Usage with the Linux kernel is by far the most popular distribution vector for GNU software, though the Linux kernel itself is not part of the GNU Project.

Other GNU variants which do not use the Hurd as a kernel include Nexenta OS (GNU plus the kernel of OpenSolaris) and GNU-Darwin. Debian GNU/kFreeBSD and Debian GNU/NetBSD from Debian bring the early plan of GNU on a BSD kernel full circle. GNU itself is distributed as Debian GNU/Hurd by the Debian project.