macOS Alternatives

Apps similar to macOS include Linux Mint, which is free and open source. Other options are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and CachyOS. You're spoiled for choice with Operating Systems like macOS: we list more than 100 alternatives for Linux, self-hosting, Mac, Windows and Chrome OS.

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Most macOS alternatives are Operating Systems, but you can also narrow the list to Linux Distros or Desktop Environments. Another popular filter is Operating System. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.
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Alternatives
macOS alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Pop!_OS icon
     106 likes

    Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.

    190 Pop!_OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • US flagUnited States
    Pop!_OS screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  2. NixOS icon
     78 likes

    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    202 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Good alternative?
     
  3. FreeBSD icon
     276 likes

    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    208 FreeBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Good alternative?
     
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    1
  4. Qubes OS icon
     130 likes

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    205 Qubes OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Xubuntu icon
     295 likes

    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.

    188 Xubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Windows 11 icon
     48 likes

    Experience the latest Windows OS with a new Start menu, integrated Teams, and gaming technologies like Auto HDR. Improved security with stricter requirements enhances protection, and seamless Microsoft Account integration makes it ideal for modern devices.

    181 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  7. Lubuntu icon
     248 likes

    Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT.

    188 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    The new LXQt desktop.
    Good alternative?
     
  8. Gentoo icon
     174 likes

    Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.

    204 Gentoo alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Aurora OS icon
     24 likes

    Aurora is a delightful KDE desktop experience for end-users that are looking for reliability and developers for the most-hassle free setup. Zero maintenance included.

    78 Aurora OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Fedora
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Nobara Linux icon
     37 likes

    The Nobara Project, to put it simply, is a modified version of Fedora Linux with user-friendly fixes added to it. Fedora is a very good workstation OS, however, anything involving any kind of 3rd party or proprietary packages is usually...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  11. Artix Linux icon
     27 likes

    Artix Linux is a fork (or continuation as an autonomous project) of the Arch-OpenRC and Manjaro-OpenRC projects. Artix Linux offers a lightweight, rolling-release operating system featuring the OpenRC init software.

    96 Artix Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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