FreeBSD vs. macOS

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
FreeBSD
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of the busiest web sites and most pervasive embedded networking and storage devices.N/A
macOS
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
macOS is the graphical operating system for Apple desktop devices.N/A
Pricing
FreeBSDmacOS
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
FreeBSDmacOS
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
FreeBSDmacOS
Best Alternatives
FreeBSDmacOS
Small Businesses
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 8.8 out of 10
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 8.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
FreeBSDmacOS
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(2 ratings)
9.0
(4 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.7
(3 ratings)
User Testimonials
FreeBSDmacOS
Likelihood to Recommend
Open Source
FreeBSD is an excellent choice to continue using older hardware and have it perform, it is a great choice for a UNIX based development environment. Although I haven't used it as a server, it is most suited for this - it would make an excellent, secure and robust server for and I would love to start using it for this as well.
Read full review
Apple
For the longevity of a product and intuitive design. But it is a matter of opinion, and if you are more comfortable with Windows, then stay with Windows.
Read full review
Pros
Open Source
  • stability
  • security
  • scalability
Read full review
Apple
  • Integrates with other apple devices seamlessly
  • Information passed between those devices is encrypted end to end (understanding that apple has the keys in some cases)
  • Compact design
  • Aesthetically pleasing
Read full review
Cons
Open Source
  • Installation can be tricky for first timers
  • You need to be comfortable using a command line terminal most of the time
Read full review
Apple
  • Visual studio discontinued
  • Installing software only available to windows
Read full review
Usability
Open Source
No answers on this topic
Apple
Most users find macOS logical and user friendly
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Open Source
FreeBSD is the closest to the original BSD unix. This OS is currently used by vendors in the field of routing, switching, security as well as base OS for MAC devies.
Read full review
Apple
macOS just makes sense to me. Each OS has its pros and cons.. macOS works for me. It's well designed, intuitive, and efficient. But it's not cheap... well, macOS is basically free, but you need the hardware to run it, and the hardware isn't cheap. Pick the right tool for the job and for you. And even though macOS may not be thought of in an enterprise environment, it works remarkably well if configured properly. Tools like DEP and ABM from Apple enable device management and lock them to the company. Use an MDM like Jamf to push policies and packages. Jamf can also manage accounts and authentication. JumpCloud is another great product for account management. Although it might not be all included in the box, with the right knowledge, you can build a robust and versatile enterprise Mac infrastructure. You can even do zero-touch deployment in most cases with the correct setup. And Apple employs engineers to help you get it set up right.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Open Source
  • As FreeBSD is free - the ROI is at least the cost of some commercial Linux or Windows based OS (which can be very expensive)
  • Allowed the re-use of older hardware that would have otherwise been disposed
  • No cost development environment
  • Opportunity for a no cost server setup also
Read full review
Apple
  • Apple supports their hardware longer than most manufacturers, which is good.
  • Apple's hardware is more expensive than similar equipment competition, which is bad but offset somewhat by its longevity.
  • Apple in an Apple world works great.
  • Apple in a Windows world has some work to do to get things talking.
Read full review
ScreenShots