FreeBSD doesn't hurt from lacking systemd or PulseAudio/PipeWire in the way Linux distros would, but it does pay a cost in desktop‑ecosystem compatibility, while gaining reliability and architectural sanity on the server side.
FreeBSD benefits from a clean, modular init system (rc + devd + jail infrastructure) No monolithic PID1 swallowing logging, networking, timers, cgroups, etc. FreeBSD’s rc system is stable across releases; systemd's behavior changes frequently.
Some Linux software hard‑depends on systemd, like some container tooling (Podman, systemd‑nspawn ecosystems), desktop environments that integrate systemd services (GNOME especially), and modern Linux service management tooling that assumes systemd units. FreeBSD can run GNOME, KDE, etc., but GNOME's systemd entanglement means FreeBSD's GNOME ports require patches or shims. -Collateral damage from Linux monoculture.
FreeBSD's audio stack is native: OSS (Open Sound System). It's simple, low latency, stable, and well‑integrated with the kernel with no daemon spaghetti. -FreeBSD can also support Pulse and Pipewire if desired.
Some Linux desktop apps assume PulseAudio or PipeWire is present by default. Some pro‑audio workflows expect JACK + PipeWire integration out of the box. FreeBSD can run all of them, you just need to install them.
OSS is often faster and simpler than PulseAudio’s historical mess. PipeWire is still evolving rapidly; FreeBSD avoids being tied to its churn and birthing pangs.
On servers, FreeBSD’s lack of systemd is a competitive advantage with ZFS integration, Jails, pf firewall, rc scripts that are readable and predictable. There are no systemd‑induced boot failures, induced service dependency hell, or logging weirdness.
FreeBSD's server reliability is one of the reasons Netflix, Juniper, and iXsystems use it. FreeBSD is what Linux users claim Linux is but isn't.
The answer to the title? -It must have to do with the commie GPL/copyleft cult.
Instead of gutting something like Linux that wasn't really made for a lower end system, Haiku starts out as designed for that. It doesn't end up missing stuff just to make it 'lite', and it won't be bloated by multiple toolkits every time you decide another file manager or whatever would be better.
One of our members on the reddit sub switched to Haiku after reading one of my articles. -They reported back as a happy user and thankful for the sub. It's not for everyone (no modern web browser for example) for way older devices that are supported by the drivers, it can be better than other solutions.