These tables provide a comparison of operating systems, of computer devices, as listing general and technical information for a number of widely used and currently available PC or handheld (including smartphone and tablet computer) operating systems. The article "Usage share of operating systems" provides a broader, and more general, comparison of operating systems that includes servers, mainframes and supercomputers.

Because of the large number and variety of available Linux distributions, they are all grouped under a single entry; see comparison of Linux distributions for a detailed comparison. There is also a variety of BSD and DOS operating systems, covered in comparison of BSD operating systems and comparison of DOS operating systems.

Nomenclature

The nomenclature for operating systems varies among providers and sometimes within providers. For purposes of this article the terms used are;

kernel

In some operating systems, the OS is split into a low level region called the kernel and higher level code that relies on the kernel. Typically the kernel implements processes but its code does not run as part of a process.[disputed– discuss] hybrid kernel monolithic kernel

Nucleus

In some operating systems there is OS code permanently present in a contiguous region of memory addressable by unprivileged code; in IBM systems this is typically referred to as the nucleus. The nucleus typically contains both code that requires special privileges and code that can run in an unprivileged state. Typically some code in the nucleus runs in the context of a dispatching unit, e.g., address space, process, task, thread, while other code runs independent of any dispatching unit. In contemporary operating systems unprivileged applications cannot alter the nucleus.

License and pricing policies vary widely among different systems. Among others, the tables below use the following terms:

BSD

BSD licenses are a family of permissive free software licenses, imposing minimal restrictions on the use and distribution of covered software.

