e/OS vs Sailfish: Vilket Linux operativsystem är bäst för din mobil? 2026 - CIRKULERAD

e/OS vs Sailfish: Which Linux Operating System is Best for Your Mobile? 2026

February 25, 2026

Key differences between the systems

Here's what you need to know to choose the right Linux-based mobile operating system:

• e/OS: Simplicity first - Easy Installer works on over 70 mobile devices and provides seamless Android app compatibility via microG

• Sailfish OS: Security in focus - Three-layer security model with 256-bit AES encryption and Sailjail sandbox for all apps

• Privacy in different ways - e/OS actively blocks trackers while Sailfish operates completely independently of the Google ecosystem

• Android apps handled differently - e/OS runs millions of apps anonymously via App Lounge, Sailfish requires a license for the AppSupport feature

• Installation varies greatly - e/OS has automated installation, Sailfish requires manual flashing on Sony Xperia models

You face a choice: do you prioritize simplicity and Android compatibility (e/OS) or maximum security and system independence (Sailfish OS)? Both work excellently on used mobile phones as privacy-focused alternatives to mainstream operating systems.

Many organizations and individuals are now seeking alternatives to the dominant mobile systems. Two European solutions stand out: e/OS and Sailfish OS. Both offer privacy-focused solutions that differ significantly from mainstream alternatives, and both are completely free from Google's surveillance.

Sailfish OS has established itself in the market since 2013 [1] and provides a secure Linux phone for both businesses and individuals. e/OS presents a complete "deGoogled" ecosystem [8] that works seamlessly with your Android apps [8].

These Linux alternatives also work excellently on used mobile phones, contributing to both privacy and sustainability. Here I compare e/OS and Sailfish OS to help you choose the right solution for your used mobile.

e/OS and Sailfish OS: Two different paths to mobile privacy

Image Source: Galaxus

e/OS is developed by the French company Murena as a completely Google-free operating system based on LineageOS [1]. The system has replaced all Google services with open-source alternatives and includes MicroG as a substitute for Google Play Services [1], ensuring that user data is handled according to European privacy standards [1]. It is a "deGoogled" version of Android OS with an open-source core, where the Google standard search engine has been replaced with the ethical search engine Murena Find [8].All cloud services offered are located on European servers

Sailfish OS from Finnish Jolla takes a completely different approach. This operating system is completely independent of Android and was not built as a modified version [1]. The system is based on a Linux kernel with Mer and inherited about 80 percent of the MeeGo code [3]. Unlike e/OS, Sailfish OS was developed from Nokia and Intel's MeeGo project [8] [9]. The operating system has been on the market since 2013 and, if needed [1] [5],offers a compatibility layer that allows the installation of Android apps

The difference between the systems is fundamental in their architecture: e/OS takes Android and removes Google, while Sailfish OS is a completely standalone Linux platform [6]. Both alternatives work excellently on used phones as privacy-focused solutions.

Security and privacy: Which method works best?

Image Source: YouTube

Here, the methods differ significantly between the two systems. Sailfish OS builds security on a three-layer model where each app is rigorously reviewed before being accepted [7]. Since version 4.0.1, all apps are isolated in the Sailjail sandbox with explicitly assigned permissions [8].

The system encrypts user data with the LUKS standard and [9]. Encryption is automatically activated upon installation of version 3.4.0 or later, where the security code must be at least 5 digits but is recommended to be significantly longer [9]. For corporate use, built-in VPN support, firewall, and MDM capabilities are included [5].256-bit AES encryption

e/OS has developed Advanced Privacy which actively blocks trackers through AdAway and Exodus filter lists [4]. The Hide My IP function routes internet traffic through the Tor network with to hide the user's IP address [4]. Fake My Location replaces real location data with a user-defined position [4]. MicroG comes pre-installed as an open-source replacement for Google Play Services, allowing apps to run without a Google account [2].over seven thousand relays

Which security method best suits your needs?

Sailfish prioritizes system encryption and sandbox isolation of apps. e/OS focuses on active blocking of tracking and anonymization of the user. Both methods are effective, but with different areas of focus for your privacy.

Apps and user-friendliness

App Lounge in e/OS gives you access to from the Google Play Store along with open-source apps from F-Droid and progressive web apps in the same interface [10]. You install apps anonymously without needing a Google account, and the system displays a Privacy Score that reveals how many trackers and permissions each app uses [10]. Android app compatibility works through the microG framework which replaces Google Play Services [11].millions of Android apps

Sailfish OS solves Android app support through AppSupport, internally known as Aliendalvik, which runs Android apps in an LXC container [12]. The function requires a Sailfish OS license and works for most devices [13]. Android apps are displayed as individual Wayland windows and integrated with the gesture-based interface [12]. Developers gain access to the Sailfish SDK with Qt 5.6 and support for C++, Rust, and CMake [5].API Level 30 (Android 11)

Easy Installer makes e/OS installation simple on over 70 mobile devices [14], while Sailfish OS requires manual flashing on Sony Xperia models [13]. Both systems work excellently as alternatives on used phones where you can extend the life of your device while gaining better privacy protection.

