Best 8 NTFS For Mac Software in 2023

NTFS or New Technology File System is a proprietary journaling file system owned and developed by Microsoft. Most of the hard drives that use Windows OS are in NTFS format. It’s often used to retrieve and store files on Windows HDDs and SSDs.

Since it’s a file system that’s owned and licensed only to Windows file systems, Macs cannot use NTFS naturally. You’ll need to have third-party NTFS software to help your Mac write, read, and view files from NTFS drives.

How to Choose NTFS For Mac Software?

When choosing an NTFS for Mac software, you’ll need to consider these factors:

  • Read/write speed and access to files – It must have access to various files and have the ability to modify, delete, copy, or create new files at a fast rate.
  • Adaptability – With new macOS versions coming up in a few years, you’ll need to find software that’s willing to adapt to the latest versions of macOS to avoid compatibility problems.
  • Ease of use – It must have a user-friendly interface to help newbie users utilize the software effectively.
  • Pricing – Some of the NTFS for Mac software are more expensive than others. You’ll need to invest in effective software that will do all NTFS software tasks and more.

Now that you know the factors to look out for when picking the right NTFS software for your Mac computer, here are the eight best NTFS for Mac software in 2023:

1. iBoysoft NTFS for Mac

ℹ️ Best for: Windows NTFS read/write support for both older and new versions of macOS.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: Yes | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: Yes

iBoysoft NTFS for Mac

iBoysoft NTFS for Mac is another tool that you can use on your Mac to read/write data from Windows NTFS drives. It uses an advanced algorithm to transfer files at a fast rate and mounts Windows NTFS volumes automatically in read-write mode.

Pros:
  • Fast read/write speeds
  • Beginner-friendly user interface
  • macOS Monterey support
  • ARM and Intel-based Mac support
Cons:
  • Unresponsive customer service support
Pricing plans:
  • Free Trial – 15 days
  • Basic Plan (one Mac only) – $13.93, discounted price (30% off)
  • Lifetime Plan (one Mac only) $29.94, discounted price (40% off)
Free Download

AppStore user reviews summary for The iBoysoft NTFS for Mac: The iBoysoft NTFS for Mac app on the Apple Store has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 366 ratings. Reviews are mixed, with some users finding it easy to use and handy for NTFS formats. However, another user criticizes it for being misleading and suspicious, noting that the app requires a subscription and additional software installation that bypasses Apple’s protections, which is not clearly stated upfront. The app is marketed as free, but its full functionality is behind a paywall, which has led to some dissatisfaction among users.

2. Tuxera NTFS for Mac

ℹ️ Best for: Organizations that operate using Mac and Windows computers.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: Yes | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: Yes

Tuxera NTFS for Mac

Tuxera NTFS for Mac is a handy tool that can open, copy, edit, move, or delete files stored in Windows NTFS-formatted USB drives. Its free version is only limited to USB drives but can support NTFS hard drives upon availing of a subscription.

Pros:
  • Supports full read/write access on Mac computers
  • Fast and secure data transfer
  • Can also work as a disk manager
  • ARM and Intel-based Mac support
Cons:
  • Only supports NTFS-formatted USB drives on basic version
  • The mounting feature experiences bugs
Pricing plans:
  • Free Trial – 15 days
  • Personal (three home computers)  – $15, one-time purchase
  • Business and Education licenses depend on the number of users
Free Download

MacUpdate user reviews summary for Tuxera NTFS: Tuxera NTFS for Mac, with a 4.2-star rating from 37 users, offers a commercial NTFS driver developed from the open-source NTFS-3G. While some users find it stable and worth the price, others have faced issues like playback delays, slow folder loading, and even system damage after installation. One user reported the software erased their MacBook’s bootloader, leading to costly repairs. Despite these concerns, the app is praised for its functionality and free lifetime updates for personal use. Potential users should weigh the benefits against the risks of system compatibility and performance issues.

3. Hasleo NTFS for Mac

ℹ️ Best for: Mac computers that are regularly updated and operates on various file systems.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: No | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: No

Hasleo NTFS for Mac

Hasleo NTFS for Mac is another free NTFS tool for Mac. It supports various storage devices, such as NTFS hard drives, external disk drives, USB drives, SSDs, and others. It also supports other kinds of file systems, similar to other NTFS for Mac software.

