Special
Overview of open-source operating systems
Linux, Zephyr, TheradX and FreeRTOS - Which System is Right for Your Embedded Development Needs?
![[Translate to Englisch:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/6/csm_welcherweg-web_71cf7c3dcd.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:]")
Open source operating systems: A comparison
In the world of embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT), everything revolves around efficiency, real-time capability, and security. Open-source operating systems such as Linux, Zephyr, FreeRTOS, and ThreadX provide developers with the tools they need to meet these requirements. They make it possible to make devices smarter, faster, and more connected. But which alternative operating system to Windows and macOS is right for you? In this blog article, we introduce the different systems and show you where they perform best.
The free operating system Linux
Linux is probably one of the best-known alternative operating systems and is used in a wide variety of industries. The most important hard facts about it:
License:
Open source (GPL, LGPL)
Target devices:
Powerful hardware such as industrial PCs and complex IoT devices
Real-time capability:
Limited (with RT preemption)
Resource requirements:
High (high RAM and memory requirements)
Customizability:
Very flexible thanks to modular design and large community
Driver support:
Comprehensive and available for almost all hardware
Community and support:
Very large, extensive documentation, and global support
Complexity:
Suitable for complex applications with multitasking and network protocols
Examples of applications:
IoT gateways, sophisticated GUIs, networks, smart devices
At Ginzinger, we have developed the core for your embedded systems with our Embedded Linux operating system GELin. Learn more about it!
The open-source operating system with real-time capability: Zephyr
License:
Open Source (Apache 2.0)
Target devices:
Resource-efficient embedded systems, especially for IoT
Real-time capability:
Very good, real-time RTOS
Resource requirements:
Low
Customizability:
Modular and scalable
Driver support:
Good, but less comprehensive than Linux
Community and support:
Fast-growing community, well documented
Complexity:
For small to medium-sized systems that have high real-time requirements
Examples of applications:
IoT devices, sensors, wearables, smart home devices
ThreadX: An alternative operating system for security-critical areas
License:
Open Source (MIT)
Target devices:
Real-time and safety-critical systems, such as medical technology and aviation
Real-time capability:
Excellent, real-time optimization
Resource requirements:
Low
Customizability:
Flexible, but limited by the still-recent proprietary approach
Driver support:
Depends on the platform
Community and support:
emerging and growing through the still recently proprietary approach
Complexity:
For safety-critical and real-time systems of medium to high complexity
Examples of applications:
IoT devices, aircraft systems, medical devices
FreeRTOS: The free operating system for microcontrollers
License:
Open Source (MIT)
Target devices:
Resource-constrained microcontrollers and simple IoT devices
Real-time capability:
Good, real-time capabilities for simple applications
Resource requirements:
Very low
Customizability:
Modular and easy to adapt
Driver support:
Good, but heavily focused on microcontroller hardware
Community and support:
Large, broad developer base
Complexity:
For simple and medium-sized applications with low resource requirements
Examples of applications:
IoT devices, microcontroller-based applications
Discover the Ginzinger solutions: GELin
The choice of the right system depends heavily on the requirements of your application. For maximum flexibility and industrial durability, the Embedded Linux Distribution GELIn from Ginzinger electronic systems, which has been used in countless customer projects for many years, has also established itself. GELin combines the adaptability of Linux with specially developed features for embedded systems and customer-specific HMIs.
When standard solutions reach their limits, the strength of tailor-made approaches often becomes apparent. GELin has proven itself and has been in use for over 15 years as a distribution for customer-specific embedded hardware-software platforms.
Noch Fragen? Wir beraten Sie gerne zu Ihrem Projekt!
Do you still have unanswered questions about open-source operating systems or your project? Feel free to contact us—the experts at Ginzinger are here to help you with advice and support!
FAQs - Frequently asked questions about open source operating systems
What operating systems are available?
There are many operating systems available, with Windows and macOS being among the best known. If you would like to use an alternative operating system, there are various open-source operating systems to choose from.
What does “open source” mean?
An open-source operating system is an operating system with open source code. This means that developers can view the code. The result is a system that can be developed collaboratively and often even used free of charge.
What is the difference between open source and a free operating system?
Open source describes a system whose source code is publicly accessible. A free operating system additionally emphasizes the ability of users to use, modify, and redistribute software. In practice, the two terms often overlap.
Are open-source operating systems secure?
Open-source operating systems are often considered very secure because the source code can be publicly reviewed. This means that security vulnerabilities are often discovered and fixed more quickly.