List of useful mainly free or open source Mac Applications - utilities etc. 2026

 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/

Various useful free software from Devon Technologies: including EasyFind - a search tool useful for those using Spotlight on Tahoe.. https://www.devontechnologies.com/apps/freeware 

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
Caesium - another flexible image compressor (free) https://saerasoft.com/caesium/ 

Discover what’s using up storage space (free) https://www.omnigroup.com/more (alternatively use the commercial daisyDisk) 

Work around solution to World of Tanks 9.19.1 not connecting to servers in Mac Client/wrapper

From Codeweavers:

Hello,

We’ve had an update and wanted to report a work around one of our users submitted. You will be able to connect to the World of Tanks servers by turning on File Sharing. Here are the steps to do so:

Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing > Toggle on File Sharing

Please note that this only needs to be toggled on to get into the WoT servers. It can be toggled off when entering matches, and I would encourage you to turn it off after logging in.

We are still investigating what caused the actual issues but hopefully this work around will serve in the mean time. Please feel free to share this work around with others experiencing this issue! We want to make sure everyone is able to play the game even though this is only a temporary work around. Rest assured we are trying to find a permanent fix!

Best regards,
Katie
Codeweavers Tech Support

Get PDFpen at 20% off (until 15 June 2014) & Help Non Profit of your choice

Get a little. Give a lot.

Purchase PDFpen, the award winning PDF editing app for Mac, at 20% off and we will match it by donating PDFpen to the nonprofit of your choice. Use coupon code "nonprofit" before June 15th to participate. Details below. Smile has long supported the nonprofits we respect and admire. During "Get a little. Give a lot." week we have the chance to support the nonprofits which mean the most to you. Offer valid June 9-15, 2014.

The all-purpose Mac PDF editor! Add signatures, text, and images. Make changes and correct typos. OCR scanned docs. Fill out forms. New in version 6: Microsoft® Word export!

Find out more:
http://www.smilesoftware.com/nonprofit

"Its abilities compare well with Acrobat Pro, and yet PDFpen comes in at roughly a tenth of the cost."
- Macworld, Rob Griffiths

How to show Users folder after Mac OS X 10.9.3 hides it

The update 10.9.3 appears to hide the users folder to return this folder to visible:

Run terminal

enter

sudo chflags nohidden /Users


You will be prompted for your password (admin)This will set the folder to visible in the finder / Pathfinder etc.

Update: the iTunes v11.2.1 update fixes this bug!

Safari 6, tabs and Fitt's Law

Since the introduction of version 6 of Safari the tabs behave somewhat differently. A single tab will now extend across the entire width of the browser window apart from a small portion to the right which contains the " + " symbol to open a new tab. As successive tabs are added they occupy the largest space and keep the " + " target small. This breaks Fitt's law which is a shame. Particularly annoying, as the previous approach left the largest space to the right of the active tab and therefore the largest possible target to click and generate a new tab.

Cheapest way to connect two Macs for Logic Node use

Logic Node allows you to utilise the power of two or more Macs when working in Logic Pro. The Logic Node software provided with Logic distributes the computing power required to run plugins and greatly reduces the load on the CPU of the main Mac used for the DAW, this is great for matching up say a Mac Pro with a Macbook or harnessing the power of a second hand Mac Mini to boost your existing set up. However it relies on the use of Gigabit ethernet (1000 base or 1000 kBits ethernet) connections to enable fast communications between your Macs to prevent any latency being added. Slower connections such as the more common 100 base ethernet may work but are unreliable in practice.

This is fine if you have a router or switch that supports Gigabit ethernet but if you don't and are unwilling to splash out on a expensive new router or ethernet switch hub just for Logic Node, then here's a simple, fast and cheap way of connecting two Macs. Apple states that you need at least a PPC G5 mac with Gigabit ethernet connections.

Use a crossover cable - the best approach is to use an existing ethernet cable and an adapter for gigabit connection. This is more flexible in the long run as you can change the cable attached at a later date if you need a longer or shorter length if equipment is re-positioned.

I found the Hama Cat 5 Crossover adapter works fine (link below) is well made and great value.

So try out Logic Node simply, and cheaply! (More notes are in the comments)

Logic 9.1 64bit update - Logic Node is not yet supported when running in 64 bit mode. (Jan 2010)

More on Logic Node

http://preview.tinyurl.com/cl5xx4

Great way of syncing files across Macs & PCs, Linux

Dropbox I've been using this service for about six months it's an excellent sync and back up solution - stores your files encrypted on Amazon's S3 servers. Dropbox works across Macs, Windows and Linux. Dropbox has had rave reviews, I've not had a single glitch with it syncing about 1.3gb of files across two macs.

Dropbox creates a folder on your PC and can be used to 

• sync files across several machines
  
• access your files via the website
  
• storage for back up files
  
• share large files to other people
  
• set up shared access for several people to a folder or files
  
• host image galleries
  
• compatible with Truecrypt containers etc.
  
