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macOS VS Qubes OS

Compare macOS VS Qubes OS and see what are their differences

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macOS logo macOS

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

Qubes OS logo Qubes OS

Qubes is a security-oriented, free and open-source operating system for personal computers that allows you to securely compartmentalize your digital life.‎Download Mirrors · ‎Qubes R4.
  • macOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-18
  • Qubes OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13

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.

Qubes OS features and specs

  • Security
    Qubes OS is designed with security in mind, implementing strong isolation mechanisms based on Xen-based virtualization to compartmentalize various tasks and applications.
  • Compartmentalization
    By isolating different activities into separate virtual machines (VMs), Qubes OS minimizes the damage that can be done by compromised applications or malware.
  • Privacy
    The compartmentalization, combined with features like Whonix integration for anonymous internet use, offers strong privacy protections for users.
  • Advanced Networking
    Qubes OS includes advanced networking capabilities, allowing users to create secure and separated network environments within isolated VMs.
  • Flexibility
    Users can run different operating systems within Qubes OS, as it supports various Linux distributions and Windows VMs, making it versatile for various needs.

Possible disadvantages of Qubes OS

  • Resource-Intensive
    Qubes OS requires substantial hardware resources, including a large amount of RAM and storage, which can be a barrier for users with older or less powerful hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    The advanced security features and unique architecture require a steep learning curve, potentially making it challenging for less technically proficient users.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Not all hardware is fully compatible with Qubes OS, particularly some specific GPUs and wireless chips, which can limit the usability on various devices.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running multiple VMs simultaneously can introduce performance overhead, impacting the speed and responsiveness of the system.
  • Limited Application Support
    Some applications may not be fully compatible or available in a suitable version for the isolated VMs in Qubes OS, potentially limiting functionality.

Analysis of Qubes OS

Overall verdict

  • Qubes OS is generally regarded as a highly secure operating system, especially suitable for users who need strong protection against cyber threats. Although it offers advanced security features, its complexity and resource requirements may not make it the ideal choice for everyone.

Why this product is good

  • Qubes OS is considered a good operating system because it focuses on security through compartmentalization. By utilizing virtualization, Qubes OS isolates different tasks and applications in separate virtual machines, reducing the risk of malware or other malicious activities affecting the entire system. This architecture enhances privacy and security, making it an attractive choice for users who prioritize these aspects.

Recommended for

    Qubes OS is recommended for security-conscious individuals, privacy advocates, journalists, researchers, and IT professionals who manage sensitive data or perform at-risk operations. It is also suitable for technical users who are comfortable navigating and managing a Linux-based environment and who value security over ease of use.

macOS videos

+ Add

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!

Qubes OS videos

+ Add

Qubes OS Review | Windows Integration

More videos:

  • Review - Qubes OS Part 1: Overview and Features
  • Tutorial - Qubes OS Tutorial | Install, Config, and Introduction

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to macOS and Qubes OS)

macOS

Qubes OS

Linux
50 50%
Linux
50% 50
Operating Systems
47 47%
Operating Systems
53% 53
Linux Distribution
50 50%
Linux Distribution
50% 50
Color Tools
100 100%
Color Tools
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 Qubes OS

macOS Reviews

We have no reviews of macOS yet.
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Qubes OS Reviews

The 10 Best Immutable Linux Distributions in 2024
Given the nature of immutable distributions, a strong emphasis on security is essential. Distributions that implement robust security measures, whether through sandboxing applications, using secure package management systems, or providing advanced isolation techniques (like in Qubes OS), were given priority.
Source: www.fosslinux.com
Best Linux distro for privacy and security of 2024
Thanks to its radically different approach, Qubes does have a learning curve. However it isn’t abrupt enough to prevent you from using the distro like a normal Linux installation. Qubes is based on Fedora and uses the Xfce desktop environment. But instead of a list of apps, its application menu lists several qubes such as work, personal, untrusted, each of which rolls the...
Source: www.techradar.com
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
In short, Qubes is an operating system that separates tasks and applications into distinct VMs and further isolates them using containers. By leveraging these technologies, Qubes OS can deliver enhanced performance and security.
Source: www.stationx.net
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
Qubes OS is a unique privacy-focused Linux distribution that prioritizes security through virtualization. It allows you to create isolated virtual machines (VMs) for different tasks, enhancing privacy and security. Each VM runs separately, reducing the risk of data leaks and malware infections.
Source: www.makeuseof.com
Avoid The Hack: 11 Best Privacy Friendly Operating Systems (Desktops)
Qubes is unique in that it uses Xen-based virtualization, which enables strong isolation of different pieces of software - which can include operating systems. Multiple operating systems can run at the same time through Qubes - and they won't even "know" other operating systems exist.
Source: avoidthehack.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Qubes OS seems to be a lot more popular than macOS. While we know about 66 links to Qubes OS, 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

Qubes OS mentions (66)

  • The Mutable OS: Why Isn't Windows Immutable in 2025?
    If you care about security, consider Qubes OS, https://qubes-os.org, which achieves security through compartmentalization based on strong, hardware isolation. My daily driver, can't recommend enough. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Infosec 101 for Activists
    Please stop with the security nihilism: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27897975 (my daily driver OS). - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Apple's Lack of Full Site Isolation and iOS Browser Ban Puts Users at Risk
    Qubes OS implements the second option, and it works very well: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Are there any FOSS OS with macOS-level security?
    Qubes OS, security-oriented operating system has a much higher security than MacOS: https://qubes-os.org. Some elevator pitches: https://forum.qubes-os.org/t/how-to-pitch-qubes-os/4499/15. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Linux Asceticism
    This is actually one of the reasons why I switched from Linux to Qubes OS: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Tails - Tails is a Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the...

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.

Debian - Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

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