Whether you've just unboxed your first MacBook or you're a seasoned Apple enthusiast, the right set of applications can transform your Mac from a mere computer into a productivity powerhouse, creative studio, or entertainment hub. While macOS comes with an impressive suite of built-in applications, the true potential of your Mac can only be unlocked by exploring the rich ecosystem of third-party apps designed to enhance your experience.
With the 2025 release of macOS Sequoia (following macOS Sonoma), Apple has continued to refine its operating system with improved performance, enhanced security features, and deeper integration with iOS devices. However, there are still numerous areas where specialized applications can fill gaps or provide more robust solutions than Apple's default offerings.
In this comprehensive guide, we've curated 50 of the best Mac apps across various categories to help you elevate your macOS experience. From free utilities that should be on every Mac to premium software worth the investment, this collection represents the cream of the crop in 2025's Mac app ecosystem.
Whether you're looking to boost productivity, unleash creativity, streamline your workflow, or simply make your Mac more enjoyable to use, this list has something for everyone. We've carefully selected apps that are regularly updated, compatible with the latest macOS, and highly regarded by users and experts alike.
Productivity Powerhouses
1. Alfred 5
Price: Free (Powerpack from $34) Category: Productivity, Launcher
Alfred has long been the gold standard for launcher applications on Mac. Think of it as Spotlight on steroids. With a simple keyboard shortcut, you can access applications, perform web searches, find files, calculate expressions, control system functions, and much more.
The free version is already powerful, but the Powerpack unlocks Alfred's true potential with features like workflows, clipboard history, snippets, and integrations with other applications. The latest version includes improved search algorithms and deeper macOS integration.
For power users, Alfred's efficiency in navigating your Mac cannot be overstated—it saves countless hours by reducing mouse usage and streamlining repetitive tasks.
2. Things 3
Price: $49.99 Category: Task Management
Things 3 represents the perfect balance between powerful task management and elegant simplicity. Its clean, intuitive interface makes organization a pleasure rather than a chore. The app implements the “Getting Things Done” methodology without forcing you into a rigid system.
Key features include natural language input, calendar integration, deadlines, recurring tasks, and project planning. The Today view helps you focus on immediate priorities, while the Upcoming view provides a clear overview of future commitments.
What sets Things 3 apart is its thoughtful design that reduces friction in task management. Quick Entry, keyboard shortcuts, and seamless syncing across Apple devices create a cohesive productivity ecosystem.
3. Notion
Price: Free (Personal Pro from $8/month) Category: All-in-One Workspace
Notion has revolutionized the productivity space by combining notes, tasks, wikis, and databases into a single, infinitely customizable workspace. It's particularly valuable for knowledge workers who need to organize complex information and collaborate with others.
The app's block-based system allows you to build anything from simple notes to complex project management systems. Templates accelerate setup for common use cases, while robust database features enable powerful information management.
For Mac users, Notion offers offline access, keyboard shortcuts, and a responsive interface that feels right at home in macOS. The free plan is generous, making it accessible for individual users, while teams benefit from the collaboration features in paid plans.
4. BetterTouchTool
Price: $9.99 (Free trial available) Category: Customization, Productivity
BetterTouchTool gives you unprecedented control over input devices on your Mac. Customize trackpad gestures, keyboard shortcuts, Touch Bar actions, and even mouse buttons to create a truly personalized interface.
The app's window snapping and management features rival those on Windows, making it easier to organize your workspace. Advanced users appreciate the ability to create complex automation sequences triggered by simple gestures.
The latest versions include Apple Silicon optimization and improved compatibility with macOS Sequoia, ensuring smooth performance even on the newest Mac hardware.
5. Hazel
Price: $42 (Free trial available) Category: File Automation
Hazel is like having a personal assistant that organizes your files according to rules you define. It watches designated folders and automatically performs actions when files match your criteria—perfect for maintaining a tidy digital workspace.
Common uses include sorting downloads, organizing receipts, managing photos, and archiving old files. Hazel can rename files, move them between folders, add tags, run scripts, and even upload or send them to other applications.
Though the learning curve is steeper than some other apps, the time investment pays dividends in reduced digital clutter and automated workflows that save hours of manual file management.
