Apple products aren't flawless. While the macOS operating system is impressive, Macs come with some less-than-stellar pre-installed apps. However, don't give up on your Mac just yet. Instead, consider these third-party applications to enhance your macOS experience.
Not all of these apps are free, but many offer free trials, so you can try before you buy. Some also have companion apps for your iPhone, making your life even more convenient.
For a Better User Experience
BetterSnapTool ($3) While macOS has Split View, it's not as user-friendly as Windows for managing multiple application windows. BetterSnapTool, for just $3, makes window management a breeze. No more fussing with window borders.
Amphetamine (Free) Ever had to keep tapping your trackpad to prevent the screen from going to sleep? Amphetamine keeps your screen on for specific tasks, even with external displays. It's a handy tool that eliminates the need to constantly change system preferences.
Alfred (Free with a paid option) Alfred is a powerful macOS search tool that goes beyond the default search. It allows you to create custom shortcuts, automate tasks, and activate system commands with ease. While there's a free version, the paid Powerpack offers even more features.
Spotify (Free with a premium option) If you're into music, Spotify is a top choice for streaming. With its clean interface, excellent music discovery algorithms, and social components for sharing music, it's hard to beat. While there's a free version, the Premium tier is worth it for an ad-free experience.
AdGuard ($30 per year) AdGuard keeps your browsing experience clean. It blocks pop-up ads, social media extensions, URL redirects, and more on both browsers and apps. A free trial is available, and the service allows usage on three devices simultaneously for $2.49 per month.
For a Better Writing Experience
LibreOffice (Free) LibreOffice is a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It's compatible with Microsoft file types and offers a complete office suite, including a word processor and spreadsheet editor. It's open source and won't cost you a dime.
Microsoft 365 ($70 per year) While there are free office suite alternatives, Microsoft 365 offers some compelling features. Word's Editor tool is excellent for proofreading, and you also get in-app voice transcription. If you're serious about document editing, it's worth the subscription.
Ulysses ($40 per year) Ulysses provides a clean interface for writing. It's great for longer stories, novels, poetry, and scripts, allowing you to focus on your work without distractions. There's a free trial available, and it comes with an iOS app.
Highland 2 (Free with a paid option) Highland is a plain text editor for screenplays and more. It automatically formats scripts in industry-standard formats and offers a gender analysis tool. While there's a free version, the paid option ($50) removes watermarks and adds features.
Grammarly (Free with a premium option) Grammarly ensures your writing is error-free, regardless of where you write. It offers full-sentence rewrites, vocabulary suggestions, and tone improvements in its premium version, which costs $12 per month.
Day One ($35 per year) Day One is a digital journaling app that allows you to insert photos, voice recordings, and export logs in various formats. Your entries are secure and backed up. While there's a free version, the full suite of features is available for $35 per year.
Dark Noise (Free with a premium option) Dark Noise provides background noise to improve concentration. The free version offers 8 built-in sounds, while the premium option ($20 per year) allows custom mixing of 50 built-in sounds.
For a Better Viewing Experience
ApolloOne ($12 per year) ApolloOne is a robust image viewer and organizer. It supports RAW image files, batch processing, and automated sorting. The 14-day free trial helps you decide between the Standard ($12 per year) and Pro ($20 per year) editions.
Adobe Lightroom ($10 per month) Lightroom offers powerful photo editing tools and integrates with Photoshop. It's perfect for serious photography editing. The subscription includes mobile and desktop access.
Adobe Reader (Free) For PDFs, Adobe Reader is essential. It allows you to fill out forms, sign documents, and read PDFs hassle-free.
EdgeView 3 ($7) EdgeView 3 is a lightweight image viewer with a clean interface. It's perfect if you don't need advanced features and prefer a simpler image viewer.
IINA (Free) IINA is a sleek video player that supports various file formats, including online streams and YouTube playlists. It seamlessly blends with macOS.
Skitch (Free) Skitch, from the creators of Evernote, enhances macOS's screenshot capabilities. It lets you edit and annotate screenshots with ease.
For Better Organization
Hazel ($42) Hazel automates file organization. You can set rules for folders to sort and classify files automatically. It's a one-time purchase.
Shift (Free with a premium option) Shift consolidates email, workflow, and social media accounts into a single app, reducing clutter. While the basic version is free, the advanced tier costs $149 per year.
Dropbox (Free with premium options) Dropbox offers seamless cross-platform file access and integrates with Microsoft Office. The free version provides 2 GB of storage, with paid plans starting at $12 per month for more storage.
Slack (Free) Slack is not just for work; it's great for keeping hobbyist groups organized. You can filter out disturbances and receive notifications for mentions or direct messages.
Evernote (Free with premium options) Evernote goes beyond basic note-taking, allowing you to upload images, scan documents, and more. Paid tiers offer more features, starting at $15 per month.
Paprika Recipe Manager ($30) Paprika formats and organizes recipes from web pages. It's a handy tool for cooking enthusiasts, with iOS and Android apps available for $5 each.
For More Security
NordVPN ($13 per month) Protect your data and identity with NordVPN. It offers fast speeds, numerous servers, and automatic connection on untrusted Wi-Fi networks.
Dashlane (Free with a premium option) Dashlane manages your passwords, generating secure ones for each site. The premium version ($3 per month) syncs passwords across unlimited devices.
Vivaldi (Free) Vivaldi is a privacy-focused browser with built-in tools like an RSS reader, calendar, email client, and translation. It's perfect for users who value privacy.
MSP 360 (Free) Backup your files with MSP 360, which automatically backs up data to cloud services like Amazon AWS S3 or Backblaze B2. It's an excellent data redundancy solution.
These apps can enhance your macOS experience, making your daily tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
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