What Objective See does

The Objective-See Foundation is a U.S.-based non-profit organization focused exclusively on macOS and Apple security, founded by researcher Patrick Wardle and operating with 1–10 employees out of Kula, Hawaii. Its portfolio centers on a suite of free, open-source macOS security utilities — including the DoNotDisturb privacy tool and other downloadable tools hosted at objective-see.org — alongside a curated malware research collection published on GitHub. These tools are used by security researchers, enterprises, and individual users worldwide and are distributed entirely through self-serve digital channels without any sales interaction.

Beyond individual utilities, the foundation operates a multi-program community ecosystem. The Objective by the Sea (OBTS) conference is positioned as the only global conference dedicated exclusively to Apple security. Objective-We delivers training, scholarships, and mentorship to broaden access to Apple security careers; Objective For the We (OFTW) provides free entry-level training to students and early-career professionals; and Objective-Steve connects community talent with Apple security job opportunities. The foundation also publishes The Art of Mac Malware book series (digital editions are free; printed royalties are donated back to the foundation) and runs an in-depth technical blog on macOS malware analysis.

The organization's revenue model is non-commercial by design: all tools and digital book editions are free, and the foundation is sustained by corporate donors and supporters (e.g., Rippling as a 'Silver Friend' supporter) and royalties from printed books. The foundation has no disclosed venture capital backing, no parent company, no disclosed board composition, and no disclosed financial statements. Its offerings are organized as a platform of interconnected free tools and community programs rather than a single unified paid product.

Name

Objective See

Legal name

Objective-See Foundation

Website

https://objective-see.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Objective-See Foundation is a U.S. non-profit that builds and maintains free, open-source macOS security tools — including DoNotDisturb — and runs education and community programs serving Apple security researchers, students, enterprises, and everyday users worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

MacOS / Apple Security Software

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Endpoint Application Control & Allowlisting (HDADAEAI)

Keywords

• MacOS security tools
• Apple security research
• Open-source security software
• Malware analysis tools
• MacOS privacy utilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Kula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Supporters: The foundation operates as a non-profit and receives support from companies and individuals. Digital editions of books are free, and all royalties from printed copies are donated to the Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Objective-See Foundation creates, maintains, and distributes free, open-source macOS security tools (such as the DoNotDisturb privacy utility and other detection/analysis utilities) along with curated malware samples for research. The foundation supplements its tools with educational resources including a technical security blog, The Art of Mac Malware book series (free digital editions), and community/educational programs such as Objective-We, Objective For The We, and the Objective by the Sea conference.

Product overview

Objective See is a non-profit foundation offering a portfolio of free open-source macOS security tools (including DoNotDisturb and other utilities), complemented by educational and community initiatives: the Objective by the Sea (OBTS) security conference, Objective-We mentorship and scholarships, Objective For The We (OFTW) free training programs, Objective-Steve career support, The Art of Mac Malware book series, and a curated malware research collection. The offering is a platform of interconnected free tools and community programs rather than a single unified product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Objective by the Sea (#OBTS): The world's only conference dedicated exclusively to Apple security, bringing together top researchers and the global community.
• Objective-We
• Objective For The We (#OFTW)
• Objective-Steve
• The Art of Mac Malware (Book Series)

Products and services

• Free Open-Source Security Tools (suite) A portfolio of free, open-source macOS security utilities created and maintained by the Objective-See Foundation, designed for security researchers, enterprises, and everyday macOS users worldwide.
• DoNotDisturb A free, open-source macOS privacy tool that helps users control notifications and maintain focus by managing macOS Do Not Disturb settings, aimed at individual macOS users and security-conscious professionals.
• The Art of Mac Malware (Book Series) An educational book series on macOS security and malware analysis distributed digitally for free, with printed editions sold and royalties donated to the foundation; intended for security researchers, students, and Apple security professionals.
• Malware Collection A curated collection of macOS malware samples and technical research published on GitHub to support learning, analysis, and responsible Apple security research by the security community.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• TryHackMe: TryHackMe is a gamified cybersecurity training platform popular with students and early-career professionals. Both serve the same persona of students and career starters entering the security field through training and community.
• Hack The Box: Hack The Box provides hands-on cybersecurity training, labs, and a community of security practitioners. Its audience and skill-development mission overlap with Objective-See's Objective-We and OFTW initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Jamf: Jamf is a leading Apple device management and security platform for enterprises and education. Both share an exclusive focus on the Apple ecosystem and serve macOS security/management use cases, though Jamf is a commercial incumbent while Objective-See is a non-profit foundation.
• OffSec: OffSec (offensive security) provides hands-on cybersecurity training and certifications (OSCP, etc.). It mirrors Objective-See's mission of growing cybersecurity talent through structured training programs and community engagement.
• SANS Institute: SANS Institute is a major provider of cybersecurity training, certifications, and conferences. Objective-See's OBTS, Objective-We, and OFTW initiatives operate similarly as training, education, and community-building programs in cybersecurity.
• MacPaw: MacPaw is a software company exclusively focused on macOS and iOS users, offering privacy, security, and productivity tools (e.g., CleanMyMac). Both are Mac-only vendors building trusted consumer/prosumer software for the Apple ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Intego: Intego is a long-standing commercial vendor focused exclusively on Mac security (antivirus, firewalls, content filtering). Both target macOS users with security tools, though Intego is a paid consumer/enterprise product vs. Objective-See's free open-source model.
• Let's Encrypt: Let's Encrypt is a non-profit certificate authority providing free security infrastructure publicly. Both share the free, non-profit, community-funded model of providing essential security capacity to the broader internet/software ecosystem.
• OpenSSF (Linux Foundation): OpenSSF is a cross-industry foundation focused on improving open-source software security. Like Objective-See, it operates as a foundation funding free tools, training, and community programs to advance security.
• Patrick Wardle / Objective Development (Little Snitch): Objective Development makes Little Snitch, a well-known macOS firewall/security tool with deep pedigree in the Apple security community. Both organizations operate in macOS security tooling and serve overlapping researcher and power-user audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/Objective-see
• Xx.com/objective_see

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Objective See