Creative Studio
6. Affinity Photo 2
Price: $69.99 (One-time purchase) Category: Photo Editing
Affinity Photo has emerged as a formidable alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering professional-grade photo editing capabilities without a subscription fee. Version 2 brings even more powerful tools and performance improvements.
The app features a complete set of non-destructive editing tools, RAW processing, panorama stitching, HDR merging, focus stacking, and extensive layer support. Professional photographers appreciate the advanced color management and precise selection tools.
Affinity Photo performs exceptionally well on modern Macs, with optimizations for Apple Silicon and support for ProMotion displays on compatible MacBook Pro models.
7. Affinity Designer 2
Price: $69.99 (One-time purchase) Category: Vector Design
Like its sibling Affinity Photo, Designer offers a subscription-free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. It's a robust vector graphics application suitable for everything from icon design to complex illustrations and UI/UX work.
The app's dual persona feature allows seamless switching between vector and pixel workflows. Its precision tools, non-destructive operations, and intuitive interface make it accessible to beginners while offering the power professionals need.
The 2025 updates include improved performance on Apple Silicon, enhanced export options, and new creative tools that expand the application's capabilities.
8. Final Cut Pro
Price: $299.99 Category: Video Editing
Apple's professional video editing software continues to set the standard for performance and integration with macOS. Final Cut Pro combines powerful editing tools with remarkable efficiency, particularly on Apple Silicon Macs.
The magnetic timeline, multicam editing, comprehensive color grading, and motion graphics capabilities make it suitable for everything from YouTube videos to feature films. The app's rendering and export speeds are industry-leading, saving valuable time for video professionals.
Recent updates have focused on improved HDR workflows, spatial video editing for Vision Pro, and better integration with other Apple creative apps like Logic Pro and Motion.
9. DaVinci Resolve
Price: Free (Studio version $295) Category: Video Editing, Color Grading
DaVinci Resolve has undergone a remarkable evolution from a specialized color grading tool to a comprehensive video production suite. The free version offers more capabilities than most paid competitors.
The app combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single application. Its node-based effects system provides incredible flexibility for complex compositing and color work.
While the learning curve is steeper than some alternatives, the investment in mastering Resolve pays off with a workflow that eliminates the need to switch between multiple applications during post-production.
10. Logic Pro
Price: $199.99 Category: Music Production
Logic Pro remains the premier music production software for Mac users, offering professional-quality recording, editing, mixing, and mastering tools. Its instrument and effect library is among the best included with any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
The app excels at both electronic music production and recording live instruments, with features like Flex Time for timing corrections, Smart Tempo for automatic tempo matching, and comprehensive MIDI editing.
The 2025 version includes improved Spatial Audio workflows, expanded sound libraries, and enhanced integration with iPad for touch-based control and sketching musical ideas on the go.
System Optimization
11. CleanMyMac X
Price: $34.95/year (Free trial available) Category: System Cleaning, Maintenance
CleanMyMac X has evolved from a simple cleaning utility to a comprehensive Mac maintenance solution. It identifies and removes unnecessary files, uninstalls applications completely, monitors system health, and protects against malware.
The Smart Scan feature provides a quick overview of potential optimizations, while specialized modules allow targeted cleaning of system junk, photo libraries, mail attachments, and more. The Maintenance tools can repair disk permissions, run maintenance scripts, and flush DNS caches.
What sets CleanMyMac X apart is its safety-first approach—it won't delete critical files and clearly explains what it's doing at each step. The latest version includes Apple Silicon optimization and tools specifically designed for macOS Sequoia.
12. iStat Menus 6
Price: $11.99 (Free trial available) Category: System Monitoring
iStat Menus provides comprehensive system monitoring right from your Mac's menu bar. Track CPU usage, memory allocation, network activity, disk operations, sensor readings, and battery status at a glance.
The app's customizable menus allow you to focus on the metrics that matter most to you, with detailed information available through dropdown menus. Weather forecasts and time zone tracking add practical utility beyond pure system monitoring.
For professionals who need to keep tabs on system performance during resource-intensive tasks, iStat Menus offers the perfect balance of detailed information and unobtrusive design.
