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. FreeBSD icon
     268 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...

    196 FreeBSD alternatives

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourcemacOS is Free and Proprietary
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focused and LightweightmacOS is not according to our users
  2. NixOS icon
     70 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...

    191 NixOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  3. Windows 10 icon
     415 likes

    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    179 Windows 10 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    |
    5
    Windows 10 vs macOS Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Anonymous Boy
    -3

    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 Negative Comment
    Conner Vieira
    7

    Not respective of privacy, not Unix based, and resource intensive

    Guest
    Negative
    6

    Windows is bad as operating system, because it is missing so many important features present in any modern *nix

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietarymacOS is Free and Proprietary
  4. Xubuntu icon
     294 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. Gentoo icon
     166 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
     
  6. Lubuntu icon
     247 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.

    184 Lubuntu alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. Windows 11 icon
     45 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.

    168 Windows 11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  8. Nobara Linux icon
     32 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...

    106 Nobara Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. Haiku icon
     102 likes

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    Haiku vs macOS Comments
    Sega Dreamcast
    Positive
    -1

    Perfect to run on old macs. If you are in a feild of work that requires microsoft officw or adobe products specifically then it's obviously a no go. But it is perfect for the average computer user.

    • Haiku is Free and Open SourcemacOS is Free and Proprietary
    • Haiku is Lightweight and Privacy focusedmacOS is not according to our users
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