bundled

The fee is included in the price of the hardware

General information

NameCreatorInitial public releasePredecessorCurrent stable versionLatest release dateCost, availabilityPreferred licenseTarget system type
AIXIBM1986UNIX System V Release 37.3 TL4 (7.3.4)December 2025CommercialProprietaryServer, NAS, workstation
AIX/370IBM1989IX/370Release 2.1?February 22, 1991Non-freeProprietaryIBM System/370 AIX/ESA V1 & V2
AIX/ESAIBM1992AIX/370, OSF/1Version 2 Release 2February 26, 1993Non-freeProprietaryESA/370 IBM System/390
AmigaOS classicCommodore International, Haage & Partner, Hyperion Entertainment1985TRIPOS (as the disk operating component of AmigaOS)3.2.2.1April 23, 2023Bundled with hardware up to version 3.0 (Amiga International hardware came with 3.1); versions 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 3.5, 3.9 and the more recent 3.2 (2021) also available as separate packagesProprietary, open source clone available under AROS Public LicenseWorkstation, personal computer
AmigaOS 4Hyperion Entertainment2004AmigaOS classic4.1 Final Edition Update 3October 19, 20254.0 bundled with hardware; 4.0 for classic and 4.1 available as standalone package at €29ProprietaryWorkstation, personal computer
AndroidAndroid, Inc., Google2008None17June 16, 2026No costAOSP: Apache-2.0 Linux: GPL-2.0-onlySmartphone, tablet computer
ArcaOSArca Noae, LLC2017OS/25.1.2March 8, 2026Personal edition US$139.00 Commercial edition US$249.00ProprietaryServer, workstation, personal computer
Classic Mac OS (retronym; had no name originally, later Macintosh System Software, discontinued in 2000)Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.)1984None9.2.22000Discontinued; Was bundled with 68k and PowerPC Macs; versions 7.1-9 sold as retail upgradesProprietaryWorkstation, personal computer
ChromeOSGoogle2011none150.0.7871.150July 16, 2026Bundled with hardware, 32-bit edition droppedProprietary: Google OS Terms of Service. Open-source core systemChromebook, Chromebox, Chromebase and tablet
ChromiumOSGoogle2009noneRolling releaseJuly 16, 2026No costBSD Linux Kernel GPL-2.0-onlyPersonal computer
DragonFly BSDMatthew Dillon2003FreeBSD6.4.2May 9, 2025No costBSDServer, workstation, NAS, embedded system
eComStationSerenity Systems, Mensys BV2001OS/22.1May 20, 2011Discontinued; CommercialProprietaryServer, workstation, personal computer
EPOC32Psion PLC1996ER51999Discontinued; CommercialProprietaryPDA
EulerOS/openEulerHuawei2021Red Hat Enterprise Linux25.09September 2025No costOpen sourceServer, workstation
FreeBSDThe FreeBSD Project1993386BSD15.1June 16, 2026No costBSDServer, workstation, Desktop, NAS, embedded system
GenodeGenode Labs2008None26.0529 May 2026No costAGPL-3.0-onlyDesktop, embedded system, server
GhostBSDEric Turgeon2009FreeBSD26.1-R15.0p2April 18, 2026No costBSDDesktop, workstation
HaikuHaiku Inc.2002BeOS R5R1/Beta 5September 13, 2024No costMITPersonal computer
HP NonStopTandem Computers, HP (now Hewlett Packard Enterprise)1976NoneL25.09September 2025Bundled with hardware?ProprietaryHP Nonstop Servers
HP-UXHP (now Hewlett Packard Enterprise)1983UNIX System V2505.11iv3May 22, 2025Discontinued; was US$400ProprietaryServer
HarmonyOSHuawei2019OpenHarmony, LiteOS6.0.0 (7.0.0 (Developer Beta) / June 12, 2026)November 25, 2025Bundled with hardware and updates at no cost given to most existing users, subject to hardware requirementsProprietary software except for open-source componentsInternet of things, Smartphone, tablet computer, education, embedded system, smart watches
IBM iIBM1988CPF, SSP7.6April 18, 2025Bundled with hardwareProprietaryServer
InfernoBell Labs1996Plan 9Fourth EditionJune 30, 2009No costMITNAS, server, embedded
iOS (originally iPhone OS)Apple Inc.2007macOS26.5.2June 29, 2026Bundled with hardware and updates at no cost given to most existing users, subject to hardware requirementsProprietary higher level API layers; open source core system (ARM versions): APSL, GNU GPL, othersSmartphone, music player, tablet
