Independent recommendations · not ranked by votes
Editor’s Picks
Independent recommendations by workflow. See why we chose them, and explore the alternatives.
YouTube Downloaders
Editor’s pick: yt-dlp
Download YouTube videos for offline viewing, research, or content creation. These are the most reliable tools that actually work in 2026.
Clipboard Managers
Editor’s pick: Raycast
Your Mac clipboard only holds one item at a time. These apps fix that by keeping a searchable history of everything you copy.
Window Managers
Editor’s pick: Magnet
macOS window management is basic out of the box. These apps let you snap, tile, and organize windows with keyboard shortcuts or drag gestures.
Screenshot Tools
Editor’s pick: CleanShot X
The built-in Screenshot app (Cmd+Shift+5) is decent, but these tools add annotation, scrolling capture, and cloud sharing.
Note-Taking Apps
Editor’s pick: Obsidian
Find the perfect note-taking app for your workflow. From local-first markdown to cloud-synced rich text.
Terminal Emulators
Editor’s pick: Ghostty
The terminal is where developers spend most of their time. Choose one that makes you productive.
RSS Readers
Editor’s pick: Reeder
Take control of your news consumption. RSS readers let you follow websites without algorithms.
Password Managers
Editor’s pick: 1Password
Stop reusing passwords. A password manager generates and stores unique passwords for every site.
Video Players
Editor’s pick: IINA
Play any video format on your Mac. These players handle everything from 4K to obscure codecs.
Cloud Storage
Editor’s pick: iCloud
Keep your files safe and accessible everywhere. Compare the best cloud storage options for Mac.
Code Editors
Editor’s pick: Cursor
Your code editor is your most important tool. Choose one that makes you productive.
VPN Apps
Editor’s pick: Tailscale
Protect your privacy and access geo-restricted content. These VPN apps work best on Mac.
Email Clients
Editor’s pick: Apple Mail
Manage your email efficiently. These clients offer better features than the built-in Mail app.
Design Tools
Editor’s pick: Figma
Create beautiful designs with these professional tools. From UI design to image editing.
Music Players
Editor’s pick: Apple Music
Listen to your music library with style. These players offer better experiences than Apple Music.