MacOS Big Sur Reviews

4.8
Overall rating
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4.8
Overall rating
Reviews
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User Reviews Overview

About MacOS Big Sur

Big Sur is the latest operating system for Apple computers that provides a sleek display with customizable start pages, a notification center, privacy reports, a control center, and streamlined application use. The system also...

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Feature ratings

Value for Money
4.5
Features
4.8
Ease of Use
4.7
Customer Support
4.6

Browse MacOS Big Sur Reviews

57 of 57 reviews
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José
José
  • Industry: Oil & Energy
  • Company size: 1,001–5,000 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 15/11/2022

Excellent OS for tech

In general, this OS is an excellent tool for manager, tech support and developer. Easy to use and fast integration with the Apple ecosystem, it allows me to perform my task on time.

Pros

The ecosystem integration, and frequency update, are easy to use.

Cons

Many IT application does not run on macOS yet.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Automotive
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
N/A

4
Reviewed on 21/03/2023

Maybe the best option for developers

Overall, I use it as my daily OS and can't wait to get some system improvements.

Pros

I went for macOS Big Sur mostly because of its reputation as the best operating system for developers. After a while, I would agree, as it provides a wide support for most of the required tools for every developer.

Cons

The learning curve (when switching from e.g. Windows) is quite steep, I know some people, that have problems with that - not particularly my case. Some standard features from other OS (Windows, Linux distributions) are missing and I would welcome them. I would say that if it had them, the transition would be smoother.

Alternatives Considered

Linux Mint, Ubuntu and Windows 10

Reasons for Choosing MacOS Big Sur

Professional needs.

Switched From

Windows 10

Reasons for Switching to MacOS Big Sur

Community recommendation and support for developers.
Santosh
  • Industry: Marketing & Advertising
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
N/A
Features
4
Ease of Use
3
Customer Support
N/A

4
Reviewed on 4/08/2022

Still not a MacOS fan

Big Sur needed to trust the user more and be more open in regards to under the hood controls. Maybe The next version wiuld be better.

Pros

Privacy and data security are the main features that I can commend Big Sur on. Split screen and screenshot shortcuts are reliable and easy to use. Very rare OS crashes, so fairly reliable.

Cons

Unfortunately, still not a Mac OS fan despite the Big Sur update. Finder is still clunky and file 'move' is very difficult. Settings such as multi monitor config, IPv6 settings etc are buried away and hard to configure. A more simplified access to system settings would be ideal.

Top MacOS Big Sur Alternatives

Andy
  • Industry: Marketing & Advertising
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

4
Reviewed on 8/06/2024

Reliable OS that could be amazing if they made it easier to use

Pros

I have Big Sur on a Macbook laptop. Its been very reliable rarely does it crash. Some things are well designed for example the about this mac feature, the dock and the app store app.

Cons

It seems odd to me that given how long Apple have been making operating systems that some things have not been improved, for example sometimes having to drag the icon for a newly installed bit of software to the applications folder. I'm ok with doing this but if a less tech savvy person came across this problem it may confuse them. Another example is the search feature its overly complicated messing around with smart folders to do advanced searches. I think the way Windows deals with searching for things is much better way to do it.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Computer Software
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 24/05/2022

MacOS Big Sur Experience

I loved it.Once i started. using macos i never touched other os.

Pros

1. It has regular updates
2. The performance is very nice
3. There memory management is top notch , no lags in the os
4. The UI is very nice and clean , loved it
5. The gestures are way too good
6. Battery life also improved
7. No need to turn off , just close the lid and next time just open it

Cons

1. There is not much support in the games , very few available
2. I am using the m1 version so issue of support in few apps

Alternatives Considered

Windows 10

Reasons for Switching to MacOS Big Sur

Ui is nice and clean , it is fast and best for development purpose.
Muhammad
  • Industry: Information Technology & Services
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

5
Reviewed on 1/04/2022

MacOS Big Slur is a must to try

Pros

Apple security, Aesthetics, seem-less interface, amazing memory management and resource allocation.

Cons

Installation is a bit problem. Many users have seen installation failed messages including me. Installation guide needs to be improved.

Marek
Marek
  • Industry: Biotechnology
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
N/A
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
N/A

5
Reviewed on 11/05/2023

Great user interface with occasional errors

Pros

Like other macOS distributions, Big Sur offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Big Sur introduced some changes in design, such as new icons and redesigned toolbars. I personally did not find these changes to be too disruptive and consider them a small improvement from previous versions.

Cons

There aren't many downsides to using macOS Big Sur, especially if you're already familiar with using Apple products. One issue I've noticed is that apps on Big Sur seem to become unresponsive slightly more frequently than on previous versions of macOS.

Chrisite
  • Industry: Religious Institutions
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 20/05/2024

The best operating system

Pros

macOS is always protected against viruses and you don't usually need another antivirus to protect it unlike Windows. It always starts up quickly and doesn't need to always be powered off. It is also very power efficient. Device management is a breeze whether you use a first or third party solution.

