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mszoek/airyx

Free

A BSD-based OS project that aims to provide an experience like and some compatibility with macOS

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
ravynsoft
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About mszoek/airyx

ravynOS is an open source operating system project built on the foundations of Darwin and FreeBSD. It aims to provide source compatibility with macOS applications (so that Mac apps can be compiled on ravynOS) and eventual binary compatibility, while delivering a similar graphical user interface and user experience. The OS supports x86-64 hardware with future plans for arm64/arm64e, and includes design features such as compatible macOS folder layouts (/Library, /System, /Users, /Volumes), support for HFS+ and APFS filesystems, self-contained App Bundles, DMG file handling, and an updated Unix environment with modern tools and shells. The project is open source, community-driven, and targets developers and users seeking an open alternative to macOS with strong Apple ecosystem compatibility.

Key Features

Source compatibility with macOS applications (compile Mac apps on ravynOS)
Binary compatibility with macOS (planned/eventual)
Similar GUI metaphors and familiar macOS-like user experience (top menu bar, file manager, app launcher)
Compatible with macOS folder layouts (/Library, /System, /Users, /Volumes) and filesystems (HFS+, APFS)
Self-contained application bundles with DMG and other archive format support
Updated Unix environment with current tools, shells, and power user utilities
Built on Darwin and FreeBSD foundations with new code to fill gaps
Open source and community-driven development

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Fully open source and free to use
  • Strong focus on macOS source compatibility, enabling compilation of many Mac applications
  • Familiar user interface for macOS users with similar metaphors and layout
  • Compatible with macOS filesystems and folder structures, easing migration
  • Active community with Discord and Matrix support, plus contributing guidelines
  • Supports modern Unix tools and shells for power users
  • Clear design goals and roadmap with regular releases
Cons
  • Still in early development (version 0.7.0.1) — not production-ready
  • Binary compatibility with macOS is only planned, not yet fully implemented
  • Currently limited to x86-64 hardware; ARM support is forthcoming
  • Limited hardware support and driver availability compared to mature operating systems
  • Requires technical knowledge to install and use
  • Smaller community and ecosystem compared to mainstream operating systems

Best For

Running macOS-compatible applications on an open-source, free OS without Apple hardwareDevelopment and testing of macOS applications in a compatible environmentExploring an alternative, open-source desktop operating system with familiar macOS aestheticsBuilding and contributing to an OS project targeting Apple ecosystem compatibilityUsing a modern Unix environment with BSD tools and advanced shell capabilities

FAQ

What is ravynOS?
ravynOS is an open source operating system project that aims to provide a similar experience and some compatibility with macOS on x86-64 (and eventually arm64/arm64e) systems. It builds on Darwin and FreeBSD foundations.
What are the main design goals of ravynOS?
The main goals include source compatibility with macOS applications (compile and run Mac apps), eventual binary compatibility, similar GUI metaphors and UX, compatible with macOS folder layouts and filesystems (HFS+, APFS), self-contained App Bundles with DMG support, and an updated Unix environment.
Is ravynOS free?
Yes, ravynOS is fully open source and free. The source code is available on GitHub and the project accepts donations via Patreon and PayPal.
What hardware does ravynOS support?
Currently ravynOS supports x86-64 systems. Support for arm64 and arm64e architectures is planned for the future.