Download FreeBSD
Choosing an Architecture
Most users of FreeBSD will have hardware for either the amd64, i386, or armv6 architectures.
Modern PCs use the amd64 architecture, including those with Intel® branded processors. Computers with more than 3 GB of memory should use amd64. If the computer is an older, 32-bit only model, use i386. For embedded devices and single-board computers (SBC) such as the Raspberry Pi, Beagle Bone Black, Panda Board, and Zed Board, use the armv6 SD card image which supports ARMv6 and ARMv7 processors.
All other users should reference the complete list of supported FreeBSD platforms.
Choosing an Image
The FreeBSD installer can be downloaded in a number of different formats including CD (disc1), DVD (dvd1), and Network Install (bootonly) sized ISO Disc Images, as well as regular and mini USB memory stick images. Recent versions of FreeBSD are also offered as prebuilt expandable Virtual Machine images, and as SD Card images for embedded platforms.
FreeBSD Deployment Statistics
While FreeBSD does not gather deployment statistics, having statistical information available is essential. Please consider installing the sysutils/bsdstats package, which collects hardware and software statistics, helping developers understand how to best focus their efforts. The information collected is available at the bsdstats.org website.
FreeBSD 11.1-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
FreeBSD 10.4-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
FreeBSD 10.3-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
Development Snapshots
If you are interested in a purely experimental snapshot release of FreeBSD-CURRENT (AKA 12.0-CURRENT), aimed at developers and bleeding-edge testers only, then please see the FreeBSD Snapshot Releases page. For more information about past, present and future releases in general, please visit the release information page.
FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
FreeBSD 11.1-STABLE
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
FreeBSD 10.4-STABLE
| Installer Images | Virtual Machine Images | SD Card Images | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
If you plan on getting FreeBSD via HTTP or FTP, please check the listing of mirror sites in the Handbook to see if there is a site closer to you.
Install FreeBSD
There are many options for installing FreeBSD, including installation from CD-ROM, DVD, USB Memory Stick or even directly using anonymous FTP, HTTP, or NFS. Please read through the FreeBSD installation guide before downloading the entire FreeBSD distribution.
Purchase FreeBSD Media
FreeBSD can be acquired on CD-ROM or DVD from FreeBSD Mall, or one of the other CD-ROM and DVD Publishers.
Past Releases
For downloading past releases, please visit the FTP archive.
FreeBSD-derived Operating System Distributions
FreeBSD is widely used as a building block for other commercial and open-source operating systems. The projects below are widely used and of particular interest to FreeBSD users.
FreeNAS is an open source storage platform based on FreeBSD and supports sharing across Windows, Apple, and UNIX-like systems.
TrueOS (formerly PC-BSD) is a FreeBSD derivative with a graphical installer. The desktop option installs The Lumina Desktop Environment, a fully BSD Licensed desktop, with impressive desktop tools aimed at ease of use for the casual computer user.
pfSense is a FreeBSD based customized distribution tailored for use as a firewall and router.
Applications and Utility Software
The Ports Collection
The FreeBSD Ports Collection is a diverse collection of utility and application software that has been ported to FreeBSD.
See Installing Applications: Packages and Ports in the Handbook.
- Download the FreeBSD Ports Collection framework
- Web interface to the Ports Collection
- FreshPorts - a more advanced web interface to the Ports Collection
For information about how you can contribute your favorite piece of software to the Ports Collection, have a look at The Porter's Handbook and the article Contributing to FreeBSD.