The 18 Best macOS Versions of All Time

From the groundbreaking Aqua interface to Liquid Glass, two decades of Mac operating system evolution are on the ballot. Snow Leopard loyalists face off against Big Sur redesign fans — which version defined your Mac experience?

1

macOS 15 Sequoia

The 2024 release that debuted Apple Intelligence AI features, iPhone Mirroring to control your iPhone from your Mac, and a refreshed Passwords app.

1000pts

2

macOS 12 Monterey

The 2021 release introducing Universal Control to seamlessly use one keyboard and mouse across multiple Macs and iPads, plus Shortcuts automation.

937pts

3

macOS 10.14 Mojave

The 2018 release celebrated for introducing system-wide Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, and the first wave of iOS apps ported to Mac.

892pts

4

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger

The beloved 2005 release that introduced Spotlight search, Dashboard widgets, and Automator, setting a new standard for desktop OS features.

714pts

5

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

The 2011 release that brought iOS-inspired gestures, the Mac App Store, iCloud integration, and Auto Save to the desktop.

714pts

6

OS X 10.10 Yosemite

The 2014 design overhaul that brought a flat, translucent interface inspired by iOS 7 and introduced Handoff and Continuity features between Mac and iPhone.

714pts

7

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

The 2007 release that delivered Time Machine backup, Spaces virtual desktops, and Boot Camp for running Windows on a Mac.

624pts

8

macOS 10.15 Catalina

The controversial 2019 release that dropped 32-bit app support, split iTunes into three apps, and introduced Screen Time and Sidecar for iPad.

624pts

9

Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar

The 2002 release that dramatically improved stability and introduced iChat, Address Book, and Universal Access features.

499pts

10

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

The legendary 2009 refinement-focused release with no major new features but massive performance gains, stability, and the move to 64-bit computing.

499pts

11

OS X 10.9 Mavericks

The 2013 release that became Apple's first free Mac OS update, introducing Finder tabs, Maps, Calendar improvements, and major battery life gains.

499pts

12

macOS 10.12 Sierra

The 2016 release that brought Siri to the Mac for the first time, along with iCloud Desktop and Documents syncing.

499pts

13

macOS 11 Big Sur

The landmark 2020 redesign with the most dramatic visual overhaul in a decade, plus native Apple Silicon support for the new M1 Macs.

499pts

14

macOS 13 Ventura

The 2022 release that introduced Stage Manager for focused multitasking, Continuity Camera for using iPhone as a Mac webcam, and Mail improvements.

499pts

15

macOS 26 Tahoe

The sweeping 2025 redesign with Liquid Glass transparency effects, unified version numbering with iOS, and the final release supporting Intel Macs.

499pts

16

Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah

The historic first public release of Mac OS X in 2001, introducing the Aqua interface and Unix underpinnings to Apple's desktop.

0pts

17

OS X 10.11 El Capitan

The 2015 performance-focused update that introduced Split View multitasking and Metal graphics, making apps open 40% faster.

0pts

18

macOS 14 Sonoma

The 2023 release featuring interactive desktop widgets, a dedicated Game Mode for lower latency gaming, and video screensavers.

0pts