OpenBSD and FreeBSD are server-focused descendants of the original Berkeley Software Distribution, or BSD developed at UC Berkeley from the late 1970s through the 1990s.
As popular open-source projects, they have dedicated followings as alternatives to Linux. How do they differ, and which one may be right for you?
Installation Process: OpenBSD vs. FreeBSD
BothOpenBSDandFreeBSDhave installation programs that let you partition and install these systems on a computer, similar to those of Linux distributions. Still, the experience of installing the two OSes is very different.
OpenBSD assumes a lot of computer experience, and the interface is rather spartan. You download the installation image from the website, just as you would with Linux,extract it to the media, and boot the machine.
When your machine boots, you’re greeted with a console. There’s no graphical installation or live media that you would get on a major Linux distro. You run the installation program from the terminal and answer questions about what kind of keyboard you use and your region.
If you make a mistake, all you may do is hitCtrl + Cand start again. The installer is similar to expert-focused distros like Arch or Gentoo.
After that, you’ll choose which “filesets” you want your system to include. The developers recommend the defaults for first-time users. Then you’ll configure the root password and any other users you want. Next comes the moment of truth where you boot into your new OS.
FreeBSD’s installation program is similar but with a more polished look. It’s still text-based, though. If you ever installed games on an MS-DOS system in the ’90s, FreeBSD’s installation program will look familiar.
It will also walk you through setting up a FreeBSD machine, such as formatting partitions, which FreeBSD calls “slices,” selecting software, setting up an internet connection, and setting up users and time zones.
Even as it appears friendlier, FreeBSD’s installation program also assumes familiarity with Unix-like operating systems, as does OpenBSD.
FreeBSD has an edge over OpenBSD for having a more intuitive installation program that you can muddle through without a manual if you’ve installed an OS before.
Uses and Applications
OpenBSD and FreeBSD both have roots in the 386BSD project to port the BSD codebase to, well, Intel 80386 processors, but they target two different markets.
OpenBSD was founded by Theo De Raadt after several disagreements between him and other NetBSD developers. NetBSD itself was another offshoot of 386BSD.
OpenBSD’s claim to fame is its focus on security. The project’s official website claims as of September 2023 that only two remote holes have been found in the default installation “in a heck of a long time.”
OpenBSD was initially popular for building routers and gateways from scratch, often with second-hand parts, in small ISPs in the ’90s. While dedicated hardware is a lot more common as internet service has become more consolidated and professionalized, OpenBSD maintains its focus on security through an emphasis on code correctness.
OpenBSD’s commitment to technical quality is likely a reason that components that have been ported to other systems, such as OpenSSH and tmux, have become widely popular outside the OpenBSD ecosystem. OpenSSH is even installed by default on Windows 10 and 11.
FreeBSD, on the other hand, despite the developers focusing on server use, is positioned more as a general-purpose system.
Like OpenBSD, FreeBSD was a popular OS for powering dot-com infrastructure during the ’90s internet boom. Yahoo was known for relying on FreeBSD extensively in its heyday, and Netflix’s Open Connect content delivery network handles many binge-watching sessions.
Quality of Documentation
Both OpenBSD and FreeBSD maintain documentation on their systems.
OpenBSD’s documentation is a lot like the rest of the system: terse and geared toward experts. Visually, the project’s website is firmly rooted in the 1990s, but OpenBSD’s typically whimsical release themes notwithstanding.
In addition to its manpages, OpenBSD maintains"FAQ" sectionsthat really double as manuals in themselves. These cover minor details like installation and securing the system.
FreeBSD’s approach to documentation is more polished. FreeBSD has well-written manpages, but the system’s best feature may be theHandbook. It’s informative enough to serve as a reference for expert users but explains enough basic concepts for those who may not have as much experience with Unix-like systems to serve as an introduction.
FreeBSD wins on the quality of its documentation over OpenBSD.
Firewall Implementation
Both OpenBSD and NetBSD promote security, and one way they do so is by making a firewall available.
True to OpenBSD’s security emphasis, the project has developed its own firewall program, pf, for Packet Filter. As with other components, PF has been widely ported to other systems. PF is part of macOS, which is based on part on FreeBSD.
As with OpenBSD, FreeBSD makes use of PF as one of the major firewall programs, but IPFW and IPFILTER are also available. The FreeBSD Handbook devotes the most space to PF but warns that their ported version and OpenBSD’s diverge significantly.
It takes some time and expertise to configure a firewall on both systems to let them serve as a makeshift router. OpenBSD has an edge for people determined to build a DIY router due to its obsessive security focus.
Desktop Environments
While OpenBSD and NetBSD are developed primarily with servers in mind, it’s possible to use them as desktop systems.
OpenBSD can install an X server and a basic FVWM window manager environment. Like everything else, it’s a throwback to the ’90s visually. you’re able to install other environments through the package manager.
FreeBSD offers many of the same window managers and desktop environments that you would find on Linux distributions.
Installing a GUI is a bit more involved on both systems, similar to doing so on Arch or Gentoo. FreeBSD might be the winner here, simply because you can install complete desktop systems like TrueOS or MidnightBSD that come with a desktop out of the box.
Hardware Support: OpenBSD vs. FreeBSD
Ifopen-source and proprietary hardware driver supporton Linux seems frustrating to you, your choices are more limited onBSD-based operating systemssimply because they’re more niche than Linux is, at least on the desktop.
The biggest challenges, as in Linux, are graphics and Wi-Fi.
OpenBSD supports AMD and Intel chipsets, but not Radeon, as the company doesn’t provide any technical information to the developers. A number of Wi-Fi drivers are available, however.
FreeBSD supports the major graphics manufacturers as well as Wi-Fi.
As with many modern Linux distros, X requires very little, if any, configuration to run on both systems. As they’re mainly server-oriented, they’ll run in console mode by default. Connecting to Wi-Fi is also more involved, but wired connections will usually work out of the box.
Package Management in FreeBSD and OpenBSD
Both OpenBSD and FreeBSD offer package management to simplify software installation, again similar to modern Linux distros. On both systems, you can compile “ports” from the source but have the option to install binary packages quickly. The latter approach is increasingly common in both systems.
OpenBSD uses the pkg_add and pkg_info programs to install and search for packages.
FreeBSD’s package command is called “pkg” and the operations are all performed on one program. The latter approach seems easier.
Which Is More Secure? OpenBSD or FreeBSD
Both OpenBSD and FreeBSD stress their commitment to security. FreeBSD is a more general-purpose system, but FreeBSD is, as is obviously apparent, obsessive in its approach to coding and system design. Those who are really concerned will likely choose the latter.
Popularity
While popularity by itself should not be the only factor in selecting an OS, it will affect the ability to find software and support. While OpenBSD has a reputation in the open-source community for its devotion to security and even a playful side with its release theming, FreeBSD seems to have wider support.
It’s difficult to gauge how widely used both systems are in practice, but FreeBSD has a higher rank than OpenBSD ondistrowatch.comas of September 2023, based on hits to their web pages.
Now You Can Use the Right BSD for the Right Job
Deciding between OpenBSD or FreeBSD can be daunting, but the decision will likely come down to how secure you want your system to be. If you want a secure, tough-as-nails OS, your best bet is OpenBSD. For a more general BSD system, go with FreeBSD or NetBSD.
