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. Later 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 11.0-RELEASE

Installer Images	Virtual Machine Images	SD Card Images	Documentation
amd64 i386 ia64 powerpc powerpc64 sparc64 aarch64	README amd64 i386 aarch64	BANANAPI BEAGLEBONE CUBIEBOARD CUBIEBOARD2 CUBOX-HUMMINGBOARD GUMSTIX RPI-B RPI2 PANDABOARD WANDBOARD	Released: October 2016 Release Notes Hardware Compatibility List Installation Instructions Errata Signed Checksums

FreeBSD 10.3-RELEASE

Installer Images	Virtual Machine Images	SD Card Images	Documentation
amd64 i386 ia64 powerpc powerpc64 sparc64	README amd64 i386	BEAGLEBONE CUBOX-HUMMINGBOARD GUMSTIX RPI-B PANDABOARD WANDBOARD	Released: April 2016 Release Notes Hardware Compatibility List Installation Instructions Errata Signed Checksums

FreeBSD 10.2-RELEASE

Installer Images	Virtual Machine Images	SD Card Images	Documentation
amd64 i386 ia64 powerpc powerpc64 sparc64	README amd64 i386	BEAGLEBONE CUBOX-HUMMINGBOARD GUMSTIX RPI-B PANDABOARD WANDBOARD	Released: August 2015 Release Notes Hardware Compatibility List Installation Instructions Errata Signed Checksums

FreeBSD 10.1-RELEASE

Installer Images	Virtual Machine Images	Documentation
amd64 i386 ia64 powerpc powerpc64 sparc64	README amd64 i386	Released: November 2014 Release Notes Hardware Compatibility List Installation Instructions Errata

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
amd64 i386 powerpc powerpc64 sparc64 armv6 aarch64	amd64 i386 aarch64	BANANAPI BEAGLEBONE CUBIEBOARD CUBIEBOARD2 CUBOX/HUMMINGBOARD GUMSTIX PANDABOARD RPI-B RPI2 WANDBOARD	Release Notes