IRIXSGI1988UNIX System V6.5.302006Discontinued; Bundled with hardwareProprietaryServer, workstation
IX/370IBM1985UNIX System VRelease 1.4?September 25, 1987Non-freeProprietaryIBM System/370
LinuxNotable contributors include: Linus Torvalds for the Linux kernel; Red Hat, Debian Project See: Comparison of Linux distributions and Linux kernel#Development1991 (kernel), See: Comparison of Linux distributions and History of LinuxNone7.1.6 (kernel)3 August 2026 (kernel)No costGPL-2.0-only (kernel)See: Comparison of Linux distributions
macOS (originally Mac OS X)Apple Inc.2001NeXTSTEP, BSD26.5.2June 29, 2026Bundled with hardware; No cost for updates and upgrades via Mac App Store for users of Mac OS X 10.6 or laterProprietary higher level API layers; open source core system (Apple Silicon-Intel-PowerPC versions): APSL, GNU GPL, othersWorkstation, personal computer, embedded
macOS Server (originally Mac OS X Server)Apple Inc.2001NeXTSTEP, BSD5.12May 2, 2021Discontinued; Previously bundled with hardware; No longer a separate operating system, but a group of services installed atop any version of macOS Monterey; US$19.99 on the Mac App StoreProprietary higher level API layers; open source core system (Intel-PowerPC versions): APSL, GNU GPL, othersServer
MCPUnisys1961NoneCP OS 21.0June 2023Bundled with hardwareProprietaryServer
MenuetOSVille Turjanmaa and others2000None1.61.00June 19, 2026OS written in assembly languageProprietary (free for personal and educational use); 32-bit (September 2, 2019) GPLWorkstation
MINIX 3Andrew S. Tanenbaum2005Minix23.3.02014No costBSD-3-ClauseWorkstation
MPEHP1974NoneMPE-V1988Discontinued; Was bundled with HP-3000 CISC hardware "Classic"ProprietaryServer
MPE/XLHP1987MPE7.52002Discontinued; Was bundled with HP-3000 PA-RISC hardwareProprietaryServer
MVS (OS/VS2 R2 through R3.8)IBM1972OS/360 MVT, SVSRelease 3.81974Free (discontinued)Open sourceIBM System/370
MVS (MVS/SE through MVS/ESA)IBM1978 (March)OS/VS2 R3.7 for MVS/SE R1 OS/VS2 R3.8 for MVS/SE R2 through MVS/ESAMVS/ESA System Product Version 5.2.2 (V5R2.2)Feb 28, 1995Price tied to processor capacityOne Time Charge or monthlyS/370 S/370-XA S/370-ESA ESA/390
NetBSDThe NetBSD Project1993386BSD10.1December 16, 2024No costBSDNAS, server, workstation, embedded
NetWareNovell1983S-Net6.5 SP8May 6, 2009Superseded by Novell Open Enterprise Server; Was US$184(equivalent to $276.13 in 2025) (one-user)ProprietaryServer
NeXTSTEPNeXT1989Unix3.31995Discontinued; Was bundled with hardware, then sold separatelyProprietaryWorkstation
OniroVarious (Eclipse Foundation, Huawei and others)2021None6.0October 7, 2025No costEclipse License, Apache-2.0Internet of things, embedded system, smart watches, mobile devices, personal computers
OpenBSDOpenBSD Project1996NetBSD 1.07.7April 28, 2025No costISCServer, NAS, workstation, embedded
OpenHarmonyVarious (OpenAtom Foundation, Huawei and others)2020HarmonyOS, LiteOS6.1March 9, 2026No costApache-2.0Internet of things, embedded system, smart watches, mobile devices, personal computers
OpenIndianaMany, based on software developed by Sun Microsystems and many others2010OpenSolarisHipster 2026.04May 5, 2026No costCDDLServer, workstation
OpenVMSDEC (now VSI)1977RSX-11MV9.2-3November 20, 2024Commercial, no cost for non-commercial useProprietaryServer, workstation
OS/2IBM and Microsoft1987MS-DOS4.522001Discontinued (see ArcaOS successor); Was US$300(equivalent to $545.48 in 2025)ProprietaryPersonal computer, server
OS/360IBM1966NoneOperating System/360 R21.8August 1972Free (discontinued)Open sourceS/360 S/370
OS/390IBM1995MVS/ESAOS/390 version 2 R10September 29, 2000Price tied to processor capacityOne Time Charge or monthlyS/390
OS 2200Unisys1967 as Exec 8eExec 8, OS 1100CP OS 20.0 (EXEC 50R1)March 30, 2023Bundled with hardwareProprietaryServer
