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What are your essential macOS apps?

This is what I have on my Macs:

Browsers: Chrome, Brave (I use Chrome mainly even if it's Google etc because it's noticeably faster for me)
Email client: Airmail
Calendar: BusyCal
Task manager: Things 3
Note taking: UpNote
Code/text editor: Visual Studio Code
Git client: Github Desktop
REST client: Insomnia
Office suite: OnlyOffice, LibreOffice
Password manager: Bitwarden (Personal), LastPass (Work)
Social media and chat: Slack, Mastodon, Discord, Twitter, Whatsapp, Messenger, Skype
Video calls: Jitsi Meet, Zoom
Multimedia: Plex, Radarr, Sonarr, Sabnzbd, YouTube Music
VPN: FastestVPN
File sync: Resilio Sync
File sharing: JumpShare
Virtual machines: VMWare Fusion
Remote Desktop: AnyDesk and TeamViewer
Backup: Backblaze, TimeMachine
Launcher: Alfred
Uninstaller: AppCleaner
Screen capturing: CleanShot X
FTP/SFTP/S3 client: Cyberduck
Window manager: Rectangle + Display Maid
Miscellaneous: Docker for Desktop, Hidden Bar (cleanup menu bar), Horcrux (backing up emails)
Books: Kindle, Apple Books
 
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Oh goodness. I use so many 3rd party apps, but if I had to distill a list then I'd say without the below applications my Mac would feel broken:

- Better Touch Tool
- Moom
- Backblaze
- Obsidian

Apps that would be sorely missed:
- Clean Shot X
- iStat Menus
- Reeder
- Meta
- Carbon Copy Cloner
- Plex
- Firefox
 
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MBAir2010 said:
ad guard, the green one
is what I install first on all my new MacBook upgrades.
Click to expand...
Any privacy concerns w/ this app? I read it was originally based out of Russia and all these AdBlockers essentially know where you're going and what you're doing.
 
S1njin said:
Any privacy concerns w/ this app? I read it was originally based out of Russia and all these AdBlockers essentially know where you're going and what you're doing.
Click to expand...
I never had a problem and the app was installed from the App Store instead of a website,
the reason why is use that blocker is the simplicity and
that did block more than asblockerplus and the other red one I noticed in the past.

they do have a nordic looking elf-guy who appears when a page should not load.
naya that was a ruskie all the time?
 
I just found a great new app+Safari extension that's free: Grammarly.
Imagine an app that would alert people so they no longer use loose instead of lose!
But seriously, if you want a way to up your communication skills this app gets the job.
 
MBAir2010 said:
I never had a problem and the app was installed from the App Store instead of a website,
the reason why is use that blocker is the simplicity and
that did block more than asblockerplus and the other red one I noticed in the past.

they do have a nordic looking elf-guy who appears when a page should not load.
naya that was a ruskie all the time?
Click to expand...
Thanks. I pulled it down from the App store; I didn't think to look there since it was up on their website. They also wanted me to pay for it, though I have not yet found such an option in the App store version.
 
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YMark said:
The app suggestions in those links are 4+ years old. I would hope there are some newer updated apps. Especially since the new Arm processor.
Click to expand...
That's what I thought too; so I figured maybe I was missing something ... ???
 
ignatius345 said:
The included MacOS apps I use constantly:

Pages​
Numbers​
Mail​
Messages​
Notes​
Safari​

These are the things I install immediately with a new machine:

Alfred​
1Password​

Next, these which I rely on to stay organized and tidy:

BusyCal​
Bartender​
Things​

for producing actual work:

Ulysses​
Agenda​
Highland 2​
Adobe Creative Cloud​
Sublime Text​

and then some (very) helpful utilities:

F.lux​
TextSniper​
DaisyDisk​
App Cleaner​
Yoink​
CoconutBattery​
Carbon Copy Cloner​
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, why do you use Ulysses and Highland 2? I have been looking at Highland since you posted this...
 
rhett7660 said:
Just out of curiosity, why do you use Ulysses and Highland 2? I have been looking at Highland since you posted this...
Click to expand...
I use Highland 2 for scripts and Ulysses for almost all other writing. Highland will output a properly formatted script and Ulysses will not unfortunately.
 
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MBAir2010 said:
I never had a problem and the app was installed from the App Store instead of a website,
the reason why is use that blocker is the simplicity and
that did block more than asblockerplus and the other red one I noticed in the past.

they do have a nordic looking elf-guy who appears when a page should not load.
naya that was a ruskie all the time?
Click to expand...
Y'all talking about: https://adguard.com/en/contacts.html right?