• all files remain on your PC/s as well of course
  
• it actually works, unlike many of these things

Also dropbox has a decent versioning system so if you change or delete a file you can look back at previous saves and restore previous versions. The developers are helpful and very active in releasing new versions, check the forum for the latest experimental builds of Dropbox. 

2gb storage is free.
If you register using my personal link, below, I get more free space and so do you (above the usual 2gb)
https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTI2MzA5ODk

Move the tab bar on Safari 4 and other hidden preferences

Safari Buddy v1.0 makes it simple to change often requested hidden preferences.

A Mac OS X Utility that enables the ability to change several hidden preferences in the Safari 4 Public Beta web browser, such as: moving the Tab Bar, reverting the Progress Style indicator, disabling Google Suggest and Top Sites and more.

I think the tabs on top approach is intended to show the tabs open across multiple open Safari 4 windows without you having to click on the underneath windw, or they're simply copying Google's Chrome.

Freeware from:
http://www.swoon.net/site/software.html

Terminal method to directly set preference:

To quickly change the tabs to the old Safari 3 position enter the following into terminal:

defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4TabBarIsOnTop -bool NO

To change tabs back to the top, enter again but with -bool YES at the end.

Known Safari 4 bugs on Mac

• Breaks Wordpress add link function on blogs
• Hotmail doesn't work fully
• GMail logged in on http:// rather than https:// doesn't work
• Resorts the currency convertor widget on Dashboard so that the lists are out of sync and therefore creates incorrect conversions.
• Breaks Mail when Growlmail is installed.

Update: the full release of v4 in June fixed many of these issues.

Safari 4 Mac breaks currency converter widget

Resorts the panels so they mismatch currencies. Clever.

http://tinyurl.com/d5b9z4

How to manually remove GrowlMail plugin if safari 4 causes Mail to Crash

• Quit Mail
• Delete the GrowlMail plugin stored in your Library, here ~/Library/Mail/Bundles
• Logout and log back in again.

Sync Safari and Firefox bookmarks

http://www.foxmarks.com/

Foxmarks (free) is a plugin for both Firefox and Safari which will keep your bookmarks in sync between these browsers across multiple computers. Also supports something called Internet Explorer. You can also access your bookmarks on their website when away from your computer. Started by the chap who created Lotus 1-2-3, Mitch Kapor, who was heavily involved in the early stages of Firefox.

Audio Hijack Pro updated to 2.9

Rogue Amoeba's great audio recording software Audio Hijack Pro has been updated to 2.9 and features a more polished user interface with better ID3 tagging and artwork for MP3 recordings. Hijack Pro is a very capable and easy to use audio recorder for capturing audio from any source on a Macintosh, or from external line or microphone inputs. I've been using it for a while now and it's always been reliable and smooth in use. Definitely worth checking out the trial if you are in looking for something to capture audio.

Key features of Audio Hijack Pro:

• Able to use VST and AU plugins (comes with it's own as well as any you have installed). These effects can be flexibly organised using a matrix style grid allowing you to create and save unique recording setups.
• Captures audio from web browsers, Skype, DVD, applications, Web radio streams etc.
• Quick recording bin allows for fast set up and recording.
• Records to pretty much all the main audio file types directly. AIFF, MP3, AAC, Lossless AAC, etc. all fully customisable.
• Able to schedule recordings and split a file or pause when silence occurs.
• Can grab all system audio from all applications into one file.
• Good metering and can be controlled via Applescript
• Works with Fission a separate lossless editor if required or you can point Hijack Pro to edit using your preferred application (e.g. Audacity, Wave Edit, etc.)
• 50 effects plugins included from 4FX and Steve Harris (LADSPA compatible as well as VST and AU).

For full details of Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack Pro see the product page

The Moose is back.

The Moose is back.

Since 1986 on Macintosh users have been able to irritate themselves with a talking interrupting moose. Now available for Mac OS X...

Uli's Moose with additional Terry Pratchett phrases available. Free but give a donation if you really over use it and drive yourself mad.

http://www.zathras.de/angelweb/moose.htm

Poladroid test

Poladroid test: VW Camper
Originally uploaded by Mooganic.

A test of the new Mac application which processes your images and emulates a Polaroid print, very cute interface. www.poladroid.net/

The currently free beta places a small blue Polaroid camera on your desktop, you drag and drop pictures ont the camera which whirs and pops out Poladroid prints which slowly develop on your desktop. All works rather well.

Syncing Journler across two Macs with Dropbox

Although Journler is a great information management and diary application, one feature that has been lacking is the ability to easily sync across multiple Macs. After syncing using the dependable Chronosync application and a target disc mode connection (Firewire, try doing that on the new Macbooks) I have found a better syncing method using the cloud. 

