Compare the Top Operating Systems for Mac as of October 2024

What are Operating Systems for Mac?

Operating systems (OS) are the base software layer on any computer, smartphone, server, or computing system. Operating systems manage all aspects of a computing system including applications, software, and hardware. Compare and read user reviews of the best Operating Systems for Mac currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    CacheGuard

    CacheGuard

    CacheGuard Technologies

    CacheGuard-OS transforms a virtual or bare metal machine into a powerful and easy to handle network appliance. It's a Linux based Operating System built from scratch and especially designed to Secure and Optimize the network traffic. Great care has been taken by CacheGuard-OS developers to select the best of the best Open Source technologies to integrate into CacheGuard-OS. The result is a robust and trustworthy solution that can be up and running within minutes. CacheGuard-OS integrates Open Source software such as but not limited to OpenSSL, NetFilter, IProute2, StrongSwan, ClamAV, Apache, ModSecurity, Squid and Open Source developments made by CacheGuard-OS developers.
    Starting Price: $9.99 per month
  • 2
    macOS Big Sur
    macOS Big Sur elevates the most advanced desktop operating system in the world to a new level of power and beauty. Experience Mac to the fullest with a refined new design. Enjoy the biggest Safari update ever. Discover new features for Maps and Messages. And get even more transparency around your privacy. Unparalleled power. Legendary ease of use. Limitless creativity. macOS Big Sur brings a refined new design that gives you even more of the things you love about Mac. From full-height sidebars to refreshed toolbars, a clean new app design makes sure your content is always front and center. A sleek design update makes getting to your favorite apps even easier. And a new uniform shape for app icons adds consistency while letting the personality of Mac shine through. A new design combines notifications and widgets in a single view for more information at a glance.
  • 3
    Ubuntu

    Ubuntu

    Ubuntu

    Better security. More packages. Newer tools. All your open source, from cloud to edge. Secure your open source apps. Patch the full stack, from kernel to library and applications, for CVE compliance. Governments and auditors certify Ubuntu for FedRAMP, FISMA and HITECH. Rethink what’s possible with Linux and open source. Companies engage Canonical to drive down open source operating costs. Automate everything: multi-cloud operations, bare metal provisioning, edge clusters and IoT. Whether you’re a mobile app developer, an engineering manager, a music or video editor or a financial analyst with large-scale models to run — in fact, anyone in need of a powerful machine for your work — Ubuntu is the ideal platform. Ubuntu is used by thousands of development teams around the world because of its versatility, reliability, constantly updated features, and extensive developer libraries.
  • 4
    CloudReady

    CloudReady

    Neverware

    Transform your organization’s computers so they’re secure, easy to manage, and never slow down. CloudReady gives you all the power of the web—without the weight or risk of traditional operating systems. It’s an OS designed for now...and for what’s next. That’s why companies, non-profits, schools, and government agencies around the world use CloudReady to streamline and secure their devices when accessing web apps and VDI. CloudReady is based on Google’s Chromium OS, the same open-source architecture as Chrome OS. Whether your computers are brand new or a decade old, installing CloudReady provides unparalleled speed, simplicity, and security without hardware limitations.
    Starting Price: $15 per device per year
  • 5
    fydeOS

    fydeOS

    fydeOS

    FydeOS is a lightweight operating system with a Linux kernel + browser platform + container technology driver; its use is very similar to Google Chrome OS. FydeOS can run smoothly on most mainstream hardware. Hardware devices installed with FydeOS can perfectly support the latest web application standards, are compatible with Android programs and Linux environments, and can be used in network environments in China without any obstacles, providing a Google Chromebook-like experience. FydeOS is based on the second development of The Chromium Projects. We have modified and optimized its kernel, based on the most optimized browser platform, and added more localization enhancements that conform to the habits of users in China and improve user experience. Cloud technology operating system that truly meets the needs of the Internet era. After a long time of accumulation of technology, we can make FydeOS run in more types of hardware devices and provide an overall solution around FydeOS.
    Starting Price: $12.99 per year
  • 6
    Parrot OS

    Parrot OS

    Parrot Security

    Parrot is a worldwide community of developers and security specialists that work together to build a shared framework of tools to make their job easier, standardized and more reliable and secure. Parrot OS, the flagship product of Parrot Security is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian and designed with Security and Privacy in mind. It includes a full portable laboratory for all kinds of cyber security operations, from pentesting to digital forensics and reverse engineering, but it also includes everything needed to develop your own software or keep your data secure. Always updated, frequently released with many hardening and sandboxing options available. Everything is under your complete control. Feel free to get the system, share with anyone, read the source code and change it as you want! this system is made to respect your freedom, and it ever will be.
  • 7
    Fedora

