Windows

If you’re using a PC, it’s probably running Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has come under sustained criticism for not respecting their users’ privacy. Just to give one example, by default Windows records everything you type and sends this to Microsoft, and Windows carries on sending your data to Microsoft even when you tell it not to.

The most famous alternative is Apple’s Mac line of computers. While being good at privacy, they use closed source software. So we can’t be sure of what they are doing. Purism is far more transparent on this behalf, but both are quite expensive.

Thankfully, there are privacy-conscious easy-to-use alternatives which are free and can be installed on your existing PC. If you want a ready-to-use computer, head over to our hardware recommendations.

Distrochooser

Distrochooser is a questionnaire to help you choose a suitable Linux variant. The name is derived from “Linux distributions”, the term for such variants.

Website:
- Distrochooser.de
- Beta Version

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the most well-known Linux operating system variant. It became popular by its universal usability, as it doesn’t require technical knowledge to use it.

You can try out Ubuntu before installing it. Furthermore, aside from replacing your current operating system, you can install Ubuntu next to it (called a “dual boot” system). Both can be done with most Linux distributions.

Website:
- Ubuntu.com
Download:
- Ubuntu Desktop
- Different variants

Linux Mint

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution which is very popular with Linux beginners. It’s easy-to-use and privides a graphical user interface for many tasks out of the box.