Where is the difference between Xamarin.Mac and Mono:OSX

Question

Where is the difference between Xamarin.Mac and Mono:OSX. I know Xamarin bought Mono so I thought it should be the same. But Mono:OSX seems to be free, while Xamarin.Mac costs at least 399$. So where is the difference between them both?

• Xamarin.Mac -> http://xamarin.com/mac
• Mono:OSX -> http://www.mono-project.com/Mono:OSX

Answer 1

I am not from Xamarin, so below is only my own understanding,

1. Xamarin.Mac is based on Mono:OSX. It is not something that comes from middle of nowhere.
2. Xamarin.Mac provides streamlined experience of developing Mac applications, by integrating MonoDevelop, Mono core runtime, MonoMac, and probably some non-open-source addins/utilities. It is easier to use Xamarin.Mac than assembling the whole tool chain on your own.
3. Xamarin.Mac comes with support contracts. This can attract professional Mac developers, and enterprises, as they need support contracts to ensure their own products' supportability.

Anyway we can sign up the seminar and learn what it is,

http://resources.xamarin.com/intro-to-xamarin.mac.html

BTW, the statement "Xamarin bought Mono" is not that accurate. The proper terms can be found in this blog post by Miguel de Icaza,

http://tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Jul-18.html