The war for a better operating system isn’t going to end because almost all of them have unique features. This competition gets even more severe in Unix-like OS, but everything is relatively better. FreeBSD and Linux are both Unix-like OSs that may feel almost the same for new users, which isn’t true, and we will debunk it today.
This writing aims to show the differences between FreeBSD and Linux, their strengths and weaknesses, and which is better for you in terms of features and daily use.
What is FreeBSD, and Why Would You Choose it Over Linux?
FreeBSD is a free open-source OS (operating system) based on Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) and Research Unix. It was launched in 1993 and was among the top, but it has lost some popularity because it is only suitable for servers, network-attached storage (NAS), and other embedded systems.
System Requirements of FreeBSD:
The recommended requirements of the FreeBSD operating system are as follows:
RAM: 4 GB
Hardisk: 8 GB
Processor: Intel Processor 486 or Higher
Why Choose FreeBSD Over Linux
A few factors that make FreeBSD better than Linux include the following.
A full-fledged Operating system
There is a common misinterpretation where people think that Linux is a full-fledged operating system which IT IS NOT. It is packaged in a distribution (Linux) that includes system software, and that is why Linux is often referred to as “GNU/Linux.”
On the other hand, FreeBSD is a complete operating system that is much more stable, mature, and secure than Linux. It is also faster as the latency is much lower, which is why NETFLIX uses it; tell me if your NETFLIX is stuck.
Licensing
FreeBSD is fully licensed by BSD license, and every user can access, modify, release or keep it to themselves and even create another thing out of it without any problems.
However, when you do the same with Linux, you must make it public to avoid legal issues.
Better Security
An OS with better security than Linux? One of them is FreeBSD, which comes with top-notch security features like jails, GDBE, and Geli for encryption at the disk level.
Advantages of using FreeBSD
Using FreeBSD, users can enjoy the following features.
- A complete OS with perhaps the best security and zero cost
- Mature, stable, and incredibly fast
- BSD license to do anything with code, either publicly or privately
Disadvantages of using FreeBSD
The following points are where FreeBSD needs improvement
- Better community support
- More compatibility with hardware
- Shell needs to be updated
What is Linux, and why would you choose it over FreeBSD?
Linux is a free and open-source Unix-like OS that was launched back in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. It has gained decent popularity over the past years among users who require a system efficient for cloud computing, embedded systems, servers, supercomputers, or even mobiles. Linux has several distributions for different kinds of users; some of the most popular among them include Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.
System Requirements of Linux:
The recommended requirements of the FreeBSD operating system are as follows:
RAM: 2 GB
Hardisk: 5 GB
Processor: Intel Pentium or Higher
Why choose Linux over FreeBSD
Linux users have the following advantages over FreeBSD users.
Better Hardware support
The hardware support on Linux is excellent and can be used on every other system, including low-end ones. It is also the obvious choice for many developers because of frequent updates for system drivers like graphics cards and other related software. The system update mechanism is simple yet powerful.
User-friendly
Linux is much more user-friendly, as you can easily install software using a simple command. Unlike FreeBSD, where source codes are downloaded and executed on every launch, consuming time.
More applications
There are a ton of applications or software available on Linux that are free for you to use, which is one of the reasons why people choose Linux over FreeBSD. In almost every other major software, there is excellent compatibility with Linux.
Community
The number of users of an OS defines the community, and for Linux, it is good. When you are facing an issue, for example, an error while installing a package, you will look for the solution on the internet, and for Linux, the answer is easier to find than FreeBSD.
Advantages of using Linux
The advantages of using Linux over FreeBSD include the following.
- Better hardware, software, and community support
- Different distros for every field of use
- Support for all servers, including HP, Dell, and IBM
- An updated shell and a powerful kernel
- Better user-interface
Disadvantages of Linux
Linux could use some improvisation in the following areas.
- Make an official version of Linux.
- Remove a few restrictions in software licensing, like making the source code public after adding new features.
Which one is a Better Operating system for Students and Gamers?
For students, either FreeBSD or Linux could be a good choice, depending on their specific needs and interests. Both operating systems offer a wide range of educational resources and tools, and they are both highly customizable, which can be useful for learning and experimentation. Linux may be a particularly good choice for students interested in learning more about the underlying technology of operating systems since the Linux kernel is widely-used and well-documented.
For gamers, Linux may be the better choice because it has better support for popular gaming platforms and tools, such as Steam and Wine. However, it is worth noting that many popular games can be played on both FreeBSD and Linux, so the choice of the operating system may not be as important as the computer’s hardware and software configuration. It is always a good idea to consult the game’s system requirements and compatibility information before deciding.
Conclusion
FreeBSD and Linux are both widely used and highly-regarded operating systems, but they have different codebases and development philosophies, affecting their performance and capabilities. It might be a good idea to try out both operating systems and see which works best for the user’s specific needs.
