is on which tablets or phones?
    Check following link. You can order gnome phone here. Https://pureos.net/. Source: almost 5 years ago
View more

e.foundation /e/ mentions (24)

  • F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree
    Yes and it has already been done: https://e.foundation/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • MagiskSSH โ€“ SSH server on Android without Termux
    You might also check out /e/OS - https://e.foundation/ It's less hardened than Graphene, but more user-friendly (IMHO) and similarly avoids Google spyware. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Debloat non-rooted Android devices
    > ...like LineageOS. But installing it is so difficult that only 1% of people have the technical know how to even attempt it... Aside: there is also /e/OS (or MurenaOS - their naming is inconsistent). It is basically LineageOS that someone else installs for you so you get everything in a package [0]. They sell many phones, but it also runs nicely on Fairphones if you want a phone that you can repair (there is of... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Even Google CEO Sundar Pichai doesn't understand Google's privacy controls
    Easy solution --- don't use Android. I haven't in years. I use e/OS instead. https://e.foundation/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Open-Source Mobile Phones
    There is /e/ OS - https://e.foundation - which also offers their second version of the Murena phone that comes pre-installed with the OS - https://murena.com They also sell other phones pre-installed or you can install it yourself. Disclaimer: I haven't used it yet but trying to find some time to install it on my Pixel 4a. Otherwise Fairphone is fairly open. You won't find anything that's usable and is fully open,... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PureOS and e.foundation /e/, you can also consider the following products

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

CalyxOS - Privacy-focused operating system for smartphones based on Android and microG

LineageOS - Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android

Mobian - Mobian, Debian for mobile devices

LuneOS - LuneOS is a free and open source mobile operating system that respects usersโ€™ privacy.

GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.