macOS
Apple's operating system for Mac computers, with built-in apps and iPhone integration.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About macOS
macOS is the operating system that ships on every Mac. It comes with a full set of Apple apps, including Safari, Mail, Photos, Notes, Messages and Apple Music, and ties closely into the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch through features like AirDrop, Handoff, iPhone Mirroring and shared passwords. Recent releases add Apple Intelligence features and a much more capable Siri. It is Unix-based, so developers get a real terminal and common command-line tools, and it supports both App Store and directly downloaded apps. Updates are free and arrive through Software Update, but only on Apple hardware: macOS 27 runs on Macs with Apple silicon only, and Apple does not license it for other PCs. Gaming support and hardware choice are narrower than on Windows, and repairs and upgrades depend on Apple's own parts and pricing.
Best for: People who own an iPhone and want a polished desktop with little setup or maintenance.
Pros and cons
What works
- Tight integration with iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Free updates and a capable set of built-in apps
- Unix base with a real terminal for developers
Why people leave
- Only runs on Apple hardware; current release needs Apple silicon
- Smaller game library than Windows
- Limited control over hardware upgrades and repairs
Top macOS alternatives
See all 4- 1
Windows66.5Runs on far more hardware at every price and has the biggest game and business app library.
- 2
Ubuntu62.6Free Linux desktop that runs on almost any PC, with a large community and long-term support releases.
- 3
Linux Mint59.6Beginner-friendly Linux with a familiar desktop layout, a good free option on older or cheaper PCs.
- 4
Fedora Linux57.2Up-to-date, polished GNOME desktop that suits developers used to a Unix environment on Mac.
Why people left macOS
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from macOS, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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macOS: common questions
Is macOS free?
Yes, macOS is free to use.
Is macOS open source?
No, macOS is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Fedora Linux.
What platforms does macOS run on?
macOS is available for macOS.
What are the best alternatives to macOS?
The highest-ranked macOS alternatives right now are Windows, Ubuntu and Linux Mint. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.