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FOG Project

fogproject.org

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.8 #2 of 28 in Bare Metal Provisioning Software

What it is

FOG Project is a free, open-source system for cloning and managing networked computers. It captures and deploys Windows, Mac OSX and Linux distributions, including hardware-independent images that can be used across different computer models. The project also lists multi-site installations and remote management, provided the FOG server is publicly reachable. That server must run on Linux; recommended options include server-oriented LTS distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux. FOG recommends configuring client machines to PXE boot first so imaging tasks can be sent without visiting each computer. The FOG Client supports host registration, hostname changes, scheduled power management, snapin installation and user tracking, with client installation described for Windows, Linux and OSX. Client-server communications use public-key infrastructure and AES-256 encryption after an RSA-4096 key exchange. The security guide recommends firewall rules and protecting the MySQL database and captured image directory. Community support is available through forums, a wiki and IRC. The Linux client lacks the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining and PrinterManager. FOG Project is free for commercial use; community support is free.

Spec sheet

What it does
FOG is a free, open-source network imaging, cloning, rescue and computer-management system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Purpose
FOG Project is a free, open-source network computer cloning and management solution.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
API
The REST API exposes host, task, multicast-session, image and system-information routes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Security
The FOG Client documentation says client-server communications use public-key infrastructure and AES-256 encryption after an RSA-4096 key exchange.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Support
Support is provided through a public forum, documentation, Discord and community resources.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
License
The main project and its public repositories use GNU GPL version 3.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
API authentication
API requests can use a server API token plus per-user tokens; HTTP Basic authentication is also documented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Client limitations
The client documentation says its Linux client does not support the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining, or PrinterManager.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Client management
The FOG Client supports functions including host registration, hostname changes, scheduled power management, snapin installation, and user tracking.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Client platforms
The FOG Client documentation describes installation on Windows, Linux, and OSX.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Company leadership
The official about page names Chuck Syperski and Jian Zhang as project founders and Tom Elliott as senior developer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Deployment method
The project recommends configuring clients to PXE boot first so imaging tasks can be deployed without visiting each client.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Disk tools
Built-in tasks include memory tests, disk tests, surface scans, disk wiping, deleted-file recovery and bad-block scans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Documentation
Official documentation covers installation, management, knowledge-base troubleshooting, integrations and development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Domain management
The client can change hostnames and join Windows domains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Forum limitation
A FOG forum discussion says support generally focuses on core Debian and RHEL-family distributions, while unusual distributions may not work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forums.fogproject.org
Hardware independent images
The project lists hardware-independent images as a feature for deploying images across different computer models.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Image types
FOG supports partition, full-disk, multiple-disk, resizable and raw images.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Imaging
It can capture and deploy Windows, Mac OSX, and various Linux distributions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Independent assessment
OpenMSP describes FOG as free, open-source, self-hosted software with a free tier.Read 15 Oct 2026 · openmsp.ai
Installation
Installation is performed by cloning or downloading the repository and running installfog.sh as root.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Inventory
FOG records hardware and software inventory for managed hosts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Limit: learning curve
A SourceForge reviewer says Linux beginners face a difficult initial learning curve.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Limit: Linux server
OpenMSP says the server requires Linux and is not Windows-compatible as a server installation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · openmsp.ai
Limit: missing features
A SourceForge reviewer says FOG lacks some features available in competing products.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Limit: network setup
OpenMSP warns that correct DHCP and PXE network configuration is required.Read 15 Oct 2026 · openmsp.ai
Multi-site
The official site highlights hardware-independent images, remote computer management and multi-site installations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Multicast
Multicast deployment lets many computers receive one image stream simultaneously.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Operating systems
The project can capture, deploy and manage Windows, macOS and multiple Linux distributions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Plugin extensibility
Plugins are auto-discovered PHP directories that can add models, database migrations, pages, hooks, JavaScript and API exposure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Praise: community support
SourceForge reviewers praise responsive developers, helpful moderators, extensive forums and wiki material.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Praise: deployment value
Reviewers report that FOG substantially reduces time needed to image large groups of school computers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Praise: no licensing cost
OpenMSP lists no licensing costs and commercial use under GPL-3.0 as advantages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · openmsp.ai
Printer management
The management system includes printer-management functions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
PXE imaging
Clients boot over PXE using DHCP, iPXE and TFTP, without boot disks or CDs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Rating details on SourceForge
SourceForge shows 60 five-star ratings and one one-star rating.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Rating on SourceForge
4.9 out of 5 stars from 61 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Release
The download page lists version 1.6.0-RC-3 as released October 02, 2026.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Release compatibility
FOG 1.6 requires PHP 7.4 or later and does not load plugins built for 1.5.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release limitation
The 1.5-to-1.6 upgrade changes the database schema and has no down-migration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release news
FOG 1.6.0-RC-11 was released on October 14, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Remote controls
The agent can enforce hostname, directory membership, printers, software, power schedules and automatic logout.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Remote management
It supports remote computer management from anywhere in the world when the FOG server is publicly reachable.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Security controls
FOG documents CSP and security headers, input escaping, CSRF protection, bcrypt passwords, encrypted client traffic and token-protected APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Security limitation
PXE and TFTP are unauthenticated, so the project recommends isolating imaging on a trusted network.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Security setup
The security guide recommends firewall rules and securing the MySQL database and captured image directory.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.fogproject.org
Self-hosting
FOG is installed on a Linux server that administrators operate themselves.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Server dependencies
The installer uses PHP, MySQL or MariaDB, Apache, DHCP, TFTP, FTP and NFS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Server platform
A FOG server installation is supported only on a computer running Linux; the project recommends server-oriented LTS distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux, or AlmaLinux.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Snapins
Snapins install software and run jobs or scripts on managed clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Software management
FOG 1.6 adds desired-state software management through Chocolatey, while older versions use one-shot snapins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org
Support response
The support page says forum posts are often answered within an hour and that developers and moderators are present daily.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
System requirements
Documented server operating systems include Ubuntu 16+, Debian 8+, CentOS 7+, RHEL 6+, Fedora 22+ and Arch Linux.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.fogproject.org