OS/VS1IBM1972OS/360 MFT IIRelease 7.0?Free (discontinued)—N/aIBM System/370
OS/VS2 SVSIBM1972OS/360 MVTRelease 1.7Free (discontinued)—N/aIBM System/370
Plan 9Bell Labs1992UnixFourth Edition2003 (except for minor later updates)No costMITWorkstation, server, embedded system, HPC
QNXQNX Software Systems1982Unix, POSIX7.1.0July 2020Bundled with BlackBerry 10 and PlayBook devices. Commercial; an academic version exists that needs authorization code before installingProprietaryAutomotive, medical, smartphone, consumer, industrial, embedded system, safety
ReactOSReactOS development team1998Windows NT (clone of)0.4.15March 21, 2025No costGPL-2.0-or-laterWorkstation, personal computer
RedoxJeremy Soller2015-0.9.0September 9, 2022No costMITDesktop, workstation, server
RISC iXAcorn Computers1988BSD 4.31.21c1993Discontinued; Was bundled with hardwareProprietaryWorkstation
RISC OSAcorn Computers1987Arthur3.711997Discontinued; Was bundled with hardwareProprietaryEducation, personal computer
RISC OS 4RISCOS Ltd, Pace plc1999RISC OS4.392004Bundled with hardware, then sold separately at £70 (US$127)ProprietaryEducation, personal computer
RISC OS 5Castle Technology, RISC OS Open2002RISC OS 45.30April 27, 2024No costApache-2.0Education, personal computer
RISC OS 6RISCOS Ltd2006RISC OS 46.202009Bundled with hardware, then sold separately at £70 (US$127)ProprietaryEducation, personal computer
Sailfish OSJolla Ltd.20135.1June 16, 2026With Android App Support one time license fee of US$50Source-availableSmartphone
SerenityOSAndreas Kling2018NoneContinuous integrationNo costBSD-2-ClauseWorkstation, personal computer
SolarisSun (now Oracle Corporation)1992SunOS11.4 SRU92April 21, 2026Commercial; (a perpetual license at no cost when used "for the purpose of developing, testing, prototyping and demonstrating your applications")CDDLServer, workstation
STOP 6, XTS-400BAE Systems2003STOP 5, XTS-3008.2August 2008US$60,000(equivalent to $89,722 in 2025)+; bundled with XTS hardware and OEM licensedProprietaryServer, workstation
SymbianSymbian Ltd.1998EPOC329.52009Discontinued; CommercialProprietaryPhone
Symbian platformSymbian Foundation2010 (initially 1998 as Symbian)Symbian3.0.42010No costEPLEmbedded system
TempleOSTerry Davis2005 (as J Operating System)None5.03November 20, 2017No costPublic domainPersonal computer
Tru64Digital Equipment Corporation1992 (January)OSF/15.1B-6October 1, 2010Bundled with hardwareProprietaryServer, workstation, HPC
VMEICL1974NoneSV2941994Bundled with hardwareProprietaryICL mainframe
VSEn21st Century Software1979 (as DOS/VSE)DOS/360 DOS/VS6.4October 15, 2025Monthly license feeProprietaryIBM Z
VxWorksWind River Systems1987VRTX7March 2014PaidProprietaryEmbedded real-time system
WindowsMicrosoft1985NoneWindows 11 (version 26H1 10.0.28000.2525)July 14, 2026One time license feeProprietary; Source-availableWorkstation, personal computer, media center, Tablet PC, embedded system
Windows (classic 9x family)Microsoft1995MS-DOSWindows Me (Win 4.90.3000)2000DiscontinuedProprietaryPersonal computer, media center
Windows (NT family)Microsoft1993OS/2 and Windows 3.1xWindows 11 (version 26H1 10.0.28000.2525)July 14, 2026One time license feeProprietary; Source-availableWorkstation, personal computer, media center, Tablet PC, embedded system
Windows Server (NT family)Microsoft1993OS/2Windows Server 2025 (version 10.0.26100.33158)July 14, 2026US$1050 5 CALs server; other editions dependent on number of CALs purchasedProprietary; Source-availableServer, NAS, embedded system
z/OSIBM2000OS/390Version 3.2 (V3R2)September 30, 2025Price tied to processor capacityOne Time Charge or monthlyIBM Z
z/VMIBM2000VM/ESA7.4September 20, 2024Monthly license feeProprietaryIBM Z
ZETAyellowTAB2005BeOS R51.52007DiscontinuedProprietaryPersonal computer, media center, workstation
NameCreatorInitial public releasePredecessorCurrent stable versionRelease dateCost, availabilityPreferred licenseTarget system type

