What are the best ways to run Linux applications on Android?

Question

DevelopmentMobile DevelopmentSysadminUtilitiesLinuxOpen Source

What are the best ways to run Linux applications on Android?

15

Options
Considered

629

User
Recs.

Feb 4, 2024

Last
Updated

13 Options Considered

Best ways to run Linux applications on Android	Price	Last Updated
64 Termux	Free	Jan 10, 2024
51 AndroLinux - Linux for Android	Free	Dec 29, 2023
-- Complete Linux Installer	-	Jan 11, 2024
-- Linux Deploy	-	Jan 8, 2024
-- Debian Kit	-	Feb 4, 2024

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AutoPy

APK Linux

Lil' Debi

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score 185 · Answer 1

Termux

Top Pro

GPLv3 license

Top Con

Very limited selection of packages

There's no Common Lisp or Haskell compiler, for example. Termux is great if it has the package you want, but if it doesn't you'll have to try one of the other solutions. See More

GenuinePkharmat's Experience

I think is is okay. Seems to run stuff. As far as other packages go. Yeah sure. Install and they will probably work. See More

Top Pro

Open source

Source code can be found here. See More

MemorableBoreas's Experience

epic See More

Top Pro

You can easily install a complete Linux distro, like Archlinux, upon Termux, and even run graphical programs using VNC

TactfulAshur's Experience

A surprising number of packages and APIs are supported See More

Top Pro

Familiar command line instruction set

If you have even a passing familiarity with a Debian-based distribution, you will instantly be able to accomplish the most common functions. See More

Ajay Kumar Rawani's Experience

Awesome ! See More

Top Pro

Use Android API from Bash

With the termux-API package and addon, you can create notifications and more. See More

Top Pro

Does not require root permissions

See All

score 119 · Answer 2

AndroLinux - Linux for Android

Top Pro

It brings Linux closer to your Android device

Top Con

You ned to know some Linux to use the un-molded version, but you can still get this from researching around the internet

WorthyInanna's Experience

It is not on the Play Store, it is not on F-Droid. You can only install through sketchy direct apk installs. Then it doesn't even work and people are not talking about it. So, not sure why this is well rated here. See More

Top Con

Doesn't save

Doesn't save your changes that you made. See More

ProductiveMacCecht's Experience

Looks like a good app but it's a cloud service so it doesn't save your progress See More

Top Con

Doesn't work at all

HilariousHina's Experience

The molded version might not work as this did not work for me after i paid...will still check this later, but the un molded version worked very well after going through the documentation...the only thing is im currently looking for how to make good use of it. See More

GraciousTuonetar's Experience

404 Not Found See More

See All

score 39 · Answer 3

Complete Linux Installer

Top Pro

Multiple distributions available for download

Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, ArchLinux, Kali Linux, openSUSE. You can even install more than one at a time. See More

Top Con

Drains battery

These are full desktop distributions. Running them takes a lot of power. See More

Top Pro

Access to the Android filesystem

You can read and write files outside of the app's sandbox via a mount point in the chroot environment. See More

Top Con

Requires root permissions

You can only install this on a rooted device. See More

Top Pro

Easy configuration

The images are preconfigured for Android, so everything mostly just works. See More

Top Con

Website is down

The project may have been abandoned. See More

See All

score 27 · Answer 4

Linux Deploy

Top Pro

Any changes (good or bad) made on the linux system itself will never harm or affect the android system in any way

Top Con

Requires root permissions

PhilosophicalDamasen's Experience

Easy to use and install chroot environment, most native-like See More

Top Pro

A full, isolated, no compromise Linux distro running on your (rooted) android device

See All

score 24 · Answer 5

Debian Kit

Top Con

Requires root permissions

Debian Kit is not even chrooted. It's a side-by-side install with full direct access to Android's filesystem. See More

score 45 · Answer 6

AnLinux

Top Pro

Easy step-by-step process

The commands copied to the clipboard worked without error in Termux. See More

Top Con

No root to change /dev can run chrome and others tings

SpiritedBulucChabtan's Experience

very easy to use, actually works (commands generated worked compared to other apps which typically gave permissions or not found errors) See More

Top Pro

Lots of distro supported

Ubuntu Debian Kali Kali Nethunter Parrot Security OS Fedora CentOS openSUSE Leap openSUSE Tumberweed Arch Linux Black Arch Alpine See More

ColorfulCoatlicue's Experience

work if no need advanced root functions See More

Top Pro

Have Desktop Environment support through VNC

See All

score 55 · Answer 7

UserLAnd

Top Pro

Support for X out of the box

If you need a X Session vnc gets started with a single click. No configuration needed. Usable on the android host or any other device capable of running vnc. See More

