Replaces macOS
European alternatives to macOS
Desktop operating systems built and maintained in Europe
Browse the category: Desktop operating systems
macOS is Apple's desktop operating system, built to run only on Mac hardware. People choose it for the close fit between software and machine, for the way it syncs with iPhone and iPad, and for a Unix foundation that suits developers. It has a long history in design, video and audio work, where much of the professional tooling appeared on it first.
An operating system decides what leaves your device: which accounts you sign in with, where backups go, what telemetry is sent home. Public bodies and companies bound by procurement rules increasingly want that layer under European control, with a support contract they can sign inside the EU. A European alternative to macOS usually means a Linux desktop. Ubuntu Desktop and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop come with commercial support, while Zorin OS targets people moving from a familiar graphical desktop.
European options 3
Our pick
Ubuntu Desktop
Linux desktop operating system from the United Kingdom
Ubuntu Desktop is an open source desktop operating system built on Linux by Canonical Ltd, a company based in the United Kingdom. It ships with a broad set of pre-installed applications and follows a regular release schedule, so the system stays current on security fixes and new features. The setup suits newcomers as well as people who have used Linux for years.
United KingdomOpen sourceFree plan
Germany
IrelandQuestions
Will my Mac applications run on a European alternative?
No, macOS software does not run natively on Ubuntu Desktop, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop or Zorin OS. Plan the move around equivalents for each application you depend on, and test the important ones before switching a whole team.
Which of these is easiest for someone leaving macOS?
Zorin OS is designed to feel approachable for people arriving from another graphical desktop, and Ubuntu Desktop has a large community and plenty of documentation. Try both from a live session before installing.
Is there a European desktop Linux with paid support?
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and Ubuntu Desktop are both backed by companies that sell support and long term maintenance. Ask them directly about the contract terms your organisation needs.