Technical information

NameComputer architectures supportedFile systems supportedKernel typeSource lines of codeGUI default is onPackage managementUpdate managementNative APIsNon-native APIs supported through subsystems
AIXPOWER, PowerPC-AS, PowerPC, Power ISAJFS, JFS2, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, SMBFS, GPFSMonolithic with modulesNoinstallp, RPMService Update Management Assistant (SUMA)SysV/POSIX
AmigaOS classic68k, PowerPCProprietary (OFS, FFS, SFS, PFS), FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, many others via 3rd party drivers, such as SMBFS, etc.MicrokernelYesInstaller (almost not needed)ProprietaryBSD subset (available through 3rd party ixemul.library)
AmigaOS4PowerPCProprietary (OFS, FFS, SFS, PFS), JXFS, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, many others via 3rd party drivers, such as SMBFS, etc.MicrokernelYesInstaller (almost not needed)(almost not needed)ProprietaryBSD subset (available through 3rd party ixemul.library)
ArcaOSIA-32JFS (default), HPFS, ISO 9660, UDF, FAT32, NTFSHybridYesANPM (based on WarpIN, YUM and RPM)Update FacilityOS/2POSIX, Win16, DOS, Win32, Java
ChromeOSARM, IA-32, x86-64eCryptfs, NTFS, FAT, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, ext2, ext3, ext4, HFS+, MTP (read and write), ISO9660 (read-only), UDF (read-only)Monolithic with modules≈17 millionYesPortageLinux/POSIX
DragonFly BSDx86-64UFS1, MFS, ext2, FAT (16/32), HAMMER, ISO 9660HybridNodports, pkggit, cvsup, rsync, pkgBSD/POSIXMono, Java, Win16, Win32, Linux
eComStationIA-32HPFS (default), FAT, JFS, UDF, FAT32, NTFS (read only)HybridYesWarpIN, Feature Install, othersMaintenance ToolProprietary, DOS API, Win16POSIX, Java, others
FreeBSDIA-32, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC,UFS2, ZFS, ext2, ext3, ext4, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, othersMonolithic with modules6.25 millionNoPorts collection, packagesby source, network binary update (freebsdupdate)BSD/POSIXMono, Java, Win16, Win32, Linux
GenodeARM, RISC-V, IA-32, x86-64ext2, ext3, FAT32, ISO9660Microkernel or Monolithic kernel≈300,000 [citation needed]NoCustomNoneGenodePOSIX, Qt, SDL, MirageOS
GhostBSDIA-32, x86-64UFS2, ext2, ext3, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, ReiserFS (read only), XFS (experimental), ZFS, othersMonolithic with modulesYesPorts collection, packagesby source, network binary update (freebsdupdate)BSD/POSIXMono, Java, Win16, Win32, Linux
LinuxIA-32, x86-64, ARM, PowerPC, SPARC, othersext2, ext3, ext4, btrfs, F2FS, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, and othersMonolithic with modules≈15 million (kernel) lines of code for userland libraries and applications vary depending on the distributionYesDepends on the distributionLinux/POSIXMono, Java, Win16, Win32
HaikuIA-32, PowerPC, x86-64BFS (default), FAT, ISO 9660, ext3, NTFSHybrid≈5.2 million[citation needed]YesPorts collection (haikuport)pkgman, HaikuDepotPOSIX, BeOS APIJava, Qt
HP-UXPA-RISC, IA-64VxFS, HFS, CDFS, EVFS, NFS, CIFSMonolithic with modulesNoSD, swinstallswa (HP-UX Software Assistant)SysV/POSIX
HarmonyOS64-bit ARM, RISC-V, x86, x64 and LoongArchHMDFS, EROFS, NFS, RAMFS, FAT, JFFS2, exFATMicrokernel≈239.6 million (100 Deterministic Latency Engine)Yes.app with HAP filesSoftware UpdateProprietaryJava until 3.0.0
InfernoIA-32, PowerPC, SPARC, Alpha, MIPS, othersStyx/9P2000, kfs, FAT, ISO 9660Monolithic with modules, user space file systemsYes??Proprietary
iOSARMv8-A (iOS 7–present), ARMv7-A (iPhone OS 3–iOS 10), ARMv6 (iPhone OS 1–iOS 4.2.1)HFS+ (prior to version 10.3), APFS (since version 10.3)Hybrid≈80 million[citation needed]Yes?Software UpdateCocoa, BSD-POSIX?
Classic Mac OS68k, PowerPCHFS+, HFS, MFS (Mac OS 8.0 and before), AFP, ISO 9660, FAT(System 7 and later), UDFMonolithic with modulesYesNoneSoftware Update (only in Mac OS 9)Toolbox, Carbon (from version 8.1)
macOSApple silicon (11-present), x86-64 (10.4.7–present), IA-32 (10.4.4–10.6.8), PowerPC (10.0–10.5.8) (see also iOS for ARM)HFS+ (default on hard drives, and on flash drives up to Sierra), APFS (default on flash drives in High Sierra), HFS, UFS, AFP, ISO 9660, FAT, UDF, NFS, SMBFS, NTFS (read only), FTP, WebDAV, ZFS (experimental)Hybrid with modules≈86 millionYesmacOS InstallerSoftware UpdateCarbon, Cocoa, Java, BSD-POSIXToolbox (only in versions up to Mac OS X 10.4, not supported on x86 architecture), Win16, Win32
MINIX 3IA-32Microkernel≈12,000 (C) + ≈1,400 (Assembly)NoPOSIX
NetBSDIA-32, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, sparc64,UFS, UFS2, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660, NFS, LFS, and othersMonolithic with modulesNopkgsrcby source or binary (using sysinst)BSD-POSIXLinux,
