Windows, mac os, ios, android, and linux are all examples of application software.

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You don’t have a great many choices when it comes to your computer's operating system, but the choice that you make can have wide-ranging consequences. The five OSes included here are your most viable options. That's not a huge number, but these operating systems differ distinctly in strengths and weaknesses. Four come from commercial tech giants, while one, the Linux-based Ubuntu, is a free and open-source option. Windows and macOS are generally the most powerful in terms of hardware and software selection as well as interface conveniences and utilities, while Chrome OS is more lightweight and runs on inexpensive hardware.

But why run just one operating system? What if you need to run software that's only compatible with a particular operating system (usually Windows or macOS)? Multiboot setups and virtualization software can let you run more than one operating system on your computer. For example, you can run Windows on a Mac inside a virtual machine or dual-boot using Boot Camp (if you have an Intel-based Mac). You can also create a Linux partition on a Windows PC and boot to that when the need arises. There's no running macOS outside of an actual Mac computer, though, unless you're comfortable jumping through the technical hoops required to create a Hackintosh(Opens in a new window).

In this list of the best operating systems, we only include consumer operating systems. We'll leave IBM i, Suse Linux, server OSes, and the rest to the PCMag Business team. And well beyond the scope of this article are some bizarre and obscure operating systems that most people have never heard of.

Recommended by Our Editors

For a blow-by-blow comparison of the two leading choices, read macOS vs. Windows: Which OS Is Best?

Windows powers more than 1.4 billion PCs, making it by far the most popular desktop operating system. It supports the most hardware and software of any OS. Windows has stumbled over the years, but the consensus is that Windows 10 is a success. It's still not perfect: Glitches occasionally rear their ugly heads, but Windows 10 beats the pants off its predecessors.

Despite that success, Microsoft considered it time to move the platform forward with Windows 11. The new OS modernizes the user interface and adds new productivity and gaming capabilities. There's an entry below for Windows 11, but check out our Windows 11 page for complete coverage. Meanwhile, Windows 10 will be supported until 2025.

Windows 10 is hard to match in interface clarity, wealth of included tools, and usability. Full touch screen support, voice assistance, flexible screenshot and clipboard tools, photo and video editors, stylus input, and even basic 3D modeling all come along with it. Those join the standard tools like Mail, Calendar, Notepad, and Calculator. The right-panel Action Center is a convenience that consolidates notifications and gives quick access to frequently needed settings.

Moving and arranging windows in Windows 10 is unmatched in conveniences and ease, as is using multiple virtual desktops with its unique Timeline feature. Windows and macOS both include app stores with vetted programs. Unlike macOS, Windows 10 can comfortably slip into a very usable tablet mode, with touch gesture support that negates the need for a keyboard.

If you're into gaming, and particularly VR gaming, Windows is the only way to go. It also ties in snugly with Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage and syncing service. As far as mobile integration, macOS has it beat with the ties between iOS and macOS, but Windows' story has vastly improved with impressive Android integrations.

Though Windows 10 is more secure and stable than in the past, it still doesn't match macOS or Linux on those criteria. Its interface presents some inconsistency, especially in control panels, and you still hear occasional complaints about problems resulting from updates, but the number of affected systems is surprisingly small.

Microsoft Windows 10 Review

Beneath its glossy new surface, Window 11 is largely the same as Windows 10. It runs all the same apps on mostly the same hardware choices—only newer CPUs and PCs with a security chip called a TPM need apply. But those chips have been standard on computers for at least half a decade.

Windows 11 gets you nearly all the advantages of Windows 10, including the widest selection of computer hardware, software, and video games, in a slick new design. That new design takes cues from both Chrome OS and macOS, with the latter's rounded window corners and the former's centered taskbar.

Windows 11 has a few new capabilities not found in Windows 10, including Snap Layouts for organizing program windows on the desktop, new HDR display support, and better security. PCMag tested Windows 11 performance for productivity and for gaming and found it's a notch faster but mostly on par with Windows 10. Aside from those performance gains, gamers have something to rejoice about because, according to PCMag analyst Jordan Minor, Windows 11 makes every PC an Xbox.