13. Amphetamine
Price: Free Category: Utility
Amphetamine is a simple utility with a single purpose: preventing your Mac from sleeping. Whether you're downloading large files, running a presentation, or monitoring a process, Amphetamine keeps your system awake according to customizable triggers.
The app offers granular control over what stays active—display, disk, screen saver—and can activate automatically based on conditions like connected applications, power source, or network connections.
As a free utility that solves a common problem with elegant simplicity, Amphetamine exemplifies the best of Mac app design. Its minimal resource usage ensures it won't impact performance while running in the background.
14. AppCleaner
Price: Free Category: Utility
When you drag an application to the Trash, macOS doesn't always remove all associated files. AppCleaner solves this problem by finding and deleting all files related to an application you want to uninstall.
The app's interface couldn't be simpler—drag an application onto the window or select it from a list, review the files that will be deleted, and click to remove everything. A smart deletion feature can automatically intercept app deletions from the Finder.
For keeping your Mac clean and free of orphaned preference files, caches, and support files, AppCleaner is an essential utility that performs its specialized function perfectly.
15. Bartender 5
Price: $16 (Free trial available) Category: Menu Bar Management
As you add more applications to your Mac, the menu bar can become cluttered with icons. Bartender solves this problem by allowing you to hide, rearrange, or show menu bar items only when they update.
The latest version includes enhanced macOS Sequoia compatibility, improved search functionality, and automatic spacing adjustment. Triggers allow menu items to appear based on conditions like battery level or network changes.
Beyond mere organization, Bartender can improve the usability of MacBooks with notches by making better use of limited menu bar space. Its attention to detail and regular updates make it worth the modest price.
Communication & Collaboration
16. Slack
Price: Free (Paid plans from $7.25/month per user) Category: Team Communication
Slack has become the de facto standard for team communication, with its channel-based messaging system and robust integrations with other productivity tools. The Mac app offers better performance and more features than the web version.
Key features include organized conversations in channels, direct messaging, file sharing, video calls, and integrations with hundreds of services including Google Drive, Zoom, and Asana. Search capabilities make finding past conversations and shared files straightforward.
The latest Mac version includes Apple Silicon optimization for better performance and battery life, along with enhanced notification management that respects macOS Focus modes.
17. Zoom
Price: Free (Paid plans from $149.90/year) Category: Video Conferencing
Despite increased competition, Zoom remains the most reliable and feature-rich video conferencing solution for Mac users. Its balance of simplicity and powerful capabilities makes it suitable for everything from casual catch-ups to large webinars.
The Mac app offers better performance than browser-based alternatives, with features like virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording. Gallery view allows seeing up to 49 participants simultaneously, while Speaker view automatically highlights active participants.
Recent updates have focused on security enhancements, background noise suppression, and integration with calendar apps for seamless meeting scheduling.
18. Spark Email
Price: Free (Premium from $4.99/month) Category: Email Client
Spark transforms email management with intelligent organization, collaborative features, and powerful personalization options. Its Smart Inbox automatically categorizes messages into Personal, Notifications, and Newsletters.
Collaboration features allow teams to discuss emails privately, draft messages together, and share email templates. Scheduling, snoozing, and follow-up reminders help maintain inbox zero without missing important messages.
The app's clean interface, customizable swipe actions, and natural language search make it significantly more pleasant to use than Apple Mail for those who process large volumes of email.
19. ClickUp
Price: Free (Paid plans from $7/month per user) Category: Project Management
ClickUp offers one of the most flexible project management systems available, with customizable views including lists, boards, calendars, Gantt charts, and more. Its all-in-one approach consolidates tools that would otherwise require multiple applications.
Features include task management, goal tracking, time recording, document creation, and workflow automation. The hierarchical organization system accommodates everything from personal to-dos to complex team projects.
The Mac app provides seamless access to ClickUp's features with native notifications, keyboard shortcuts, and offline capabilities that enhance the experience compared to using ClickUp in a browser.
20. Fantastical
Price: Free (Premium from $3.99/month) Category: Calendar
Fantastical elevates calendar management with natural language parsing, beautiful visualization options, and seamless integration with other scheduling tools. Simply type “Lunch with Sarah on Thursday at noon” and the app creates the event with appropriate details.