NetWare16-bit x86, IA-32NSS, NWFS, FAT, NFS, AFP, UDF, CIFS, ISO 9660HybridYesNWCONFIG.NLM, RPM, X11-based GUI installerbinary updates, ZENWorks for Servers, Red CarpetProprietary
OpenBSDIA-32, x86-64, SPARC, 68k, Alpha,ffs, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660, NFS, some othersMonolithicNoPorts collection, packagesby source or binary (packages via pkg_add)BSD-POSIX
OpenVMSVAX, Alpha, IA-64, x86-64Files-11 (ODS), ISO 9660, NFS, CIFSMonolithic with modulesNoPCSI, VMSINSTAL?ProprietaryPOSIX, RSX-11M
OS/216-bit x86 (1.x only), IA-32HPFS, JFS, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFSMonolithic with modulesYesFeature Install and others?Proprietary, DOS API, Win16Win32
OpenHarmony64-bit ARM, RISC-V, x86, x64 and LoongArchHMDFS, EROFS, NFS, RAMFS, FAT, JFFS2, exFATMulti-kernel≈110 million+Yes.app with HAP filesSoftware UpdateOpen-source, ArkUI, OpenHarmony API KitsJava until 3.0.0, React Native, Qt, Flutter, Electron, CEF
Oniro64-bit ARM, RISC-V, x86, x64HMDFS, EROFS, NFS, RAMFS, FAT, JFFS2, exFATMulti-kernelYes.app with HAP filesSoftware UpdateOpen-source, ArkUI, OpenHarmony and Oniro API Kits, React Native for ArkUIReact Native, Qt, Flutter, Electron, CEF
Plan 9IA-32, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, SPARC, othersfossil/venti, 9P2000, kfs, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660Hybrid, user space file systems≈2.5 million /sys/src (complete source of all supported architectures, kernels, commands and libraries)YesNonereplicaProprietary (Unix-like)POSIX compatibility layer
QNXx86, SH-4, PowerPC, ARM, MIPSQNX4FS, QNX6, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660, Joliet, NFS, CIFS, ETFS, UDF, HFS, HFS+, NTFS, othersMicrokernelPOSIX, Java
ReactOSIA-32, PowerPC, ARMFAT, BTRFS, and NTFS (read only)Hybridnearly 8 millionYesReactOS Applications Manager, MSI, custom installersNoneWin32, NT APIDOS API
Redoxx86-64RedoxFS, TFSMicrokernelYespkgutilsPOSIX
RISC OSARM (both 26 and 32-bit addressing modes)Acorn ADFS, Econet ANFS, FAT, ISO 9660, many others as loadable filesystemsMonolithic with modules. Cooperative multitasking with limited memory protection.YesApplications self-contained; hardware drivers often in ROM!IyoUpWtchHuge number of SWI calls; extensive C libraries
SerenityOSx86, x86-64ext2Microkernel≈750,000YesNoneNonePOSIX, propertiary
SolarisIA-32, x86-64, SPARCUFS, ZFS, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, QFS, some othersMonolithic with modulesYesSysV packages (pkgadd) Image Packaging System (pkg) (Solaris 11 and later)Image Packaging System (Solaris 11 and later)SysV/POSIX, GTK, JavaWin16, Win32, Mono, Linux
OpenSolarisIA-32, x86-64, SPARC(AI)UFS, ZFS, ext2, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, QFS, some othersMonolithic with modules≈18.8 millionYesImage Packaging System (pkg), SysV packages (pkgadd)Image Packaging SystemSysV/POSIX, GTK, JavaWin16, Win32, Mono, Linux
STOP 6, XTS-400x86ProprietaryMonolithicNoRPM for some untrusted applicationsBinary updates via postal mail and proprietary toolsSome: SysV, POSIX, Linux, proprietary
SymbianARMFATMicrokernelYesSIS filesFOTAProprietaryPOSIX compatibility layer
TrueOSIA-32, x86-64UFS2, ext2, ext3, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, NFS, ReiserFS (read only), XFS (experimental) and othersMonolithic with modulesYesPorts collection, packages, PBI Graphical Installersby PBI updates, source, network binary update (freebsdupdate)BSD-POSIXWin16, Win32
Windows Server (NT family)IA-32, x86-64, IA-64NTFS, FAT, ISO 9660, UDF; 3rd-party drivers support ext2, ext3, ReiserFS, and HFSHybrid with modules≈45 millionYesMSI, custom installersWindows UpdateWin32, NT APIDOS API, Win16 (only in 32-bit versions), POSIX, .NET
Windows (NT family)IA-32, x86-64, ARM, IA-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPCNTFS, FAT exFAT ISO 9660, UDF; 3rd-party drivers support btrfs, ext2, ext3, ReiserFS, HFS+, FATX, and HFS (with third party driver)Hybrid with modules≈40(XP)/64(Vista and later) million[citation needed]YesMSI, custom installersWindows UpdateWin32, NT APIDOS API, Win16 (only in 32-bit versions), POSIX, .NET
ZETAIA-32BFS (default), FAT, ISO 9660, UDF, HFS, AFP, ext2, CIFS, NTFS (read only), ReiserFS (read only, up to v3.6)HybridYesSoftwareValet, script-based installersNonePOSIX, BeOS API
z/OSz/ArchitectureVSAM, BDAM, QSAM, BPAM, HFS, zFS, etc.Protected, multithreading, multitasking nucleus with programmable/user replaceable extensions. Not kernel-based.[clarification needed]NoNone, SMP/ESMP/EFilesystem access methods, Systems Services, etc.POSIX, many others.
NameComputer architectures supportedFile systems supportedKernel typeSource lines of codeGUI default is onPackage managementUpdate managementNative APIsNon-native APIs supported through subsystems

