6 Best and Free NTFS Tool for Mac: Write to NTFS Drives Easily

Many users frequently switch between Windows PCs and Mac computers, sharing data via external hard drives. However, a major hurdle often disrupts this workflow: the NTFS file system. While Windows uses NTFS as its standard, mac OS can only read these drives but cannot write to them natively. To edit, delete, or copy files to a Windows-formatted drive on a Mac, you need a specialized utility. Finding the best and free NTFS tool for Mac is crucial for bridging this gap without formatting your drive and losing data.

This comprehensive guide will explore the top solutions available in 2026. We will analyze the pros and cons of the most popular NTFS tool for Mac options, ranging from professional software to open-source projects, and help you find the right free NTFS edit tools for Mac to streamline your data management.

# 1. PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac (Recommended)

When looking for a balance between powerful features, modern compatibility, and ease of use, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac stands out as a top-tier contender. It is designed specifically to solve the "read-only" drive issue on mac OS with zero hassle.

This tool acts as a seamless driver that mounts NTFS drives in read-write mode. It supports a vast array of storage devices, including traditional HDDs, high-speed SSDs, USB flash drives, and even SD and CF cards. Crucially for modern users, it manages NTFS (versions Windows NT 3.1–11) alongside FAT32 and exFAT file systems. It is fully optimized for mac OS 12 and later, providing native support for both Intel chips and the latest Apple Silicon (M1, M2, and M3) processors.

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Pros:

• Extremely easy to use
• Native Apple Silicon support
• "Safe Eject" prevents data corruption
• Supports a wide range of file systems

Cons:

• Don’t support formatting your drive via this tool.

Step 1. Download the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your Mac. Open PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac. 

Step 2. Insert your NTFS-formatted drive into the Mac. The software will automatically detect the device.

Step 3. The software will display your connected drives. 

Step 4. Select the drive you want to operate and click "Open".

Now you can copy files on your Mac and click "Paste Item" to copy the files to USB drive.

You can also copy, delete and rename files on the USB drive.

Step 5. After all operations are complete, please click "Eject" to disconnect the USB drive from your Mac.

# 2. Paragon NTFS for Mac

Paragon is a long-standing name in the file system driver market. It is known for its high-speed transfer rates that rival native file systems.

Pros:

• Very fast read/write speeds
• Reliable mounting
• Menu bar integration
• Compatible with Apple Silicon M1 Mac

Cons:

• It is a paid software with a short trial period
• Upgrades often require a new license fee
• Advertising updates

How to Use Paragon NTFS for Mac

Step 1. Download Paragon NTFS for Mac and launch it.

Step 2. Locate the file > Double-click on the dmg.

Step 3. Click on the Install NTFS for Mac button and follow the on-screen prompts.

Step 4. Restart your Mac, and then you can start editing your NTFS drives.

# 3. Mounty for NTFS

For those strictly seeking free NTFS edit tools for Mac, Mounty is a popular choice. It is a tiny menu bar tool that utilizes the hidden, experimental NTFS write capability built into mac OS.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Lightweight
• Simple interface

Cons:

• Unstable because it relies on experimental Apple drivers
• Files can disappear if the drive is not ejected perfectly
• Often fails to mount "dirty" drives (drives not safely removed from Windows)
• No technical support
• Unsecure program

How to use Mounty for NTFS

Download and install Mounty for NTFS on your Mac. Once the software is downloaded, you can click on the Finder windows to manage the content of the mounted drive.

# 4. Tuxera NTFS for Mac

Built on the open-source NTFS-3G standard but commercialized for stability, Tuxera focuses on data safety over raw speed. It includes a disk manager for formatting and checking drives.

Tuxera NTFS for Mac can allow you to read and write NTFS drives with ease. The software uses an enhanced caching technology that can transfer files fast between Windows NTFS and Mac.

Pros

• Offers free trial
• Compatible with macOS 11 to MacOSX 10.4
• Supports Apple Silicon M1 Mac

Cons

• Extremely slow write speeds
• Requires command-line knowledge to install and configure
• May corrupt users' data

How to use Tuxera NTFS for Mac

Step 1. Download Tuxera NTFS for Mac from the official website.

Step 2. Install Tuxera NTFS once the installation package is downloaded.

Step 3. Launch the Tuxera NTFS software on your Mac.

Step 4. Click on the Continue button when the Tuxera package is ready to run and select the trial version.

Step 5. Now, simply Restart your Mac, connect your NTFS driver to your Mac, and open NTFS drive in Finder to make edits.

# 5. FUSE for mac OS

Often used in conjunction with NTFS-3G, FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) allows mac OS to extend its native file handling capabilities.

Pros:

• Fully free
• Highly customizable for developers
• Supports macOS Snow Leopard to Mojave

Cons:

• The installation process is complex and risky for average users
• It requires disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) and using Terminal commands, which can compromise Mac security.
• Not compatible with Silicon M1 Mac
• No technical support

How to use FUSE for macOS

Download the latest version of FUSE, open the .dmg file and click on the FUSE for macOS.pkg to initiate the installation. Once the software is installed, Restart your computer and connect the Windows NTFS drive to read-write on Mac.

# 6. NTFS-3G

NTFS-3G is a classic open-source NTFS tool for mac. It is the engine behind many other tools and is completely free to use if you compile it yourself.

Pros:

• Free and open-source
• Very comprehensive compatibility
• Supports Linux and Android too

Cons:

• Extremely slow write speeds
• Requires command-line knowledge to install and configure.
• Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1 Mac

How to use NTFS-3G

To install NTFS-3G, open the Synaptic Package Manager and type the root password. Now, Search for the NTFS in the search field and select Mark for Installation. Accept ntfs_config's dependencies and Apply changes to start the installation process.

Then you can restart your computer, and you can now read-write NTFS drives on your Mac.

To Sum Up

Navigating the incompatibility between Windows and Mac does not have to be a headache. While the search for the best and free NTFS tool for Mac often leads to complex command-line solutions like FUSE, the risks involved often outweigh the cost savings. For casual users, Mounty offers a quick fix but comes with data corruption risks.

For a secure, reliable, and modern experience, PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is the authoritative choice. By providing full read-write access, supporting the latest Apple Silicon hardware, and including essential safety features like Safe Eject, it ensures your data remains safe while giving you the freedom to move files across operating systems effortlessly.

FAQs

Q1: Is there a completely free NTFS tool for Mac that is safe?

A: "Safe" is relative. Mounty for NTFS is free but uses an experimental Apple driver that can cause data loss. FUSE/NTFS-3G is free and safer but requires complex installation and disabling security features. For critical data, a professional tool like PartitionAssistant is recommended.

Q2: Why doesn't macOS support writing to NTFS natively?

A: Apple includes read support but disables write support due to licensing restrictions with Microsoft (NTFS is proprietary) and stability concerns. Enabling write support natively requires third-party drivers.

Q3: Will PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac work on the new MacBook Pro M3?

A: Yes. PartitionAssistant NTFS for Mac is fully optimized for macOS 12 and later, which includes native support for the entire Apple Silicon lineup (M1, M2, and M3 chips).

Q4: Can I use these tools to format a drive to NTFS on Mac?

A: Most professional tools, including PartitionAssistant and Tuxera, allow you to format (erase) a drive to NTFS format directly from your Mac, something Disk Utility cannot do natively.

Q5: What happens if I use a free tool and my drive gets corrupted?

A: If a free tool like Mounty corrupts your drive, you may need to connect it to a Windows PC and run chkdsk to repair it. To avoid this hassle, use a stable NTFS tool for mac that includes a Safe Eject feature to ensure data is written correctly.