The unified calendar view combines events from multiple sources (iCloud, Google, Exchange, etc.) with color coding for clarity. Calendar sets allow switching between work and personal views with a single click, while the menu bar mini calendar provides quick access to your schedule.
Premium features include meeting scheduling tools, weather forecasts, calendar publishing, and integration with conferencing services like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Internet & Security
21. 1Password
Price: $35.88/year (Free trial available) Category: Password Manager
1Password has set the standard for password management on Mac for years. Beyond storing passwords, it manages credit cards, secure notes, identities, and licenses in encrypted vaults accessible across all your devices.
The app's Watchtower feature monitors for compromised websites, vulnerable passwords, and unsecured connections. Auto-fill capabilities work with both Safari and Chrome, while integration with TouchID and Apple Watch provides convenient authentication.
Recent updates have added passkey support for passwordless authentication, improved breach monitoring, and enhanced sharing capabilities for families and teams.
22. NordVPN
Price: From $3.69/month (2-year plan) Category: VPN, Security
NordVPN offers robust privacy protection with military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and an extensive network of over 5,000 servers worldwide. The Mac app provides a user-friendly interface to this powerful security infrastructure.
Features include automatic connection on untrusted networks, split tunneling to route specific apps outside the VPN, and specialized servers for extra privacy or optimized performance. The CyberSec feature blocks ads and malicious websites for additional protection.
For Mac users concerned about privacy, NordVPN's combination of strong security, good performance, and ease of use makes it a top choice in the crowded VPN market.
23. Malwarebytes
Price: Free (Premium from $44.99/year) Category: Security, Malware Protection
While Macs are generally less vulnerable to malware than Windows PCs, threats do exist and are increasing in sophistication. Malwarebytes provides robust protection without the performance impact of traditional antivirus software.
The free version offers on-demand scanning to identify and remove existing threats, while the premium version adds real-time protection, ransomware prevention, and protection from malicious websites.
Malwarebytes' focus on minimal system impact and effectiveness against modern threats makes it an ideal security solution for Mac users who want protection without complications.
24. Little Snitch 5
Price: $45 (Free trial available) Category: Network Monitoring, Security
Little Snitch gives you unprecedented visibility and control over your Mac's network connections. It alerts you when applications attempt to connect to servers and allows you to create permanent rules for allowing or blocking these connections.
The Network Monitor provides a real-time map of global connections, helping you understand where your data is going. Silent Mode allows for less intrusive operation while maintaining protection.
For privacy-conscious users, Little Snitch offers peace of mind by preventing applications from sending data without your knowledge—something particularly valuable in an era of increasing data collection.
25. Arc Browser
Price: Free Category: Web Browser
Arc has revolutionized the browser experience with its innovative approach to tab management, workspaces, and minimalist interface. Unlike traditional browsers, Arc organizes tabs vertically and introduces “Spaces” for context-based browsing.
Features include command-driven operations, minimalist design, split view for comparing pages, and “Boosts” that customize how specific websites appear and function. The browser's memory management is exceptional, preventing the slowdowns common with Chrome.
For Mac users tired of conventional browsers, Arc offers a fresh approach that feels designed specifically for modern workflows. Its regular updates and growing feature set make it a compelling alternative to Safari and Chrome.
File Management
26. Dropbox
Price: Free (Paid plans from $9.99/month) Category: Cloud Storage, File Sharing
Despite increasing competition, Dropbox remains one of the most reliable and feature-rich cloud storage solutions for Mac users. Its combination of robust syncing, sharing capabilities, and integration with other apps maintains its relevance in 2025.
The Mac app creates a seamless extension of your local file system, with smart sync capabilities that save disk space while maintaining access to all your files. Paper documents, file requests, and integrated electronic signatures add functionality beyond simple storage.
Dropbox Capture, a newer feature, enables quick screen recordings and screenshots with easy sharing—ideal for visual communication in remote work environments.