Security

NameResource access controlSubsystem isolation mechanismsIntegrated firewallEncrypted file systemsNo execute (NX) page flagManufacturer acknowledged unpatched vulnerabilities (by severity)
SecuniaSecurity- Focus
HardwareEmulationExtremely critical (number / oldest)Highly critical (number / oldest)Moderately critical (number / oldest)Less critical (number / oldest)Not critical (number / oldest)Total (number / oldest)
AIX 7.1POSIX, ACLs, MAC, Trusted AIX - MLS, RBACchrootIPFilter, IPsec VPNs, basic IDSYesYes—N/aUnknown
FreeBSD 10.1POSIX, ACLs, MACchroot, Jails, MAC partitions, multilevel security, Biba Model, BSD file flags set using chflags, Capsicum Capability-based securityIPFW2, IPFilter, PF, IPsecYesYesYes
GhostBSD 3.1POSIX, ACLs, MACchroot, jail, MAC partitions, BSD file flags set using chflagsIPFW2, IPFilter, PFYesYesYes
GenodeHierarchal, least privilegecapability-based securityVirtual switch and NAPT controls in user-spaceNokernel dependentNoUnknown
HP-UX 11.31POSIX, ACLschrootIPFilterYes??
InfernoPOSIXNamespaces, capability-based security, no superuser or setuid bit??NoNoUnknown
Linux-based 2.6.39POSIX, ACLs, MACchroot, seccomp, Namespaces, SELinux, AppArmorNetfilter, varied by distributionYesYesYes
Mac OS 9.2.2NoNoNoNoNoNo
OS X 10.10.5POSIX, ACLschroot, BSD file flags set using chflagsipfwYesYes (as of 10.5, X64 only)Yes (Intel only)
NetBSD 6.1.2POSIX, Veriexec, PaX, kauthchroot, kauth, BSD file flags set using chflagsIPFilter, NPF, PFYesYesNoUnknown
NetWare 6.5 SP8Directory-enabled ACLsProtected address spacesIPFLT.NLMYesYesNo
OES-LinuxDirectory-enabled ACLschrootIPFilterYesYesNoUnknown
OpenBSD 4.8POSIXchroot, systrace, BSD file flags set using chflagsPFYesYesYesUnknown
OpenVMS 9.2ACLs, privileges??Yes?
OS/2, eComStation, ArcaOSACLsNoIPFilterNo??
TrueOS 8.1POSIX, ACLs, MACchroot, jail, MAC partitionsIPFW2, IPFilter, PFYes??
Plan 9POSIX?Namespaces, capability-based security, no superuser or setuid bitipmuxYesNoNoUnknown
QNX 6.5.0POSIX?PF, from NetBSD???
RISC OSNoNoIPFilterNoNoNoUnknown
Solaris 10POSIX, RBAC, ACLs, least privilege, Trusted Extensionschroot, Containers, Logical DomainsIPFilterYesYesNo
OpenSolaris 2009.06POSIX, RBAC, ACLs, least privilege, Trusted Extensionschroot, Containers, Logical DomainsIPFilterYesYesNo
Windows Server 2012ACLs, privileges, RBACWin32 WindowStation, desktop, job objectsWindows FirewallYesYesYes[Unknown]
Windows 8.1ACLs, privileges, RBACWin32 WindowStation, desktop, job objectsWindows FirewallYesYesYes[Unknown]
ZETAPOSIXNoNoNoNoNoUnknown
STOP 6, XTS-400POSIX, multilevel security, Biba Model mandatory integrity, ACLs, privileges, subtype mechanismMultilevel security, Biba Model, subtype mechanismNoNoNoNoUnknown
z/OS 1.11RACFRACF, low storage protection, page protection, storage protect key, execution key, subspace group facility, APF, ACR (alternate CPU recovery), morez/OS IPSecurityOptionalYes (storage protect key, execution key, APF, more)Yes
NameResource access controlSubsystem isolation mechanismsIntegrated firewallEncrypted file systemsHardwareEmulationExtremely critical (number / oldest)Highly critical (number / oldest)Moderately critical (number / oldest)Less critical (number / oldest)Not critical (number / oldest)Total (number / oldest)
No execute (NX) page flagSecuniaSecurity- Focus
Known unpatched vulnerabilities (severity is accounted for)

