What is OpenBSD and what does the openbsd.org website offer?

Updated

OpenBSD is a free, multi-platform, 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system produced by the OpenBSD project, and openbsd.org is that project's main page. The site is the starting point for downloading the OS, getting the source code, reading documentation, reporting problems, and supporting the project. If you want to know what the project stands for and where to find its official resources, this page is the canonical entry point.

What OpenBSD is

According to the project's own description, OpenBSD is developed entirely by volunteers. Its stated emphases are:

  • Portability — running across many hardware platforms
  • Standardization and correctness
  • Proactive security
  • Integrated cryptography

The project is also the origin of widely used software: OpenSSH comes from OpenBSD. The site highlights the claim of "only two remote holes in the default install, in a heck of a long time," which reflects the project's security-focused reputation.

What the website provides

The main page organizes the project's resources into a few clear areas:

Area What you find there
About OpenBSD Project goals and background
Hardware Platforms Supported platforms
Security / Crypto Security and cryptography information
Events and Papers Talks and written material
Innovations Notable technical contributions
Getting OpenBSD Download entry point
Getting Source Source acquisition options: AnonCVS, CVSWeb, GitHub Mirror, GotHub Mirror
Resources Changelog, FAQ, Manual Pages, Patches
Reporting Problems How to report issues
Mailing Lists Community discussion channels
Songs & Artwork, Hackathons, User Groups Community and culture material
Commercial Support Where to find paid support
Supporting OpenBSD Donations, Art, Merchandise, OpenBSD Foundation

Release and licensing facts

  • The current release listed on the site is OpenBSD 7.9, released May 19, 2026 — the 60th release.
  • OpenBSD is described as freely available from the project's download sites.
  • Development is done by volunteers; the development environment and developer events are funded through contributions collected by The OpenBSD Foundation.

How to use the site

  1. To try or install OpenBSD — start at Getting OpenBSD and download from the official sites.
  2. To read the source — use Getting Source, which offers AnonCVS, CVSWeb, and GitHub/GotHub mirrors.
  3. To learn the system — go to Resources for the FAQ and Manual Pages; the Changelog tracks changes.
  4. To report a bug — use Reporting Problems and check Patches for existing fixes.
  5. To get help or give support — Mailing Lists for community discussion, Commercial Support for paid options, and Supporting OpenBSD if you want to donate or buy merchandise.

The site does not state pricing for support or merchandise on the main page, so check the linked pages for current details.