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. GNOME OS icon
     2 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
     
  2. NomadBSD icon
     7 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...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
     
  3. hello System icon
     5 likes

    Desktop system for creators with focus on simplicity, elegance, and usability. Based on FreeBSD. Less, but better!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
     
  4. UbuntuCE icon
     1 like

    Ubuntu Christian Edition (UbuntuCE) is a free, open source operating system geared towards Christians. Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. Archcraft icon
     6 likes

    A Fast, friendly, open-source operating system, for newbies, geeks & DIY enthusiasts.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. MINIX 3 icon
     10 likes

    MINIX is a POSIX-compliant Unix-like operating system based on a tiny microkernel running in kernel mode with the rest of the operating system running as a number of isolated, protected, processes in user mode.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
     
  7. Dynebolic icon
     7 likes

    Free software operating system for media activists, artists and creatives. Dynebolic is as a practical tool for multimedia production: you can manipulate and broadcast both sound and video with tools to record, edit, encode and stream, having automatically recognised most...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. Slax icon
     28 likes

    Slax is a minimalist desktop live CD based on Debian's "stable" branch, it boots into a simple desktop using the Fluxbox window manager which offers a small collection of applications.

    49 Slax alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. ArchBang icon
     21 likes

    ArchBang is a simple GNU/Linux rolling release distribution which provides you with a lightweight Arch Linux system combined with the Openbox Window Manager.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. Korora Project icon
     10 likes

    Korora is an installable Fedora Remix Live USB image which aims to provide a complete out of the box experience for new users, including support for multimedia.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  11. AV Linux icon
     8 likes

    AV Linux is a versatile, MX Linux-based distribution featuring a large collection of audio and video production software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. Oracle Solaris icon
     12 likes

    Oracle Solaris is the #1 enterprise OS, delivering breakthrough high-availability, security, efficiency, and industry-leading scalability/performance.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
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