Commands

For POSIX compliant (or partly compliant) systems like FreeBSD, Linux, macOS or Solaris, the basic commands are the same because they are standardized.

FeatureAROSFreeBSDLinux-basedHP-UXOpenVMSmacOSSolarisWindows (cmd)Windows (PowerShell)
List directorylist, dirlslslsdirlslsdirGet-ChildItem
Clear consoleclearclearclearclearty/pa nl:clearclearclsClear-Host
Copy file(s)copycpcpcpcopycpcpcopyCopy-Item
Move file(s)movemvmvmvrenmvmvmoveMove-Item
Rename file(s)renamemvmv, renamemvrenmvmvren (rename)Rename-Item
Delete file(s)deletermrmrmdelrmrmdel (erase)Remove-Item
Delete directorydeletermdirrmdirrmdirdelrmdirrmdirrd (rmdir)Remove-Item
Create directorymakedirmkdirmkdirmkdircreate/dirmkdirmkdirmd (mkdir)New-Item
Change current directorycdcdcdcdset defcdcdcd (chdir)Set-Location
Run shell script with new shellshell file.shellsh file.shsh file.shsh file.sh@ file.comsh file.shsh file.shcmd /c file.cmdpowershell file.ps1
Kill processes?kill, killallkillall, pkill, kill, skillkillstopkill, killallkill, pkilltaskkillStop-Process
Change process prioritychangetaskprinicenice, chrtniceset proc/prionicenicestart /low, start /normal, start /high, start /realtimeStart-Process, wmic
Change I/O priority?ionice?set proc/prionice???
Create file systemformatnewfsmkfsnewfsinitmkfsnewfs, zpool/zfs createformatFormat-Volume
File system check and recovery?fsckfsckfsckanalyze/diskfsckfsckchkdskRepair-Volume
Create software raid?atacontrol, gmirror, zfs createmdadm -C??diskutil appleRAIDmetainit, zpool creatediskpart (mirror only)diskpart (mirror only)
Mount devicemountmountmountmountmountmount, diskutil mountmountmountvolNew-PSDrive
Unmount deviceassign drivename: dismountumountumountumountdismountumount, diskutil unmount(disk)umountmountvol /dRemove-PSDrive
Mount file as block device?mdconfig + mountmount -o loop??hdidlofiadm + mount??
Show network configuration?ifconfigip addr, ifconfigifconfig, lanadmintcpip sh net (sh net)ifconfigifconfigipconfigGet-NetIPInterface, ipconfig
Show network route?netstat -r, route get, route monitorip route, routenetstat -rtcpip sh routenetstat -r, route get, route monitornetstat -rrouteGet-NetRoute
Trace network route?traceroutetraceroutetraceroutetcptracetraceroutetraceroutetracertTest-NetConnection
Trace network route with pings?traceroute -Itraceroute -I, mtr?tcptracetraceroute -Itraceroute -Ipathpingpathping
FeatureAROSFreeBSDLinux-basedHP-UXOpenVMSmacOSSolarisWindows (cmd)Windows (PowerShell)

NOTE: Linux systems may vary by distribution which specific program, or even 'command' is called, via the POSIX alias function. For example, if you wanted to use the DOS dir to give you a directory listing with one detailed file listing per line you could use alias dir='ls -lahF' (e.g. in a session configuration file).

See also

Operating system comparisons

External links

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