I've been using them for many years. Only recently I started using 1Blocker because it's a LOT cheaper and my family is 100% Apple. AdGuard works on my Windows work machines so I keep it around for that (I still have a paid version). It is a bit better than 1Blocker but, costs a lot more but 1Blocker is a lot lighter on resources and cheaper. Adguard blocks all adds, not just Safari (1Blocker).

Wow it was founded in Moscow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdGuard But now headquartered in Cyprus.

Imo it's one of the best adguards out there.
 
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Swish
Bitwarden
Amphetamine
AppCleaner
Lulu
Keynote

There are lots of other apps I use daily (particularly writing apps) but they’re all largely replaceable. I have faves but nothing I’d be sad about ditching if I had to.

@stradify I have a spare Arc invite if you need one. Let me know.
 
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Here are my essential apps, outside of those that come with Mac OS

  • Alfred
  • Affinity suite (Trying to wean myself off of Adobe...)
  • Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
  • Firefox (with several plugins/extensions)
  • Google Chrome (with several plugins/extensions)
  • Scrivener
  • Bitwarden
  • Chronosync
 
rhett7660 said:
How do you like Magnet? I have not heard of this before and I am prone to having several windows open at the same time as I move about my business. I like the idea of it!
Click to expand...
I love it, and its keyboard shortcuts have quickly become my second nature.
 

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rhett7660 said:
How do you like Magnet? I have not heard of this before and I am prone to having several windows open at the same time as I move about my business. I like the idea of it!
Click to expand...

I haven’t used Magnet, but have used Moom and Rectangle which are similar. Although I like both Moom and Rectangle, I think that Swish is much better and faster if you are a trackpad user. (Note: The developer of Swish offers a free trial of the software.)
 
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This is a great question. I have a ton of essential apps (many Mac only and irreplaceable on any other platform), aside from those included with macOS. These are in no particular order. It all depends on which kind of work I am doing at the time, which ones I will be using at the moment. I am a long time Mac user (since Mac OS 7.5) so I have a large library.

Basic Mac App Essentials:
• Default Folder X (can't even function without it! 😳)
• Path Finder
• Alfred
• NordVPN
• On The Job v3
• The Hit List
• DropCopy 5
• iStat Menus
• 1Password 7 (transitioning to Strongbox)
• MailButler
• Unclutter
• Bartender
• Qbserv
• All Affinity apps v1
• FontExplorer X (no longer available :eek: and haven't found a replacement that replaces it yet)
• Final Cut Pro / Motion / Compressor
• mInstaller
• MASV Desktop
• BlackMagic Disk Speed Test
• Handbrake
• Logic Pro
• DSP-Quattro
• Aperture
• BBEdit
• RapidWeaver 8
• Transmit
• Brave
• Opera
• Other browsers made for Mac
• Downie
• Toast Pro
• NeoFinder
• OmniGraffle
• Kaleidoscope 2
• DaisyDisk
• Pages
• Numbers
• Simon
• BusyCal
• iTunes 12.6.5 (essential for AppleTV 1 syncing)
• iZotope RX
• PCalc
• TechTool Pro
• DriveScope
• Lifespan
• DiskWarrior
• OnyX
• FileMaker Pro
• DEVONthink 3
• Yoink
• TextSoap 8
• USBclean
• Stickies (I know this is included with macOS but just had to include it for essential purposes)

Note: I might have missed some here and there. I have tons of other third party apps that I may use once in a while (example: MacUpdate Desktop), specialty ones (example: StuffIt), or starting to work with (example: Nova) but these are the essentials only and don't include games.


My Gaming Essentials for those times where work is not A Thing™:
• Civilization V (Civ VI - just doesn't cut it and doesn't feel fun like V does)
• Command & Conquer: Generals Deluxe Edition
• Grid 2
• Civilization III Complete (amazing that the digital editions I purchased no longer work but the boxed version with disc does. Long live optical media!)
• Age of Empires III
• Civilization IV
• SheepShaver (Mac OS 9 games, like ArmorAlley, and apps)
 
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Hi everyone,
I recently bought a macbook air m1 and I am very satisfied. I come from Windows but after buying iPhone and iPad I decided to get the legendary Air too!
What are the essential software(free and paid) that you recommend I install? I installed only capcut for video editing and a friend told me appcleaner and iina... then what?
Thank you all
 
Make sure you get the free AppCleaner from Freemacsoft, not the other app named exactly the same that charges.

Default Folder X is my #1 recommendation, but you should check out some of the other threads here for lists of great software.
 
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