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    macOS Alternatives

    macOS is described as 'Unix-based operating system, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is designed to run on Macintosh computers, having been pre-installed on all Macs since 2002' and is a leading operating system in the security & privacy category. There are more than 100 alternatives to macOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Self-Hosted solutions and Electrum. The best alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like macOS are elementary OS, Linux Mint, Debian and Manjaro Linux.

    macOS is mainly a Operating System but alternatives to it may also be Linux Distros. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of macOS.
    This page was last updated May 1, 2022
    macOS
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    macOS is a Unix-based operating system, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is designed to run on Macintosh computers,...
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    1. Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.
      Ubuntu vs macOS opinions
      Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu is a great alternative to macOS.
      It has a similar-looking toolbar, and also uses command-line interfaces quite a bit.
      Top positive comment  almost 3 years ago

      6
      Easy to use and get started with, runs well on older hardware (even if it's one of the more resource-heavy Linux distros).
      Top positive comment  over 1 year ago

      0
      Ola It's pretty similar to MacOS tbh.
      Positive comment • about 1 year ago

      0
      Not for mac folks. Collects user data. Hardware resource-heavy.
      Negative comment • over 2 years ago

      -15
      brodsolutions I made the switch from MacOS to Ubuntu as the UX is very similar. Ubuntu allows you to customize the software around your tasks, stripping away all the programs you'd otherwise not use. Linux developers are great at creating functionality that is similar to Mac, streamlining the programs and making them easy to use and tweak. RECOMMEND try Ubuntu as an alternative to Mac!
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

      10
      It's like comparing Mercedes to Multipla
      Negative comment • over 4 years ago

      -19
      Ubuntu and macOS are both from the UNIX family
      Positive comment • over 5 years ago

      -7
    2. elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
      elementary OS vs macOS opinions
      Almost everyone thinks elementary OS is a great alternative to macOS.
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      UltraProgrammer Similar interface, with a lot of attention detail. More privacy respecting, and runs Linux
      Top positive comment  about 2 years ago

      3
      Looks similar. Feels similar. And is safer.
      Top positive comment  over 2 years ago

      5
      somepeter I have not seen any GNU/Linux distribution so far which emphasises the quality and consistence of user experience equally much as elementary OS, pursuing the same design principles. Simplicity, elegance and reliability. If it wouldn't be for the apps, maybe I would not write this comment from a Mac. ;)
      Positive comment • 6 months ago

      0
      elementary OS has a very similar interface and is easy to learn for long time users of macOS, unlike other Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Mint, and other operating systems like Windows. It has a dock and a top bar, similar to macOS, and it comes with it's own alternatives to the applications.
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      0
      The fantastic design: the dock, the top bar, the UI design.
      Positive comment • almost 2 years ago

      0
      Looks and feels like mac more than any other Linux. Also, easier to use than ubuntu or mint, just like mac!
      Positive comment • over 2 years ago

      4
      elementary OS is the most similar Linux to macOS. Stable and fast.
      Positive comment • over 2 years ago

      1
      Show more comments ▾
      7 of 10 comments
    4. Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Uma (20.2).
      Linux Mint vs macOS opinions
      Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great alternative to macOS.
      It is very easy to learn to use!
      Positive comment • almost 3 years ago

      4
      EliottNo It's user friendly, stable, ergonomic, good looking.
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      4
      The desktop environment is very different, and much more similar to Windows'.
      Negative comment • about 2 years ago

      1
    5. The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.
      Most users think Debian is a great alternative to macOS.
    6. Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system.
      Manjaro Linux vs macOS opinions
      Most users think Manjaro Linux is a great alternative to macOS.
      JohnFastman Of all the Linux distros that could replace MacOS in terms of ease-of-use and versatility, Manjaro comes top of the pile. Free, open-source, updated very quickly, and with access to tens of thousands of apps through Manjaro's own repositories as well as those of Arch on which it is based. As easy as Ubuntu to get started but not made by Canonical. Great community, too.
      Positive comment • over 5 years ago

      5
      its modern fast and works perfectly, apart from that despite being rolling release its very stable just perfect os
      Positive comment • about 1 year ago

      0
      In my opinion, this is the best Linux distro I ever used. It's great for beginners and experts, it's Arch based so it has the AUR and it has a Live USB mode for people that want a test drive before installing it. If you're distrohopping right now then try Manjaro
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      -1
    8. Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
      Fedora vs macOS opinions
      Most users think Fedora is a great alternative to macOS.
      User interface is very similar
      Positive comment • about 2 years ago

      0
    9. Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems
      Windows 10 vs macOS opinions
      Some users think Windows 10 is a great alternative to macOS, some don't.
      kayvonkamyar You can use Boot Camp to use both Windows and macOS at once. If windows gets a virus or a BSOD problem, you can switch back to macOS with ease.
      Top positive comment  almost 2 years ago

      -3
      Windows is bad as operating system, because it is missing so many important features present in any modern *nix
      Top negative comment  over 2 years ago

      6
      UltraProgrammer Not respective of privacy, not Unix based, and resource intensive
      Negative comment • about 2 years ago

      7
      it has the combined advantages of win 7 win 8 and most of all unlike macos it is easy to use
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      -10
      JohnFastman If you're on MacOS, you probably have an Apple computer too. Unless you're a techie, switching to Win 10 means switching to a new computer. If you're doing that, at least consider Linux (it's safer and free). If you're staying with your Apple hardware and not technical, you're prob. stuck with MacOS.
      Negative comment • over 5 years ago

      -7
    10. Windows 7 is the successor to Windows Vista . The new OS introduces a compelling combination of welcome innovations and much-needed polish. Windows 7 is built with the codebase from Vista and is a minor upgrade (6.

      Discontinued

      Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015. Extended support with security updates ended on January 14, 2020.

      Windows 7 vs macOS opinions
      This alternative is disputed. Windows 7 is still a legitimate alternative to macOS, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
      Looks different. And is no longer supported ( it means no official updates ).
      Negative comment • over 2 years ago

      4
      It is very stable and a good, fast system
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      -3
    11. The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user.
    12. Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
    Showing 10 of 171 alternatives