Best IoT Operating Systems for Linux of 2025

Developed in collaboration with top chip manufacturers over a span of 15 years, FreeRTOS is now downloaded approximately every 170 seconds and stands as a top-tier real-time operating system (RTOS) tailored for microcontrollers and small microprocessors. Available at no cost under the MIT open source license, FreeRTOS encompasses a kernel along with an expanding collection of IoT libraries that cater to various industries. Prioritizing reliability and user-friendliness, FreeRTOS is renowned for its proven durability, minimal footprint, and extensive device compatibility, making it the go-to standard for microcontroller and small microprocessor applications among leading global enterprises. With a wealth of pre-configured demos and IoT reference integrations readily available, users can easily set up their projects without any hassle. This streamlined process allows for rapid downloading, compiling, and quicker market entry. Furthermore, the ecosystem of partners offers a diverse range of options, including both community-driven contributions and professional support, ensuring that users have access to the resources they need for success. As technology continues to evolve, FreeRTOS remains committed to adapting and enhancing its offerings to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry.

Arm Mbed OS is an open-source operating system tailored for IoT applications, providing all the essential tools for creating IoT devices. This robust OS is equipped to support smart and connected products built on Arm Cortex-M architecture, offering features such as machine learning, secure connectivity stacks, an RTOS kernel, and drivers for various sensors and I/O devices. Specifically designed for the Internet of Things, Arm Mbed OS integrates capabilities in connectivity, machine learning, networking, and security, complemented by a wealth of software libraries, development boards, tutorials, and practical examples. It fosters collaboration across a vast ecosystem, supporting over 70 partners in silicon, modules, cloud services, and OEMs, thereby enhancing choices for developers. By leveraging the Mbed OS API, developers can maintain clean, portable, and straightforward application code while benefiting from advanced security, communication, and machine learning functionalities. This cohesive solution ultimately streamlines the development process, significantly lowering costs, minimizing time investment, and reducing associated risks. Furthermore, Mbed OS empowers innovation, enabling developers to rapidly prototype and deploy IoT solutions with confidence.

Contiki-NG is a free and open-source operating system designed for the next generation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, emphasizing reliable and secure low-power communication along with standard protocols like IPv6/6LoWPAN, 6TiSCH, RPL, and CoAP. The platform is accompanied by comprehensive documentation, tutorials, a clear roadmap, and a structured development process that facilitates the integration of contributions from the community. By default, unless stated otherwise, the sources of Contiki-NG are available under the 3-clause BSD license, which permits users to utilize and share the code in both binary and source formats, provided that the copyright notice is preserved in the source materials. This licensing model supports an open collaborative environment that promotes innovation and community engagement in IoT development. Contiki-NG aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem for developers and users alike, ensuring that they can build upon and enhance the existing frameworks.

Torizon enhances developer efficiency and facilitates the creation of products that are easy to maintain. With integrated over-the-air updates and device monitoring, it enables earlier shipping, bug patching in the field, the rollout of new features, and quicker issue detection. The use of software containerization not only simplifies maintenance but also adds an extra layer of resilience. Regular validation on Toradex System on Modules (SoMs) ensures that developers can concentrate entirely on their applications without worrying about the operating system. Torizon supports an agile and iterative development process, allowing teams to adapt quickly to changes. Its seamlessly integrated remote update capabilities make deploying new software a breeze, while real-time device monitoring provides immediate insights into performance and potential problems, enhancing overall product reliability. This combination of features ultimately empowers developers to innovate and respond to market demands more effectively.

Raspberry Pi Imager offers a fast and straightforward method for installing Raspberry Pi OS along with various other operating systems onto a microSD card, making it ready for your Raspberry Pi. To understand the installation process, check out our brief 45-second video tutorial. Begin by downloading and installing Raspberry Pi Imager on a computer equipped with an SD card reader. Insert the microSD card intended for your Raspberry Pi into the reader and launch Raspberry Pi Imager. You can explore a variety of operating systems available from both Raspberry Pi and external providers, allowing you to download and install them manually as needed. This tool streamlines the setup process and enhances your Raspberry Pi experience.

To set up your first user on an Ubuntu Core installation, you'll need an Ubuntu SSO account. This guide will detail the process of flashing Ubuntu Core onto a Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 4, or CM3. By the conclusion of these steps, your board will be fully prepared for either production use or testing snaps. Once the installation is complete, you will be ready to install snaps using the snap command. The Snap Store offers a variety of top-tier Linux applications packaged as snaps, enabling you to enhance your Ubuntu device and embark on your secure IoT journey. With this setup, you'll be equipped to explore numerous applications tailored for your needs.

