GNU/Linux Distros

Free distributions (or “distros”) oftheGNU/Linux systemonlyinclude and only propose free software. They reject nonfreeapplications, nonfree programming platforms, nonfree drivers,nonfree firmware “blobs,” and any other nonfree softwareand documentation. If they discover that by mistake some had beenincluded, they remove it.

Free GNU/Linux Distros

We recommend that you use a free GNU/Linux system distribution, one that does not include proprietary software at all. That way you can be sure that you arenot installing any nonfree programs. Here is our list of such distros:
Free GNU/Linux distributions.

All of these existing distros could use more development help. Thus,if you want to make an effective contribution to free GNU/Linuxdistributions, we suggest that you join the development of an existingfree distro rather that starting a new free distro.

Free Non-GNU Distros

These system distributions are free but quite different from GNU.Using them is not similar to using GNU/Linux. However, they satisfythe same ethical criteria that we apply to GNU/Linux distros.
Free Non-GNU distributions.

All of these existing distros could use more development help. Thus,if you want to make an effective contribution in this area, we suggestthat you join the development of an existing free distro rather thatstarting a new free distro.

Free Distro Guidelines

Here is the list of problems that can prevent a distro from beingconsidered entirely free:
Guidelines for free system distributions.

Common Distros

Many common and well-known GNU/Linux software distributions don't meetour guidelines. You can read about their problems here:
Why we can't endorse many well-known GNU/Linux distros.

We appeal to the developers of these distros to remove the nonfree parts andthus make them entirely free software.

Optionally Free Is Not Enough

Some GNU/Linux distributions allow the user the option of installing only free software. You can read:
Why optionally free is not enough.

Why Is This Important?

When a GNU/Linux distro includes nonfree software, it causes two kindsof problems:

• If you install it, you may install and use nonfree software.
• It gives people the wrong idea of what the goal is.

The first problem is a direct problem: it affects users of thedistro, if they install the nonfree software. However, the secondproblem is the more important one, because it affects the community asa whole.

The developers of nonfree distros don't say, “We apologize forthe presence of nonfree components in our distribution. We don't knowwhat possessed us to include them. We hope that next release we willkeep our minds on freedom.” If they did, they would have lessof a bad influence.

Instead, they generally present the nonfree software in their systemsas a positive feature; they say that their goal is “the bestpossible user experience,” or something like that, rather thanfreedom. In other words, they lead people to place convenience abovefreedom—working directly against our campaign to make freedomthe primary goal.

The fact that these distros don't deliver freedom is why we don'tendorse them. That they teach people not to value freedom is whywe are strongly concerned about this issue.