Top Con

Not supported below Lollipop

This is actually an issue with the programming and having to work around different architectures, but it still really stinks. See More

Julian Pieles's Experience

Incredibly easy to setup and no root needed. See More

Top Pro

No root needed

You get a full Linux environment without the need to root your device. See More

Top Con

Difficult if you're non-technical

PrudentZhangGuolao's Experience

This was the easiest way to get straight into the action. See More

Top Pro

Easy setup

No longer than 5 minutes and you have a full blown XFCE desktop running. See More

CreativePassalos's Experience

good See More

Top Pro

Free and Open Source

Like Termux - UserLAnd is an entirely open source application - the developers are responsive on Github and actively working on the project. See More

CromulentPellonPekko's Experience

Intuitive and powerful. It's my favorite one and the go-to every time. See More

See All

score 17 · Answer 8

Limbo PC Emulator

Top Pro

Does not require root

Top Con

Slow

This emulates an x86 chip on your ARM device, instead of using Linux applications compiled for ARM in the first place. It can even run Windows, but it's slow. See More

score 10 · Answer 9

DebKit

Top Con

Requires root

score 10 · Answer 10

AndroNix

Martin Vlach's Experience

Looking very similar to AnLinux, better rated in PlayStore, though. See More

score 10 · Answer 11

GNURoot

Top Pro

Does not require a rooted phone

GNURoot is a completely self-contained app that cleanly uninstalls and doesn't need root permissions. See More

Top Con

Wakelocks on by default

It drains the battery pretty quickly when running. See More

Top Pro

Includes a VNC client for GUI apps

Setting it up takes some effort. And 3rd-party VNC client (or X server) apps might have a better user interface than GNURoot's default. These also work, but also take some effort to set up. See More

Top Con

Requires a lot of manual configuration

GNURoot doesn't hold your hand and isn't even documented very well. Getting anything graphical to run takes some doing. See More

See All

score 8 · Answer 12

Debian noroot

Top Con

Android 6.0 not supported

If you have a newer device, this won't work. See More

Top Con

Can't reinstall after uninstall on Android 4.4 or older

Deleting the app data is possible though. That will free most of the memory. See More

Top Con

Requires at least 900 megabytes of internal storage

It cannot be installed on the SD card. That's a lot of storage considering it only works on pre-Marshmallow (Android 6) phones. See More

See All

13 Options Considered

My Recommendation for Termux

My Recommendation for Termux

GPLv3 license

Very limited selection of packages

Open source

You can easily install a complete Linux distro, like Archlinux, upon Termux, and even run graphical programs using VNC

Familiar command line instruction set

Use Android API from Bash

Does not require root permissions

My Recommendation for AndroLinux - Linux for Android

My Recommendation for AndroLinux - Linux for Android

It brings Linux closer to your Android device

You ned to know some Linux to use the un-molded version, but you can still get this from researching around the internet

Doesn't save

Doesn't work at all

My Recommendation for Complete Linux Installer

My Recommendation for Complete Linux Installer

Multiple distributions available for download

Drains battery

Access to the Android filesystem

Requires root permissions

Easy configuration

Website is down

My Recommendation for Linux Deploy

My Recommendation for Linux Deploy

Any changes (good or bad) made on the linux system itself will never harm or affect the android system in any way

Requires root permissions

A full, isolated, no compromise Linux distro running on your (rooted) android device

My Recommendation for Debian Kit

My Recommendation for Debian Kit

Requires root permissions

My Recommendation for AnLinux

My Recommendation for AnLinux

Easy step-by-step process

No root to change /dev can run chrome and others tings

Lots of distro supported

Have Desktop Environment support through VNC

My Recommendation for UserLAnd

My Recommendation for UserLAnd

Support for X out of the box

Not supported below Lollipop

No root needed

Difficult if you're non-technical

Easy setup

Free and Open Source

My Recommendation for Limbo PC Emulator

My Recommendation for Limbo PC Emulator

Does not require root

Slow

My Recommendation for DebKit

My Recommendation for DebKit

Requires root

My Recommendation for AndroNix

My Recommendation for AndroNix

My Recommendation for GNURoot

My Recommendation for GNURoot

Does not require a rooted phone

Wakelocks on by default

Includes a VNC client for GUI apps

Requires a lot of manual configuration

My Recommendation for Debian noroot

My Recommendation for Debian noroot

Android 6.0 not supported

Can't reinstall after uninstall on Android 4.4 or older

Requires at least 900 megabytes of internal storage

My Recommendation for AutoPy

My Recommendation for AutoPy

Don't see your favorite option? Add it.

My Recommendation for APK Linux

My Recommendation for APK Linux

My Recommendation for Lil' Debi

My Recommendation for Lil' Debi

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