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SmartOS screenshot

SmartOS

SmartOS is an open-source UNIX-like operating system based on illumos, a community fork of OpenSolaris. It features four technologies - ZFS (a combined file system and logical volume manager), DTrace (a dynamic tracing framework for troubleshooting kernel and application problems), Zones (a lightweight virtualisation solution), KVM and bhyve (two full virtualisation solutions for running a variety of guest operating systems, including Linux, Windows, BSD and Plan9).

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HackerOS screenshot

HackerOS

HackerOS is a live Linux distribution based on Debian's "Testing" branch and designed for regular users, gamers and cybersecurity enthusiasts. Some of its features include an optimised XanMod Linux kernel for faster boot times and reduced resource usage, out-of-the-box support for NVIDIA graphics cards, and a collection of cybersecurity tools, such as enhanced firewalls and intrusion detection software.

Technical Specs Comparison
SmartOSHackerOS
SolarisBaseDebian (Testing)
pkgsrcPackage Managerapt / deb, flatpak, snap
otherInit Systemsystemd
Fixed ReleaseRelease ModelSemi-Rolling
Latest Version
IntermediateDifficultyIntermediate
June 11, 2026Release DateMay 6, 2026
x86_64
Architecture
x86_64
No DesktopGNOMEKDE PlasmaXfce
Desktops
No DesktopGNOMEKDE PlasmaXfce