Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CalyxOS VS LineageOS

Compare CalyxOS VS LineageOS and see what are their differences

CalyxOS logo CalyxOS

Privacy-focused operating system for smartphones based on Android and microG

LineageOS logo LineageOS

Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android
  • CalyxOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-01
  • LineageOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-26

CalyxOS features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    CalyxOS emphasizes user privacy by minimizing data collection and incorporating features like encrypted communications and privacy-respecting apps.
  • Security Enhancements
    Built on top of Android, CalyxOS includes additional security features such as verified boot and regular security patches to protect against vulnerabilities.
  • De-Googled Experience
    CalyxOS removes most proprietary Google software, providing a de-Googled experience for users who prefer not to have their data collected by Google services.
  • Compatibility with Android Apps
    CalyxOS supports F-Droid and Aurora Store, allowing users to install a wide range of open-source and Android apps while maintaining user privacy.
  • Regular Updates
    The OS receives regular updates to ensure that the latest security patches and features are available to users, helping to keep devices secure.
  • User Control
    CalyxOS provides users with a high level of control over their device's settings and permissions, enabling them to fine-tune their privacy and security.

Possible disadvantages of CalyxOS

  • Limited Device Support
    CalyxOS is only available for a relatively small number of devices, which limits its accessibility for users with different hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    Users who are accustomed to the traditional Android experience may face a learning curve when adapting to CalyxOS's different features and settings.
  • App Compatibility
    Some mainstream apps that rely heavily on Google services may not function as intended or may require additional configuration to work properly on CalyxOS.
  • Limited Official Support
    The level of official support and resources for troubleshooting might be limited compared to mainstream operating systems, potentially making it harder for some users to resolve issues.
  • Fewer Pre-Installed Apps
    While this is a benefit for those seeking a minimalist experience, some users might miss the convenience of having commonly used apps pre-installed.

LineageOS features and specs

  • Open Source
    LineageOS is open source, which means the source code is publicly available for review and modification. This enhances transparency and allows developers to contribute to the project.
  • Privacy
    LineageOS focuses on privacy and does not include any proprietary software from Google, reducing the amount of data collected on users.
  • Customization
    It offers a high level of customization, enabling users to personalize their devices extensively compared to stock ROMs.
  • Regular Updates
    LineageOS provides regular updates, including security patches and new features, ensuring that devices remain up-to-date and secure.
  • Extended Device Support
    It extends the life of older devices by providing updates and support long after manufacturers have ceased official updates.

Possible disadvantages of LineageOS

  • Complex Installation
    Installing LineageOS can be complex, requiring technical know-how and sometimes voiding warranties. Rooting and flashing a custom ROM can be intimidating for non-technical users.
  • App Compatibility
    Some applications may not be fully compatible or behave differently on LineageOS due to the absence of proprietary Google services and apps.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Custom ROMs like LineageOS might introduce stability issues or bugs, particularly on less commonly used devices that have less community testing and support.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Not all devices are supported by LineageOS. Users need to ensure their device is compatible before proceeding with installation.
  • Warranty Considerations
    Installing custom ROMs may void the warranty on some devices. Users need to be aware of this risk before proceeding.

CalyxOS videos

CalyxOS Review: The Private & Secure Android ROM For Everyone!

More videos:

  • Review - GrapheneOS vs CalyxOS ULTIMATE COMPARISON (Battery & Speed Ft. Stock Android & iPhone)

LineageOS videos

LineageOS 15.1 Features Overview

More videos:

  • Review - LineageOS 16 Review - Best Custom ROM Ever?!
  • Review - LineageOS 17 On Redmi K20 Pro [17/11/2019 Build] Full Review!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CalyxOS and LineageOS)
Mobile OS
44 44%
56% 56
Mobile SDK
48 48%
52% 52
Roms
54 54%
46% 46
Mobile Apps
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CalyxOS and LineageOS

CalyxOS Reviews

Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
It ships with Signal for encrypted messaging; Tor browser to access the web without any tracking; a free and trusted VPN from the Calyx Institute; the open-source Aurora Store, a Play Store alternative, and more. There are no Google services included in CalyxOS but if you want, you can sideload microG to get some of the Google services without sacrificing your anonymity. To...
Source: beebom.com