Many of Windows 11's interface changes can be reverted to more closely resemble the look of Windows 10. Notably, you can align the Start menu to the left, which is a huge comfort for those accustomed to that layout. PCMag has published plenty more Windows 11 tips to help you navigate and customize the new OS.

As with any Microsoft release, the inevitable Windows 11 complaints arose. And indeed, our rating is slightly lower than that for Windows 10 because some interface elements are less functional and use on touch tablets takes a hit. For those who prefer the tried-and-true interface of Windows 10, fear not! Microsoft has stated that the version will remain in support through 2025, so you have a few years before you must move on.

Microsoft Windows 11 Review

You'd be hard-pressed to find more ardent supporters of their operating system than macOS users, who tend to be creative producers of art, video, and photography. Indeed, Apple's desktop operating system is polished, capable, and reliable. It also ties in well with iPhones and other devices from the tech giant. The OS still gets big updates every year, with Ventura coming later in 2022.

The choice of computers is limited to those sold by a single seller (Apple), but it's a good one, though they're not budget-priced. Options range from the Mac mini and MacBook, to the super powerful Mac Pro. Macs are currently transitioning from Intel CPUs to Apple Silicon. The new processors, with names like M1 and M2, rival the top Intel chips in performance, reduce power consumption, and add even more compatibility with Apple's mobile platforms.

The interface of macOS is as slick as it gets, with more consistency than any of the other OS choices included here. The dark mode is more uniformly rendered throughout all OS tools, and the Finder (equivalent to Windows' File Explorer) offers tabs and handy preview capabilities lacking in Windows. I do prefer the flexible window and multitasking options in Windows, but Ventura's Stage Manager(Opens in a new window) should improve this issue.

Apple's OS is document-based rather than program-based like Windows, so every app has the same menu provided by the OS at the top. It can be a stumbling block for those moving between Windows and macOS. Another is the differences between Windows' Taskbar and macOS's Dock.

Macs are well stocked with included software and utilities, from the very useful Preview to the excellent included productivity and media apps. You also get Maps, Podcasts, Mail, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and we can't forget the fine web browser Safari, which offers good synergy with its mobile counterparts as well as decent privacy.

Gaming has long been something of a weak point for Macs, but Apple includes good parental controls in macOS with Screen Time, and the system has a sterling reputation for security.

Apple macOS Monterey Review

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

What Linux has over all the other operating systems included here is that it's completely free and open source—not the product of a huge tech company with profit motives. You can install Ubuntu Linux, maintained by Canonical Ltd., on any hardware that can run Windows. You can even run the operating system from a live USB stick, averting the need for installing it on your computer's storage. A few computers come with Linux preinstalled, such as the privacy-focused Purism Librem Mini, and you can get Dell laptops running Linux(Opens in a new window), mostly aimed at developers.

Despite being free, Ubuntu offers a pleasing interface and a workable selection of included apps. It comes with an office suite, browsers, email and media apps, but there are also app repositories where you can get more. Its interface resembles that of macOS more than Windows, but unlike macOS, it supports touch screen functionality (though not as full as Windows' touch screen support).

In general, Linux is customizable with completely different interface shells, and you can find different flavors, also known as distros—Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Mate, and Xubuntu. They differ in preconfigured settings, apps, and designs tailored for different purposes and tastes.

Canonical recently released the latest update to Ubuntu, version 22.04, aka Jammy Jellyfish. The new version updates Ubuntu to the Linux 5.17 kernel and mostly adds features for enterprise and developer usage. Its update to the Gnome 42 interface shell software adds power profiles, speeds up some actions, brings new multitasking options, and polishes some interface elements like the Software store and the Music app. It also offers a new remote desktop connection app, and ten accent color choices for both its dark and light modes.

A drawback is that Linux requires more tech savvy than the other choices here. If you're squeamish about seeing a command line ever, choose another OS. Another drawback is that the support for hardware peripherals is well behind that of Windows, macOS, and even Chrome OS.

With Ubuntu, you can't get some major apps, such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Sure, you can find substitutes that do the same basic functions, but you miss out on the slickness and rich tool sets of the genuine software. Don't expect much in the way of video game selection, either, though it is possible to run games on Linux.

