In the current technologically driven world, a computer is an essential tool for every business and professionals. It is a crucial tool for business operations, product creations, marketing, accounting and administration.
However, a computer system, whether a laptop, desktop, iOS or smartphone, is ineffective without an operating system(OS).
An operating system is like the system lifeblood that manages your computer hardware resources and enables you to run your computer applications. It is, therefore, pivotal for you to meticulously choose an operating system that offers the vital software solution your business requires to thrive. To prevent you from making the wrong choice, here are the top 12 best operating systems in the market currently:
Top 12 Best Operating System In The Market
- MS-Windows – Best for Apps, Gaming and Personal Use
- Ubuntu – Best for Open Source Downloading and Apps
- Mac OS – Best for Apple Exclusive Apps
- Fedora – Best for Coding and Business Use
- FreeBSD – Best for Networking
- Oracle Solaris – Best for Large Workload Processing and Multiple Database Management
- Chrome OS – Best for Web Application
- Cent OS – Best for Coding, Personal and Business Use
- Debian – Best for Running Apps
- Deepin – Best for Applications
- Janos – Best for Remote Access and Networking
- Kubuntu – Best for Viable Alternative to Ubuntu, MS-Windows, and Mac OS
1. MS-Windows – Best For Apps, Gaming and Personal Use
Price: $139/month
Toping our best operating systems list is MS Windows. It’s the most popular and familiar OS. Windows 98 to Windows 10 has always been very intuitive, versatile and easy to use. Windows has a robust User interface that allows easy navigation and responds fast to unresponsive applications. MS-Windows tops our list because it has always continually evolved with time. Also, it offers a state-of-the-art security system and can be conveniently used on any device. Though Windows OS is a bit more pricey, it offers the best value.
| Pros | Cons |
| Startup fast | Different settings app and legacy control panel |
| Robust software and device ecosystem | Involves registry |
| Excellent touchscreen support | – |
| Syncs with iOS and Android | – |
| Powerful and extensive gaming options | – |
Face login | – |
2. Mac OS – Best for Apple Exclusive Apps
Price – Free at Apple Store
Mac OS has always been the core of all Apple devices that allows you Apple devices to function optimally. Mac OS is famous for its innovative and amazing features. It has a dynamic and attractive interface that ensures easier and more convenient use. Mac OS keeps your system secured as its security features lock down your system more effective against malware. Mac OS helps make your profile more anonymous online. Its latest version is compatible with Apple silicon. It can also be seamlessly synced with your iPhone to share data easily. With Mac OS, you get to enjoy your OS and all its updates for free.
| Pros | Cons |
| Integrated iOS-like control center | Compatibility problem with third-party backup software |
| Highly informative notification center and widgets | Lacks touchscreen support, despite mobile interface components |
| Cryptographical protection of OS files from hackers | Doesn’t support 32-bit legacy apps |
| Effective security audit in Safari and the App Store | – |
| Addition to Safari, messages and maps | – |
3. Ubuntu – Best for Open Source Downloading and Apps
Price: Free
Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system with awesome features. This makes it perfect for business and personal use. It put no hole in your pocket because it’s free to download, use and share. Despite being free, it still provides you fantastic interface and security features. It is easy to install and use. Ubuntu is also well secured and customizable. It’s best for Linux beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to navigate | Lacks major third-party apps |
| Flexible and Lightweight OS | Not readily installed in many computer devices |
| Wide support from the community | Not easy to troubleshoot |
| Vast customizability | – |
| Ease of updating OS and applications on it | – |
4. Fedora – Best for Coding and Business Use
Price: Free
Fedora is another Linux-based powerful operating system for laptop and desktop computers. It is an open-source OS, free for everyone. Apart from being free to download and use, it is reliable, stable, secured and easy to use. Fedora comes with tools and utilities essential for students, developers and professionals to handle their projects effectively. Fedora OS has both desktop and server versions with frequent security updates. It has a good graphical interface and a good drive. Fedora OS is just too good to be free, but fortunately, it’s free.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast response rate and highly secured | Difficult interface for beginners |
| Great uptime | Takes time to set up |
| Supports various graphic tools | Requires downloading of various repositories from third-party stores |
| Allows access to the latest features and integration before other distros | – |
| Always has the newest Genome Cell release | – |
5. FreeBSD – Best for Networking
Price – Free
FreeBSD is a free UNIX-based open-source operating system. It is fast, stable and compatible with various platforms. So, it’s best for networking. It is also compatible with numerous devices. It is built by a large community of students, thus allowing it to deliver vast software solutions. FreeBSD can effectively handle internet and intranet services. Its tool can handle large loads and efficiently manages memory. This ensures good responses from multiple users. FreeBSD differs from Linux in terms of licensing and scope.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers networking, compatibility, and security features lacking in some OS | Less developer support |
| Less restrictive license that permits distribution of the binary-only source | A bit complex to understand requires practice |
| Complete operating system by itself | Absence of driver support |
| Uses ipfw as the firewall | – |
| Good documentation | – |
| Stable and secure | – |
6. Oracle Solaris – Best for Large Workload and Multiple Database Management
Price: Free
Solaris is another free UNIX-based operating system. It is a fast, easy-to-use, secured and enterprise-based grade cloud system. It is also available and massively scalable, making it ideal for large workloads and multiple database management. Oracle Solaris OS provides the vital advanced tools needed for building your enterprise cloud. You can use your Solaris OS for your company business oracle database hosting and control of resources to the database. It is ideal for financial institutions, energy companies, telecoms and more.