27. ForkLift 4
Price: $29.95 (Free trial available) Category: File Manager
ForkLift is a powerful dual-pane file manager that significantly expands on Finder's capabilities. The split view makes file transfers between locations more efficient, while remote connections to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and cloud services bring diverse storage systems into a unified interface.
The app's file comparison tools, batch renaming, and advanced search functions accelerate file management tasks. A temporary holding space called the “Stash” allows collecting files from different locations before moving them to a final destination.
For users who regularly work with large sets of files or connect to multiple storage systems, ForkLift's efficiency improvements justify its cost many times over.
28. Beyond Compare
Price: $30 (Free trial available) Category: File Comparison
Beyond Compare specializes in comparing files and folders, making it invaluable for developers, writers, and anyone who works with multiple versions of documents. Its visual difference highlighting makes it easy to identify changes between files.
The app can compare text files, images, binary files, and entire folder structures. Merge capabilities allow combining changes from different versions, while synchronization features ensure folders maintain identical content across locations.
The latest version includes improved performance with large files, enhanced syntax highlighting for code comparison, and better handling of various text encodings and formats.
29. ChronoSync Express
Price: $24.99 (Free trial available) Category: Backup, Synchronization
ChronoSync Express provides flexible backup and synchronization capabilities beyond what macOS Time Machine offers. Create customized backup strategies with multiple destinations, schedules, and retention policies.
The app excels at maintaining identical copies of important folders across multiple Macs, external drives, or network locations. Its intelligent synchronization analyzes files before copying to minimize transfer times and storage requirements.
For users with complex backup needs or multiple computers, ChronoSync Express offers a level of control and reliability that justifies its modest price tag.
30. Keka
Price: $3.99 (Free on developer's website) Category: File Compression
Keka is the definitive file compression and extraction utility for Mac, supporting an extensive range of formats including ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZIP, and many more. Its simple drag-and-drop interface masks powerful compression capabilities.
The app offers customizable compression settings, password protection with strong encryption, and the ability to split archives into multiple volumes. Integration with Finder allows compression operations directly from right-click menus.
As a lightweight, focused utility that executes its primary function flawlessly, Keka exemplifies the best of Mac app design principles.
Writing & Notes
31. Ulysses
Price: $5.99/month or $49.99/year Category: Writing, Markdown Editor
Ulysses has set the standard for distraction-free writing environments on macOS. Its clean, customizable interface and powerful organizational tools make it ideal for everything from short blog posts to novels and academic papers.
The app's library system keeps all your writing organized and accessible across devices via iCloud. Markdown-based formatting provides a clean writing experience without sacrificing formatting capabilities. Export options generate beautifully formatted PDFs, ebooks, or WordPress posts.
For serious writers, Ulysses' combination of elegant simplicity and depth of features creates an environment where words flow freely—worth the subscription fee for those who write regularly.
32. Bear
Price: Free (Pro from $2.99/month) Category: Notes, Writing
Bear strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and capability in the notes app category. Its beautiful, customizable interface makes writing pleasurable, while powerful organization through nested tags keeps information accessible.
The app supports Markdown for formatting, allows attaching images and files to notes, and provides extensive export options. Cross-note linking creates a personal wiki system, ideal for connecting related ideas.
The Pro subscription adds sync across devices, advanced export options, and additional themes—well worth it for anyone who uses Bear regularly.
33. Craft
Price: Free (Pro from $5.99/month) Category: Notes, Documents
Craft has rapidly gained popularity by combining the best aspects of notes apps with document creation capabilities. Its block-based system allows flexible organization of text, images, code blocks, and embedded content.
The app excels at creating structured documents with beautiful typography and layout options. Collaboration features enable real-time editing and commenting, while backlinks connect related documents automatically.
For those who find traditional notes apps too simple and word processors too rigid, Craft offers an elegant middle ground that adapts to various writing and organizational needs.
34. MindNode 8
Price: $2.49/month or $19.99/year Category: Mind Mapping
MindNode transforms brainstorming and idea organization with its intuitive mind mapping interface. Start with a central concept and expand outward with connected thoughts, creating visual representations of your ideas.
The app's Smart Layout automatically arranges your mind map for clarity, while visual tags, colors, and images enhance information organization. Export options include PDF, image formats, outlines, and task lists for GTD systems.
