ChromeOS vs OpenIndiana
| ChromeOS | OpenIndiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | — | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Web | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Device types | Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, Chromebases, Chromebits; ChromeOS Flex on certified PCs and Macs | x86 PCs; workstations; servers |
| Support lifecycle | ChromeOS devices receive 10 years of updates from platform release; specific device end dates vary. | Hipster is a rolling release; snapshots are published approximately every six months. No fixed support duration stated. |
| Built-in management | Google Admin console policies, app and extension installation, update management, device policies | IPS package installation, search, and updates; boot environment management with beadm |
| App compatibility | Install apps and extensions; managed Google Play apps are available only on ChromeOS devices, not ChromeOS Flex. | IPS repositories; supports SFE and pkgsrc repositories; legacy pkgadd/pkgrm commands |
| Deployment models | Physical ChromeOS devices; ChromeOS Flex installation on certified existing PCs and Macs by USB or network deployment | Physical PC/workstation/server installation; cloud image |
| CPU architectures | — | 64-bit x86; SPARC is not currently available for Hipster |
Both are listed in Best Operating Systems. On Inferse, ChromeOS scores higher on our published basis.