Windows is the most popular operating system on the planet, and it isn't particularly close. The latest version, Windows 11, has staunch defenders, like any modern computing OS. No one can seem to agree whether macOS, Windows, or Linux is the best — and that's because neither of them are the best. Each operating system has things they do really well, and things they don't do very well.

Today, we're going to highlight ten ways that macOS Sequoia beats Windows 11. It might not be the best platform for everyone, but it certainly trumps Microsoft's operating system in these areas. And no, we're not going to call out vague points like "integration" or "ecosystem." These are specific, identifiable ways that macOS Sequoia has an edge, and I've discovered these after months of testing Sequoia and years of using Windows 11 PCs.

1 Spotlight puts Windows Search to shame

Forget Siri, Spotlight can handle all your macOS searching needs

A common complaint among Windows 11 users is that Windows Search just isn't capable of finding the right file, app, or answer in a timely manner. It's such a prolific problem that there are numerous Reddit threads documenting the frustrations, and we even have an entire article dedicated to troubleshooting tips. It also just so happens that where Windows 11 fails, macOS Sequoia thrives. Spotlight search has been a staple of macOS for nearly two decades, and it's easy to access using the Command + Space keyboard shortcut.

Even with large storage drives attached, Spotlight loads responses to typed queries in just a second or two. You'll find apps, files, media, and more in one place. Additionally, you might be surprised by what Spotlight can find, as it'll even pull media that is shared with you, but not necessarily stored on-device. If there's something Spotlight can't find, there are quick links to continue your search in Finder or Safari. Put simply, I miss Spotlight every time I test a Windows PC, including my personal Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.

One flaw I've noticed is that Spotlight is borderline unusable immediately after an update or setting up a new Mac, as it needs time to index. Luckily, this is resolved relatively quickly and automatically.

2 Safari is way better than Microsoft Edge

This pre-installed browser won't nag you and try to scrape your data

If you've ever tried to install a third-party browser on Windows 11, you'll know all about how annoying Microsoft Edge can be. It's not that Edge is inherently a bad browser; instead, the problem is that Microsoft tries to use Edge to collect data, personalize experiences, and throw ads at you. I'm not naive enough to think that macOS is ad-free, but Safari is quite different from Edge. Instead of explicitly tracking you and collecting data, Safari automatically prevents trackers and presents you with a privacy report that gives you the low-down on your web security.

On top of that, Safari has a few standout features. Tab Groups let you organize tabs and share them across devices, which are synced in real time. Tab Groups aren't new, but they're one reason I've kept using Safari as my main macOS browser despite trying other options. macOS Sequoia has some brand-new Safari 18 features, too. A new Reader mode aims to simplify your browsing experience and the Video Viewer pulls the video you're watching front-and-center. There's a Hide distracting items button that literally makes things disappear that you don't feel like seeing. These are just a few ways Safari beats Edge, which is Windows 11's default browser.

3 Apple Intelligence surpassed Microsoft Copilot

It all started to go downhill for Microsoft when it made Copilot a PWA

Apple Intelligence is officially available for use on any of the best Macs, and it immediately tops Copilot as the best built-in artificial intelligence desktop suite. To be clear, I was a huge fan of Microsoft Copilot when it was available as a Windows sidebar and could make on-device changes. However, Microsoft changed Copilot into a progressive web app (PWA) earlier this year, removing the functionality I loved the most. Even with Copilot+, the set of features designed to run entirely on-device, Copilot is underwhelming.

It's worth noting that Apple Intelligence isn't miles ahead of Copilot in terms of raw functionality. It's simply easier to call upon from wherever you are within macOS Sequoia. After opening up the Option menu, you'll find a Writing Tools tab that you can use to summarize, rewrite, and otherwise modify text. This is available anywhere you can enter or select text on macOS — which is basically everywhere. Meanwhile, Copilot requires calling up the PWA or an app to specifically support it. Microsoft's AI features aren't system-wide like Apple's are, and that's why macOS Sequoia gets the win here.

4 macOS Sequoia adds a built-in Passwords app

Using a password manager has never been this easy

Apple Passwords isn't the best password manager by any means; in fact, it's pretty frustrating that there's no way to access passwords saved in the app on non-Apple devices. However, Windows 11 doesn't have a password manager at all. The closest thing to Apple Passwords is the password-saving capabilities of Microsoft Edge, and that isn't exactly comparable. If you want a free password manager built into your desktop operating system, you'll need to use macOS Sequoia.

