Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ubuntu Touch VS Android-x86

Compare Ubuntu Touch VS Android-x86 and see what are their differences

Ubuntu Touch logo Ubuntu Touch

Read more about Ubuntu Touch. Our free and open source mobile OS is made and maintained by UBports! We care about your freedom and privacy.

Android-x86 logo Android-x86

Run Android on your PC.
  • Ubuntu Touch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18
  • Android-x86 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18

Ubuntu Touch features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu Touch is an open-source project, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and improve. This can lead to enhanced security and flexibility.
  • Privacy-focused
    Ubuntu Touch places a strong emphasis on privacy and does not track user data. This can be appealing for users who are concerned about data privacy and security.
  • No Bloatware
    Unlike many other mobile operating systems, Ubuntu Touch does not come pre-loaded with unnecessary applications, providing a cleaner, more efficient user experience.
  • Convergence
    Ubuntu Touch aims for seamless convergence between devices, allowing for a more unified experience across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Community Support
    The operating system is backed by a strong community of developers and users who contribute to its development, provide support, and create a variety of applications.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Touch

  • Limited App Availability
    The app ecosystem for Ubuntu Touch is significantly smaller than that of Android or iOS, which may limit the choice and availability of popular applications.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Ubuntu Touch is only compatible with a limited number of devices. This can make it difficult for users to find supported hardware.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report that Ubuntu Touch may not be as smooth or performant as other operating systems, especially on older or lower-end devices.
  • Learning Curve
    Users who are accustomed to Android or iOS might find Ubuntu Touch's user interface and functionalities different and potentially challenging to adapt to initially.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    There is limited commercial support for Ubuntu Touch. Users primarily rely on community support, which might not be sufficient for all needs, especially in a business environment.

Android-x86 features and specs

  • Compatibility
    Android-x86 provides a way to run Android on x86 architecture, making it compatible with most PCs and laptops that use Intel or AMD processors.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Android-x86 is freely available for anyone to modify and improve. This encourages community contributions and transparency.
  • Full Android Experience
    Users get a complete Android experience, including access to Google Play Store and the ability to download and run Android apps just like on a mobile device.
  • Multi-Boot Capability
    Android-x86 can be installed alongside other operating systems, allowing users to dual boot or multi-boot between Android and other OSes like Windows or Linux.
  • Customization
    The flexibility of Android-x86 allows for a high level of customization, enabling users to tweak and optimize the OS to suit their particular needs.

Possible disadvantages of Android-x86

  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware components, such as Wi-Fi cards, sound cards, and touchpads, may not be fully compatible, which can lead to functionality issues.
  • Performance Variability
    Performance can be inconsistent depending on the hardware configuration, leading to occasional lags, crashes, or suboptimal performance.
  • Limited Official Support
    Official support and updates may not be as frequent or comprehensive as those provided for mainstream Android devices or other major operating systems.
  • App Compatibility
    Some Android apps are designed specifically for ARM architectures and may not work properly or at all on x86 architecture, limiting the app ecosystem.
  • Learning Curve
    Setting up and optimizing Android-x86 can be complex for users who are not technically savvy, demanding a higher level of technical knowledge compared to other OS installations.

Analysis of Ubuntu Touch

Overall verdict

  • Ubuntu Touch is a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts and privacy-conscious users who are comfortable with Linux-based systems and appreciate open-source software. It is not as polished or app-rich as mainstream mobile operating systems like iOS or Android due to its smaller market share and developer base. Therefore, while it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those reliant on mainstream app ecosystems, it provides a viable, privacy-focused alternative for users willing to embrace its unique attributes.

Why this product is good

  • Ubuntu Touch is a mobile operating system based on Ubuntu Linux, developed by UBports. It is designed to be open-source, privacy-focused, and offers a unique convergence feature that allows users to connect their devices to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to use it as a desktop computer. It is particularly appealing to users who value data privacy, software transparency, and who support open-source ecosystems. Ubuntu Touch also allows users to escape the iOS and Android duopoly, offering an alternative that aligns with open-source principles. Additionally, the OS is known for its customizable user interface, the ability to run Linux applications, and its supportive community.

Recommended for

  • Tech enthusiasts who are experienced with Linux
  • Privacy-conscious users seeking an alternative to Android and iOS
  • Supporters of open-source software and communities
  • Users interested in a convergence feature to transform their mobile device into a desktop experience
  • Developers and hobbyists seeking a platform for experimentation

Analysis of Android-x86

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Android-x86 is a good option if you are looking to run Android on a PC. It offers a stable and versatile platform for testing, development, and general use, though it may not support all PC hardware configurations seamlessly. As with any open-source project, user experience can vary based on specific needs and technical proficiency.

Why this product is good

  • Android-x86 is an open-source project that allows users to run Android on x86-based computers. This can be particularly useful for developers, testers, and fans of the Android ecosystem who want to use Android apps on their PCs or experiment with the operating system outside of a mobile device. It supports multiple hardware configurations and has the backing of a dedicated community, which results in regular updates and patches.

Recommended for

  • Developers wanting to test Android applications on PC
  • Users who wish to experience Android OS on a larger screen
  • Tech enthusiasts interested in experimenting with Android on different hardware
  • Educational purposes for learning about Android in a non-phone environment

Ubuntu Touch videos

REVIEW: Ubuntu Touch Smartphone OS!

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu Touch OS - Community Requested Overview
  • Review - Ubuntu Touch OS Review || Amazing Feautures || MultiTasking || Latest Version 2020 || Must Watch..