Cons

There are a few apps that don't run well, or dont run at all on macOS.

Nilesh
  • Industry: Financial Services
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 18/03/2024

MacOS Big Sur review

Overall experience has been very positive.

Pros

I like that this is for ARM64 based processors, which, I think, are superior to Intel based processors. Also the support for iOS and iPadOS applications.

Cons

Desktop design is new. I'm not a big fan of design changes just for the sake of change.

Drick
  • Industry: Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 26/10/2023

Big Sur in the house

I liked I used it and it run great for me one of apples best system

Pros

I used it it was one of apples best update and very will and very smooth not to buggy didn't have a lot of issues

Cons

Most apples ios update are over within a year and sometimes your computer will update you out of the older ios

Tim
  • Industry: Information Technology & Services
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

4
Reviewed on 16/04/2022

A more powerful and customizable mac os version bringing mobile interface to the desktop

Mac os big sur offers quite a lot of changes for old users of mac such as installing IOS apps natively if on the newest hardware, safari has also been supercharged to make one reconsider using other better relied on apps. Overall, if you are on the newest non intel based mac , big sur is a no brainer, if you were on the previous version ie catalina then all the newer features introduced then are further enhanced in big sur.

Pros

Mac os big sur has brought a lot of customizability to mac os, allowing deep changes to safari and the interface. Most apps are also quite fast with notable speed in safari over other browsers like chrome. If you also enjoy certain apps on IOs big sur is your best chance to run them on desktop.

Cons

If you are running hardware pre 2013 unfortunately it isnt compatible with big sur. Also the upgrade process has to be done very carefully as the compatibilty with externally installed apps has to be verified individually. Some apps could not activate their licenses after upgrade

Alternatives Considered

Windows 11 and Windows 10

Reasons for Choosing MacOS Big Sur

Acquired a non intel based mac which is supported by big sur

Switched From

Windows 10

Reasons for Switching to MacOS Big Sur

Big sur is a completely new approach by apple for mac os and seems like they are dedicated to ensure it really works by intergrating it tighrly with all the other items in their ecosystem such as ios and ipados, meaning better overall experience
Fayzur Rahman
  • Industry: Nonprofit Organisation Management
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 23/09/2022

MacOS Big Sur is my favourite one

Pros

Mac OS is as good as it gets. It's a true privilege to be able to work on such a well-built system. I've been using OS X for years and the idea of having to switch is abhorrent. The interface offers a seamless experience and makes it easy to get work done quickly and efficiently. The one thing that Mac OS lacks, though, is

Cons

Other then any other OS , it's more optimized and user friendly. So I fall in love with it. It's recommended.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Broadcast Media
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Weekly for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
N/A

5
Reviewed on 29/03/2023

Gets the job done well... but nothing new

I think the best part of Big Sur over Yosemite is the lack of change under hood as well as on the desktop user experience. Yosemite was fine. Big Sur is fine. I think the biggest changed was just it was a new year and needed to put out a new version. Though that tends to make things more difficult for the users / Admins.

Pros

Apple seems to have gotten to the point where they don't need to have a huge major change to their software each release the way they do with their hardware.

Cons

Big Sur, to me, Doesn't seem THAT much different from Yosemite, nor THAT much different from Monterey. The one big difference is that something always seems to change on the INSIDE and we trying up upgrade from one version to the next, I always cross my fingers since it seems that the upgrade will fail more often than it should and that comes with the array of problems you would expect. It seems like making the change from Yosemite was a change for the sake of making it look like Apple is doing something... making progress in something that doesn't need it.

Ari
  • Industry: Professional Training & Coaching
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
N/A
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 3/11/2022

A great all around Operating System

If you're after a user interface great system and something that will work, reliable and won't let you down, than this is it.If you're into a more open source type of thing, then this one will give you a little but you'll have to look elsewhere to have everything you won't find here.

Pros

User Interface is just so good to look at everyday - something all other OS out there lack.Easy to useIncredibly efficientBasically crash freeNo freezes

Cons

It's hard to find a con with this OS, it's been pretty great for my use so I haven't been able to find something I don't like about it.

Alternatives Considered

Windows 10

Reasons for Switching to MacOS Big Sur

It's a better overall package.
Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Design
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 9/10/2022

Stability with my software

Pros

The Big Sur update comes for free with my Apple Products. I love the ease of use of MacOS and the Big Sur has been the most stable version to date.

Cons

It's not possible use some of the 32-bit apps I used to have installed. I need to get new updates or buy replacements apps.