OpenWrt is an adaptable GNU/Linux distribution designed specifically for embedded devices, especially wireless routers. In contrast to many other router distributions, OpenWrt is engineered from the ground up to function as a comprehensive and easily customizable operating system for embedded systems. This design philosophy ensures that users can access all essential features without unnecessary bloat, thanks to its reliance on a modern Linux kernel. Rather than offering a single, unchangeable firmware, OpenWrt features a fully writable filesystem accompanied by optional package management. This versatility liberates users from the limitations imposed by manufacturers regarding application choices and configurations, allowing for tailored modifications to meet any specific application needs. Furthermore, for developers, OpenWrt serves as a robust framework that enables the creation of applications without the necessity of building an entire firmware image or distribution around them, thus simplifying the development process. Ultimately, this makes OpenWrt an appealing choice for both end-users and developers alike.

Developers experience significantly higher productivity levels when using Ubuntu compared to custom embedded Linux systems. By utilizing a shared platform, costs can be reduced, as licensing becomes more affordable, updates are more thoroughly tested, and maintenance responsibilities are distributed. The widespread familiarity and usage of Ubuntu facilitate seamless CI/CD processes, access to superior tools, quicker updates, and more reliable kernels. In this context, Linux itself does not provide a competitive edge; instead, leveraging pre-configured boards allows teams to concentrate on software that is distinctively aligned with their objectives. Managing a well-known environment and platform proves to be both easier and more cost-effective than operating a specialized operating system. Unsurprisingly, a larger number of Linux developers prefer Ubuntu, resulting in a richer and more diverse talent pool. By tapping into this expansive talent reservoir, organizations can benefit from Ubuntu's clear advantages across various metrics. Ultimately, productivity thrives on the principle of reuse, and developers can be empowered by accessing the widest selection of packages available. This strategy not only streamlines processes but also accelerates project timelines, leading to enhanced outcomes.

With the Toradex Easy Installer, TorizonCore can be set up effortlessly in just one click. You will find that the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Debian containers equipped with the APT Package Manager allow for a quick and easy start. Moreover, a growing array of development tools, including the Flash Analytics tool, facilitates the rapid development of dependable products. Built with the Yocto Project and based on the Toradex Embedded Linux BSP, TorizonCore is open-source, allowing for extensive customization options. Additionally, Torizon seamlessly integrates with Visual Studio 2019, empowering developers to utilize a Windows development PC while benefiting from the robust Linux ecosystem. Although Toradex continues to offer support for Windows Embedded Compact / WinCE, transitioning to Torizon with Visual Studio presents a compelling opportunity for developers eager to embrace the advantages of Linux. This combination not only enhances productivity but also encourages innovation in software development.

At the core of every embedded operating system lies a kernel, which plays a crucial role in task scheduling and multitasking to guarantee that the timing demands of your application code are fulfilled, even as you frequently enhance and modify that code with new functionalities. However, Micrium OS offers more than just a kernel; it includes a variety of supplementary modules designed to assist you in addressing the specific requirements of your project. Furthermore, Micrium OS is available completely free for use on Silicon Labs EFM32 and EFR32 devices, allowing you to integrate Micrium’s high-quality components into your projects today without incurring any licensing costs. This accessibility encourages innovation and experimentation, ensuring that developers can focus on creating robust applications without the worry of financial constraints.

Ranging from basic embedded environmental sensors and LED wearables to advanced embedded controllers, smartwatches, and IoT wireless applications, this system incorporates configurable architecture-specific stack-overflow protection, kernel object and device driver permission tracking, and thread isolation enhanced by thread-level memory protection across x86, ARC, and ARM architectures, as well as userspace and memory domains. For systems lacking MMU/MPU and those limited by memory capacity, it enables the integration of application-specific code with a tailored kernel to form a monolithic image that can be loaded and run on the hardware of the system. In this setup, both the application and kernel code operate within a unified address space, facilitating efficient resource utilization and performance optimization. This design ensures that even resource-constrained environments can effectively leverage complex applications and functionalities.

Wind River's eLxr Pro is a robust, commercial-grade Linux solution tailored for a wide range of cloud-to-edge applications, capable of handling critical workloads such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision tasks. This solution is derived from the open-source eLxr distribution and delivers adaptable, long-term support alongside continuous security monitoring and updates. It guarantees compatibility with various hardware accelerators and meets necessary industry compliance standards. Additionally, eLxr Pro enhances business operations by offering specialized consulting services and performance improvements, enabling organizations to efficiently scale their edge computing capabilities while effectively managing expenses, ensuring security, and optimizing resource use. By integrating these features, eLxr Pro positions businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.