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in compliance testing | Doesn’t offer backend management |
| Good backup capabilities | Lacks user management tools |
| Database hosting | Less user-friendly interface |
| Complete, secured, stable and reliable | – |
| Highly flexible, can manipulate zones and file within the zone | – |
7. Chrome OS – Best for Web Application
Price – Free
Chrome OS is a Linux-kernel-based Google cloud-connected operating system built by Google. It is designed with web browsing and cloud computing in mind. You can use your Chrome OS to run many productive apps designed by Google like doc, drive, sheet, slide and more. The OS, therefore, promotes productivity. The Google Chrome web browser serves as its principal user interface. You can integrate your Chrome OS with your smartphone because it’s compatible with all Android applications. You can also use it to run Linux applications and multimedia. So, it affords you a cheap means to browse the web and run web apps as well as some Android apps. The OS is good but has a few drawbacks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight, thus ensuring fast and smooth operations | Unnecessary complexity due to the two separate app stores |
| Inexpensive and powers low-cost computers | Needs Google account sign in |
| Integration with Android Operating System | Weak printer management |
| Simple and clean user interface | Not best for advance and heavy users |
| Integration with other Google apps or services | – |
| Frequent automatic update | – |
8. Cent OS – Best for Coding, Personal and Business Use
Price: Free
Cent OS is yet another Linux-based open-source operating system that enables quality platform management. It is designed to assist developers in performing their coding tasks better. It offers coders tools for easy and fast building, testing and releasing of codes. It is also good for personal and corporate you. With your Cent OS, you get access to advance security features like process and user rights management. This allows you to protect your mission-critical data. Despite being free, it has Red Hat EL, which makes it pretty much compatible with everything. Cent OS comes highly recommended for Coders and professionals.
| Pros | Cons |
| High third-party compatibility | Lack of frequent update |
| Works well for high available clustering | Not ideal for a Linux beginner |
| Runs well and fasters even on old or average hardware | Lacks adequate driver support |
| Extremely safe, stable and reliable | – |
| Enterprise-ready | – |
| Huge community to help you walk through issues | – |
| Provides a solid basis for an application that needs maximum uptime | – |
9. Debian – Best for Running Apps
Price: Free
Debian is a Linux kernel-based open-source operating system developed as far back as 1993. Debian is the base of some Linux distributions. It has over 59,000 packages. Debian OS is faster and lighter than other operating systems. It also has built-in firewalls to protect vital data. Though Debian OS lacks some features, it still stands as one of the best operating systems in the market for its stability.
| Pros | Cons |
| Free but stable and secure | Not beginners friendly |
Has vast hardware support | Not always updated, leaving users to use outdated software system |
| Has multiple Installer options | Low graphics user interface |
| Comes with multiple hardware architectures | Fewer features compared to other operating systems |
| Uses less memory and runs fast | – |
| Extensive software selection | – |
10. Deepin – Best for Applications
Price: Free
Deepin is one of the operating systems based on Debian’s stable branch. It is an open-source operating system with some interesting features. One of such is the Deepin Desktop Environment. It also has an elegant and user-friendly interface. It’s very attractive and smooth. Deepin uses its own set of apps that keep improving. Deepin store is arguably the best Linux distribution-based OS. Deepin is still lagging behind Windows OS, macOS and Ubuntu in terms of tools and features but has great potential to become a powerful OS with continual improvement.
| Pros | Cons |
| Combine both Mac and Windows-style interface | Lack of desktop customization option |
| Allows smooth transition from Windows to Linux | Can’t restart normally on PC |
| Include numerous packages, over 73,000 package | Slow installation because the server is in China |
| Lightweight and lunches programs faster | Limited available resolution |
| Apt for daily use | Updating speed is slow |
| Easy to install | – |
11. Janos – Best for Remote Access and Networking
Price: Free
Janos operating system is the single OS that powers Juniper’s robust physical and virtual networking and security products. Junos OS manages and deploys mobile devices with network access and network security. It allows you or your employees to access your company’s resources with ease remotely. Its simplicity distinguishes it. Junos OS offers well-secured VPN services. With your Janos OS, you can effectively secure your data without any breach.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast and efficient connection to a remote server | Requires knowledge of basic Linux commands |
| Ability to get on the network from anywhere | Unnecessary pop-up window |
| Unlimited access to share drive from anywhere | Management interface not quite straightforward |
| Simple and user-friendly interface | – |
| Can rewrite internal web pages, so you to open from the Internet. | – |
| Powerful and easy-to-use VPN | – |
12. Kubuntu – Viable Alternative to Ubuntu, MS-Windows, and Mac OS
Price: Free
Kubuntu OS is a completely open-source Linux distro for desktop and laptop. It combines Ubuntu with KDE and plasma-desktop to give you a full set of applications. The KDE makes it faster than Ubuntu. Also, it has a proprietary email service called the Kmail. It’s lightweight and easy to use, like Windows and macOS. Kubuntu OS is ideal for developing cross-compiled applications.
| Pros | Cons |
| Suitable for beginners | Lacks compatibility with some third-party software |
| The KDE enable customization | Fewer features compared with MS-Windows and Mac OS |
| Stable, lightweight and very fast | Limited applications |
| Ideal for lower configuration computers | – |
| Large community | – |
| Seamless integration of PC with smartphones and tablets | – |
| Consistent update | – |
Conclusion
This article has been about to intimate you with the best operating system in the market currently. Selecting the best OS for you or your company now depends on your unique need. So, you need to identify your specific requirements, business needs and budget. Then, you can select the OS that best suits you. With this, you should make an informed decision about the best operating system for you.