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FreeSurfer
Software suite for processing and analyzing brain MRI images
Design & CreativeFree
v7.4.1
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask freesurferHow to Install FreeSurfer on Mac
Follow these steps to install FreeSurfer using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.
- 1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
- 2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
- 3
Run
brew install --cask freesurferPaste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask freesurfer - 4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm freesurfer is installed, then try `freesurfer --version` to check the version number.
- 5
Launch FreeSurfer
Run `freesurfer` in your Terminal to start using it.
Troubleshooting
- • If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with
sudo. - • If Homebrew can't find the package, run
brew updatefirst to refresh the package list. - • On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at
/opt/homebrew(the default for M-series chips).
What is FreeSurfer?
Software suite for processing and analyzing brain MRI images
Key Features
Easy installation via Homebrew
Regular updates and maintenance
Free to use
Professional support available
Pros
- ✓Simple one-command installation
- ✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
- ✓Completely free to use
Cons
- ✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
- ✗macOS only
Frequently Asked Questions about FreeSurfer
Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask freesurfer`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `freesurfer` from Terminal.
About the Author
Creative Software Expert
Design & Graphics SoftwarePhoto & Video EditingUI/UX Design Tools
10+ years in graphic design · Former creative director