# macOS vs Linux: Comparative Analysis
MacOS, despite some releases not officially, being classed as "UNIX", is in fact UNIX for the most part. Linux, or GNU Linux to be more accurate, is explicitly not. The Linux kernel itself is "Unix-alike" and the GNU OS's acronym is recursively "Gnu is Not Unix". While macOS has most of its roots in FreeBSD, a true UNIX developed as a complete and integrated system, the OSes that carry the name "Linux" mostly consist of a Linux kernel and separate userland (most commonly GNU), making them somewhat less cohesive.
The Linux kernel began its life as a side project by Linus Torvalds, a single developer and student at the time. On the other hand, FreeBSD and its family and their ancestry were developed by multiple programmers and computer engineers with the goal being a complete Of note, too: GNU Linux consists of two parts with very different goals; Torvalds's, to simply create a viable kernel together with the GNU Project's goal of a full-blown OS.
Linux-based OSes, including vanilla Android, are free to use, distribute, and modify under the terms of the GPLv2 license in contrast to macOS, which is designed exclusively to run on Apple's devices at a cost to the end user, both financially and privacy-, freedom-, and security-wise.
## Pros and Cons
MacOS definitely provides a better experience for professionals who are not very tech savvy. The operating system is also guaranteed to be compatible with the hardware since it is designed specifically for Apple devices' hardware configuration. MacOS is also a complete, integrated system and has an array of professional and enterprise-level software available.
That said, macOS offers a less entensive set of tools to allow users to manage their own security. Its closed-source components also bring to light security issues. The OS also has a more limited hardware support since it intentionally designed not to run on non-Apple devices. Privacy is a major concern due to the many controversies Apple has been embroiled in regarding user privacy and security over the years. And without fully open source code to audit, users cannot patch holes in security, nor disable privacy-infringing features. There is also much less choice when it comes to macOS and its software components, both at system and user levels, and the work environment is largely homogenised - though some may consider this as a positive feature.
GNU Linux is definitely the winner for the more educated user. Not only can a more knowledgeable user configure superior security, but they're able to ensure trust and privacy due to the open source ecosystem. As for the UI, the CLI is as good or bad as on macOS, and the GUI of certain desktop environments like XFCE can be customised to mimic the feel of macOS, leaving little advantage for macOS in the base system. Linux-based systems also technically have better hardware support since they are designed for general use and more specific applications such as mobile devices, servers, and even supercomputers. Finally, most Linux OSes have one thing in common: freedom. Freedom to do anything you want to your OS, be it good or bad, stupid or smart, or silly or serious.
That said, Linux systems, Android aside, are still substantially lagging in the gaming sector. Linux systems also have a mildly steeper learning curve. Linux systems also have the disadvantage of making one almost incapable of transitioning back to traditional OSes. And while Linux does boast better and more comprehensive hardware support, it still lags substantially behind Windows. As for gaming, the software needed to play Windows games on Linux systems has lots of maturing still to do. Finally, most Linux systems offer a lot of choice, from system configuration to system component software, to desktop applications. To a newcomer and unsavvy person, this can be overwhelming.
## Verdict
In closing, comparing the two systems is somewhat like trying to compare the moon to a cup of tea in terms of sheer pointlessness. Nobody (sane) who buys an Apple product would do so merely to run Linux. And few, if any, would genuinely spend the time and effort to make macOS work on non-Apple products (the Hackintosh) other than to impress people on Youtube or TikTok. They both have their roles. MacOS is a professional OS the ships with overpriced products designed for professionals. That said, the software available for macOS is triple-A industry standard. While Linux systems can compete, they will never be as integrated, and it is unlikely that more than a handful of software vendors will support Linux systems any time soon, largely because of the fragmented nature of the ecosystem and inconsistency across distros. However, one can fully trust one's PC running Linux distros because the open source model is designed to ensure scrutiny and thus accountability for any incompetent or malicious contributors. At the end of the day, it's up to the user's needs and value system, and very subjective, rendering the debate a fairly pointless one.