For visual thinkers, MindNode provides a powerful tool for clarifying complex concepts, planning projects, and organizing information in a way that reveals connections not obvious in linear formats.
35. Grammarly
Price: Free (Premium from $12/month) Category: Writing Assistant
Grammarly extends far beyond simple spell checking to provide comprehensive writing assistance. It identifies grammar issues, suggests style improvements, checks tone, and helps avoid plagiarism.
The Mac app works across applications through a system-wide service, while browser extensions cover web-based writing. Context-specific suggestions help tailor communication to different audiences and purposes.
For anyone who writes professionally or wants to improve their writing, Grammarly's intelligent feedback acts like a personal editor, catching issues human proofreaders might miss.
Media & Entertainment
36. IINA
Price: Free (Open Source) Category: Media Player
IINA has become the definitive media player for Mac, combining the powerful MPV playback engine with a beautiful, native macOS interface. It supports virtually every video and audio format without requiring additional codecs.
Features include picture-in-picture mode, customizable touch bar controls, online subtitle downloading, and advanced playback options like frame stepping and speed control. The dark mode interface feels perfectly at home in modern macOS versions.
As an open-source project actively maintained by its community, IINA represents the best of free software—powerful, elegant, and constantly improving based on user feedback.
37. Plex
Price: Free (Plex Pass from $4.99/month) Category: Media Server, Streaming
Plex transforms your Mac into a personal media server that can stream your content to any device. Organize movies, TV shows, music, and photos with automatic metadata fetching that creates a Netflix-like browsing experience for your personal media.
The app transcodes content on-the-fly to ensure compatibility with any device, while the free Plex apps for iOS, Apple TV, and other platforms provide consistent access to your media library.
For those with large media collections, Plex's organization and accessibility features make it the ultimate solution for personal content management and consumption.
38. Spotify
Price: Free (Premium from $10.99/month) Category: Music Streaming
Spotify's dedicated Mac app offers a superior experience compared to web playback, with better performance, media key support, and offline playback capabilities. The service itself provides unmatched music discovery through playlists, recommendations, and algorithmic radio.
Features include collaborative playlists, podcast integration, lyrics display, and detailed audio settings including an equalizer. Integration with macOS ensures notifications and media controls work seamlessly.
For music enthusiasts, Spotify's vast library and social features create a comprehensive listening experience that justifies its position as the leading music streaming platform.
39. Overcast
Price: Free (Premium $9.99/year) Category: Podcast Player
While technically an iOS app, Overcast now offers a web player that works excellently on Mac. It's worth including because it represents the gold standard in podcast consumption, with features like Smart Speed (which shortens silences) and Voice Boost (which normalizes audio levels).
The app's playlist features, chapter support, and sleep timer make podcast management effortless. Search and discovery tools help find new shows based on your listening habits and interests.
For podcast listeners, Overcast's thoughtful features save hours of listening time while improving audio quality—particularly valuable for interview and conversation-based shows.
40. Pixelmator Pro
Price: $39.99 Category: Photo Editing, Graphic Design
Pixelmator Pro offers professional-grade image editing with a focus on accessibility and Mac-native performance. Unlike subscription-based alternatives, it provides a comprehensive creative toolkit for a one-time purchase.
The app includes advanced photo editing tools, painting capabilities, vector graphics, and effects powered by machine learning. Features like ML Super Resolution for enlarging images and automatic subject selection demonstrate its cutting-edge approach.
For creative professionals and hobbyists alike, Pixelmator Pro offers a powerful yet approachable alternative to more complex and expensive graphics applications.
Development Tools
41. Visual Studio Code
Price: Free (Open Source) Category: Code Editor
Visual Studio Code has become the de facto standard for code editing across multiple platforms, including Mac. Its combination of performance, extensibility, and built-in features makes it suitable for almost any programming language or development task.
The editor's IntelliSense provides smart completions based on variable types, function definitions, and imported modules. Debugging support, Git integration, and terminal access create a comprehensive development environment within a lightweight application.
The vast extension ecosystem allows customizing VS Code for specific languages, frameworks, and workflows, making it adaptable to virtually any development scenario.
