macOS alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave macOS: only runs on Apple hardware; current release needs Apple silicon, and smaller game library than Windows. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces macOS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Windows currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Windows	Paid	No	Windows	4 of 4	66.5

1. WindowsTop pick
Best for: PC gamers and anyone needing the widest choice of hardware and desktop software
PaidWindows
66.5
score / 100
Why switch from macOS
Runs on far more hardware at every price and has the biggest game and business app library.
Pros
Largest library of desktop apps and PC games
Runs on hardware from many manufacturers at every price
Pro edition adds BitLocker, Hyper-V and business management
Cons
Strict hardware requirements leave many older PCs out
Microsoft account and internet required during Home setup
Built-in ads and upsells in the interface
Visit Windows Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Windows a good macOS alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Minimum RAM
4 GB
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Minimum storage
64 GB
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Microsoft account
Required during setup (Home)
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Virtualization
Hyper-V support
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best macOS alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best macOS alternative for most people

Windows

Runs on far more hardware at every price and has the biggest game and business app library.

Best macOS alternative for a free option

Ubuntu

Free Linux desktop that runs on almost any PC, with a large community and long-term support releases.

Best macOS alternative for open source

Linux Mint

Beginner-friendly Linux with a familiar desktop layout, a good free option on older or cheaper PCs.

Best macOS alternative for Windows

Windows

Runs on far more hardware at every price and has the biggest game and business app library.

Best macOS alternative for Linux

Fedora Linux

Up-to-date, polished GNOME desktop that suits developers used to a Unix environment on Mac.

macOS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to macOS?

Windows ranks first right now. Runs on far more hardware at every price and has the biggest game and business app library. Ubuntu and Linux Mint follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to macOS?

Yes. Ubuntu (open source), Linux Mint (open source) and Fedora Linux (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to macOS?

Yes: Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Fedora Linux.

Which macOS alternatives work on Linux?

Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Fedora Linux run on Linux.

Why do people switch from macOS?

The complaints we hear most: only runs on Apple hardware; current release needs Apple silicon; smaller game library than Windows; limited control over hardware upgrades and repairs.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces macOS, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.