macOS app recommendations
Long ago I used Windows as my daily operating system. I bought the very first iPhone when it launched, fell in love and decided to give Mac a try. It was great, but I wanted more, so I made the switch to Linux (Ubuntu then Arch). After years of advocating that Linux was the only option, for real computer users, I needed something that just works. Coming back to Mac was the answer for me. I've been using macOS solely for over 7 years now at the time of this writing and am fully integrated into Apple's ecosystem (aka walled garden). I now recommend Mac to everyone (except hardcore gamers). When doing so, I always get asked "what's the best app for this", "what's the best app for that"? As a result, I'm publishing my recommendations for macOS applications that will make your life better.
Native Apps
Native Apps can either be found in the official App Store or via dmg package from the developers website.
1Password
My preferred password manager. There are plenty of free options, however the additional benefits 1Password brings to the table make it worth it for me.
Alfred
Think of spotlight on steriods. I personally use this as a replacement for macOS's spotlight, but it's so much more than that. Alfred really shines and gains it's true functionality when using the Powerpack. Integrate with existing Apps like 1Password, Slack, etc or create your own automated workflows and interace with CLI commands from shortcuts. This tool is an absolute productivity game changer.
AppCleaner
🔗 https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
Installing an application distributes many files throughout your System using space of your Hard Drive unnecessarily. AppCleaner finds all these small files and safely deletes them.
Bartender
🔗 https://www.macbartender.com
This brings "superpowers" to your menu bar, giving you total control over your menu bar items, what's displayed, and when, with menu bar items only showing when you need them.
Choosy
If you use multiple different browsers, Choosy allows you to create rules and open links in specific browsers each time. Example always open iCloud links in Safari.
ForkLift
Remember WindowsCommander? This is what it would be like on macOS. Tremendous improvements and functionality vs Finder itself.
HandBrake
HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder. Excellent tool for optimizing video recordings before sharing them.
iStat Menus
🔗 https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/
Advanced system monitor for your mac. This brings all system level stats and information to your menubar.
iTerm
This is the best replacement for macOS's builtin terminal. Brining numerous additional features like split panes, find-on-page search, and a mind-boggling number of configurations.
Keka
Need more control of file archives? Need to be able to compress or decompress 7zips? Keka is the best solution available outside of CLI.
Magnet
🔗 https://magnet.crowdcafe.com/
The macOS window and tiling manager needed to organize your desktop and workspace. If you've used tiling managers in Linux it's hard to live with out one.
Mimestream
If you're like me and prefer apps to browser tabs, Mimestream is a great native email client specifically for Gmail.
NetNewsWire
NetNewsWire is a no frills, open source RSS reader. It works across all apple products and has syncing via iCloud.
Notion
🔗 https://www.notion.so/product
Notion is a one-stop-shop for creating a wiki, storing notes, project management. It's a great standalone apps that has a free option for individuals. Paid options are available once you want to collaborate with a team.
Postman
Need to test or build API's from an easy interface? Look no further than Postman.
Sequel Pro
VSCodium
I used to be an advocate of Sublime Text, however they started doing a few things that I wasn't a fan of. More and more now developers are using Microsoft's VS Code. VSCodium is a community-driving freely-licensed binary distribution of VS Code with out Microsoft's telemetry and tracking.
Brew Apps
Brew Apps will be installed from homebrew and used either from CLI or via the UI it's installed with. Homebrew 🍺 is a must!
You must have homebrew installed to be able to utilize these applications. Read more about homebrew at https://brew.sh
nativefier
🔗 https://github.com/nativefier/nativefier
nativefier turns any website into a nativate macOS app. Instead of having browser tabs and separate windows for all of your important web apps, turn it into a standalone app.