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.

filter to find the best alternatives

macOS alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros or Desktop Environments you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Operating System. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to macOS.
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Alternatives list

  1. GoboLinux icon
     8 likes

    GoboLinux is a modular Linux distribution: it organizes the programs in your system in a new, logical way.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  2. instantOS icon
     3 likes

    instantOS is a Manjaro based distro that works out of the box but is still aimed at power users. Everything is lightning fast and works out of the box.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Manjaro Linux
     
  3. Trenta OS icon
     2 likes

    Beautiful, Open, and Free - Trenta OS is a Linux based operating system that aims to compete graphically with some well known premium operating systems but in the free & open-source Linux world.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Trenta OS as an Alternative to macOS
    John Fastman
    Negative
    0

    It's currently in alpha. Aims to look and feel as much as MacOS as possible, but it's based on Linux. Not well developed enough yet to be a "daily driver".

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Best OS Ever! i'm Tested On VM, A Open Soruce Version Of macOS

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Trenta OS icon
    Trenta OS icon
    • Trenta OS is Free and Open SourcemacOS is Free and Proprietary
  4. CLIP OS icon
     4 likes

    The CLIP OS project is an open source project maintained by the ANSSI (National Cybersecurity Agency of France) that aims to build a secure, multi-level operating system, based on the Linux kernel and a lot of free and open source software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. Obarun icon
     3 likes

    Obarun is a GNU/Linux operating system that relies on s6/66 init and service management suite. The goal of Obarun is to provide an alternative for people looking for more simplicity and transparency in maintaining their systems.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. Pearl OS icon
     6 likes

    Pearl Linux OS has been available for free download since 12/2014 with our first release simply titled Pearl Linux. It was based on the 14.04 released version of Ubuntu. That release was using the XFCE desktop environment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. Elive icon
     6 likes

    Elive provides a dynamic and clean interface without saturating the look. Nothing in the desktop is static. Simplicity and intuitive is one of its best points.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. Parsix icon
     5 likes

    Parsix GNU/Linux is a live and installation DVD based on Debian GNU/Linux. The project's goal is to provide a ready-to-use and easy-to-install operating system based on .

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. Lunar Linux icon
     7 likes

    Lunar Linux is a source based Linux distribution. It is built entirely by compiling source code, using custom optimizations.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. Dragora icon
     8 likes

    Dragora GNU/Linux is a distribution created from scratch with the intention of providing a stable, multi-platform and multi-purpose operating system. It is built upon 100% free software. It has a very simple packaging system that allows installing, removing, upgrading and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  11. NuTyX icon
     1 like

    Simple Linux (based on LFS).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. ArcaOS icon
     1 like

    A new OS/2-based operating system from Arca Noae, codenamed Blue Lion, arrived today, May 15, 2017, after nearly two years in development.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • HP webOS
    • AROS
     
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