macOS Alternatives

macOS is described as 'Unix-based operating system for Macs, excels with an intuitive UI, robust built-in apps like Safari, and strong security via FileVault, Gatekeeper, and SIP' and is a leading operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to macOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, BSD, Mac and Windows apps. The best macOS alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like macOS are Linux Mint, elementary OS, Debian and Fedora.

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Alternatives list

  1. Pop!_OS icon
     105 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.

    185 Pop!_OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Pop!_OS vs macOS Comments
    Cloneffew
    Positive
    1

    Best Linux alternative there is: Best hardware integration, best usability, best funding. They need Pop!_OS to succeed as a business.

    • Pop!_OS is Free and Open SourcemacOS is Free and Proprietary
    • Pop!_OS is a Linux Distro macOS is an Operating System
    • Pop!_OS is Customizable and Privacy focusedmacOS is not according to our users
  2. FreeBSD icon
     274 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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    FreeBSD vs macOS Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    Mac OS X kernel -- Darwin is based in part on FreeBSD.

    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourcemacOS is Free and Proprietary
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focused and LightweightmacOS is not according to our users
  3. NixOS icon
     77 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...

    198 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  4. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
     
  5. 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.

    187 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  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.

    176 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. Nobara Linux icon
     35 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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. Red Hat is the leader in development, deployment, and management of Linux and open source solutions for Internet infrastructure - ranging from embedded devices to secure Web servers. Red Hat was founded in 1994 by visionary entrepreneurs Bob Young and Marc Ewing.

    193 Red Hat Enterprise Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux vs macOS Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux is aimed at Enterprises whereas MacOS is for personal use (mainly).

    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux is Paid and ProprietarymacOS is Free and Proprietary
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a Linux Distro macOS is an Operating System
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