Plans and prices

FOG Project Free Free for commercial use · free community support Read 5 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org
Free Free commercial use · unlimited computers · community support Read 15 Oct 2026 · fogproject.org

Every FOG Project plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free for commercial use.
  • Deploys images across different hardware models.
  • Supports multi-site installations.
  • Client supports host registration and scheduled power management.
  • Client-server traffic uses encryption.

Limits

  • FOG server must run on Linux.
  • Remote management requires a publicly reachable server.
  • Linux client lacks FOG Tray and PrinterManager.

Who it suits

FOG Project suits administrators who need to image and manage networked Windows, Mac OSX and Linux computers. It requires a Linux server and recommends PXE boot configuration for client deployment.

FOG Project in depth

Read the full write-up

FOG Project is free, open-source software for imaging and managing networked computers. It is best suited to administrators who can operate a Linux server and configure client machines for network boot. Its centralized deployment tools are useful for fleet work, but Linux client omissions make it a weaker fit where every endpoint needs the same management functions.

Overview

FOG captures and deploys Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux distributions, with hardware-independent images intended to span different computer models. It also supports remote computer management when the FOG server is publicly reachable. Together, those capabilities make it more than a one-off cloning utility: administrators can deploy images and manage clients across a network. The tradeoff is a server and network setup that calls for Linux administration and attention to security.

Key features

Network imaging and multi-site deployment

FOG recommends configuring clients to PXE boot first, so administrators can send imaging tasks without visiting each computer. That approach suits planned rollouts across a fleet, but is less useful for someone who only needs to clone a single machine occasionally. Multi-site installations extend the same centralized approach across locations.

Client management and security

The FOG Client can register hosts, change hostnames, schedule power management, install snapins, and track users. This gives administrators continuing management functions alongside imaging. Client documentation covers Windows, Linux, and OSX, but Linux clients do not support the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining, or PrinterManager. That gap matters to organizations expecting feature parity across operating systems.

Client-server communications use public-key infrastructure, with AES-256 encryption after an RSA-4096 key exchange. FOG's security guidance also recommends firewall rules and securing the MySQL database and captured image directory. Encryption is a useful safeguard, but it does not remove the need to protect the server and its stored images.

Pricing

The FOG Project plan costs nothing and is free for commercial use, with community support. There are no paid tiers or stated seat limits to weigh against its imaging and client-management functions. The practical cost is the work of running and securing a Linux server, rather than a software charge.

Platforms

The FOG server runs only on Linux; the project recommends server-oriented LTS distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux, or AlmaLinux. Clients can run Windows, Linux, or OSX, and the imaging system handles Windows, Mac OSX, and various Linux distributions. Bare-metal restore is supported, but bootable recovery media is not. The download page lists version 1.6.0-RC-3, released October 02, 2026.

Who it's for

FOG is a strong candidate for administrators responsible for repeated deployments across multiple computers or locations, particularly when hardware-independent images and remote management are useful. It is less suitable for people seeking a standalone desktop cloning tool, teams without Linux server capacity, or environments that depend on the Linux client's omitted management features.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free for commercial use, with no software price to budget for.

Pros: Hardware-independent imaging, PXE-based task deployment, and multi-site support serve coordinated fleet rollouts.

Pros: Host registration, power scheduling, snapin installation, and user tracking add ongoing client management.

Cons: The server requires Linux, creating an operational dependency for organizations without Linux administration capacity.

Cons: Linux clients lack the FOG Tray, Active Directory joining, and PrinterManager.

Cons: Remote management depends on public reachability, and server, database, firewall, and image-directory security remain administrator responsibilities.

Alternatives

For another free, open-source imaging option, Clonezilla is also available across Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted environments. Choose Lazesoft Recovery Suite if data recovery, Windows recovery, or password recovery is central, or if a freemium option with a free trial better fits a Windows recovery workflow. Redo Rescue is a free GPLv3 alternative whose code can be audited, modified, and copied at no cost. For Windows PC backup, AOMEI Backupper offers a perpetually free Standard plan; its Professional Yearly plan costs $39.95 a year.

HDClone has a free private-use edition capped at 4 TB and 70 MB/s, as well as paid options. Lazesoft Disk Image & Clone offers a free Home Edition for personal, non-commercial use on up to three PCs in one household. OSFClone is a free self-booting disk-imaging utility; installing it on USB requires a drive of at least 2 GB. Rescuezilla is free and runs from a bootable USB or CD-ROM, making it an option for boot-media-based imaging instead of managing a FOG server.

Browse the Disk Cloning Software, Disk Imaging Software, Bare Metal Provisioning Software, and OS Deployment Software lists for more options by category.

Verdict

Choose FOG Project for free, network-centered imaging and client management across a fleet, especially when deployments span different hardware or locations. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of deployment and ongoing management without a software fee; look elsewhere if you need bootable recovery media, cannot support a Linux server, or require full Linux client functionality.

Verdict

FOG Project provides imaging and client-management features without a listed price, including hardware-independent deployment and multi-site installations. Administrators should account for its Linux server requirement and the listed Linux client omissions.

Where Specifiction places it

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