Software Alternatives & Startups

ReactOS VS Fedora

Compare ReactOS VS Fedora and see what are their differences

ReactOS

ReactOS is a free, modern operating system in alpha stage, based on the design of Windows XP/2003.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Fedora should be more popular than ReactOS. It has been mentioned 125 times since March 2021.

social mentions
79 vs 125
Linux popularity
18% vs 82%
alternatives listed
81 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

ReactOS
Fedora
Website reactos.org getfedora.org
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ReactOS 4 features
Fedora 7 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Cutting-edge Software
    Fedora is known for its bleeding-edge updates, incorporating the latest software versions, kernel updates, and features soon after they are released. This makes it ideal for users who want the newest technology.
  • Strong Security
    Fedora includes strong security features, such as SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) by default, which provides advanced security policies and mitigates various types of attacks.
  • Developer Friendly
    Fedora offers a rich array of developer tools and software, making it a preferred choice for developers. It supports a wide range of programming languages and development environments.
  • Red Hat Sponsorship
    Fedora is backed by Red Hat, which adds a level of reliability, professionalism, and a stable foundation that many Linux distributions do not have.
  • Community Support
    Fedora has a robust community of users and developers who contribute to its development and provide assistance through forums, mailing lists, and other forms of support.
  • Modularity
    Fedora's modular repository allows users to choose different versions of software packages, accommodating the specific needs of various users and use cases.
  • Workstation Edition
    Fedora offers a Workstation edition that is specifically tailored for personal computers, offering a polished and user-friendly desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages

  • Frequent Updates
    The cutting-edge nature of Fedora means frequent updates, which can be overwhelming for users who prefer a more stable and less frequently changing system.
  • Short Life Cycle
    Fedora has a relatively short life cycle of approximately 13 months for each release, meaning users need to upgrade more frequently compared to some other distributions.
  • Software Compatibility
    Due to its focus on free and open-source software, Fedora may not include some proprietary drivers and codecs by default, which may require additional setup to install.
  • Learning Curve
    While Fedora is user-friendly, it might have a steeper learning curve for new Linux users compared to more beginner-oriented distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Limited Corporate Support
    Unlike Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Fedora does not come with official corporate support, which can be a drawback for business users who require enterprise-level technical support.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Some users might experience hardware compatibility issues, especially with very new hardware, due to the rapid pace of updates and the lack of proprietary drivers.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

ReactOS
Fedora

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.

Overall verdict

  • Fedora is a robust and reliable distribution, particularly suitable for users who want to stay on the forefront of technology without sacrificing system stability. It is particularly well-suited for developers, system administrators, and enthusiasts who appreciate a polished and professional Linux experience.

Why this product is good

  • Fedora is often praised for being a cutting-edge Linux distribution that offers the latest features, updates, and improvements. It is a community-driven project sponsored by Red Hat, which ensures stability and security while allowing users to experience new technologies. Fedora has a strong emphasis on open-source software and provides excellent support for various hardware configurations. Additionally, it has a vast repository of software packages and benefits from an active and vibrant community.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a stable yet cutting-edge development environment.
  • Users who want a secure and stable operating system with up-to-date software.
  • Linux enthusiasts who want to participate in an active community and contribute to open-source projects.
  • System administrators seeking a reliable operating system for server deployments.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

ReactOS 3 videos + Add
Fedora 7 videos + Add

ReactOS Demo

More videos

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

omplete Guide: How to Download, Install and Review Fedora 38 Linux on VirtualBox 2023

More videos

  • - Fedora 31 Workstation Review & Gnome 3.34.1 Walkthrough - Linux Distro Reviews
  • - Fedora 31 Review | Should You Use It? Find Out!
  • - Fedora Workstation 31 Full Review
  • - Fedora 34 Reviewed: A Great GNOME distro that's worth checking out!
  • - Fedora 34 | This is the ABSOLUTE Best Linux Distro of 2021 Yet (NEW RELEASE!)
  • - Review - Fedora Workstation 33 (and why you should avoid it)

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
ReactOS
Fedora
18% 18%
82% 82%
12% 12%
88% 88%
9% 9%
91% 91%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using ReactOS and Fedora. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

ReactOS no reviews yet
Fedora no reviews yet

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

ReactOS 79 mentions
Fedora 125 mentions
  • Ask HN: How long before someone reverse-engineers Windows?
    Most of the work has already been done: https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 24 days ago
  • Microsoft Needs Windows Lite
    There is already a "Windows Lite", and it's called ReactOS [0]. Except, the last thing we need is for Microsoft to own / embrace-extend-exterminate this. It's best that it's kept as an independent project, enabling developers to target... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Microsoft's "Fix" for Windows 11: Flowers After the Beating
    Kinda off-topic, but I wonder if a hypothetical OS that reimplements the Windows APIs (like ReactOS[0], but with perfect modern hardware support) would be better for end users than a Linux distro with a modern DE. In the past, this... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago

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  • The Best RedHat-based Linux Distros
    Fedora is the upstream community distribution for RedHat Linux. It's a general-purpose distribution developed and maintained by the Fedora Project which is Redhat sponsored. It has a massive community and is mostly used by developers as... - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • what are some good laptops to buy?
    I am using HP Omen. I easily open it, clean it and change the thermal paste every 3 months (they have detailed guides on YouTube). My laptop had another SSD slot and I upgraded it with a new Samsung 1TB SSD and I am looking to upgrade... Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do I remove this Ubuntu Pro ad from apt?
    You can find the solution at https://getfedora.org /s. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to ReactOS and Fedora

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