Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

Debian

15.9K
11K
+ 1
164
FreeBSD

249
196
+ 1
28
Add tool

Debian vs FreeBSD: What are the differences?

Debian and FreeBSD are two popular operating systems that offer different features and functionalities. Let's explore the key differences between them.

  1. Kernel: Debian uses the Linux kernel, which is known for its wide range of hardware support and compatibility. On the other hand, FreeBSD utilizes its own kernel, which is based on the Unix-like operating system. This fundamental difference in the kernel affects the overall system architecture and design philosophies of the two operating systems.

  2. Package Management: Debian utilizes the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) for package management. APT provides a convenient way to install, upgrade, and remove software packages from a central repository. FreeBSD, on the other hand, uses the Ports Collection and the package management tool called pkg. The Ports Collection allows users to easily build and install software from source, giving more control and customization options.

  3. Licensing: Debian adheres to a strict policy of using free and open-source software, as outlined in the Debian Free Software Guidelines. This means that all packages in the Debian repositories must meet certain criteria to ensure they are truly free software. In contrast, while FreeBSD is also open-source, it includes some non-free components in its base system and allows for non-free software to be installed.

  4. System Stability: Debian is known for its stability and reliability. The development process emphasizes rigorous testing and quality assurance before releasing updates. FreeBSD also focuses on stability, with a dedicated team of developers and a conservative approach to making changes to the operating system. Both operating systems are suitable for server environments where stability is crucial.

  5. Community and Support: Debian has a large and active community of users and developers who contribute to the development and maintenance of the operating system. This vast community provides extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation. FreeBSD also has a dedicated community that is known for its helpfulness and expertise, offering support through mailing lists, forums, and other channels.

  6. Hardware Support: Debian's Linux kernel provides excellent hardware support, making it compatible with a wide range of devices and architectures. FreeBSD also offers extensive hardware support, particularly for server-grade hardware and embedded systems. However, it may have limited support for certain consumer-focused hardware or newer technologies.

In summary, Debian is a Linux distribution known for its stability and extensive package management, while FreeBSD is a Unix-based system with a focus on performance, security, and advanced networking features.

Manage your open source components, licenses, and vulnerabilities
Learn More
Pros of Debian
Pros of FreeBSD
  • 54
    Massively supported
  • 50
    Stable
  • 21
    Reliable
  • 9
    Aptitude
  • 8
    Customizable
  • 8
    It is free
  • 8
    Turnkey linux use it
  • 6
    Works on all architectures
  • 8
    Excellent as Server
  • 6
    Very Stable
  • 4
    Helpful community
  • 2
    Free to use
  • 2
    Extremely simple updates and compiles of kernel and use
  • 2
    Good for Cloud - Nextcloud
  • 2
    Ports and packages system is mature and well-supported
  • 1
    Easy to install
  • 1
    Supported by major cloud platforms

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Debian
Cons of FreeBSD
  • 10
    Old versions of software
  • 2
    Can be difficult to set up on vanilla Debian
  • 1
    Slower to adopt non-server hardware than Linux
  • 1
    Poor support for laptops, especially wireless cards

Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

What is Debian?

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

What is FreeBSD?

An operating system for a variety of platforms which focuses on features, speed, and stability. It is derived from BSD, the version of UNIX® developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is developed and maintained by a large community.

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

What companies use Debian?
What companies use FreeBSD?
Manage your open source components, licenses, and vulnerabilities
Learn More

Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

What tools integrate with Debian?
What tools integrate with FreeBSD?

Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

Blog Posts

What are some alternatives to Debian and FreeBSD?
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It also means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.
Fedora
Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest free and open source software, in a stable, secure and easy to manage form. Fedora is the largest of many free software creations of the Fedora Project. Because of its predominance, the word "Fedora" is often used interchangeably to mean both the Fedora Project and the Fedora operating system.
CentOS
The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open source ecosystem. For users, we offer a consistent manageable platform that suits a wide variety of deployments. For open source communities, we offer a solid, predictable base to build upon, along with extensive resources to build, test, release, and maintain their code.
Linux Mint
The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.
Arch Linux
A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.
See all alternatives