    Fedora

    Fedora

    Fedora Workstation is a reliable, powerful, and easy-to-use operating system for desktop and laptop computers. It is functional for a wide range of developers, from hobbyists and students to professionals in business environments. Focus on your code with the GNOME 3 desktop environment. GNOME is developed with the needs of developers in mind and is free from unnecessary distractions, so you can focus on what really matters. Avoid the hassle of trying to find or compile the tools you need. With Fedora's comprehensive collection of open source languages, tools, and utilities, it's just a click or command away. There are even hosting projects and repositories like COPR to share your code and make builds available to the entire community.
  • 8
    ChromeOS Flex
    Try the cloud-first, fast, easy-to-manage, and secure ChromeOS for PCs and Macs. ChromeOS Flex is a free and sustainable way to modernize devices you already own. It’s easy to deploy across your fleet or simply try it to see what a cloud-first OS has to offer. Install ChromeOS Flex on your PCs and Macs so they are secure, boot fast, don’t slow down over time, update automatically in the background, and can be managed from the cloud. Devices boot quickly, don’t slow down over time, and update in the background, reducing device downtime. Experience fast access to VDI and web apps with an intuitive, clutter-free, and reliable experience. Deploy ChromeOS Flex across your fleet via USB or network deployment and a user’s settings and policies sync to the device almost instantly. Use the Google Admin console to manage updates and configure device policies remotely. Blocked executables and sandboxing technology eliminate the need for antivirus software.
    Starting Price: Free
  • 9
    macOS Ventura
    macOS Ventura is the latest major release of Apple's operating system for Mac computers. It was announced at WWDC 2022 on June 6, 2022, and was released to the public on October 24, 2022. macOS Ventura includes a number of new features and improvements, including: Stage Manager: A new way to organize your windows so you can focus on the task at hand. Continuity Camera: Use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, with features like Center Stage and Portrait Mode. Live Text: Automatically recognize text in images and videos, so you can copy, paste, translate, and more. Mail: New features for organizing your inbox, scheduling emails, and finding information more easily. Safari: New features for browsing the web, including Tab Groups, Passkeys, and Live Text. Games: New features for gaming on macOS, including Metal 3 and SharePlay. macOS Ventura is a significant update to macOS, and it includes a number of new features that are sure to make your Mac experience more productive.
    Starting Price: Free
  • 10
    macOS Monterey
    Connect, share, and create like never before. Say hello to exciting new FaceTime updates. Explore a redesigned Safari. Discover and invent powerful new ways to work using Universal Control and Shortcuts. Stay in the moment with Focus. And so much more. Staying in touch is more essential than ever. With SharePlay, you can watch together, listen together, and share your screen right inside FaceTime. FaceTime calls also sound and feel more natural. And Messages makes it even easier to find and enjoy the great content shared from friends and family. Keep FaceTime conversations going as you watch TV shows and movies, listen to music, or share your screen with SharePlay. It’s an entirely new way to have experiences with family and friends no matter the distance. Stream movies and TV shows while on a FaceTime call with friends. With synced playback and controls, you’ll see everyone laugh, jump, and react to the same moments at the same time.
    Starting Price: Free
  • 11
    macOS Sonoma
    With macOS Sonoma, work and play on your Mac are even more powerful. Elevate your presence on video calls. Access information in all-new ways. Boost gaming performance. And discover even more ways to personalize your Mac. New slow-motion screen savers of breathtaking locations from around the world look beautiful on your large Mac display. When you log in, they seamlessly become your desktop wallpaper. Place widgets on your desktop from the new widget gallery. And you can now play a podcast, turn off the lights, and more — right from a widget. With Continuity, you can add your iPhone widgets to your desktop without having to install the corresponding apps on your Mac. When you open an app or window or use Stage Manager, widgets fade into the background so you can concentrate on the task at hand. Switch your wallpaper and the colors of the widgets instantly adapt.
    Starting Price: Free
  • 12
    Mbed OS
    Arm Mbed OS is a free, open-source IoT operating system that includes all the necessary features to develop IoT products. The OS includes everything you need to develop smart, connected products on Arm Cortex-M based hardware, including machine learning capabilities, security, connectivity stacks, an RTOS kernel and drivers for sensors and I/O devices. Arm Mbed OS is designed for the Internet of Things. It is integrated with connectivity, machine learning, networking, and security stacks and is supported with software libraries, development hardware, tutorials and examples. From hardware to the cloud, Mbed OS supports more than 70 silicon, module, cloud, and OEM partners, optimizing your developer choice. By using the Mbed OS API, your application code can remain clean, portable, and simple, while taking advantage of security, communications and machine learning. The integrated solution reduces development cost, time, and risk.
  • 13
    Kubuntu