Ubuntu is notable for being about as secure and stable an operating system as you'll find—no doubt this is why Linux powers so many servers that demand a high level of uptime. Ubuntu includes built-in security protections, and Canonical provides regular security patches and updates.

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) Review

Google's desktop operating system started out as one that delivered a browser and web applications to computers without much complexity. The idea was for it to be an entirely cloud-powered app, using Google Drive to store all your data. Chrome OS has moved beyond that now. It offers true desktop features like file folders for local files, the Google Assistant voice AI, a night mode, and tight integration with Android phones.

A variety of inexpensive Chromebook laptops and Chromeboxes (the desktop version) run Chrome OS, as well as more-expensive devices from Google, including the Pixelbook ($999 and up) and the Pixelbook Go ($649 and up). There's now even a big all-in-one Chromebase from HP. The OS also supports touch screen and stylus input in the form of the Pixel Pen, and many printer models, though not as many as macOS and Windows.

The operating system's interface is clear and minimal. You can't pin apps or documents to the desktop. It just sits there looking pretty. The Dock is fine, though not as functional as Windows' Taskbar, but the program launcher and settings are well implemented.

Chrome OS has two very different app stores, the Chrome Web Store and Google Play, and it's not clear when you should use one versus the other because they carry some of the same apps. A related problem is that Android apps behave inconsistently on Chrome because most of them were designed for the small, portrait-mode phone screen rather than the wide computer screen.

Additionally, you won't find high-end professional applications on Chrome OS, such as the full Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, or powerful video editing software. On the other hand, Google has created a full suite of apps and services for the education market, and third-party offerings cater to that market as well.

Google continues to add conveniences(Opens in a new window), like Android phone tethering, picture-in-picture video, better offline functionality, multiple virtual desktops, and a clever Tote feature that keeps recent documents and images at the ready.

If you're a student or someone on a limited budget who can do everything you need in a web browser, Chrome OS may be for you. If you want to play the latest AAA video games, edit videos and photos with professional grade software, or run advanced hardware like VR headsets or 3D printers, you're better off with another OS.

Google Chrome OS Review

What Is an Operating System?

An operating system is software that makes your computer work at all. It provides an interface between the hardware, the application software running on the hardware, and the user interacting with the software. Today's modern OSes include slick user interfaces and loads of utilities, tools, and preloaded apps that let you do a lot without even installing third-party application software. Those apps include photo editors, video editors, web browsers, email clients, calendars, text editors, music players, among others.

An operating system also includes tools to keep your computer running smoothly, safely, and malware-free. Most even include built-in security features and support for VPNs. Much of an operating system's security and stability is maintained by an automated update process that makes sure the system receives timely fixes to hardware and software compatibility and vulnerability issues.

With smartphones being such a predominant part of modern life, a good desktop operating system needs to work in concert with those devices. The cloud (aka online storage and syncing) is another prevalent theme in today's technology domain, and most operating systems integrate with their own cloud services in varying degrees of functionality.

While Ubuntu is what's known as free and open-source software (FOSS). Chrome OS is basedon the company's open-source Chromium project, meaning volunteer coders can contribute to the code and third parties can put out their own versions, but Chrome OS is Google's proprietary version of that code base. In fact, you can't even install Chrome OS proper on computer hardware that's not sanctioned by Google, something you can do with Windows and Linux.

How to Choose an Operating System

In our linked reviews of the five operating systems discussed below, we take into account the following criteria, which can help inform your choice of OS:

• Range of hardware options

• Range of software available, including gaming and productivity

• Interface design and windowing niceties

• Included apps and utilities

• Mobile and cloud integrations

• Stability, security, and updates

If you need to run software that's only supported by one of these operating systems, your choice is obvious. You can get around this sometimes by running a virtual machine (see above), but running native apps provides a superior experience. For example, if you want to use Final Cut Pro as your video editor and Adobe Premiere Pro just won't do, your only option is macOS. If you want to run AAA video games, you'll want to stick with Windows. The same holds for peripherals. You may have a VR headset or 3D printer that only provides drivers for one type of system.

Read on for a summary of each desktop operating system in order of usage share(Opens in a new window). For far more detail, click the links to our full reviews of each operating system above.