# GhostBSD
> Unix-like, desktop-oriented operating system
**Wikidata**: [Q1190822](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1190822)
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GhostBSD)
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ghostbsd
## Summary
GhostBSD is a free, open‑source, Unix‑like operating system that targets desktop users. First released in March 2010, it is built on the BSD family—specifically TrueOS and FreeBSD—and ships with ready‑to‑use graphical environments such as MATE, LXDE, and Xfce.
## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 12 March 2010.
- **Base systems:** TrueOS and FreeBSD.
- **License:** Primarily the GNU General Public License, with components under the 2‑clause BSD License.
- **Latest stable releases (as of 2020):** 20.04 (30 April 2020) and 20.03 (31 March 2020). Earlier notable releases include 11.1 (16 Nov 2017) and 19.04 (13 Apr 2019).
- **Desktop environments:** Default MATE desktop; also provides LXDE and Xfce options.
- **Package management:** Uses the FreeBSD ports collection.
- **Website:** (English).
- **Repository:** Source code hosted at .
- **Classification:** Operating system; BSD; open‑source software; Unix‑like.
## FAQs
### Q: What is GhostBSD?
A: GhostBSD is a desktop‑focused, Unix‑like operating system built on the BSD family (TrueOS and FreeBSD) that provides a ready‑to‑use graphical desktop out of the box.
### Q: Is GhostBSD free to use?
A: Yes. GhostBSD is released under the GNU General Public License and the 2‑clause BSD License, making it free to download, use, and redistribute.
### Q: Which desktop environment does GhostBSD ship with?
A: The default desktop environment is MATE, but GhostBSD also offers LXDE and Xfce variants for users who prefer lighter or alternative interfaces.
### Q: How does GhostBSD handle software installation?
A: It uses the FreeBSD ports system, allowing users to compile and install a wide range of open‑source applications directly from source.
### Q: Where can I find the latest GhostBSD release?
A: The most recent stable releases are 20.04 (30 April 2020) and 20.03 (31 March 2020), announced on the official GhostBSD website.
## Why It Matters
GhostBSD fills a niche for users who want the robustness and security of the BSD lineage combined with a polished, ready‑to‑use desktop experience. By leveraging the mature FreeBSD ports collection, it offers access to thousands of applications while maintaining the stability and performance characteristics of BSD kernels. Its dual licensing model (GPL and BSD) encourages both community contributions and commercial adoption. Because it ships with a pre‑configured desktop environment, newcomers to BSD can transition from more mainstream operating systems without the steep learning curve traditionally associated with BSD installations. This accessibility helps broaden the BSD ecosystem’s user base, fostering diversity in the open‑source operating‑system landscape.
## Notable For
- **Desktop‑first BSD distribution:** One of the few BSD‑derived OSes aimed primarily at desktop users.
- **MATE‑based out‑of‑the‑box experience:** Provides a full-featured, Windows‑like desktop without additional configuration.
- **TrueOS and FreeBSD heritage:** Inherits the security, networking stack, and ZFS support of its upstream BSD ancestors.
- **FreeBSD ports integration:** Enables seamless installation of a vast software repository using familiar BSD tooling.
- **Active community and regular releases:** Maintains a steady release cadence, with stable versions released roughly every few months.
## Body
### History
- GhostBSD was announced on 12 March 2010 as a desktop‑oriented spin of the BSD family.
- Early development leveraged TrueOS (formerly PC‑BSD) as its primary base, later incorporating FreeBSD components for broader hardware support.
### Architecture
- **Kernel:** Derived from FreeBSD, providing a monolithic Unix‑like kernel with advanced networking and storage features.
- **Base system:** Combines TrueOS utilities with FreeBSD’s core libraries and system tools.
### Licensing
- Core system code is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
- Certain components, especially those inherited from BSD, are under the permissive 2‑clause BSD License.
