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.
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
macOS alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. This project is an attempt to provide a user-friendly desktop based on Sway - a popular tiling window manager (compositor) using the modern Wayland graphics stack.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  2. KolibriOS icon
     16 likes

    KolibriOS is a tiny yet incredibly powerful and fast operating system. This power requires only a few megabyte disk space and 8MB of RAM to run. Kolibri features a rich set of applications that include word processor, image viewer, graphical editor, web browser and well over 30...

    80 KolibriOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  3. OpenIndiana icon
     14 likes

    OpenIndiana is a robust enterprise operating system, based on the illumos kernel. It is open source, free to use, community developed, and suitable for servers and desktops.

    97 OpenIndiana alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • OpenSolaris
     
  4. SolydXK icon
     8 likes

    SolydX and SolydK are Debian based distributions with the Xfce and KDE Plasma desktop. SolydXK aims to be simple to use, providing an environment that is both stable and secure.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. illumos icon
     19 likes

    illumos is a free and open-source Unix operating system. It derives from OpenSolaris, which in turn derives from SVR4 UNIX and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). illumos comprises a kernel, device drivers, system libraries, and utility software for system administration.

    169 illumos alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  6. Knoppix icon
     29 likes

    Knoppix is an operating system based on Debian designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD (Live CD) or a USB key (Live USB), one of the first of its kind for any operating system. When starting a program, it is loaded from the removable medium and decompressed into a RAM drive.

    94 Knoppix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. GLF OS icon
     2 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
     
  8. Neptune icon
     1 like

    Neptune is a GNU/Linux Distribution for desktops based fully upon Debian Stable. It ships with a modern KDE Plasma Desktop with its main view on a good looking multimedia system which allows for getting work done.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. Athena OS icon
     2 likes

    Athena OS is an Arch-derived Linux distribution designed for penetration testing, bug-bounty hunting and InfoSec students. The distribution provides a way to connect directly to some of the e-learning hacking resources, such as Hack The Box, Offensive Security, PWNX and InfoSec...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. Download Zen Installer for free. A Graphical Installer for Arch Linux. The Zen Installer provides a full graphical (point and click) environment for installing Arch Linux. It provides support for installing multiple desktop environments, AUR support, and all of the power and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  11. ROSA Linux icon
     4 likes

    ROSA Linux is a Linux operating system and distribution, developed by Russian company LLC NTC IT ROSA. It is available in three different editions: ROSA Desktop Fresh (GNOME and KDE), ROSA Enterprise Desktop, and ROSA Enterprise Linux Server.

    165 ROSA Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Mandriva Linux
     
  12. CRUX Linux icon
     4 likes

    CRUX is a lightweight GNU/Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at experienced users. The primary focus of this distribution is keep it simple, which is reflected in a straightforward tar.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
You are at page 9 of macOS alternatives