Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

macOS VS Debian

Compare macOS VS Debian and see what are their differences

macOS logo macOS

macOS High Sierra brings new forward-looking technologies and enhanced features to your Mac.

Debian logo Debian

Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.
  • macOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-18
  • Debian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-12

macOS features and specs

  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    macOS Sonoma offers seamless integration across Apple devices, allowing for continuity features like Handoff, AirDrop, and iCloud synchronization.
  • User Interface and Design
    macOS is known for its polished and intuitive user interface, which is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
  • Security and Privacy
    macOS is built with strong security features including Gatekeeper, XProtect, and full disk encryption to protect user data and privacy.
  • Optimized Performance
    macOS is optimized to run efficiently on Apple hardware, often delivering smooth and fast performance even on older machines.
  • Built-in Applications
    macOS comes with a suite of built-in applications such as Safari, Mail, Photos, and iMovie, which are well-integrated and offer good functionality out of the box.
  • Regular Software Updates
    Apple provides regular updates to macOS, offering new features and bug fixes, as well as important security updates.

Possible disadvantages of macOS

  • Software Compatibility
    Some specialized or legacy software available for Windows may not be available or fully compatible with macOS, requiring users to find alternatives or use virtualization.
  • Hardware Cost
    Apple hardware tends to be more expensive compared to PCs with similar specifications, making the total cost of entry higher for macOS.
  • Customizability
    Compared to Windows and some Linux distributions, macOS is less customizable in terms of user interface and system settings.
  • Gaming
    macOS is not typically favored by the gaming community due to fewer titles being available and often less optimal performance compared to Windows.
  • Limited Hardware Choices
    Users are limited to Apple hardware, which means fewer choices and the inability to build custom machines using components from different manufacturers.

Debian features and specs

  • Stability
    Debian is known for its rock-solid stability, making it a preferred choice for servers and critical systems that require long-term reliability.
  • Package Availability
    Debian offers a vast repository of packages, ensuring that you have access to a wide range of software and tools without needing third-party sources.
  • Security
    Debian has a strong focus on security with timely updates and a dedicated security team, providing a secure environment for users.
  • Community Support
    Debian has a large and active community, providing extensive support through forums, mailing lists, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Flexibility
    Debian is highly configurable and supports multiple architectures, allowing it to be used on various hardware platforms and for diverse use cases.
  • Free and Open Source
    Debian adheres strictly to the principles of free software, ensuring that users have freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS)
    Debian provides long-term support for its stable releases, making it a suitable option for systems that require extended maintenance.

Possible disadvantages of Debian

  • Older Software Versions
    Due to its focus on stability, Debian tends to use older, well-tested versions of software, which may lack some of the latest features and updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation process for Debian can be complex and intimidating for new users compared to more user-friendly distributions like Ubuntu.
  • Slower Release Cycle
    Debian has a slower release cycle which may result in longer wait times for new features, updates, and support for newer hardware.
  • Resource-Intensive Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Debian can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, particularly for users who are not familiar with its system.
  • Less Focus on Desktop Experience
    Debian's strong focus on stability and server use means that desktop users might find it less polished and user-friendly compared to distributions specifically tailored for desktop environments.

macOS videos

macOS Catalina Review

More videos:

  • Review - What is macOS Server, and who should use it?
  • Review - Top macOS Catalina features!
  • Review - macOS Server: The Future of Apple's Server Product
  • Review - My New 2018 Mac Mini Server | Getting Started With A MacOS Server
  • Review - Catalina macOS Review in Catalina!

Debian videos

Debian 10 "Buster" Full Review and My Thoughts

More videos:

  • Review - Debian 10 Review (GNOME)
  • Review - Debian 10 "Buster" Review! Excited for THIS

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to macOS and Debian)
Linux
26 26%
74% 74
Operating Systems
24 24%
76% 76
Linux Distribution
24 24%
76% 76
Color Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare macOS and Debian

macOS Reviews

We have no reviews of macOS yet.
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Debian Reviews

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Currently, Debian runs the FreeBSD kernel or Linux kernel. Debian was developed by many volunteers who are managing this operating system amazingly. The significant advantage of Debian is its vast software support. Learn – Install Debian 12 Bullseye on VirtualBox
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
The Debian Project adheres to a rigorous set of principles, the Debian Social Contract. It outlines its relationship with the community and underlines its dedication to delivering a free and secure high-quality operating system. This contract and the Debian Free Software Guidelines ensure that the software within Debian's repositories respects your privacy and freedom.
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian has a Testing branch, similar to a beta version, it is an intermediary stage between Debian's unstable and stable branches. The Testing branch is intended for users who want a balance between access to newer software and a relatively stable system. Debian Testing gets new features and fixes before the stable Debian release, allowing users who are comfortable...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Debian is what Ubuntu is based on, making it one of the oldest Linux distributions. It was released and developed in 1993. For a long time, the abundance of software packages for Debian was unsurpassed and it is still notable. Commercial programs are easy to install. Installation, maintenance and usage are intuitive and not particularly difficult for both Windows and Mac...
Source: www.ionos.com
6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users
Debian OS also offers a different variant for users to choose from and made the rolling release option available.
Source: techcult.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Debian seems to be a lot more popular than macOS. While we know about 66 links to Debian, we've tracked only 1 mention of macOS. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

macOS mentions (1)

  • What laptop should I buy
    Rekordbox works with Big Sur. You're acting like buying a hub is literally the end of the world, it's not. My interface has USB C. You're seriously grasping at straws with the touch screen argument. Unless you're on a DDJ-200 you can access all the required features from a controller, and let's not forget there are touchpads on laptops. Personally, I have a 4,000+ song library that fits on the internal storage of... Source: over 3 years ago

Debian mentions (66)

  • Coding on a Chromebook
    The terminal is actually a Debian terminal. Debian is a version (distribution) of Linux, so if you've used it or Ubuntu before, you'll be very familiar with the commands. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Can I contribute to a redesign of the Debian website?
    Can't figure out debian.org? Then you probably won't figure out the distribution either. The website is perfectly fine, if you know how to read and think. They have mainly been focusing on making Debian stable, so it's more about reading manuals than expecting user-friendliness from it. There's loads of userfriendly-focused linux distributions out there. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Your guide to Debian iso downloads
    Https://debian.org/ has a huge DOWNLOAD button. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • where all the isos are? (broken links)
    Links on the debian.org doesn't work. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Debian 12 froze. How to diagnose ?
    Https://debian.org/ download the iso, dd to a pendrive and reinstall... Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing macOS and Debian, you can also consider the following products

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

Windows 10 - Windows 10 unveils new innovations & is better than ever. Shop for Windows 10 laptops, PCs, tablets, apps & more. Learn about new upcoming features.