Android-x86 videos

Android for Desktop PCs, Android-x86 - Linux review video

More videos:

  • Review - I building à $100 Android gaming PC

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ubuntu Touch and Android-x86)
Mobile OS
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming
0 0%
100% 100
Mobile SDK
100 100%
0% 0
Operating Systems
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Ubuntu Touch and Android-x86

Ubuntu Touch Reviews

Top 5 Mobile Operating Systems 2023 (Alternatives to Android)
With this one, you will get everything you need such as all the different types of applications services purposes like communication, music, messaging, navigation, games, and so forth. In this, privacy is ensured. Some of the key pros and cons of Ubuntu Touch are-
Best Open Source Android Alternative OS for Smartphones
It is also capable of functioning as a desktop computer in “desktop mode”. The Ubuntu Touch OS also comes with all basic pre-loaded apps like messaging, calendar, Telegram, music app, weather, maps, and more. Overall, this OS is quite good and can be customized according to the smartphone manufacturer and user need.
Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
The UBports community also claims that none of your data leaves your device unless you explicitly allow it which is a good thing from the privacy point of view. Currently, Ubuntu Touch supports PinePhone, PineTab, Fairphone, Volla, Nexus 5, and OnePlus One. There are also 81 devices that are community supported so in terms of device support, Ubuntu Touch excels. Not to...
Source: beebom.com
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
With UBports’ efforts, Ubuntu Touch gets some updates. There are a handful of devices that are supported by Ubuntu Touch. You can see the list here.
Source: itsfoss.com

Android-x86 Reviews

12 Best Android OS for PC (64 bit/ 32bit)- 2023
It is constantly being developed by several developers and is licensed under Apache Public License 2.0. Android x86 does a great job of simulating Android on a PC and gives a Samsung Dex-like feel.
12 Best Android OS for PC ( 64Bit/32Bit ) in 2023
Android-x86 is similar to LineageOS and was originally a port of the Android mobile platform to x86 processors(now also x64 processors). It was a port project for Android open-source project, formerly known as patch hosting.
Android Desktop Shootout: Android x86 vs. Bliss vs. Phoenix OS vs. PrimeOS
As Bliss continues to improve, it’s a close second to Android-x86, especially with a focus on innovation and new versions of Android. If you’re not bothered by Chinese data issues and are willing to either put up with ads or remove them yourself, Phoenix OS has the most mature desktop. And if only PrimeOS could suspend properly, it would easily be our pick. Should later...
6 Best Android OS for PC (32,64-bit download) in 2021
If you have limited resources try the Android lollipop or marshmallow forks of Android-x86 project. Android Lollipop is known to be the best fork available for x86 machines and popular Android emulators like LDPlayer run on version 5.1. To boot Android version 5 Android OS fork on your computer, download appropriate ISO file using links below and use Rufus to create bootable...
Source: quickfever.com
Best Android OS for PC 64 bit or 32 bit for 2021 to download
When it comes to run the latest Android OS for pc then the Android-x86 is one of the best open-source Android projects available for PC. Android-x86 OS project offers compatible ISO images for both 64-bit 32-bit computer systems. If you are about to install the Android OS on some old PC then it is recommended to download the 32-bit version… The latest Android OS they offer...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu Touch seems to be a lot more popular than Android-x86. While we know about 31 links to Ubuntu Touch, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Android-x86. 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.

Ubuntu Touch mentions (31)

  • Trans liberation must be protected at all costs. Protect trans kids. Under no pretext shall arms and ammunition be taken from the working class.
    I know it's not as common and not as good as android forks, but more secure and better privacy Linux operating systems exist for mobile phones as well like Plasma Mobile and Ubuntu Touch. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Support for Linux distributions added to customrombay.org
    For now, only information about Ubuntu Touch support is available on our website. We plan to extend that to PostmarketOS and NixOS. But which devices does Ubuntu Touch support? For example those:. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • aegsgrsgegsegsg
    She: Finally. I couldn't wait any longer to feel your [Ubuntu Touch](https://ubuntu-touch.io/). I'm feeling both [Fire](https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/devices) and [Harmony](https://www.harmonyos.com/en/)!!! Source: about 2 years ago
  • Need to get talked out of a terrible idea!
    You could always look into Ubuntu touch, Https://ubuntu-touch.io/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Ubuntu touch, xiamoi redmi note 9
    Ubuntu Touch is being actively worked on by a community of developers. They have been making very impressive progress on an 20.04 LTS-based release that we should see early next year, and they have a Telegram channel with updates as well as a monthly update and Q&A session on YouTube, plus blogs, a forum, governance bodies, and basically everything else you'd expect from a very ambitions development effort. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Android-x86 mentions (3)

  • display glitch on amd
    If you go to the https://android-x86.org website and scroll down a bit one of the tasks they've been working on has been to upgrade to a newer (though still not the newest) kernel. This will have a profound effect on hardware support, but in the meantime many PCs with parts released in the last five years don't work as expected unfortunately. Source: about 2 years ago
  • will android run?
    The only way to see if Android will run is to try and run it. Start with the newest release from https://android-x86.org, write it to a flash drive with Etcher and try booting it - like GNU/Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Android-x86 has a live mode in which you can test it to see if it boots, and if it does test to see if your hardware all works. You can ignore the Google sign in here, just connect to... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • bliss OS 14 can't log in to google
    Can you try this on regular Android-x86 from https://android-x86.org? Source: almost 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ubuntu Touch and Android-x86, you can also consider the following products

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

BlueStacks - BlueStacks is a website designed to format mobile apps to be compatible to desktop computers, opening up mobile gaming to laptops and other computers. Read more about BlueStacks.

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

NoxPlayer - Nox App Player is a free Android emulator dedicated to bring the best experience for users to play Android games and apps on PC and Mac.

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.

MEmu Play - MEmu is the best android emulator to play Android games on PC and performs better than Bluestacks. MEmu provides the best perforamance (2X benchmark score comparing to the latest flagship Android phones) and superb experience.