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Qubes OS VS Nanos

Compare Qubes OS VS Nanos and see what are their differences

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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.‎Download Mirrors · ‎Qubes R4.

Nanos logo Nanos

Run code faster than the speed of light. A unikernel running one and only one application in a virtualized environment. More secure and faster than Linux. All while keeping it simple.
  • Qubes OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13
  • Nanos Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13

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.

Nanos features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

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.

Qubes OS videos

+ Add

Qubes OS Review | Windows Integration

More videos:

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

Nanos videos

No Nanos videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Qubes OS and Nanos)

Qubes OS

Nanos

Operating Systems
92 92%
Operating Systems
8% 8
Linux
100 100%
Linux
0% 0
Developer Tools
0 0%
Developer Tools
100% 100
Linux Distribution
100 100%
Linux Distribution
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 Qubes OS and Nanos

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.
Source: www.fosslinux.com
Best Linux distro for privacy and security of 2024
Thanks to its radically different approach, Qubes does have a learning curve. However it isn’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...
Source: www.techradar.com
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.
Source: www.stationx.net
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.
Source: www.makeuseof.com
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.
Source: avoidthehack.com

Nanos Reviews

We have no reviews of Nanos yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Qubes OS should be more popular than Nanos. It has been mentiond 66 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.

Qubes OS mentions (66)

  • The Mutable OS: Why Isn't Windows Immutable in 2025?
    If you care about security, consider Qubes OS, https://qubes-os.org, which achieves security through compartmentalization based on strong, hardware isolation. My daily driver, can't recommend enough. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Infosec 101 for Activists
    Please stop with the security nihilism: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27897975 (my daily driver OS). - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Apple's Lack of Full Site Isolation and iOS Browser Ban Puts Users at Risk
    Qubes OS implements the second option, and it works very well: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Are there any FOSS OS with macOS-level security?
    Qubes OS, security-oriented operating system has a much higher security than MacOS: https://qubes-os.org. Some elevator pitches: https://forum.qubes-os.org/t/how-to-pitch-qubes-os/4499/15. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Linux Asceticism
    This is actually one of the reasons why I switched from Linux to Qubes OS: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
View more

Nanos mentions (15)

  • BareMetal OS
    Then maybe a unikernel such as Nanos would work better for you. https://nanos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Asterinas: OS kernel written in Rust and providing Linux-compatible ABI
    This is a very large rationale for what we are building with https://nanos.org . - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • OS for Secure Containers?
    Going to toot my own horn here but if you're looking for something like a container with a security focus that is precisely what https://nanos.org was built for. No users, no login/ssh, no ability to run other programs other than the one that is already running. It kills off entire CWE's such as CWE-77/CWE-78 and neutralizes a large amount of nasty payloads forcing attackers to put in the work. It has all the same... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Show HN: Convert your Containerfile to a bootable OS
    Erlang on Xen was most definitely an inspiration behind what we're working on with https://nanos.org . - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Nanos – A Unikernel
    I am a bit confused, there are three sites: * https://nanos.org/ * https://nanovms.com/ * https://ops.city/ And I am not sure what "thing" I am using. Is there some disambiguation? I know is OPS is the orchestration CLI, but I am confused at the difference between Nanos and NanoVMs. What should I call the section of my README that deals with this tech? Currently gone with Nanos/OPS but I am confused. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Docker - Docker is an open platform that enables developers and system administrators to create distributed applications.

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

Rancher - Open Source Platform for Running a Private Container Service

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.

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

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