Useful Mac Apps...
Good, been around for ages :
OnyX is a multifunction utility that you can use to verify the structure of the system files; perform cleaning and computer maintenance tasks; uninstall applications; configure parameters in the Finder, Dock, Safari, and some Apple applications; delete caches; remove certain problematic folders and files; rebuild various databases and indexes; and more. It is a reliable application that provides a clean interface to many tasks that would otherwise require complex commands to be typed using a command–line interface. (Free) https://titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html (ensure you download the version specific to your macOS version)
Text editor BBEdit (the one I like, there are loads of alternatives) free version is good: (been on the Mac for 30 odd years) https://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.html
Keka free compression zip software if the built in one isn’t to your taste, enough options https://www.keka.io/en/
(I use Betterzip https://betterzip.com/ )
Finder replacement Marta which allows side by side browsing etc. Free: https://marta.sh (NB turn on tabs in the standard apple finder if you haven’t already)
Suspicious Package is a free application for macOS that allows users to inspect installer packages (.pkg files) to see what files will be installed and what scripts will run during the installation. It provides detailed information about the contents of the package, helping users ensure their system's security - not essential but good to have. https://www.mothersruin.com/software/SuspiciousPackage/
Paid for but very good:
Finder replacement - Pathfinder - uber nerd version, does loads, been around since the nineties : https://cocoatech.io/
Default Folder X again been going for decades - first thing I install on a new Mac: https://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/
Stats everywhere https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/ v good but here’s a free version open source https://mac-stats.com/
Free Mac app remover which will find dependant files and delete more thoroughly than dragging the app icon to the trash. Useful for more complex apps. https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
Terminal alternatives: (free) if you prefer a more flexible terminal
iTerm - https://iterm2.com/
Ghostly - https://ghostty.org/ (v Good)
Probably won’t need this much but it has its uses, like the install process on Linux: Homebrew is a free and open-source package manager designed for macOS and Linux. It simplifies the process of installing, updating, and managing software from the command line. Homebrew allows users to install software that is not included with macOS by default, such as developer tools and applications.
https://brew.sh/ mainly about handling open source apps.
Mac mouse software if your fancy mouse doesn’t have Mac software or the manufacturers’ software is poor:
https://better-mouse.com/
https://macmousefix.com/en/
Cute works well note clip type menu bar app free https://tot.rocks/
Excellent open source video encoder that has often better performance than paid for apps handbrake https://handbrake.fr/ good for transcoding etc.
Remember WinAmp? Recreated for modern Macs https://re-amp.ru/ free
Another simple music file player: free https://www.pine-player.com/
Audio file tagger kid3 https://kid3.kde.org/
Free audio converter https://www.freac.org/
Another free audio converter with a nicer interface https://www.mediahuman.com/audio-converter/
Audio plugin info https://www.thinkersnacks.com/pluginfo/ low price started from conversations on gearspace - I use it all the time. Useful for removing AAX etc checking versions
Free plugin lister creates a CSV one version for VST and another for AU https://github.com/lmt3210/AudioPluginInfo
Finetune - audio router - open source. https://swiftuisnippets.wordpress.com/2026/02/22/finetune-the-powerful-free-volume-mixer-macos-has-needed-for-years/
Route zero latency audio between standalone apps (free) https://existential.audio/blackhole/
Image compressor free https://imageoptim.com/mac
Another one https://imageoptim.com/mac (also open source)
Discover what’s using up storage space (free) https://www.omnigroup.com/more (alternatively use the commercial daisyDisk)
