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Sailfish OS Review

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Should I use Sailfish OS?

Sailfish OS - European alternative for Mobile operating systems - sailfishos.org

· 1 month ago

Buy only if you are a Linux enthusiast or sovereignty-minded tinkerer with a supported device and patience for a niche OS. Users who need everyday apps, polish, or verified privacy should pick GrapheneOS or a mainstream phone instead.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~30 public sources (reviews, forums, security databases); snippets frequently truncated.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Free

Community

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Voluntary subscription€4.99/month
Commercial licenceContact Jolla

Best for

  • Linux hobbyists and tinkerers
  • Buy-European / digital-sovereignty buyers
  • Second-phone experimenters
  • OEMs needing a licensed mobile OS

Not for

  • Mainstream users needing everyday apps and polish
  • Privacy-maximalists — GrapheneOS fits better
  • Businesses wanting supported device fleets
  • Anyone unwilling to troubleshoot a niche OS

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Some OS components are closed-source; Jolla has publicly clarified disputed open-source claims

medium

Free, paid, and licensed variants differ; check what your device actually gets

low

Voluntary €4.99/month subscription exists; some users found it too expensive for their budget

low

A Jolla Account is required

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Gesture-driven, genuinely different Linux phone experience
  • Runs Android apps alongside native Linux apps
  • Positioned as a European alternative to Android and iOS
  • Backed by $12M funding; still actively developed in 2026
  • Active community; some users daily-drive it happily

Cons

  • Reviews repeat the same daily-driver criticisms
  • Weaker privacy and security than GrapheneOS, per community debates
  • Open/closed-source mix contested despite open-source image
  • Old improper access-control CVE on record
  • Small company leaning on subscriptions and crowdfunding

Sources & method

- 10 sources - One 2015 CVE on record; closed-source components keep privacy claims in dispute.

official x2review x5security x2news x1
  • CVE-2015-3888 — Improper Access Control, Jolla Sailfish OS (before a patched version) had an improper access-control vulnerability.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • Free

    Starting price

  • 10

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. €4.99/mo is optional, yet some users balk
  • Ease of use: 3/5. Gestures praised; not plug-and-play
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Runs Android apps; thin native app ecosystem
  • Support quality: 2/5. Community forums; limited commercial support reach
  • Security posture: 2/5. 2015 CVE; closed components; weaker than GrapheneOS
  • €4.99/mo Voluntary subscription Optional; funds development
  • 14 G2 reviews Small review base
  • $12M Funding 2016 round (TechCrunch)
  • Yes Free tier Downloadable on supported devices

Pricing

Community

Free

  • Download and install on supported devices

Voluntary subscription

€4.99/month

  • Optional; supports Sailfish development

Commercial licence

Contact Jolla

  • For OEMs and embedded licensing business

Security

One 2015 CVE on record; closed-source components keep privacy claims in dispute.

  • CVE-2015-3888 — Improper Access ControlJolla Sailfish OS (before a patched version) had an improper access-control vulnerability.⁶

What users say

Enthusiasts love the gesture UI and European independence, but recurring reviews flag the same daily-driver compromises.

“My first Sailfish OS phone, very happy so far”
Reddit, r/BuyFromEU
“Jolla/Sailfish OS - does anybody use it daily?”
Reddit, r/BuyFromEU
“Sailfish OS reviews are always the same”
OSNews

Companies that use it

  • Commodore
  • VerdandiTeam
Full analysis

Based on ~30 public sources (reviews, forums, security databases); snippets frequently truncated.

Charming Linux phone OS for hobbyists — daily-driver compromises, debated security, tiny ecosystem. Enthusiasts only.

Methodology

Based on ~30 public sources (reviews, forums, security databases); snippets frequently truncated.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. Sailfish OS - European alternative for Mobile operating systemssailfishos.org
    official
  2. Sailfish OS reviews are always the sameosnews.com
    review
  3. 20 Days with Sailfish OS. Here's my experienceohyash.medium.com
    review
  4. Sailfish OS showed me what Linux phones could actually bexda-developers.com
    review
  5. Sailfish as replacement for GrapheneOS?reddit.com
    review
  6. CVE-2015-3888 - NVDnvd.nist.gov
    security
  7. Security | Sailfish OS Documentationdocs.sailfishos.org
    security
  8. Sailfish OS subscriptioncommerce.jolla.com
    official
  9. Jolla secures Series C fundingtechcrunch.com
    news
  10. Sailfish OS Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Featuresg2.com
    review

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