Alternatives Considered

Windows 11
Jacob
  • Industry: Computer Software
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 11/12/2022

Mac OS Big Sur creative like the commercial stated in the 80’s

Overall, I’d have to say I was actually very impressed with this update and the different features as well as the performance enhancement to the processor, graphics, , battery, life in the mac’s

Pros

I enjoyed the upgrades and different things that come as well as performance, enhancement, and stuff like that that works with the new hardware as well as enhancing the old hardware

Cons

There were a couple different things that weren’t supported by older Macs that I was kind of disappointed in but when you upgrade software, are you obviously have to leave out some older hardware

Arslan
  • Industry: Computer Software
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
3
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

4
Reviewed on 24/11/2021

A long pending UI refresh to MAC OS

overall i am very satisfied with this update to Mac OS. its incredibly better feeling yet not confusing existing users. in a way they have changed a lot of stuff still keeping the overall User experience similar and confusing their existing users.

Pros

Mac os big sur has been a long pending update to Mac os in terms of UI and modern feel. Modern UI trend stuff has been added including rounded edges, colors and translucency.

Multiple updates to photos, maps and many other system apps including look around, better photo editing capabilities. Music got a new listen now section. it is also helping better understand privacy settings.

one major one is cryptographically secure signed system volume to prevent system tempering.

Cons

the thing that most of people i know they didn't like its touch oriented interface especially when device is not a touch device or you are not using primarily as a touch device.

Sareena
  • Industry: Retail
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 24/09/2023

User friendly

My experience has been great so far, it is easy to use.

Pros

It is super easy to use for someone who isn't super big into tech. I like that I was able to get instructions on it or it walked me thru things I needed done.

Cons

I havnt found anything I hated about it yet. I have found it to be very easy to use and user freindly.

Verified Reviewer
  • Industry: Accounting
  • Company size: 10,000+ Employees
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
3

5
Reviewed on 3/03/2022

I use macOS Big Sur and really love its capacities no matter the environment that I use it.

It is very good, I feel comfortable using this, I do not want to change to another os. Or only expecting a new from Mac

Pros

Visually I love this OS, it is pretty easy to use, usually you are in a friendly OS, without complications or issues, compared to different OS that I have been used, I like the way that the trackpad help to go between a task to another easily, this helps a lot in an work environment usually too stressant, MacOs makes it easy.

Cons

Mac, and MacOS are usuall the most expensive in the market, butreally worth it.

Zach
  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
N/A

5
Reviewed on 1/11/2021

Great OS for Software Developers

I have been using Mac OS X for more than 10 years and would not trade it for any other operating system.

Pros

I love that Mac OS X is built on unix so that I can run almost any code that is designed for Linux natively on my computer and use the terminal as if I was running a Linux machine, except that the user interface and supported apps are much more comprehensive.

Cons

Sometimes the development tools can be a pain to set up and will occasionally get messed up with a major update.

Chandrakeerthan
Chandrakeerthan
  • Industry: Higher Education
  • Company size: 201–500 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
4
Customer Support
4

4
Reviewed on 9/03/2023

Had best features

Big Sur needed to have greater faith in the user and be more transparent about the internal workings of the system. Maybe the improved version would be out later.

Pros

I appreciated the upgrades, different features, performance improvements, and other features that operate with both new and old gear as well as enhancing both of them.

Cons

Finding a complaint for this operating system is difficult because it has served me well and I haven't been able to identify any drawbacks.

Julienne
  • Industry: Photography
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 13/02/2022

Better than most software

My experience with Mac has been really good. I've always had Microsoft/window computers and so this is my first Mac and I'm pretty positive that I won't be going back to the other.

Pros

It's pretty easy to use and works really well. There was no glitches.

Cons

Can't really complain about this software. Even after updating, it still seemed exactly like the previous update. I do wish that you could change the lock in screen like you do with the iphones. Have a different lock screen background than the bland picture Mac offers.

Carlos
Carlos
  • Industry: Import & Export
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 6-12 months
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 20/09/2021

Best update in years.

For many years now, the company I manage has been using Apple devices, and Big Sur has fulfilled our expectations by far.

Pros

The update came with a total redesign of the interface, when using it makes you feel that it’s a totally new computer, even if it’s the same one you have used for years, the design of the dock, icons and the sounds are incredible! I don't regret having updated.

Cons

Negative points there are hardly any, and if there are, they are insignificant details like not being able to add the calculator to the widgets for example, and I’m being as neutral as possible. But it really is all very good in this update.

Ivars
  • Industry: Arts & Crafts
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
N/A
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
N/A

5
Reviewed on 29/06/2023

Magic Big Sur!

Pros

Everything is very good and simple! I'm a simple user with music programs, and for daily use...!!!

Cons

Sometimes the music program took more time for the computer to think, but it was very rare... I'm very happy with Big Sur!

Fabian
  • Industry: Education Management
  • Company size: 51–200 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
N/A
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
N/A

5
Reviewed on 15/08/2022

Mac Update - MacOS Big Sur

Pros

Better experience than it’s previous version. User interface looks more appealing. Messaging has improved as we can now pin convos & mention members in group chats to get their attention.

Cons

I was anticipating more updates to the prior version.

57 reviews