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, Mac, BSD 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.

Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Alternatives
Get a badge for your sitemacOS alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. 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?
     
  2. 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.

    89 AOSC OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  3. GLF OS icon
     6 likes

    GLF OS is a gaming-oriented live Linux distribution based on NixOS. Developed by a French-speaking community called Gaming Linux France (GLF), the distribution includes everything one would need for gaming on Linux, including Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, as well as...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  4. 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?
     
  5. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  6. NomadBSD icon
     11 likes

    NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD. Together with automatic hardware detection and setup, it is configured to be used as a desktop system that works out of the box, but can also be used for data...

    163 NomadBSD alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  7. 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?
     
  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. 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?
     
  10. 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?
     
  11. GNOME OS icon
     3 likes

    With the release of GNOME 3.38.0, we started producing and distributing bootable VM images for debugging and testing features before they hit any distribution repository. We called the images GNOME OS. The name itself is not new, and what it stands for has not changed...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GNOME
    Good alternative?
     
You are at page 7 of macOS alternatives