Qubes OS
Qubes OS is a free, open-source security-oriented operating system that uses the Xen hypervisor to isolate workloads into hardware-enforced compartments called qubes. It serves privacy-focused individuals, press-freedom non-profits such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation, and security-conscious technical organizations via direct download and certified hardware partners, and is funded entirely by community donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersMonterey, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Qubes OS does
Qubes OS, operating as The Qubes OS Project, is a security-oriented, free and open-source operating system that uses the Xen hypervisor to isolate user workloads into separate lightweight virtual machines called qubes. Each qube can run a different operating system - including Fedora, Debian, Windows, and Whonix - with hardware-enforced isolation through SLAT/EPT memory virtualization, features such as Split GPG, an Anti Evil Maid TPM-based attestation system, disposable VMs, template VMs, and RPC policies for controlled inter-qube communication. The architecture is centered on a control domain (dom0) that mediates all inter-qube activity, and a Qubes Admin API exposes programmatic management for power users and integrators.
The company serves three primary customer segments: privacy-conscious individuals (journalists, whistleblowers, security researchers, activists), press-freedom organizations such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation which uses Qubes on SecureDrop workstations, and security-conscious technical organizations such as Let's Encrypt that require high-assurance isolation for engineering workstations. High-profile endorsements from Edward Snowden, Micah Lee, and these organizations are central to credibility with these audiences.
Qubes OS has no commercial revenue model. The software is distributed free via direct download from qubes-os.org with a global mirror network, and the project is funded entirely through community donations (credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero). A secondary distribution channel consists of five certified hardware partners - NovaCustom (Netherlands), Nitrokey (Germany), Star Labs (UK), Insurgo (Canada), and 3mdeb (Poland) - that sell devices with Qubes OS pre-installed. Headcount is in the 11-50 range, the entity is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, and the project maintains active development from a small core team that includes the founder, Joanna Rutkowska, of Invisible Things Lab.
Qubes OS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Qubes OS
- Legal name
- The Qubes OS Project
- Website
- https://qubes-os.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Qubes OS is a free, open-source security-oriented operating system that uses the Xen hypervisor to isolate workloads into hardware-enforced compartments called qubes. It serves privacy-focused individuals, press-freedom non-profits such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation, and security-conscious technical organizations via direct download and certified hardware partners, and is funded entirely by community donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Qubes OS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security Operating System
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Server Operating Systems & Hypervisors (Virtualization) (HDABADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hybrid Cloud Compute & Virtualization Stack (HCI/VMs/Kubernetes) (HDABAMAF)
Keywords
Where Qubes OS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Monterey
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Qubes OS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Donations: Qubes OS is free open-source software funded entirely through donations from the community. The project accepts donations via credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Monero. No commercial revenue model exists.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free download |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels9 records
Qubes OS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Qubes OS is a free, open-source security-oriented operating system built on the Xen hypervisor that isolates applications and tasks in separate lightweight virtual machines called qubes. Each qube can run a different operating system (Fedora, Debian, Whonix, Windows) with hardware-enforced isolation, providing security-by-compartmentalization so that a compromise in one qube cannot spread to others.
Product overview
Qubes OS is a single, unified security-oriented operating system that uses Xen hypervisor-based virtualization to create isolated compartments (qubes) for different tasks and workflows. The core product is Qubes OS itself, which supports multiple template types including Fedora, Debian, Xfce, and minimal variants, as well as Windows qubes for running Windows applications. Whonix is integrated to provide built-in privacy and anonymity through Tor network connectivity. All these components work together within the Qubes framework to deliver security through compartmentalization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Qubes OS Free, open-source security-oriented desktop operating system that uses Xen-based virtualization to isolate workloads in separate VMs (qubes). Designed for privacy-conscious individuals, journalists, security researchers, and security-sensitive organizations who need strong isolation between different activities and protection from cross-application compromise.
Quantifiable outcome
- 24.43% of 479 Xen security advisories (XSAs) affected Qubes OS over 15.2 years, demonstrating rigorous security maintenance.
Companies that use Qubes OS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Qubes OS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Qubes OS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Freedom of the Press FoundationcoreFreedom of the Press Foundation uses Qubes OS for SecureDrop workstations, providing journalists with secure isolation for handling sensitive sources. This partnership validates Qubes OS as a mission-critical tool for press freedom organizations.
- Invisible Things LabcoreInvisible Things Lab, founded by Joanna Rutkowska (Qubes OS creator), is the core research and development organization behind Qubes OS. The lab's security research directly informs Qubes architecture and features.
- NovaCustommajorDutch hardware vendor certified to sell Qubes OS pre-installed on V54 Series, V56 Series, and NV41 Series laptops. NovaCustom also offers versions with Heads firmware for enhanced security.
- NitrokeymajorGerman security hardware company certified to sell Qubes OS pre-installed on NitroPad V56, NitroPC Pro, NitroPC Pro 2, NitroPad T430, and NitroPad X230 devices with coreboot firmware.
- Star LabsmajorUK-based hardware vendor certified to sell Qubes OS pre-installed on StarBook laptops, providing users with another certified hardware option for secure computing.
- InsurgominorCanadian vendor offering the PrivacyBeast X230, a custom refurbished ThinkPad X230 with binary-blob-free coreboot, neutered Intel ME, and enhanced anti-interdiction measures.
- 3mdebminorPolish embedded systems company offering the Dasharo FidelisGuard Z690, the first Qubes-certified desktop computer with open-source Dasharo firmware.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Qubes OS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Qubes OS social profiles
Digital presenceQubes OS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Qubes OS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Qubes OS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Qubes OS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Qubes OS
What does Qubes OS do?
Qubes OS is a free, open-source security-oriented operating system built on the Xen hypervisor that isolates applications and tasks in separate lightweight virtual machines called qubes. Each qube can run a different operating system (Fedora, Debian, Whonix, Windows) with hardware-enforced isolation, providing security-by-compartmentalization so that a compromise in one qube cannot spread to others.
Is Qubes OS a public or private company?
Qubes OS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Qubes OS founded?
Qubes OS was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Qubes OS based?
Qubes OS is headquartered in Monterey, United States, in the North America region.
How does Qubes OS make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations.
Does Qubes OS have an API?
Yes. The Qubes Admin API allows developers to programmatically manage Qubes OS instances, including qube creation, configuration, and lifecycle management. It is documented at dev.qubes-os.org/projects/core-admin/ and dev.qubes-os.org/projects/core-admin-client/. Developer documentation is at dev.qubes-os.org/projects/core-admin.
What industry is Qubes OS in?
Qubes OS's product category is Security Operating System. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABADAE, Server Operating Systems & Hypervisors (Virtualization), with a secondary code of HDABAMAF, Hybrid Cloud Compute & Virtualization Stack (HCI/VMs/Kubernetes). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.