    Kubuntu

    Kubuntu

    Quickly find that important document, photo, or video. Split View, Editable Location, a built-in Terminal and many other useful features. Dolphin makes connecting your USB flash drives, SD cards, and your phone super easy! Images are an important part of modern life. Kubuntu has applications that make it easy to browse, share, and enhance your photos. Open PDF, Dejavu, PS, DVI, and more, annotate documents and fill in forms and even read eBooks with Okular, the universal document viewer. untu comes built-in with a music and a movie player that are simple to use. Simply select a song or a movie and Kubuntu will take care of the rest. Kubuntu plays most music and video formats out the box; restricted formats such as MP3 are installed with two clicks when needed, usually during the installation process.
  • 14
    Raspberry Pi OS

    Raspberry Pi OS

    Raspberry Pi Foundation

    Raspberry Pi Imager is the quick and easy way to install Raspberry Pi OS and other operating systems to a microSD card, ready to use with your Raspberry Pi. Watch our 45-second video to learn how to install an operating system using Raspberry Pi Imager. Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager to a computer with an SD card reader. Put the SD card you'll use with your Raspberry Pi into the reader and run Raspberry Pi Imager. Browse a range of operating systems provided by Raspberry Pi and by other organisations, and download them to install manually.
  • 15
    Mac OS X El Capitan
    Handoff and Instant Hotspot: Handoff requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later. Instant Hotspot requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity with a Lightning connector and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier. AirDrop to iOS devices requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later. FaceTime: Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and broadband Internet connection.
  • 16
    macOS High Sierra
    macOS High Sierra is the fourteenth version of macOS, Apple's operating system for its Macintosh desktops, laptops, and servers. It is the second version of the operating system after the name change from OS X to macOS. Siri requires a broadband Internet connection and microphone (built-in or external). Photo Booth requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), or USB video class (UVC) camera. FaceTime video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera; and broadband Internet connection.
  • 17
    Mac OS X Yosemite
    OS X Yosemite is the eleventh version of OS X, Apple's operating system for Macintosh computers. OS X Yosemite was announced and introduced to developers on June 2, 2014 at WWDC 2014 and its trial version came out on July 24, 2014. Time Machine requires an additional hard drive or AirPort Time Capsule (sold separately). Photo Booth requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built in or external), USB video class (UVC) camera, or FireWire DV camcorder. Backdrop effects when using a DV camcorder require fixed focus, exposure, and white balance. Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and a 128-Kbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Making HD video calls requires a built-in FaceTime HD camera and a 1-Mbps upstream and downstream Internet connection. Receiving HD video calls requires a supported Intel-based Mac.
  • 18
    macOS Sierra
    macOS Sierra is the thirteenth version of macOS, Apple's operating system for its Macintosh desktops, laptops, and servers. It is the first version of the operating system after the name change from OS X to macOS. Siri requires a broadband Internet connection and microphone (built-in or external). Phone Calling phone calling requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan. FaceTime Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built in or external), a USB video class (UVC) camera, or a FireWire DV camcorder; and broadband Internet connection.
  • 19
    Urbit

    Urbit

    Urbit

    Urbit is for everyone, but sometimes it is easy to get lost in this universe. Follow these links to contribute to the network through developing, operating, and exploring. It solves the hard problems of implementing a peer-to-peer network (including identity, NAT traversal, and exactly-once delivery) in the kernel so app developers can focus on business logic. The entire OS is a single pure function that provides application developers with strong guarantees: automated persistence and memory management, repeatable builds, and support for hot code reloading. The connected world anticipated by Urbit is a much friendlier one, much like the early Internet, where collegial discussion and collaboration was the norm. Problems that are unsolvable without large-scale political centralization in our current internet – data breaches, spam, fake reviews, malware-spreading, harassment – become tractable when individuals control their computing again. You have one login for everything.
  • 20
    Netrunner

    Netrunner

    Netrunner

    The standard version ships with a full set of pre-installed software for everyday usage and is based on Debian. The Core version is a slimmed down version based on Debian Stable and allows you to build up your own system or run it on low-spec hardware like arm-boards. Netrunner is using KDE Plasma and tuning it to be as snappy and responsive as possible. Netrunner ships several Window- and Desktop-Themes to choose from, so you can start customizing right away. For most of our Window Themes, we are using the Aurorae-3 engine of KWin, which allows blur and transparency even on low-end machines.
  • Previous
  • You're on page 1
  • Next