If you are unsure which phone to choose, or would like advice or help, contact us at or 08-559 269 59.hej@cirkulerad.se

Detailed comparison between the systems

How do these Linux alternatives differ when you look at the technical details? Here I present a complete overview of features and characteristics that influence your choice:

Feature/Characteristic	e/OS	Sailfish OS
Origin/Developer	Murena (France)	Jolla (Finland)
Launch	Not specified	2013
Base Architecture	Based on LineageOS (Android fork)	Independent Linux system built on Mer, inherited approx. 80% of MeeGo code
Relation to Android	"DeGoogled" version of Android OS	Not an Android fork, developed from Nokia and Intel's MeeGo project
Google services	Completely Google-free, all Google services replaced with open-source alternatives	Completely independent of Google
Google Play Services replacement	MicroG (pre-installed)	Not applicable (proprietary system)
Standard search engine	Murena Find (ethical search engine)	Not specified
Security model	Advanced Privacy with tracker blockers (AdAway and Exodus filter lists)	Three-layer security model with rigorous app review
App isolation	Not specified	Sailjail-sandbox (since version 4.0.1) with explicitly assigned permissions
Encryption	Not specified	LUKS standard with 256-bit AES encryption (automatic since version 3.4.0)
Privacy features	Hide My IP (Tor network with over 7000 relays), Fake My Location	Built-in VPN support, firewall, MDM capability for businesses
App source	App Lounge: Google Play Store + F-Droid + progressive web apps	AppSupport (Aliendalvik) for Android apps in LXC container
Android app compatibility	Millions of Android apps via microG	API level 30 (Android 11), requires Sailfish OS license
App installation	Anonymous without Google account, Privacy Score shows trackers and permissions	Android apps appear as Wayland windows, integrate with gesture-based interface
Developer tools	Not specified	Sailfish SDK with Qt 5.6, support for C++, Rust and CMake
Installation	Easy Installer for over 70 phones	Manual flashing on Sony Xperia models
Cloud services	European servers (according to European privacy standards)	Not mentioned
Open source	Open source core	Not specified in detail

The table clearly shows that both systems prioritize privacy, but with different methods and focus areas. Reusing your existing mobile phone becomes more environmentally friendly when you choose a system that works optimally with your hardware.

Conclusion

The choice between e/OS and Sailfish OS depends entirely on your priorities. e/OS offers simpler installation and seamless Android app compatibility, while Sailfish OS delivers stricter security and a completely independent system. Both work excellently as privacy-focused alternatives for your used Linux mobile phone.

If you are unsure which phone to choose, or if you want advice or help, contact us at hej@cirkulerad.se or 08-559 269 59.

FAQs

Q1. Which phones are compatible with Sailfish OS? Sailfish OS primarily supports Sony Xperia models such as XA2, Xperia 10, Xperia 10 II, Xperia 10 III, Xperia 10 IV, and Xperia 10 V. The system uses Alien Dalvik as a compatibility layer for Android apps. There are also community ports for other devices, but official support requires specific Sony phones with an unlocked bootloader.

Q2. Is e/OS based on Android? Yes, e/OS is a fork of LineageOS which in turn is based on Android. It is a "deGoogled" Android system where all Google services and proprietary apps have been replaced with open-source alternatives. The system uses microG instead of Google Play Services and offers a complete privacy-focused ecosystem.

Q3. Do Linux operating systems work well on phones today? Linux operating systems for phones are still under development and are primarily suitable for enthusiasts and developers. Basic functions such as calls, SMS, and web browsing work, but performance and app support are limited compared to Android and iOS. For everyday use, Android-based alternatives like e/OS or established systems like Sailfish OS are recommended.

Q4. What are the main differences between e/OS and Sailfish OS? e/OS is a modified Android system without Google services, while Sailfish OS is a completely independent Linux system built on MeeGo. e/OS offers simpler installation and better Android app compatibility via microG, while Sailfish OS delivers stricter security with a three-layer security model, LUKS encryption, and Sailjail sandbox for apps.

Q5. Can regular Android apps be installed on these systems? Yes, both systems support Android apps but in different ways. e/OS uses App Lounge which provides access to millions of Android apps from Google Play Store and F-Droid without a Google account. Sailfish OS uses AppSupport (Aliendalvik) which runs Android apps in a container, but this requires a paid Sailfish OS license and works at Android 11 level.