Pros:
  • Software is completely free
  • Supports the latest macOS Monterey
  • Full read/write access to NTFS drives
  • Supports various storage devices
Cons:
  • Slow read and write speeds
  • Lack of disk features and support
Pricing plans:
  • Free
Free Download

Mac.Informer review summary for Hasleo NTFS for Mac: Hasleo NTFS for Mac is a straightforward, menu bar-based utility that enables read-write access to NTFS drives on macOS. It bypasses macOS’s limitations on modifying NTFS volumes, though it doesn’t auto-mount drives. While macOS has experimental write support for NTFS, Hasleo offers a more stable solution. The tool is praised for its ease of use and system startup option, and it’s available for free.

4. EaseUS NTFS for Mac

ℹ️ Best for: Typical Mac machines that have up-to-date macOS software.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: Yes | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: Yes

EaseUS NTFS for Mac

EaseUS NTFS for Mac is featured for its fast read/write speed when scanning NTFS drives. It supports various macOS versions including older ones. You can also mount and unmount NTFS drives from the Mac status bar, which is a unique feature compared to other NTFS software for Mac.

Pros:
  • Can read/write data on NTFS drives at fast speeds
  • Beginner-friendly user interface
  • Supports read-write on NTFS-formatted external drives
Cons:
  • Inserted NTFS drives are sometimes not recognized
  • Can take time to open NTFS drives with huge memory
Pricing plans:
  • Free Trial – 7 days
  • Monthly (one computer) – $14.95 per month
  • Lifetime (one computer) – $49.95, one-time payment
Free Download

Reddit user review summary for EaseUS NTFS for Mac: According to reddit users EaseUS NTFS for Mac is valued for its ease of installation and use. It supports various storage devices, including external hard drives and USB drives, and is recognized for its affordability. However, there are some limitations to consider: the free version has limited functionality. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment is that EaseUS NTFS for Mac offers excellent value, particularly for those who frequently need to share files between Mac and Windows machines. It’s highlighted for its ability to save time and simplify file sharing processes

5. NTFS-3G

ℹ️ Best for: Macs running in macOS Sierra and earlier.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: No | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: No | Secure file storage: Yes

NTFS-3G

NTFS-3G is an open-source freeware that’s used to read and write NTFS drives on Mac. Because it is free, it’s only compatible with macOS Sierra and earlier. It’s mainly developed by Tuxera, which also has an NTFS software of its own.

Pros:
  • Software is for free
  • Open-source and highly customizable
  • Also available on other main platforms such as Android and Linux
Cons:
  • Mediocre write speeds and slow app performance
  • No support available, hardly has any updates
  • Command line-based tool
  • Only compatible with macOS Sierra and earlier
Pricing plans:
  • Free
Free Download

MacUpdate user reviews summary for NTFS-3G: The software is an open-source NTFS read/write support project for macOS, praised for its functionality and integration. However, users report mixed experiences. Some commend it for working well and being a useful tool for NTFS drives, while others have faced challenges with installation and compatibility, especially on newer macOS versions. One user noted it caused issues with FAT32 drives, and another experienced system problems after installation. Overall, NTFS-3G is appreciated by those who can navigate its open-source nature but may present hurdles for average users.

6. Mounty for Mac

ℹ️ Best for: Budget and any Mac computer that’s running an updated macOS.

💡 NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: Yes | Support for older macOS versions: No | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: No

Mounty for Mac

Mounty for Mac is a simple utility software that’s used to mount Windows NTFS volumes in read/write mode. It aids in file transfer tasks and supports automatic detection of connected NTFS volumes in your Mac. It’s also one of the few NTFS software for Mac that’s free.

Pros:
  • Beginner-friendly user interface
  • Supports the latest macOS Monterey
  • Fast read/write speeds
  • One of the few freeware NTFS apps
  • ARM and Intel-based Mac support
Cons:
  • Unsafe tool for data and file transfer; prone to data loss or corruption
  • Does not support older macOS versions
Pricing plans:
  • Free
Free Download

MacUpdate user reviews summary for Mounty for Mac: Mounty for Mac, an app for re-mounting NTFS volumes in read-write mode, has a 3.8-star rating from mixed reviews. Some users praise its ease of use and effectiveness for handling NTFS USB sticks. However, others report severe issues like data corruption and loss, with one user losing a decade’s worth of files. Caution is advised due to these potential risks.

7. FUSE for macOS

ℹ️ Best for: Mac computers that are regularly updated and operates on various file systems.