### Releases
| Version | Release Date | Notes |
|---------|--------------|-------|
| 11.1 | 16 Nov 2017 | Early stable release. |
| 18.10 | 1 Nov 2018 | Introduced updated MATE desktop. |
| 18.12 | 31 Dec 2018 | Minor bug‑fix update. |
| 19.04 | 13 Apr 2019 | Added LXDE spin. |
| 19.09 | 16 Sep 2019 | Security patches. |
| 19.10 | 26 Oct 2019 | Performance improvements. |
| 20.01 | 22 Jan 2020 | Marked as stable version. |
| 20.02 | 29 Feb 2020 | Continued stability updates. |
| 20.03 | 31 Mar 2020 | Last known release before 20.04. |
| 20.04 | 30 Apr 2020 | Most recent stable release. |
### Desktop Environments
- **MATE:** Default environment, offering a traditional desktop layout with modern GTK3 support.
- **LXDE:** Lightweight alternative for older hardware.
- **Xfce:** Provides a balance between performance and features.
### Package Management
- Utilizes the **FreeBSD ports** collection.
- Users can install software via `pkg` binaries or compile from ports using familiar BSD commands.
### Community & Support
- Official website hosts documentation, release notes, and a forum for user assistance.
- Source code is publicly available on GitHub, encouraging contributions and transparency.
### Technical Details
- **GUI toolkits/frameworks:** LXDE, Xfce, MATE (GTK‑based).
- **Image example:** 
- **Logo:** 
## Schema Markup
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Thing",
"name": "GhostBSD",
"description": "A free, open‑source, Unix‑like operating system built on TrueOS and FreeBSD, focused on desktop users.",
"url": "http://www.ghostbsd.org/",
"sameAs": [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GhostBSD"
],
"additionalType": "OperatingSystem"
}
## References
1. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/11.1_release_announcement)
2. [Source](https://www.ghostbsd.org/18.10_release_announcement)
3. [Source](http://ghostbsd.org/18.12_release_announcement)
4. [Source](https://www.ghostbsd.org/19.04_release_announcement)
5. [2020](https://www.ghostbsd.org/20.01_release_announcement)
6. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/20.02_release_announcement)
7. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/19.10_release_announcement)
8. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/19.09_release_announcement)
9. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/20.04_release_announcement)
10. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/20.03_release_announcement)
11. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/20.11.28_release_announcement)
12. ["Hotfix" GhostBSD 21.05.01 ISO's are now available](https://ghostbsd.org/Hot%20fix_GhostBSD_21.05.01_ISO%27s_are_now_available)
13. [GhostBSD 21.11.24 ISO is now available. 2021](https://ghostbsd.org/ghostbsd_21.11.24_iso_is_now_available)
14. [GhostBSD 22.01.12 ISO is now available. 2022](https://ghostbsd.org/ghostbsd_22.01.12_iso_is_now_available)
15. [Source](https://ghostbsd.org/22.06.18_iso_is_now_available)
16. [GhostBSD 23.06.01 ISO is now available. 2023](https://ghostbsd.org/23.06.01_iso_is_now_available)
17. [GhostBSD 23.10.1 Now Available. 2023](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_23.10.1_Now_Available)
18. [GhostBSD 24.01.1 Now Available. 2024](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_24.01.1_Now_Available)
19. [GhostBSD 24.04.1 Is Now Available. 2024](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_24.04.1_Is_Now_Available)
20. [GhostBSD 24.07.1 Is Now Available. 2024](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_24.07.1_Is_Now_Available)
21. [GhostBSD 24.07.3 Is Now Available. 2024](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_24.07.3_Is_Now_Available)
22. [GhostBSD 24.10.1 Is Now Available. 2024](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_24.10.1_Is_Now_Available)
23. [GhostBSD 25.01-R14.2p1 Now Available. 2025](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_25.01-R14.2p1_Now_Available)
24. [GhostBSD 25.02-R14.3p2 Is Now Available. 2025](https://ghostbsd.org/news/GhostBSD_25.02-R14.3p2_Is_Now_Available)
25. [Source](https://wiki.ghostbsd.org/index.php/A_Brief_History_of_GhostBSD)
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. Quora