FreeBSD is a free Unix-like operating system descended from Research Unix via the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), also known as “Berkeley Unix.”

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FreeBSD is an Open Source, standards-compliant, Unix-like operating system for x86, ARM, AArch64, RISC-V, and PowerPC computers.FreeBSD is also the thousands of dedicated and talented developers, contributors, and end users that create FreeBSD according to an open governance model, meaning the people that develop the software elect the Core Team–the project’s Technical Steering Committee–every 2 years.The FreeBSD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, supports the operating system and community to ensure their vitality and endurance for decades.

FreeBSD and the global community that builds it have been making computing better for 3 decades, through:

Extensive security features including Jails,  Mandatory Access Control, Capsicum capability, ASLR, SEOS, and sandbox mechanisms.

“With FreeBSD, we are able to deliver high performance products with the reliability, security and supportability that our customers expect.”

Matt Hambrick, Director, ONTAP Engineering, NetApp

A passionate community with a democratic approach to development decisions. An elected Core team works with developers to set the direction of the Project. 

“Beyond its technical strengths, FreeBSD comes with an outstanding ecosystem of developers, vendors, and users who openly share expertise, talent, and technical improvements.”

David Fullagar, Director of Content Delivery Architecture, Netflix

The standards-compliant networking stack that connects the world. FreeBSD’s strong TCP/IP networking stack provides high performance capabilities, a multitude of tuning options, and a wide range of advanced features, including Asynchronous Sendfile, kernel-level and NIC TLS, TCP RACK congestion control, and WireGuard. 

“Our FreeBSD-powered Wireless ISP provides symmetric Gigabit Internet access to rural, mountainous customers, one of the most difficult regions to provide reliable Internet services due to terrain and lack of communication infrastructure. Near 99% uptime using FreeBSD for all layer 3 (routing) and layer 7 traffic inspection functions.”

A complete, integrated operating system consisting of kernel and userland components and an easily customizable build system. When coupled with the well thought out development process, it offers a cohesive and controlled environment.

“FreeBSD’s comprehensive kernel and user space use of LLVM, the tightly integrated OS design and build, clean kernel support for multiple ABIs, Capsicum, and strong early support for the RISC-V architecture make FreeBSD ideal for our needs.”

Dr. Robert Watson, Professor of Systems, Security, and Architecture, Security Research Group, University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory

A permissive (BSD) license that allows for more flexibility in how the code can be used and integrated into proprietary software, which is especially important for industrial customers who want to protect their Intellectual Property.

“The FreeBSD release system provides Juniper with a roadmap for features and a stable base for our code, while its practical licensing enables Juniper to develop intellectual property for advancing high-performance networking.”

Naren Prabhu, Vice President Foundation Technologies, Juniper Networks

Fully integrated support for the OpenZFS file system, which provides advanced features such as data integrity checks, snapshots, boot environments, and dynamic volume management. 

“I am delighted with FreeBSD. It feels cleaner and more organized. ZFS is awesome! The compression support is wonderful! Rollbacks worked flawlessly. Jails  was SO easy to set up the services in a containerized fashion using iocage!”

Linux user who switched to FreeBSD

A release cycle that focuses on stability and backward compatibility. The Project follows the principle of Least Astonishment (POLA), meaning things aren’t changed for the sake of making changes. Ideal for systems that require long-term reliability.

“FreeBSD was chosen for its stability and reliability, the ease of upgrade and maintenance, the reliability of security updates, and the amazing overall quality of the packages.”

Scott Chen, Managing Director, MSI/FUNTORO

Learn More About the Key Features of FreeBSD

FreeBSD is a digital cornerstone that keeps the world connected, protected, and entertained

There’s a good chance you’re using at least some code derived from FreeBSD in your everyday life. If you stream movies via Netflix, or play the latest PlayStation game sensation, you’re already using FreeBSD. That’s only the beginning though, take a look at just some of the trusted industry leaders using FreeBSD.

A more comprehensive list can be found here.

The Industry Follows Our Lead

FreeBSD is so many things, but please don’t call it a Linux distro

While similar in nature, both the OS itself and the way the Project operates have many key differences from Linux:

FreeBSD is a full operating system including userland components.

On the other hand, Linux is only a kernel and requires userland components and installer to be added to have a ready-to-run operating system. FreeBSD offers a cohesive and controlled environment compared to the fragmentation often seen in the Linux ecosystem.

FreeBSD has a permissive (BSD) license compared to the GPL, a less permissive copyleft.

The BSD license allows for more flexibility in how the code can be used and integrated into proprietary software, which is especially important for industrial customers who want to protect their Intellectual Property.

FreeBSD has excellent support for the ZFS file system.

This provides advanced features such as data integrity checks, snapshots, and dynamic volume management. While ZFS can also be used on Linux, its integration into FreeBSD is more seamless.

FreeBSD has a Community with a democratic approach to development decisions.

An elected Core team works with developers to set the direction of the Project. No one person alone decides what will be integrated.

The FreeBSD release cycle focuses on stability and backward compatibility.

The Project follows the principle of Least Astonishment (POLA), meaning things aren’t changed for the sake of making changes. Ideal for systems that require long-term reliability.

FreeBSD is both a modular toolbox of components and a cohesive kernel/userland system developed by a single team

This offers a balance between a tightly integrated system and the flexibility to adapt to diverse needs.

What Are You Waiting For?

FreeBSD is what the community develops and decides.
And our doors are wide open.

Take advantage of what companies like Beckhoff, Juniper, Cisco, NetApp and Apple already know, explore FreeBSD today. FreeBSD offers the unparalleled opportunity to build what you need, in a way that works best for you.

“The operating system does a lot of the heavy lifting, meaning my engineers can focus on product evolution rather than server maintenance.”

Jonathan Eastgate, Chief Technology Officer, Simpro