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 one of the leading apps in the Security & Privacy category. There are more than 100 alternatives to macOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted solutions, BSD, Windows and Mac. The best alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like macOS are elementary OS (Free, Open Source), Linux Mint (Free, Open Source), Debian (Free, Open Source) and Manjaro Linux (Free, Open Source).

    The list of alternatives was last updated Mar 31, 2021
    macOS info, screenshots & reviewsAlternatives to macOS
    • 157 alternatives

    • Ubuntu

      Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers. View 155 alternatives to Ubuntu
      Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • Windows S
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      Ubuntu vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      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!
      Top positive comment  over 2 years ago

      It has a similar-looking toolbar, and also uses command-line interfaces quite a bit.
      Top positive comment  almost 2 years ago

      Not for mac folks. Collects user data. Hardware resource-heavy.
      Top negative comment  over 1 year ago

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

      Easy to use and get started with, runs well on older hardware (even if it's one of the more resource-heavy Linux distros).
      Positive comment • 7 months ago

      It's like comparing Mercedes to Multipla
      Negative comment • over 3 years ago

      Ubuntu and macOS are both from the UNIX family
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

    • elementary OS

      elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu . View 194 alternatives to elementary OS
      Almost everyone thinks elementary OS is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
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      elementary OS vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      satishviswanathan Lot of its functionalities resemble the MacOS
      Top positive comment  over 4 years ago

      UltraProgrammer Similar interface, with a lot of attention detail. More privacy respecting, and runs Linux
      Top positive comment  about 1 year ago

      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 • 5 months ago

      The fantastic design: the dock, the top bar, the UI design.
      Positive comment • 10 months ago

      Looks similar. Feels similar. And is safer.
      Positive comment • about 1 year ago

      Looks and feels like mac more than any other Linux. Also, easier to use than ubuntu or mint, just like mac!
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      elementary OS is the most similar Linux to macOS. Stable and fast.
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      Show more comments ▾
      7 of 9 comments

    • Linux Mint

      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: Ulyssa (20.1). View 186 alternatives to Linux Mint
      Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
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      Linux Mint vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      It is very easy to learn to use!
      Positive comment • almost 2 years ago

      EliottNo It's user friendly, stable, ergonomic, good looking.
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

      The desktop environment is very different, and much more similar to Windows'.
      Negative comment • 12 months ago

    • Debian

      WHAT is Debian? The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. View 194 alternatives to Debian
      Most users think Debian is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Windows
      • Linux
      • Windows S
      • BSD
      • Self-Hosted
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    • Manjaro Linux

      Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. View 204 alternatives to Manjaro Linux
      Most users think Manjaro Linux is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
      • Arch Linux
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      Manjaro Linux vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      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 4 years ago

      its modern fast and works perfectly, apart from that despite being rolling release its very stable just perfect os
      Positive comment • about 2 months ago

      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 • 8 months ago

    • Windows 10

      Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systemsTo encourage its adoption, Microsoft announced... View 139 alternatives to Windows 10
      Some users think Windows 10 is a great alternative to macOS, some don't.
      • Windows
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      Windows 10 vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      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  10 months ago

      it has the combined advantages of win 7 win 8 and most of all unlike macos it is easy to use
      Top positive comment  over 3 years ago

      UltraProgrammer Not respective of privacy, not Unix based, and resource intensive
      Top negative comment  about 1 year ago

      Windows is bad as operating system, because it is missing so many important features present in any modern *nix
      Negative comment • over 1 year ago

      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 4 years ago

    • Fedora

      The Fedora Project is an openly-developed project designed by http://alternativeto. View 186 alternatives to Fedora
      Most users think Fedora is a great alternative to macOS.
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
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      Fedora vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      User interface is very similar
      Positive comment • 12 months ago

    • Windows 7

      Windows 7 is the successor to Windows Vista . The new OS introduces a compelling combination of welcome innovations and much-needed polish. View 124 alternatives to Windows 7
      This alternative is disputed. Windows 7 is still a legitimate alternative to macOS, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

      Discontinued

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

      • Windows
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      Windows 7 vs macOS
      pros, cons and recent comments
      Looks different. And is no longer supported ( it means no official updates ).
      Negative comment • about 1 year ago

      It is very stable and a good, fast system
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

    • Xubuntu

      Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux. View 156 alternatives to Xubuntu
      Most users think Xubuntu is a great alternative to macOS.
      No screenshots yet
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
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    • Kubuntu

      is an official flavour of the Ubuntu operating system which uses the KDE Plasma Desktop. View 197 alternatives to Kubuntu
      No screenshots yet
      • Free • Open Source
      • Linux
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    Showing 10 of 157 alternatives