Dropbox is a new service which syncs a specific Dropbox folder on your Mac (Dropbox also works on Windows and Linux). It works very quickly as there is some sub file level smart updating and compression going on in the background. The links are all made using secure SSL and the storage is on Amazon S3. Your files are stored using 256 AES on the Amazon servers. There is also full versioning for changes to files o make it simple to revert to a previous version of a file.

The key thing is that unlike MobileMe (.Mac) there is a free 2GB account available until recently it was invitation only but now you can just sign up and be running Dropbox in minutes. 

So far I've found it very fast and reliable and also use it for Rapidweaver files I like to keep in sync across computers.  1Password from Agileweb Solutions new Agile keychain feature in 1Password v 2.9 also can make use of Dropbox rather than the more cumbersome keychain sync of MobileMe. Check out the key features at the Dropbox site.

How to set up syncing of Journler entries using Dropbox:

1. Sign up to Dropbox and ensure you are using the latest build available through the Forums at Dropbox e.g. v 0.6.404 solves problems with Mac OS X package folders which helps Journler RTFD files sync properly. 

2. Install Dropbox, on all Macs to be synced.

3. Back up your Journler folder (in 2.5.5 of Journler this is most likely in your Documents folder). 

4. If you have password protected your Journal, temporarily switch off this feature in Preferences, Advanced, before copying the Journal. Then quit Journler.

5. Copy the Journler folder into your new Dropbox folder. The original Journler folder can be renamed later and left as a back up copy.

6. Dropbox should begin its syncing process and eventually, the Journler folder will be synced and available on the other Mac/s.

7. You can now test the sync by opening Journler, using the Locate button and pointing it to the Dropbox stored Journler folder. After creating a test entry,you may reinstate your password option in the preferences menu at this point.

Note: only have one copy of Journler open on a single Mac at any time, otherwise the syncing is likely to be seriously confused. Remember, Journler is intended for single user working only and is not a true networking application.

With the initial sync out of the way subsequent syncing should be extremely fast.

The next step is to see whether this works with Omnifocus!

Find out more abut Journler: Journler - Wherever Life Takes You

Remind yourself of the fragility of existence with a isight and a Mac.

DT4 Identity-SA is an "artware" of Project 7², a type of screen-based installation with visual feedback and sound synthesis. It displays a new type of animation of aesthetic graphics and deformed reflection of user's image.

Created by

	Tatsuo Unemi  Department of Information Systems Science, Soka University.
	Daniel Bisig  Artificial Intelligence Laboratory,University of Zurich.

Download here

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/25590/dt4-identity-sa

Essential application for all Mac users

An absolutely essential application; file under cat noises.

http://www.oneriver.jp/USBCat/index.html

Your Mac Meows when a USB peripheral is attached or unattached.

TapeDeck

TapeDeck
Originally uploaded by Mooganic.

Trying out the latest version of Tape deck. The rather cute retro audio recorder. The latest version adds the ability to post directly to Youtube, with a video of the tape machine playing. Tape Deck is fun and easy to use, automatically organsising your recordings into "tapes" which are held in the slide out drawer (yes with sound effects of a drawer opening). TapeDeck records compressed AAC audio at the following settings:

High Quality - 44,100Hz, 16-bit, 64kbps (mono) or 128kbps (stereo)
Medium Quality - 44,100Hz, 16-bit, 48kbps (mono) or 96kbps (stereo)
Low Quality - 22,050Hz, 16-bit, 32kbps (mono) or 64kbps (stereo)

$25 from http://tapedeckapp.com/  created by the excellently named Super Ultra Mega Groovy company.

Audacity audio editor updated to 1.3.5

Audacity, the multi track, multi platform audio editor has been updated to 1.3.5d. Available for Windows, Mac OS X/Classic, Unix, and Linux, open source - free software. Audacity remains the best free alternative to paid for editors.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/

What's New:   Version 1.3.5d release notes not currently available. Version
             1.3.5:   Recording/Playback   
             + Several bugs fixed so that latency correction should be
               better, and more devices work correctly. 
             + Problems with invalid sample rates under Linux should be
               much rarer. 
             + Newer version of Portaudio library. 
             + New feature to record onto the end of an existing track
               (hold Shift while clicking Record). 

                Import/Export   
             + Updated versions of Libogg, Libvorbis, Libflac, Libsndfile
               and Twolame libraries. 
             + Handling of unsupported file formats more informative. 
             + Handling of file names with slashes on OS X improved. 
             + New dialog allows replacement of illegal file name
               characters on all platforms. 

                Interface   
             + Improved scaling and layout for rulers and VU meters. 
             + Envelope fixes/improvements including full control of
               undo/redo. 
             + New keyboard shortcuts and improved menu navigation. 
             + Preferences: 

             + More intuitive tab arrangement. 
             + New options for mute/solo and Metadata Editor behavior. 
             + Language can now be changed without restart. 

                
             + Expanded Build Information tab. 

                Effects   

             + New Vocal Remover plug-in, improvements for Generate
               effects.