macOS is a UNIX (a certified one even!) so it really doesn’t care what or how you’re running a program. You can put anything anywhere manually on disk and run it. If some of those languages require any “global singletons”, that’s probably their fault even though I doubt that’s the case.

“It’s not exactly the same as Linux” is not a valid complaint for me, in case that’s the root cause of concern. Yes it’s not, and never tried to be. If “near full” isolation is the goal, Docker-style containers are always an option. Then it’s basically the same as Linux.

Also, Python is notoriously finicky with the slight differences between versions. I mostly use the JVM nowadays and that’s a breeze to run any version on the same macOS using a tool like jenv (which is available for Linux, macOS, etc). I believe Python has some of those tools also to make isolated “environments”.

PS In terms of block ads: I literally just “solved this”. I used to run the likes of AdGuard which works decently but I never felt too good about it because it’s a bit opaque about how it actually works. Here’s how you can get your own DNS-based adblock on Mac for free, in just a few minutes:

1. Install dnsmasq https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnsmasq

2. Get a dnsmasq-compatible .conf blocklist from https://github.com/hagezi/dns-blocklists

Sample dnsmasq config:

listen-address=127.0.0.1

conf-file=/path/to/chosen_blocklist.conf

#google dns or pick your own

server=8.8.8.8

server=8.8.4.4

3. In your Network settings, set the DNS to 127.0.0.1 This will pass all DNS requests through dnsmasq first

4. Enjoy system-wide (including native apps!) ad-free experience