# 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?

*By YPB Team · Published June 9, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-18-best-macos-versions-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **macOS 15 Sequoia** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   The 2024 release that debuted Apple Intelligence AI features, iPhone Mirroring to control your iPhone from your Mac, and a refreshed Passwords app.
2. **macOS 12 Monterey** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 909/1000)
   The 2021 release introducing Universal Control to seamlessly use one keyboard and mouse across multiple Macs and iPads, plus Shortcuts automation.
3. **macOS 10.14 Mojave** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 844/1000)
   The 2018 release celebrated for introducing system-wide Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, and the first wave of iOS apps ported to Mac.
4. **Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger** — 0% (0 votes · score 584/1000)
   The beloved 2005 release that introduced Spotlight search, Dashboard widgets, and Automator, setting a new standard for desktop OS features.
5. **Mac OS X 10.7 Lion** — 0% (0 votes · score 584/1000)
   The 2011 release that brought iOS-inspired gestures, the Mac App Store, iCloud integration, and Auto Save to the desktop.
6. **OS X 10.10 Yosemite** — 0% (0 votes · score 584/1000)
   The 2014 design overhaul that brought a flat, translucent interface inspired by iOS 7 and introduced Handoff and Continuity features between Mac and iPhone.
7. **macOS 10.15 Catalina** — 0% (0 votes · score 454/1000)
   The controversial 2019 release that dropped 32-bit app support, split iTunes into three apps, and introduced Screen Time and Sidecar for iPad.
8. **Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard** — 0% (0 votes · score 454/1000)
   The 2007 release that delivered Time Machine backup, Spaces virtual desktops, and Boot Camp for running Windows on a Mac.
9. **OS X 10.9 Mavericks** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The 2013 release that became Apple's first free Mac OS update, introducing Finder tabs, Maps, Calendar improvements, and major battery life gains.
10. **macOS 13 Ventura** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The 2022 release that introduced Stage Manager for focused multitasking, Continuity Camera for using iPhone as a Mac webcam, and Mail improvements.
11. **macOS 10.12 Sierra** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The 2016 release that brought Siri to the Mac for the first time, along with iCloud Desktop and Documents syncing.
12. **Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The legendary 2009 refinement-focused release with no major new features but massive performance gains, stability, and the move to 64-bit computing.
13. **Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The 2002 release that dramatically improved stability and introduced iChat, Address Book, and Universal Access features.
14. **macOS 11 Big Sur** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The landmark 2020 redesign with the most dramatic visual overhaul in a decade, plus native Apple Silicon support for the new M1 Macs.
15. **macOS 26 Tahoe** — 0% (0 votes · score 273/1000)
   The sweeping 2025 redesign with Liquid Glass transparency effects, unified version numbering with iOS, and the final release supporting Intel Macs.
16. **Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah** — 0% (0 votes · score 1/1000)
   The historic first public release of Mac OS X in 2001, introducing the Aqua interface and Unix underpinnings to Apple's desktop.
17. **OS X 10.11 El Capitan** — 0% (0 votes · score 1/1000)
   The 2015 performance-focused update that introduced Split View multitasking and Metal graphics, making apps open 40% faster.
18. **macOS 14 Sonoma** — 0% (0 votes · score 1/1000)
   The 2023 release featuring interactive desktop widgets, a dedicated Game Mode for lower latency gaming, and video screensavers.

Tags: tech, apple, software, macos