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FreeSurfer

Q: How do I uninstall FreeSurfer?

Open Terminal and run `brew uninstall --cask freesurfer`. Homebrew will remove FreeSurfer and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running `brew list`.

Q: How do I update FreeSurfer to the latest version?

Run `brew upgrade --cask freesurfer` in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run `brew outdated` to check if an update is available.

Software suite for processing and analyzing brain MRI images

For Mac

Official website

Free

CategoryDesign & Creative

PlatformmacOS

InstallationHomebrew

Version7.4.1Catalog version

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedAugust 10, 2026

What is FreeSurfer?

Software suite for processing and analyzing brain MRI images

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask freesurfer

Official Website

Are you the maker of FreeSurfer?

How 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 freesurfer
Paste 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 update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

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

How do I install FreeSurfer on Mac?

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.

Is FreeSurfer free?

Yes, FreeSurfer is completely free to use.

How do I uninstall FreeSurfer?

Open Terminal and run brew uninstall --cask freesurfer. Homebrew will remove FreeSurfer and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running brew list.

What are alternatives to FreeSurfer?

There are several design & creative apps available for macOS. Browse the Design & Creative category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.

How do I update FreeSurfer to the latest version?

Run brew upgrade --cask freesurfer in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run brew outdated to check if an update is available.

Does FreeSurfer work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, FreeSurfer can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.