8 Best Mac Apps Everyone Should Install

The most useful Mac apps fill a specific gap rather than replacing everything Apple includes. Before adding anything, try the built-in tools for browsing, passwords, basic image editing, and backups.

Treat this list as a menu, not a mandatory installation checklist. These eight established apps address common needs, but the right setup might include only two or three of them. Check current macOS requirements before downloading.

Quick picks

• Best cross-platform password tool: Bitwarden — useful when your devices do not all come from Apple.
• Best window-layout helper: Rectangle — keyboard-friendly positioning for busy desktops.
• Best local media player: VLC — broad format support for your own files.
• Best extra backup layer: Backblaze — an off-site option to complement local backups.

How we picked

These choices emphasize everyday usefulness, established developers, and understandable trade-offs. Free options appear alongside paid services because the best value depends on the problem you need to solve.

• Clear purpose: Each app should do something you need rather than merely look impressive.
• Built-in alternatives: Consider Apple's included tools before paying for overlapping functionality.
• Permission awareness: Screen recording, accessibility, and file access should match the app's job.
• Sustainable cost: Distinguish free software, optional upgrades, and ongoing subscriptions.
• Device compatibility: Verify your macOS version and support for your Mac's processor.

Everyday organization

1. Bitwarden

Bitwarden is a password manager that makes particular sense when you move among Macs, Windows PCs, and Android devices. It provides an encrypted vault and tools for generating unique passwords, with a free personal tier for core needs. Apple's built-in password tools may already be sufficient if you stay within its ecosystem. Bitwarden also requires careful handling of your master password and recovery information. Optional paid plans add features; check the current comparison before paying for anything beyond your needs.

Best for: People who need consistent password access across different platforms.

2. Rectangle

Rectangle is a window-management utility that lets you arrange app windows using shortcuts and convenient layouts. It can help when you regularly compare documents or work with several apps on one display. macOS already includes window-arrangement features, so try those before installing another utility. Rectangle needs accessibility permission to manage windows, which deserves a deliberate review. The core app is free and open source, while a separate paid offering provides additional capabilities for people who need more customization.

Best for: Keyboard users who want predictable, repeatable window placement.

3. Raycast

Raycast is a launcher that puts app opening, commands, and other shortcuts into a keyboard-driven interface. It can reduce repetitive clicking when you take time to learn a few actions you use daily. Spotlight may already cover your search needs, and extensions introduce additional complexity and permissions. Avoid installing integrations simply because they exist. There is a free tier with paid upgrades; review current feature boundaries, especially for connected services, before building your workflow around them.

Best for: People who enjoy launching apps and running actions from the keyboard.

Documents and media

4. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free office suite for local documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is useful when you want an alternative to paid office subscriptions or need more traditional document tools than your current setup provides. Apple's Pages, Numbers, and Keynote remain worthwhile built-in alternatives. Complex Microsoft Office layouts and macros can behave differently in LibreOffice, so review important shared files. The suite is free and open source, with no subscription required for its normal desktop features.

Best for: Offline office work when file compatibility has been checked.

5. VLC media player

VLC media player handles many common local video and audio formats, making it a practical backup when QuickTime Player cannot open a file. It is useful for lecture recordings, archived home videos, and downloaded media you have permission to use. The interface is more functional than elegant, and its advanced controls can feel dense. Streaming services may still require their own supported players. VLC is free and open source, without a paid edition needed for ordinary playback.

Best for: Playing a varied collection of local media files.

6. The Unarchiver

The Unarchiver is an archive-extraction app for compressed files, especially formats beyond the basic archives macOS handles comfortably. It is useful when colleagues send unfamiliar bundles or older archives need opening. You may not need it if ZIP files are all you encounter, and extraction does not verify that the contents are safe. Keep the app updated and be cautious with unexpected downloads. The standard app is free; avoid assuming related products from the same developer share its pricing.

Best for: Opening archive formats that your existing tools do not handle.

Creative work and protection

7. Obsidian

Obsidian organizes notes as local Markdown files and lets you connect related ideas with links. It can be useful for class notes, project research, or personal reference material that outgrows scattered documents. Apple Notes is easier for many people, and Obsidian's plugins can turn a simple notebook into an unnecessarily complex project. Begin with basic folders and links. The core app is free to use, with optional paid services such as syncing and publishing available separately.

Best for: People who want interconnected notes stored in ordinary local files.

8. Backblaze Computer Backup

Backblaze Computer Backup is a paid online backup service that can add an off-site copy of supported computer data. That extra location helps address risks that a backup drive sitting beside your Mac cannot, such as theft or a household disaster. It does not replace understanding exclusions, retention settings, or restore procedures. Initial uploads can take time, and external-drive rules deserve careful reading. This is a subscription service; check current pricing and coverage before committing to ongoing payments.

Best for: People who want an additional off-site backup layer.

How to choose

Start with one inconvenience you encounter repeatedly. If you write frequently, pair your preferred notes app with the Readability & Word Count Analyzer for occasional checks of non-sensitive text rather than installing several overlapping writing utilities.

Before adding backup software, read how to back up your computer the easy way. File syncing and backups serve different purposes, and a service is only useful if you know how to recover a missing file.

Install apps from official websites or the Mac App Store. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security to review permissions when prompted. An app asking for broad access should have a clear reason tied to the feature you intend to use.

Keep your Mac intentional

Add apps gradually and remove ones that do not earn their place. If your computer already feels sluggish, use our guide to speeding up a slow Mac before installing cleanup utilities. A small, well-understood toolkit is easier to maintain than a crowded Applications folder.