Free GNU/Linux distributions
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Following are the GNU/Linux distributions we know of which have a firm policy commitment to only include and only propose free software. They reject non-free applications, non-free programming platforms, non-free drivers, or non-free firmware “blobs”. If by mistake they do include any, they remove it. If you have found such non-free software or documentation in one of these distributions, you can report the issue and earn GNU Bucks in the process. To learn more about what makes for a free GNU/Linux distribution, see our Guidelines for Free System Distributions.
I know of a distro that's not listed here!
We maintain a list of the free system distributions we know about. If you know about a free distribution that isn't listed there, please have the developers write to gnu@gnu.org with a description of their system and a link to their web page.
We list companies that sell hardware preinstalled with a free GNU/Linux distribution separately.
If you know of a distribution that may qualify but isn't listed here, please ask the distribution's maintainers if they want to follow these free software principles. If they do, and they would like their distribution to be listed here, they should write to <webmasters@gnu.org>.
If you're wondering why a certain distribution isn't listed here, you may want to check our page explaining why we don't endorse some common distributions. There, we've listed the reasons why several well-known distributions don't meet our guidelines.
Some distributions are making efforts to move toward a completely free system. We thank them for their ongoing work to achieve that goal, and hope to list them here some day.
Individual GNU packages (most of which are included in the free distros here) are described separately.
All of the distributions that follow are installable to a computer's hard drive and most can be run live. They are listed in alphabetical order.
| Distribution | Description |
|---|---|
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BLAG Linux and GNU, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Fedora. |
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Dragora, an independent GNU/Linux distribution based on concepts of simplicity. |
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Dynebolic, a GNU/Linux distribution with special emphasis on audio and video editing. |
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gNewSense, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu, with sponsorship from the FSF. |
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Musix, a GNU+Linux distribution based on Knoppix, with special emphasis on audio production. |
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Parabola GNU/Linux, a distribution based on Arch that prioritizes simple package and system management. |
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Trisquel, a GNU/Linux distribution oriented toward small enterprises, domestic users and educational centers. |
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Ututo, a GNU/Linux distribution based on Gentoo. It was the first fully free GNU/Linux system recognized by the GNU Project. |
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Venenux, a GNU/Linux distribution built around the KDE desktop. |
In addition to their own sites, many of these distros are available from mirror.fsf.org. Feel free to download or mirror the distros from there, preferably using rsync. (Free distro maintainers: please contact FSF sysadmin to have your distro mirrored there.)