I can't believe FreeBSD 15 is faster than Linux Debian 13
When choosing an operating system, FreeBSD often emerges as a compelling alternative to Linux, particularly for users seeking stability and specific features like OpenZFS. This article presents a detailed performance comparison between FreeBSD and Debian 13, conducted on real hardware to provide practical insights for system administrators and power users.
Testing Environment
Hardware Specifications:
- MiniPC with AMD Ryzen 7 3750H processor
- Testing conducted on physical hardware (not virtualized)
- Laptops were evaluated but excluded due to hardware compatibility issues (WiFi and GPU support problems)
Software Configuration:
- FreeBSD 15 (latest stable version)
- Debian 13 (chosen for its stability and conservative approach)
- Chromium 143 (natively available on both platforms)
Web Browser Performance
Chromium served as an ideal test case since it's natively available on both operating systems and enables consistent hardware acceleration features.
Speedometer 3.1 Benchmark:
- FreeBSD: 9.31 points
- Debian 13: 8.10 points
- Winner: FreeBSD
WebGL Performance:
- FreeBSD: 46 FPS
- Debian 13: 40 FPS
- Winner: FreeBSD
The browser performance results indicate that FreeBSD can deliver superior web browsing experiences under identical conditions.
System Performance Analysis
Using UserBenchmark.org for comprehensive system testing revealed interesting patterns in real-world performance scenarios.
Overall System Performance:
Both operating systems completed the full UserBenchmark test suite, but with notable differences in system behavior during stress testing:
- FreeBSD 15: System froze for several minutes during testing, rendering the computer completely unusable
- Debian 13: Maintained system responsiveness throughout testing
Memory Performance Issues
A significant performance bottleneck was identified in FreeBSD's memory subsystem:
RAM Performance r-w Results:
- FreeBSD: 55-74 MB/s
- Debian 13: 63-85 MB/s
These results were confirmed through native sysbench testing, showing consistent memory performance disadvantages on FreeBSD. Kernel parameter tuning was attempted but yielded minimal improvements.
Real-world Impact:
- Normal usage: Performance differences are not noticeable
- Stress testing scenarios: FreeBSD's memory limitations become apparent
- Local LLM workloads (llama.cpp): Lower tokens/second scores on FreeBSD 15, likely due to RAM speed constraints
Network Performance
Ethernet networking showed comparable performance between the two operating systems:
Network Throughput:
- Both systems: ~111-114 Mib/s
- Performance degradation observed after a few seconds (likely due to SSD-over-USB setup limitations)
File System Considerations
File system performance testing was excluded from this comparison due to the SSD-over-USB setup limitations. A fair comparison would require:
- Linux vs FreeBSD (with OpenZFS)
- BTRFS vs ZFS comparison
- Native storage configuration
Hardware and Software Compatibility
FreeBSD Limitations:
- More restrictive hardware support compared to Linux
- Limited driver availability for newer hardware components
- WiFi and GPU compatibility issues on various laptop models
Debian 13 Advantages:
- Extensive hardware support
- "Install and forget" stability approach
- Broader software ecosystem
Use Case Analysis
FreeBSD Excels In:
- OpenZFS implementations
- Server environments where Docker dependency is not required
- Specific desktop use cases where hardware compatibility is confirmed
Debian 13 Preferred For:
- General desktop usage
- Hardware-diverse environments
- Docker-dependent workflows
- Users requiring maximum software compatibility
Conclusion
FreeBSD demonstrates comparable performance to Debian 13 in many benchmark scenarios, particularly in web browser performance where it shows clear advantages. However, the operating system faces challenges in memory performance and hardware compatibility that impact its practical applicability.
Key Takeaways:
- FreeBSD offers superior web browser performance
- Memory performance limitations affect workloads under stress
- Hardware compatibility remains a significant consideration
- OpenZFS integration makes FreeBSD attractive for specific server use cases
For users primarily seeking OpenZFS functionality without Docker dependencies, FreeBSD presents a viable alternative to Linux in both server and carefully selected desktop environments. However, users requiring broad hardware compatibility or maximum performance under stress conditions may find Debian 13 to be the more practical choice.
The decision ultimately depends on specific use cases, hardware requirements, and software ecosystem needs rather than raw performance metrics alone.