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Zorin Review

Depends

Should I use Zorin?

The creators of Zorin OS, the alternative to Windows and macOS designed to make your computer faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting. - zorin.com

· 1 month ago

A reasonable buy as a free Windows replacement for everyday home or small-office use. Paying for Pro makes little sense given repeated pricing complaints and the free edition's capability.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~40 public sources; many snippets truncated, and independent review volume (G2/Trustpilot) is very small.

Ratings

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

Pricing

Free

Core

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Pro$48 one-time

Best for

  • Windows refugees wanting a familiar desktop
  • Linux first-timers
  • Reviving older everyday hardware
  • Privacy-minded home users

Not for

  • Anyone expecting the 'faster computer' claims to hold up — disputed by reviewers
  • Buyers counting on paid support — a documented failure case exists
  • Organizations needing vendor accountability — team reportedly just 2 people
  • Guess: gamers dependent on Windows-only anti-cheat titles

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Paid support reportedly failed one customer — don't budget around it

medium

Pro is a one-time fee (~$48), but UK users report noticeably higher local pricing

medium

Pro licensing called unnecessary; free edition may cover everything you need

medium

Vendor-funded reviews and articles promoted; verify performance claims independently

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Windows-like interface repeatedly praised as familiar and beginner-friendly
  • Free Core edition is fully usable for everyday computing
  • Reviewers of version 18 found it impressive for Microsoft escapees
  • Comes with AppArmor enabled out of the box on an Ubuntu base

Cons

  • 'Make your computer faster' claims called exaggerated by detailed community review
  • Pro criticized as overpriced, especially for UK buyers
  • Paid support experience reported as a failure by one user
  • Two-person team raises long-term sustainability questions in community
  • Almost no independent review volume: 0 G2 reviews, 12 Trustpilot reviews

Sources & method

- 16 sources - Ubuntu-based with AppArmor preconfigured; 2026 threads cover CVE-2026-31431 patch status and a 'Dirty Frag' exposure report.

official x2review x11security x3
  • CVE-2026-31431 ('Copy Fail') patch status for Zorin OS 18.1, Community thread from Apr 30, 2026 asking about patch status for this CVE on Zorin OS 18.1.
  • 'Dirty Frag' vulnerability exposure, Reddit users report Zorin was affected by the 'Dirty Frag' vulnerability, with discussion of the response.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 2/5

    Rating

  • Free

    Starting price

  • 16

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 2/5. Repeated overpriced complaints; free core softens it
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Widely called beginner-friendly and Windows-familiar
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Pro tier adds extras; core covers basics
  • Support quality: 2/5. Paid support failure reported; tiny team
  • Security posture: 3/5. Ubuntu base, AppArmor; 2026 CVE threads
  • $48 Pro price one-time, per hands-on review
  • Yes Free edition Core edition is free to download
  • None G2 rating 0 reviews on G2
  • ~2 people Core team per community discussion

Pricing

Core

Free

  • Standard desktop
  • Community support

Pro

$48 one-time

  • Extra desktop layouts
  • Additional preinstalled apps
  • Funds development

Security

Ubuntu-based with AppArmor preconfigured; 2026 threads cover CVE-2026-31431 patch status and a 'Dirty Frag' exposure report.

  • CVE-2026-31431 ('Copy Fail') patch status for Zorin OS 18.1Community thread from Apr 30, 2026 asking about patch status for this CVE on Zorin OS 18.1.11
  • 'Dirty Frag' vulnerability exposureReddit users report Zorin was affected by the 'Dirty Frag' vulnerability, with discussion of the response.12

What users say

Most reviewers praise Zorin's familiar Windows-like experience, while critics dispute performance claims and Pro pricing.

“Zorin is fantastic”
Reddit, r/linux4noobs
“In the end, Zorin OS 18 impressed me”
All Things Open review
“Zorin offers a perfectly fine free”
Reddit, r/linux
Full analysis

Based on ~40 public sources; many snippets truncated, and independent review volume (G2/Trustpilot) is very small.

Free Core is great for Windows switchers; Pro's price, thin support, and 'faster' claims are the sticking points.

Methodology

Based on ~40 public sources; many snippets truncated, and independent review volume (G2/Trustpilot) is very small.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. Zorin OS 18 review: The Linux distro designed for Windows usersallthingsopen.org
    review
  2. Zorin OS 17.3 review — Would you pay for your Linux...dedoimedo.com
    review
  3. Is Zorin Os any good? : r/linux4noobsreddit.com
    review
  4. A review of Zorin OS focusing on the exaggerated 'faster' claimsforum.zorin.com
    review
  5. Do not buy into Zorin Pro licensing : r/linuxreddit.com
    review
  6. ZorinOS Paid Support FAILitsfoss.community
    review
  7. I Paid $48 for Zorin OS Pro — Did it Save 48 Hours?youtube.com
    review
  8. Why is Zorin so expensive for the UKforum.zorin.com
    review
  9. Zorin OS Pro (official)zorin.com
    official
  10. Why pay for Zorin OS (official)zorin.com
    official
  11. CVE-2026-31431 patch status for Zorin OS 18.1forum.zorin.com
    security
  12. Has Zorin also been affected? (Dirty Frag)reddit.com
    security
  13. Zorin OS 17.3: Built on Ubuntu with Enhanced Securitylinuxsecurity.com
    security
  14. Zorin | Read 0 Reviews on G2g2.com
    review
  15. Read Customer Service Reviews of zorin.com — Trustpilottrustpilot.com
    review
  16. The mission and the revenue model — team of 2 peopleforum.zorin.com
    review

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