💡NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: No | Support for older macOS versions: Yes | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: No

FUSE for macOS

Primarily known as MacFUSE, FUSE for macOS is a free software that you can use to view various file systems including NTFS. It has regular updates via their official website, which includes support for macOS 10.9 or later for both ARM and Intel-based Macs.

Pros:
  • Free, open-source software
  • Regular updates are posted on their official website
  • Supports the latest versions of macOS
Cons:
  • High chance of data breach since the software is open source
  • Mediocre file transfer speeds
  • Highly advanced user interface
Pricing plans:
  • Free
Free Download

SourceForge user reviews summary for FUSE: Software enjoys a favorable 4.4 out of 5-star rating from users on SourceForge, reflecting a high level of user satisfaction. The open-source project garners praise for its functionality and reliability, with several users describing it as a “fantastic” and essential tool for their systems. Despite the positive feedback, there are cautionary notes regarding kernel panics, suggesting that while the tool is generally stable, there may be isolated issues under certain conditions.

8. Microsoft NTFS For Mac by Paragon Software

ℹ️ Best for: read/write access on any version of Windows NTFS drives.

💡 NTFS read/write support: Yes | ARM/M1 support: Yes | Intel-based support: Yes | Fast data transfer: Yes | Support for older macOS versions: No | Ease of use: Yes | Secure file storage: Yes

Microsoft NTFS For Mac by Paragon Software

Microsoft NTFS for Mac by Paragon is one of the best tools to help you write, copy, delete, or edit files on NTFS-formatted drives using your Mac. It also does these tasks at a fast rate and provides unlimited access not only to NTFS hard drives, but also to SSDs and thumb drives that are Windows-formatted.

Pros:
  • Can read/write NTFS drives on a Mac computer
  • Supports the latest macOS Monterey
  • Supports both ARM-based and Intel-based Mac machines
  • Offer fast read/write speeds
Cons:
  • No support for older macOS versions
  • Hard to uninstall
Pricing plans:
  • Free Trial – 15 days
  • Personal (one Mac only) – $19.95, one-time payment
  • Friendly (up to three Macs) – $49.95, one-time payment
  • Economic (up to five Macs) – $74.95, one-time payment
Free Download

Trustoilot user reviews summary for Microsoft NTFS For Mac: Paragon Software’s NTFS for Mac has garnered mixed reviews. Some users commend its partitioning capabilities and effective bare metal restore function. However, the majority report significant dissatisfaction, particularly with customer support, citing non-existent help, rude interactions, and instability post-iOS updates. Many advise seeking alternatives due to these support and functionality issues.

Conclusion

The best NTFS are fast, easy to use, and reasonable for their price tag.

There are several factors that go into looking for an NTFS, the read/write speed, interface, and affordability are the main factors you want to consider.

FAQ

   
Yes, NTFS can be used on Mac. However, Mac computers only support reading of files in NTFS file systems. You’ll need to avail of a third-party NTFS for Mac software to do both reading and writing to NTFS. Some third-party software also provides disk management tools that are helpful for your inserted drives.
   

NTFS for Mac are software that give you the ability to read and write data on your NTFS drives. Since Mac operating systems only support reading data, you’ll need NTFS for Mac software to help you do various tasks on your NTFS-formatted disk.

So, if you’re planning to format, copy, delete, modify, or open files on your NTFS drive, you’ll need an NTFS for Mac software.

   
Depending on your need, the best NTFS for Mac is Paragon. If you’re looking for a secure NTFS for Mac that provides all basic features necessary for accessing, reading and writing files on NTFS storages, the best NTFS for Mac to invest in is Microsoft NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software.
   

Other equivalent NTFS for Mac software are mostly freeware. These software are offered for free and are mostly open-source. Freeware such as Mounty for NTFS, Hasleo NTFS for Mac, NTFS-3G, and FUSE for macOS are all equivalent to NTFS for Mac software.

However, freeware is known for underperforming basic read/write tasks and are usually lacking in compatibility updates. Also, they are prone to data breaches since they’re operating under an open-source environment.

Mako Young is a writer for all things tech. He's been writing about Macs for years and has been using Macs for more than a decade. When he isn't reading about the latest news on Apple, he's busy studying cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, and other IT-related sectors. His exceptional work graces technology and Apple-related blogs like How-To Geek, Macgasm, onMac, PhotoWorkout, and many more.

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