LineageOS Reviews

12 Best Android OS for PC (64 bit/ 32bit)- 2023
Install LineageOS on PC by creating a bootable media, preferably through Rufus, and then installing it on a separate partition.
12 Best Android OS for PC ( 64Bit/32Bit ) in 2023
Android-x86 is similar to LineageOS and was originally a port of the Android mobile platform to x86 processors(now also x64 processors). It was a port project for Android open-source project, formerly known as patch hosting.
Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
On top of that, LineageOS comes clean without Google services. You can, however, sideload the GApps package and get Play Store and other services running. It supports more than 200 devices and continuously brings the latest updates to outdated hardware. Even many custom ROMs fork LineageOS to add more functionality and features due to its rock-solid base. LineageOS has even...
Source: beebom.com
15 Best Custom ROMs for Android in 2022
LineageOS is an inheritor to by far the most famous custom ROM, CyanogenMod ROM. It was built using Google’s AOSP code as its primary base and with its own added custom code. Lineage OS operates as the source code for a lot of other custom ROMs as well. It has focused on openness, community development, and improvement of the stock Android experience, CyanogenMod supported...
15 Best Custom ROMs for Android You Can Install
Next is the biggest name in the custom ROM scene – LineageOS. While many of you might not be familiar with the name, LineageOS is actually the same custom ROM that started as CyanogenMod. Back in the fall of 2016, Cyanogen Inc. announced that it was discontinuing development and shut down the infrastructure behind the project. Since then, the developer community has kept the...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

LineageOS might be a bit more popular than CalyxOS. We know about 250 links to it since March 2021 and only 190 links to CalyxOS. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CalyxOS mentions (190)

  • Debloat non-rooted Android devices
    For example https://androidauthority.com/grapheneos-3287030/ > "Even if you stomach the Pixel-only requirement" I have not and will not stomach that at all, nope! https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices Nope! I wasn't paying attention, but if I remember, Alphabet/Google was funded to deploy/release Android operating system, and they also were financed to deploy some hardware phones before disappearing to let... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users
    I'm sure you did your research. I'm writing for other readers who are interested. There are a few alternatives, more can be found but this is a selection of the most prominent offerings. /e/OS: https://e.foundation/e-os/ GrapheneOS: https://grapheneos.org/ LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/ CalyxOS: https://calyxos.org/ PostmarketOS (based on Alpine Linux rather than Android): https://postmarketos.org/ (for some... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • us What's a good (under $500, preferably lower than $200 though) android for geeks?
    Ironically, Pixels are the best for de-Googling. GrapheneOS requires a Pixel, as does CalyxOS for the most part. If you don't want your money going to Google, a used/refurb Pixel gets around that in my opinion. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Youtube Premium via VPN
    Oh I see makes sense, one closed system needs another 😅 but if you look at Android, look at https://grapheneos.org/ and https://calyxos.org/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Android vs Apple phones
    I agree with your point, but wanted to ask, have you considered using a device with a degoogled AOSP-based OS like GrapheneOS or CalyxOS? Source: over 1 year ago
View more

LineageOS mentions (250)

  • The Global Surveillance Free-for-All in Mobile Ad Data
    LineageOS[0] (and/or other non-Google OS)+F-Droid[1] (and/or other third-party app stores) allow you to avoid Google altogether. Which is nothing new. Is that possible with IOS? I think not. [0] https://lineageos.org/ [1] https://f-droid.org/en/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • It Started as Fun, Turned Into a Calling...
    The ability to root my phone allowed me to customize it in ways I had never imagined. I found myself diving into the world of custom ROMs, experimenting with different operating systems for my device. CyanogenMod (now LineageOS) quickly became my favourite, offering a level of control and customization that felt almost magical. To flash these new systems, I had to install ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM), a process... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Non-duopoly smart phone in Sweden?
    Sailfish OS is a non-duopoly option. There are community builds for a wide range of devices, and official licenses which support a smaller number of devices but include extras including an Android compatibility subsystem so you can run Android apps which don't have Google dependencies (ie, a majority of them). https://sailfishos.org/ Lineage OS offers a Google-free Android operating system that also runs on a... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • I am not able to unlock the bootloader on my phone. I need to install LineageOS!!!
    Remember, If it's not lineageos.org -- it's not official. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users
    I'm sure you did your research. I'm writing for other readers who are interested. There are a few alternatives, more can be found but this is a selection of the most prominent offerings. /e/OS: https://e.foundation/e-os/ GrapheneOS: https://grapheneos.org/ LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/ CalyxOS: https://calyxos.org/ PostmarketOS (based on Alpine Linux rather than Android): https://postmarketos.org/ (for some... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CalyxOS and LineageOS, you can also consider the following products

GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

Ubuntu Touch - Read more about Ubuntu Touch. Our free and open source mobile OS is made and maintained by UBports! We care about your freedom and privacy.

e.foundation /e/ - /e/ is a fork of LineageOS that aims to be completely free of everything Google.

CopperheadOS - Secure Android built for encrypted and secure phones by a privacy focused company. Available as security-centric and privacy focused Google-free Android for the latest devices. Fully integrated with the latest IDS and MDM enterprise technologies.

postmarketOS - A real Linux distribution on the phone