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. GNU Guix icon
     23 likes

    A purely functional package manager and an advanced distribution of the GNU operating system developed by the GNU Project—which respects the freedom of computer users.

    211 GNU Guix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • GNU Hurd
    Good alternative?
     
  2. Linspire icon
     2 likes

    Linspire is a 64 bit Linux based OS, that is geared towards the business, education and government worker. It has all the applications business users will need for work, research and deployment among very high end desktop systems.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  3. SliTaz icon
     55 likes

    SliTaz is a free operating system, working completely in RAM and booting from removable media such as a CD-ROM or USB key. SliTaz is distributed as a LiveCD, and weighs less than 40MB. The system is quick and responsive, clean and robust.

    143 SliTaz alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  4. AOSC OS icon
     6 likes

    AOSC OS is the Linux distribution project of AOSC.

    AOSC OS is built independently, with some reference from some of the greatest Linux distributions from all over the world, namely Fedora, Arch Linux and Debian, etc. The system was initially built with bits and parts from the Li.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Redox icon
     10 likes

    Redox is a Unix-like Operating System written in Rust, aiming to bring the innovations of Rust to a modern microkernel and full set of applications.

    73 Redox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • US flagUnited States
    Redox OS running COSMIC Editor
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Chromium OS icon
     15 likes

    Chromium OS is an open-source project, used primarily by developers, that aims to build an operating system that provides a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web.

    147 Chromium OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  7. Debian-based Linux distribution with KDE Plasma 6, SDDM, Calamares installer, and major Breeze theme modifications. GPLv3+ licensed. High RAM required for Plasma, with LXQt lite fork available for less powerful hardware and lower memory usage.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Debian
    Good alternative?
     
  8. PCLinuxOS icon
     28 likes

    PCLinuxOS is a free easy to use Linux-based Operating System for desktops or laptops.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Ageless Linux icon
     4 likes

    Software for humans of indeterminate age. We don't know how old you are. We don't want to know. We are legally required to ask. We won't.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  10. BunsenLabs icon
     16 likes

    BunsenLabs Linux is a distribution offering a light-weight and easily customizable Openbox desktop. The current release is Helium, built on top of Debian (stable). The project is a community continuation of CrunchBang Linux.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  11. secureblue icon
     4 likes

    secureblue is a security-focused, open-source operating system that ships as rpm-ostree container images derived from Fedora Atomic/CoreOS. It emphasizes proactive hardening—such as removing SUID binaries, enabling hardened_malloc, and disabling unprivileged user...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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