42. GitHub Desktop
Price: Free Category: Development, Version Control
GitHub Desktop simplifies Git operations with a visual interface that makes version control more accessible. It's particularly valuable for those new to Git or developers who prefer GUI tools to command line operations.
The app streamlines common workflows like branching, committing, pushing, and creating pull requests. Visual diff tools make code review more intuitive, while integration with GitHub enhances collaboration.
For both solo developers and teams, GitHub Desktop reduces the friction in version control processes, encouraging better practices and more frequent commits.
43. Sequel Ace
Price: Free (Open Source) Category: Database Management
Sequel Ace continues the legacy of the beloved Sequel Pro as a modern, native MySQL/MariaDB client for macOS. Its intuitive interface makes database management accessible even to those without extensive SQL knowledge.
Features include visual query building, table structure editing, data export/import in multiple formats, and SSH tunnel support for secure remote connections. The query editor includes syntax highlighting and auto-completion to accelerate SQL writing.
For developers and data professionals who work with MySQL databases, Sequel Ace provides a more efficient interface than phpMyAdmin or command-line tools, saving time on routine database operations.
44. Docker Desktop
Price: Free for personal use Category: Development, Containerization
Docker Desktop brings container-based development to macOS with a user-friendly interface and tight system integration. It enables developers to build, share, and run containerized applications using the same environment across development and production.
The application includes Kubernetes support, volume management, network configuration, and extension capabilities. Its resource management tools help control how much CPU and memory Docker consumes on your system.
For modern development workflows, Docker Desktop simplifies the complexity of containerization, making it accessible to developers regardless of their operations expertise.
45. Xcode
Price: Free Category: Development, IDE
Apple's official integrated development environment remains essential for Mac users developing for Apple platforms. Xcode provides everything needed to create apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
The latest version includes improved Swift and SwiftUI support, enhanced debugging tools, and faster build times. The Interface Builder and Preview features accelerate UI development, while extensive documentation and sample code aid learning.
Despite its occasional quirks, Xcode's deep integration with Apple's platforms and comprehensive toolset make it indispensable for Apple ecosystem development.
Lifestyle & Utilities
46. Day One
Price: Free (Premium from $2.92/month) Category: Journaling
Day One has elevated digital journaling with a beautiful interface and thoughtful features that encourage regular writing. The app makes capturing daily moments frictionless through multiple entry points, including menu bar quick entry and iOS widgets.
Features include photo integration, location tagging, weather data, and end-to-end encryption for privacy. Multiple journals allow separating different aspects of life, while On This Day reminds you of past entries to encourage reflection.
For mental wellbeing and personal documentation, Day One creates a valuable record of life that becomes more meaningful with each entry—worth the Premium subscription for serious journalers.
47. CARROT Weather
Price: $14.99/year (Free trial available) Category: Weather
CARROT Weather transforms checking the forecast into an entertaining experience with its snarky AI personality and customizable interface. Beyond the humor, it's also one of the most accurate and data-rich weather apps available.
The app offers multiple weather data sources, radar maps, severe weather alerts, and widgets for quick information access. Notification systems can warn about incoming rain or significant weather changes.
What sets CARROT apart is how it makes weather information both comprehensive and fun—its personality may be the initial draw, but its excellent data visualization and customization options make it worth keeping.
48. Magnet
Price: $7.99 Category: Window Management
Magnet brings Windows-style window snapping to macOS, allowing precise control over window positioning and sizing. Drag windows to screen edges or corners to automatically resize them to halves, quarters, or thirds of the screen.
The app supports multiple displays, custom keyboard shortcuts, and various predefined layouts. Its minimal resource usage ensures it won't impact system performance while running in the background.
For productive multitasking, Magnet addresses one of macOS's few weaknesses compared to Windows, enhancing the workspace management capabilities of your Mac.
49. Paprika Recipe Manager 3
Price: $29.99 Category: Cooking, Recipe Management
Paprika transforms meal planning and cooking with its comprehensive recipe management system. Its web browser extension can automatically capture recipes from virtually any website, stripping away ads and stories to focus on ingredients and instructions.
