12 Free macOS Apps That Will 10x Your Productivity
These macOS apps are all free and absolutely awesome. If you’re looking to increase both your productivity and that of your Mac, you’ll want to check them out…
If you own a MacBook or Mac Studio, or even an iMac, you’ll know that there are plenty of apps available in Apple’s Mac App Store. Unfortunately, most of them cost money – developers know that Apple users don’t mind paying for things.
But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover some hidden, free gems that are not only free, but also incredibly useful – both for your overall productivity but also for adding new features and capabilities to your Mac.
Enough preamble, let’s get down to business; here are 12 of the best free macOS apps that ALL Mac users should have installed on their machines in 2023.
Free macOS apps that will blow your mind
1.1.1.1 – Improve your web browsing 🚀
1.1.1.1 is a robust tool developed to improve your internet speed and enhance online security. By replacing your device’s standard connection with an advanced, streamlined protocol, it gives your Mac the golden ticket to the Internet superhighway. The app encapsulates much of your data, avoiding unwarranted surveillance of your virtual efforts. No more indiscreet searches by ISPs, no more advertising floods. With 1.1.1.1, browse the Internet in absolute anonymity.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Aiko — Sonic Transcription Brilliance, powered by AI 🎙️
Aiko is an innovative audio transcription app, infused with artificial intelligence, delivering superior on-device transcription in a wide range of 100 languages. Whether it’s converting verbal content from conferences, meetings and more, Aiko has you covered. Powered by OpenAI’s Whisper model, Aiko protects privacy by transcribing directly from your Mac. The ChatGPT integration introduces quick features like summarizing and marking notable points in your transcriptions. With Aiko, you will never miss a moment of this “crucial” meeting.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
DevonThink — Harness your virtual intelligence 🧠
DevonThink transcends traditional note-taking apps and transforms into a digital brain powerhouse helping you gather, organize and refine files of all kinds. Whether hosting searchable digitized documents or uploading entire websites, DevonThink is a force to be reckoned with. Predictive web feed support, based on your document filing history, anticipates your needs. Whatever your role, DevonThink’s prowess can amplify your productivity.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Latest — Embrace the Avant-Garde 🔁
Latest is your gateway to innovation. More than just a software update checker, it connects you to the most recent iterations of your favorite apps, regardless of their source. Learn about the improvements in new updates and enjoy the convenience of Touch Bar integration. Stay up to date with the digital landscape with Latest.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Orion Browser – A paradise for Chrome enthusiasts stuck on Safari 🌐
The Orion browser offers a user-friendly Safari-like interface while supporting Chrome and Firefox extensions. It reveres your privacy without telemetry and features best-in-class anti-tracking technology with a built-in ad blocker. Surf the web with peace of mind with the Orion Browser.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Piezo — The audio maestro 🎤
Piezo is a simple and attractive audio recording app that captures audio from any connected app or device on your Mac. Ideal for recording from web browsers, calls, podcasts and beyond. With its plug-and-record simplicity, Piezo has what you need.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
PlayCover — Turn your Mac into a gaming powerhouse 🎮
PlayCover lets your M series Mac run apps designed for iPhone and iPad. With native support for web extensions, key mapping, and camera control, your Mac can evolve into an all-in-one gaming station.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Pock — Explore the untapped potential of your Touch Bar 💻
Pock converts your MacBook Touch Bar into a compact control center. Add your Mac’s dock, widgets, and more to the Touch Bar, providing one-touch access to your favorite apps and features.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Shareful improves your Mac’s Share menu, introducing options like copy and open, to speed up your workflow. This makes the share menu more resourceful, allowing you to quickly perform relevant actions.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Touch tab: browse apps with a simple swipe 🤚🏼
Touch Tab introduces a touch paradigm for switching between apps on macOS. A simple three-finger swipe left or right eliminates the command+tab combination, providing a more efficient app switching process.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
Absolutely — The clarity your calls need 📞
Fully guarantees disruption-free conversations, canceling out background noise on both ends. Experience crystal-clear audio, making it absolutely perfect for high-priority calls and remote working.
➡️ BUY THIS APP
I have used and tested all of these apps and they are all great. Honestly, I don’t know why half of them are free; I would happily pay a small fee to use most of them. Highlights for me include 1.1.1.1, Piezo, DevonThink and Shareful.
I’m always looking for innovative new Mac apps that expand the capabilities of my Mac Studio as well as my own productivity. For this reason, this article is somewhat of a work in progress, as I find and test new apps, and if they are really useful, I will add them to this list. Bookmark the page and check back for updates; there will be new things added most weeks.
