9 Essential Mac Apps I Can't Live Without - And Why

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ZDNET cardinal takeaways

• There are definite apps I person to usage connected MacOS.
• This database is curated from Apple and third-party apps.
• Each of these apps is trusted and useful very well.

Although it's not my superior operating system, I do usage MacOS. This is particularly existent erstwhile I'm connected nan spell (because I usage a MacBook Pro) aliases erstwhile I'm moving connected multimedia. Other than that, it's each Linux, each nan time.

Also: New to MacOS? 8 beginner tips and tricks to effort first - and why

When I'm moving connected MacOS, I person a database of apps that person go basal to maine complete nan years. This database is simply a mixed container of Apple and third-party apps, and immoderate of them mightiness conscionable astonishment you.

Let's get to nan list.

1. Opera

Yep, Opera is my go-to browser connected MacOS. On Linux, it's Zen Browser, but Zen Browser connected MacOS has a spot of glitchiness successful nan UI that I can't woody with. That's fine, because Opera is an outstanding browser -- truthful overmuch truthful that I don't moreover deliberation astir utilizing Safari (or immoderate different browser connected MacOS). Opera has everything I request successful a browser. It has a superb theming motor (the champion available), plentifulness of security, it's stone solid, isn't bloated, and renders pages for illustration a champ. 

Also: 5 reasons why I usage Opera Developer alternatively of nan unchangeable browser

Another logic Opera is my go-to is nan Workspaces feature, which supercharges tab management. Any browser that isn't utilizing a characteristic for illustration this is measurement down nan game. And fixed that I nary longer usage aliases dangle connected bookmarks, Workspaces becomes moreover much important. Yes, Safari has a akin feature, but Opera conscionable does it better. What much could you inquire for successful a free browser?

2. Apple Mail

Seriously, if I could person Apple Mail connected Linux, I'd make it my default successful a heartbeat. Of each nan email clients I've ever utilized (and that's a lot), Apple Mail is by acold nan best. Some whitethorn deliberation an email customer is an email client, but that is not nan case. What I emotion astir Apple Mail is that not only does it person 1 of nan astir beautiful UIs of immoderate email client, but it ne'er fails me, and it has each nan features I request (powerful filters, inbox categorization, rules, etc.). 

Also: Hate Apple Mail's redesign? How to get your aged inbox back

I recognize that email isn't precisely each nan rage correct now, but I dangle connected it, and Apple Mail is nan app I'd alternatively usage than immoderate other.

3. Bitwarden

I couldn't usability without a password manager. Even though Google is forcing passkeys connected america (don't get maine started connected really surgery Google's passkey business is), I still would alternatively activity pinch a username/strong password/2FA, and Bitwarden ticks each of those boxes. Bitwarden has a desktop client, web app, browser extension, and mobile option, each of which person a akin look and feel, truthful you won't person immoderate problem moving from instrumentality to device. 

Also: Bitwarden review: Our favourite free password head pinch low-cost premium features, too

Bitwarden's password/passphrase generator is besides nan champion I've used. Bitwarden is unfastened source, which I really appreciate. If you're not already utilizing a password manager, it's agelong past clip for you to adopt 1 -- and you mightiness arsenic good adopt nan best: Bitwarden.

4. Pages

You astir apt thought I was going to spell pinch LibreOffice arsenic my archive instrumentality of choice. Under normal circumstances, that astir apt would beryllium nan case, but there's not overmuch "normal" astir me. Case successful point: I constitute novels (a batch of them). My patient useful pinch MS Office, truthful I person to usage a connection processor that makes collaboration pinch editors not only easy but reliable. 

Also: 5 reasons Apple Pages is simply a must-use for me

Over nan years, I've recovered inconsistencies pinch nan measurement LibreOffice and MS Office behave together. Apple Pages has worked flawlessly for this. Another logic I spell pinch Pages connected MacOS is that nan LibreOffice UI connected MacOS looks outdated (especially pinch nan advent of Liquid Glass).

5. Warp Terminal

Yes, it's true. I do usage nan terminal a batch successful MacOS. Sometimes, it's arsenic elemental arsenic utilizing SSH to remotely entree different instrumentality connected my LAN, while different times it's really to usage nan bid statement interface connected MacOS (which is very akin to that of Linux). When I usage a terminal app, I default to Warp because it's a terminal app connected steroids. 

Also: 6 MacOS terminal apps that are overmuch amended than Apple's default - and they're free

Warp Terminal has built-in AI that tin moreover thief you study really to usage nan bid statement (you tin type a condemnation stating what you want to do, and Warp will person that into nan required command). Warp besides has a ton of configuration options that astir terminals don't have. Warp is free to instal and usage (but location are paid tiers for business users).

6. Arc Studio

I'm besides a playwright and scriptwriter, and nan only instrumentality I spot for that is Arc Studio. No, it's not nan de facto modular successful nan manufacture (that title belongs to Final Draft), but Arc Studio gives maine each nan features I request successful a GUI that's incredibly elemental to use, astatine a reasonable value ($69 aliases $99 per year). One point I emotion astir Arc Studio is that it learns arsenic you write. 

Also: Arc Studio is nan affordable Final Draft replacement you've been looking for

What I mean is that it does things for illustration prevention characteristic names, truthful erstwhile you prime Character arsenic a format, it gives you a drop-down selector wherever you tin take nan character. In galore cases, Arc Studio knows nan characters you're utilizing and is beautiful bully astatine choosing nan correct sanction for you. Arc Studio makes thing that tin beryllium laborious to format a breeze.

7. DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is my video editor of choice, and I cannot ideate uncovering a amended instrumentality for nan job. At 1 point, I utilized Final Cut Pro, but aft a fewer years pinch that, I realized I'd outgrown nan app and needed thing pinch much power. Ergo... DaVinci Resolve. One of nan champion things astir Resolve is its powerful colour tools. 

Also: These 6 Linux apps are nan concealed condiment to my imaginative process

With DaVinci Resolve, I tin get overmuch much realistic colors (or moreover stylized colors) without having to edifice to third-party plugins aliases LUTs. DaVinci Resolve besides has a ample action of camera make/model colour subject baked in. If you person a camera that's listed, prime it successful nan task settings, and you're already 10 steps up pinch color.

8. Slack

As overmuch arsenic I dislike that I person to usage a business-centric instrumentality successful my different imaginative life, Slack is simply a must. I person respective clients that usage Slack arsenic a superior instrumentality of communication, truthful I really person nary choice. The bully point is that Slack makes connection and collaboration easy. I tin chat pinch clients, nonstop files, nonstop direct messages, search, and do truthful overmuch much pinch this app. 

Also: Your Slack chatbot is astir to get a immense AI upgrade - what's new

Without Slack, my freelance activity would not beryllium astir arsenic businesslike arsenic it is.

9. Spotify

As of this moment, I'm listening to Mozart connected Spotify arsenic I type. I almost ever person euphony playing, whether I'm focusing connected it aliases conscionable having it successful nan background. No matter nan need, Spotify is what I'm utilizing erstwhile connected MacOS (or Linux). I will opportunity this: I mostly usage Spotify arsenic a intends to find caller music. When I find thing I like, I bargain nan vinyl type of nan album. 

Also: Spotify's free tier conscionable sewage a awesome upgrade - here's what's new

I do this not only because I emotion listening to vinyl but besides to guarantee nan artists are really getting paid their worth. Spotify makes this very easy, particularly pinch nan Discover feature, wherever you tin find artists akin to what you've been listening to.

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