Features include meal planning, grocery list generation, pantry management, and cooking timers. Scale recipes by serving size, categorize your collection, and add photos to create a personalized cookbook.
For home cooks, Paprika eliminates the chaos of bookmarks, printouts, and notes by centralizing recipe information in a format optimized for both planning and cooking.
50. Deliveries
Price: $4.99/year or $0.99/month Category: Package Tracking
Deliveries consolidates tracking information from dozens of shipping carriers into a single, elegant interface. The app automatically detects tracking numbers in your clipboard and adds them to your dashboard with minimal effort.
The map view shows package locations and projected paths, while the timeline provides a visual overview of all incoming deliveries. Notifications keep you updated on status changes without needing to check multiple carrier websites.
For online shoppers and businesses that receive frequent deliveries, this app saves time and reduces the stress of tracking multiple packages across different carriers and websites.
FAQs About Mac Apps
Are third-party Mac apps safe?
Mac apps from the App Store undergo Apple's review process, which includes security checks. For apps downloaded outside the App Store, stick to official websites and check developer reputation. macOS includes security features like Gatekeeper that help protect against malicious software, but always exercise caution when downloading and installing applications from unknown sources.
Do I need antivirus software on my Mac?
While macOS has built-in security features that provide good baseline protection, additional security software like Malwarebytes can provide extra defense against emerging threats. The increasing popularity of Macs has made them more frequent targets for malware. For most users, following good security practices (keeping your system updated, downloading from trusted sources) combined with a reputable security tool provides adequate protection.
How do I uninstall apps on a Mac properly?
Simply dragging an app to the Trash doesn't always remove all associated files. For complete uninstallation, consider using AppCleaner or similar utilities that find and remove preferences files, caches, and other supporting files. Some applications also include their own uninstaller, which you should use when available.
Are subscription-based apps worth it?
Subscription models have become increasingly common for Mac apps. They provide developers with sustainable income to support ongoing development and improvements. Consider the value the app provides—if you use it regularly and updates are meaningful, a subscription may be worthwhile. For occasional use, look for alternatives with one-time purchase options.
How can I optimize performance with multiple apps running?
Modern Macs handle multiple applications well, but performance can still be impacted with many apps running simultaneously. Use Activity Monitor to identify resource-intensive applications. Consider utilities like App Tamer that can automatically pause or slow down background applications to reduce CPU usage. Regular maintenance with tools like CleanMyMac X can also help maintain optimal performance.
Should I download apps from the Mac App Store or directly from developers?
Both sources have advantages. Mac App Store offers convenience, automatic updates, and Apple's security screening. Direct downloads from developers often provide the most current version, sometimes with more features than App Store versions (which may be limited by Apple's restrictions). Many users opt for a mix—using the App Store for convenience while going direct for apps that benefit from fewer restrictions.
How much storage space do I need for Mac apps?
Application sizes vary widely—from a few MB for simple utilities to several GB for professional creative tools. When planning storage, consider not just the apps themselves but also the files they'll create. Video editors, virtual machines, and gaming apps typically require the most space. For a well-rounded app collection, a minimum of 256GB storage is recommended, with 512GB or more providing comfortable room for growth.
Conclusion
The right collection of applications can transform your Mac experience, enhancing productivity, creativity, and enjoyment. This curated list of 50 essential Mac apps represents the best options available in 2025, spanning categories from productivity tools to creative software and specialized utilities.
What makes these applications stand out isn't just their functionality, but their thoughtful design, regular updates, and alignment with macOS standards. They extend Apple's ecosystem in ways that respect your workflow while adding capabilities that the default macOS applications don't provide.
Whether you're setting up a new Mac or looking to enhance your current setup, consider which areas of your digital life could benefit from improved tools. You don't need to adopt all these applications at once—start with addressing your most pressing needs and gradually explore options that might improve other aspects of your Mac usage.
Remember that the best applications are those that fit seamlessly into your workflow, reducing friction and helping you accomplish more with less effort. The Mac platform continues to evolve, and these applications represent the current state of the art in extending its capabilities beyond the default experience.
Which Mac apps have transformed your workflow? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below—your insights might help fellow Mac users discover their next essential application!
