Best Open-Source Software for macOS
This ranking lists 12 open-source macOS apps ordered by GitHub star counts. The top entry, scrcpy, has over 144,000 stars and runs on multiple platforms under an Apache-2.0 license. Other notable options include Neovim for text editing and OBS Studio for screen recording, both with over 70,000 stars.
All apps are cross-platform except LocalSend, which also supports Android. Licenses vary from MIT to AGPL-3.0. Versions range from scrcpy's v4.0 to Tabby's v1.0.234. The list covers utilities like Lazygit and creative tools like draw.io Desktop.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | scrcpy | 144.4k | Apache-2.0 |
| 2 | Neovim | 100.7k | NOASSERTION |
| 3 | Stirling-PDF | 84.4k | NOASSERTION |
| 4 | LocalSend | 84.2k | Apache-2.0 |
| 5 | Lazygit | 79.7k | MIT |
| 6 | OBS Studio | 73.4k | GPL-2.0 |
| 7 | AppFlowy | 73.0k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 8 | Tabby | 72.4k | MIT |
| 9 | ripgrep | 65.5k | Unlicense |
| 10 | draw.io Desktop | 61.8k | Apache-2.0 |
| 11 | bat | 59.4k | Apache-2.0 |
| 12 | MarkText | 57.9k | MIT |
Scrcpy mirrors and controls Android devices from a computer. It works without root access and supports basic input like keyboard and mouse.
Neovim is a fork of Vim focused on improved extensibility and usability. It maintains compatibility with Vim while offering modern features like embedded terminal support and a built-in LSP client. The project emphasizes maintainability and encourages community contributions.
Stirling-PDF is a web-based PDF editor accessible from any device. It offers tools for editing PDF documents directly in the browser without requiring installation.
LocalSend is a cross-platform file-sharing tool that works offline over a local network. It provides a simple, open-source alternative to proprietary solutions like AirDrop. The tool supports direct device-to-device transfers without requiring internet access.
Lazygit provides a terminal-based interface for managing Git repositories. It simplifies common Git operations with an interactive UI.
OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for live streaming and screen recording. It supports multiple sources and real-time mixing for professional-quality broadcasts. The software is widely used for content creation and streaming across various platforms.
AppFlowy is an open-source productivity tool designed as a collaborative workspace with AI integration. It functions as an alternative to Notion, combining projects, wikis, and team management while prioritizing user data control. The platform supports organization and workflow without proprietary lock-in.
Tabby is a modern terminal emulator designed for developers. It offers an improved user experience with enhanced features and aesthetics. The tool focuses on streamlining workflow in a contemporary development environment.
ripgrep is a command-line tool that recursively searches directories for text patterns using regular expressions. It automatically respects gitignore rules to exclude files and directories specified in version control.
Draw.io Desktop is an Electron-based application offering a desktop version of the popular draw.io diagramming tool. It provides offline access to create and edit flowcharts, diagrams, and visual representations.
Bat is a command-line tool that functions as an enhanced version of cat, offering syntax highlighting and Git integration. It provides improved readability for code and text files in terminal environments.
MarkText is a straightforward markdown editor with a clean interface, compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports real-time preview and focuses on simplicity for writing in markdown.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top pick in “Best Open-Source Software for macOS”?
- scrcpy currently leads this list, which is ordered by GitHub stars among the 12 open-source options we track.
- Are these apps free?
- Yes. Every app on this list is free and open-source. Download links point to each project's official release.
- How is this ranking decided?
- The order reflects GitHub stars, a public measure of popularity. Data is pulled from official sources and last refreshed on Jun 26, 2026. We don't accept payment for placement.
How we rank:entries are ordered by GitHub stars, a public popularity signal. Versions, licenses and platform support are read from official release feeds. We don't accept payment for inclusion or position. Supported platforms reflect the latest release (Linux, macOS, Windows, Android).