5 iPhone Mirroring makes Phone Link look silly

The two kinds of smartphone integration software are barely comparable

iPhone Mirroring and Phone Link are often compared, but the two software tools only somewhat overlap in terms of feature set. Microsoft's Phone Link and Link to Windows apps are more about matching the Continuity features offered by Apple products and software rather than providing an iPhone Mirroring alternative. The only feature with real overlap, screen mirroring, is restricted to select Android phones and works with an undesirable amount of latency. On the other hand, iPhone Mirroring is a standout way to control your great iPhone remotely.

After you first set up iPhone Mirroring, your iPhone's notifications will automatically appear in the macOS Sequoia Notification Center. This will happen even without iPhone Mirroring connected. You can securely access your iPhone from across the room using your Mac's screen, keyboard, and cursor. It's a real time-saver if you're someone who checks their phone and gets distracted. iPhone Mirroring keeps you on your Mac, and makes it possible to use iOS-exclusive apps on macOS Sequoia.

6 macOS Sequoia includes plenty of free apps

Pages, Keynote, and Numbers highlight the long list of free-to-use programs

While Microsoft is still heavily pushing things like "Windows as a service" and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, Apple gives you a handful of powerful and free apps. The iWork suite of Pages (word processor), Keynote (presentation app), and Numbers (spreadsheet app) are all bundled with macOS Sequoia and are completely free. Additionally, the collection of apps formerly known as iLife, including iMovie, GarageBand, and Photos, are free as well. On the flip side, you might find it hard to use Windows 11 without paying for Microsoft 365 or Office 2024.

7 Messages and FaceTime are built-in communication apps

For many, these apps top Microsoft Teams and third-party messaging platforms

Microsoft Teams might be great for the workplace, and Phone Link might let you send texts from your Windows PC. But neither of those solutions stacks up with Messages and FaceTime on macOS Sequoia. These iMessage and FaceTime are loved by so many people that some refuse to buy devices without them. Contrary to popular belief, these won't require you to own an iPhone. You can use iMessage on macOS Sequoia with an email address, and create shareable FaceTime links that can be joined by anyone on a device with a web browser.

8 Apple Notes is more private and feature-rich than OneNote

As long as you use macOS, the Notes app is the way to go

There are plenty of features that Apple Notes should borrow from OneNote, but the former does have key advantages over the latter. First and foremost, Apple Notes can be secured with end-to-end encryption, making them inherently more private than OneNote files. If privacy is what you're after, the built-in Apple Notes app on macOS Sequoia is the way to go. You'll also get excellent and unique features like auto-complete for math equations, call recordings and transcriptions, and more.

9 macOS Sequoia is better for video calling

Continuity Camera, Presenter Overlay, and more features work in every app

Apple has placed a heavy focus on video calling since the pandemic, and it has paid off. macOS Sequoia will beat Windows 11 for video calling with its wide variety of system-level features. The best part of these features, from Continuity Camera to Center Stage, is that they work on any website or app that uses your Mac's webcam. You don't have to use FaceTime or a first-party app to take advantage of them. Some of my favorites are Continuity Camera, which lets you use your iPhone's high-quality rear camera as a webcam, and Presenter Overlay, which places your webcam feed in a tiny overlay atop your screen sharing window. Additionally, macOS Sequoia will always let you know if your camera is on with a hardware status light and a menu bar module.

10 Spaces and Mission Control are blazing fast

Task View just isn't the same on Windows 11

I've long held that if you're not using multiple desktops with Mission Control on macOS Sequoia or Task View on Windows 11, you're losing out on serious productivity gains. However, I don't blame Windows users for neglecting to take advantage of Task View. It simply isn't as quick as Mission Control and Spaces on macOS Sequoia. I say this after testing some of the best Windows laptops on the market, for what it's worth. Perhaps it's that macOS is better optimized for Apple hardware or that it's less bloated than Windows — whatever the cause, I've noticed that multitasking and switching apps is consistently quicker on macOS machines than Windows systems.

Don't worry, we still love Windows 11

I use a combination of the best Macs and Windows PCs every day, and I'm not ready to ditch any of them. It's true that Windows 11 is still superior in a variety of ways, from gaming to customization. However, these are ten ways that macOS Sequoia is clearly a cut above Windows 11. Let's hope Microsoft takes note of what Apple is cooking up in Cupertino and tries to match some of these features in a future Windows update.