Popular: Data updated October 27, 2026

Categories

Internet1,356
Communication321
Audio & video898
Graphics & design539
Office & productivity1,124
Developer tools3,134
AI tools529
Security & privacy385
System tools3,114
Games523
Education & science239
Network & IT284

Debian alternatives

Debian for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

The Debian Project Virtualisation #91 Virtualisation

12 Windows apps in the same category as Debian, ranked by what they have in common and by popularity.

  • Sandboxie

    Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32- and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems.

    Open source 5.73.8 95K ↓ ★ 19.8K
  • Oracle VirtualBox

    VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualization software for x86_64 hardware (with version 7.1 additionally for macOS/Arm), targeted at laptop, desktop, server and embedded use.

    Open source 7.2.22 2.3M ↓
  • Vagrant

    Build and manage virtual machine environments in a single workflow

    Proprietary 2.4.9 8.9K ↓ ★ 27.2K
  • Multipass

    A lightweight VM Manager that supports cloud-deployment simulation

    Open source 1.16.4 27.7K ↓ ★ 9.3K linux
  • QEMU

    A generic and open source machine emulator and virtualiser.

    Open source 11.1.0 421.5K ↓
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux

    A feature of Windows that allows you to run a Linux environment on your Windows machine, without the need for a separate virtual machine or dual booting.

    Open source 2.7.14 ★ 34.2K linux, wsl
  • BlueStacks

    Play Android games on PC or try instantly from our cloud.

    Proprietary 5.22.166.1003 19K ↓
  • usbipd-win

    Host locally connected USB devices to other (possibly virtual) machines.

    Open source 5.3.0 876 ↓ ★ 6.2K wsl
  • Omnissa Horizon Client

    Connect to your Omnissa Horizon virtual desktop from your device of choice.

    Proprietary 8.20.0 244.2K ↓
  • AutomatedLab

    A provisioning solution and framework that lets you deploy complex labs on HyperV and Azure with simple PowerShell scripts.

    Open source 5.61.0 465 ↓ ★ 2.2K
  • Fedora Remix for WSL

    Fedora Remix for WSL is a remix of upstream Fedora software for Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Server.

    Open source 42.0.5.0 ★ 808 distro, linux, wsl
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP6

    The industry-leading adaptable Linux operating system.

    Free 156.3.148.0 distro, linux, wsl

Comparison

AppLicenceVersionUpdatedGitHub starsChocolatey downloads
Debian Free 1.12.2.0 April 24, 2023 — —
Sandboxie Open source 5.73.8 October 19, 2026 19.8K 95K
Oracle VirtualBox Open source 7.2.22 October 20, 2026 — 2.3M
Vagrant Proprietary 2.4.9 August 21, 2025 27.2K 8.9K
Multipass Open source 1.16.4 September 8, 2026 9.3K 27.7K
QEMU Open source 11.1.0 August 12, 2026 — 421.5K
Windows Subsystem for Linux Open source 2.7.14 October 23, 2026 34.2K —
BlueStacks Proprietary 5.22.166.1003 March 12, 2026 — 19K
usbipd-win Open source 5.3.0 October 11, 2025 6.2K 876
Omnissa Horizon Client Proprietary 8.20.0 October 22, 2026 — 244.2K
AutomatedLab Open source 5.61.0 June 15, 2026 2.2K 465
Fedora Remix for WSL Open source 42.0.5.0 June 9, 2025 808 —
SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP6 Free 156.3.148.0 June 23, 2025 — —