macOS is a brand of proprietary graphical operating Systems developed by Apple and marketed as the primary OS in Mac computers. Its latest release is macOS Catalina 10.5, a closed-source operating system with open-source components written in C, C++, Swift, and Objective C and available in 39 languages.
macOS has since come to be known for its modern and sleekly calm look and feel with applets boasting pleasant dropdown shadows, smooth animations & transitions, easy-on-the-eyes fonts, customization, and developer-friendly setup – to list the most prominent features.
Recommended Read: 11 Best Linux Distros for Developers and Programmers
The Linux world is filled with several distributions born of the desire to solve a specified problem using unique design and build approaches. There are distros created for chemists, astrologers, music producers, and there are ones created to emulate macOS.
Do you miss the UI/UX of your old Mac? Or do you want to turn up your computing experience by giving your laptop a shiny new look with an appearance difficult to distinguish from macOS? Today’s list is of the best Linux distributions that look like macOS.
1. Ubuntu Budgie
Ubuntu Budgie is a distro built with a focus on simplicity, elegance, and powerful performance. It accomplishes this task by implementing its remake of the Budgie desktop environment (originally by the Solus project) to mimic the appearance of macOS with some extra sugar to it.
Ubuntu Budgie is more or less a macOS-fied version of Ubuntu – an operating system already known for its reliability, community support, and approval from professionals around the world. What’s cooler, is that Budgie comes with its own unique features. That’s why its a flavor.
2. Zorin OS
Zorin OS is a distro designed to welcome new Linux users into the community by making it less likely for them to miss the aesthetics of their former Windows or macOS, especially with the app menus.
Just like macOS, Zorin OS respects user privacy, and it delivers reliable performance even on old hardware which makes it a good OS candidate for development, media production, simulations, and gaming.
An extra feature about Zorin OS is its ability to run many Windows applications so it doubles as a windows alternative. Ain’t that cool?
3. Solus
Solus is an independently developed operating system designed for home computing with a variety of tweaks that work to enable users to customize their desktop better. My favorite graphical features in Solus is ist light and dark theme modes coupled with its slide-in ‘Today‘ and ‘Notification‘ panel reminiscent of macOS.
Its GUI is with thanks to custom made Budgie desktop which works nicely with its application bundle containing Firefox, Rhythmbox, GNOME MPV, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc.
4. Elementary OS
elementary OS is a privacy-focused distro with a custom-built desktop environment called Pantheon. It is designed to replicate the aesthetics of macOS with nice icons, fonts, animations, and wallpapers to compliment.
It prides itself with several beautiful features including a multitasking view, picture-in-picture, and do not disturb mode. Like other distros, it ships with a select collection of software to ensure you can get productive right away and an easy-to-use app center.
5. Deepin Linux
Deepin is an operating system designed with the main focus of providing Linux users with an elegant, reliable, and user-friendly computing environment. All its preinstalled applications are built from scratch or rewritten in-house to ensure a cohesive desktop experience across applications and activity flows.
Deepin is easy to use as well as to customize and is hailed as an ideal replacement for new Linux from Windows and macOS.
6. PureOS
PureOS is a privacy & security-centric operating system developed by Purism to provide users with the latest technologies in the form of a modern, full-featured and user-friendly auditable OS without trading off performance or neglecting user rights.
It can be run as live media from a USB or CD with sone of its distinguishing features being its macOS GUI aesthetic, HTTPS Everywhere browser extension enabled on by default, and its automatically set engine to DuckDuckGo.
7. Backslash
Backlash is a relatively new Linux-based operating system created for 64-bit processors in 2016. It uses a custom User Interface designed to emulate the macOS look & feel using the awesome KDE and each new update ships with nice improvements to the UI.
As is expected of any note-worthy project, Backlash has comprehensive documentation online to help both users and developers get busy with it from beginner to advanced level. You should check it out.
8. Pearl OS
Pearl OS is a Linux distribution created to make users coming from macOS and Windows comfortable using Linux. It currently uses Xfce as its default desktop environment with the promise of delivering its very own PearlDE which will be a desktop environment created by mixing LXDE and Xfce. It is also available to use with LXDE, GNOME, and MATE.
Pearl OS also uses Compiz for desktop customization and effects with a quick “Pearl-Compiz-Default-Settings” reset file in the home directory in case users go “overboard” with their customization settings.
Other Mentions
1. Trenta
Trenta is an operating system that existed to provide users with a Linux distro featuring the most competitive and innovative design. It doesn’t make it to the top 10 list because it has been discontinued due to the lack of support from the development community and its developers have diverted their attention to promoting Trenta icons and releasing 2 new products soon – Trenta Wallpapers and Trenta Tools.
2. Gmac
Gmac is unlike the other options because under the hood is Ubuntu running an immensely redecorated GNOME desktop environment that looks almost indistinguishable from macOS. Its logo is created by merging that of Apple and GNOME. If you’re cool with running a macOS-fied Ubuntu then you’re welcome.
Adding to the universal advantage of all the above-mentioned distros share (e.g. easy customization and sleek animations), they are qualified to be used both at home and in the office by developers, content creators, gamers, and users in all other fields.
On that note, we’re at the end of our list. I’m sure you’ve already selected one to give a test run when you’re done reading. Or maybe you have recommendations worthy to make it to the list, feel free to drop your comments below.
Ps. If your goal is just to make your desktop resemble macOS without performing a clean install then you can resort to using a macOS theme with any of these macOS like docks.
I have been using Ubuntu Mate with the Cupertino desktop environment. It truly has the look of Mac OS.
Nice theme
Just because a distro chooses to use a bottom dock, doesn’t mean it is Mac-like. Sorry.
I completely agree with you.
My mac is the sweetest Unix machine, runs Office, looks beautiful.