The VLC media player is an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player. This tool can play most multimedia files as well as Audio CDs, VCDs, and DVDs. It can be used to view 360-degree videos up to 8K resolution. It is one of the best free Mac apps which supports a wide range of video compression methods. Best free Mac games. Indeed, the Mac App store is positively packed with free games, and you can pick up some amazing Mac games elsewhere that are great fun to play without paying a penny. Best Free Open Source Photo Editing Apps for Mac. GIMP is Adobe Photoshop for people who like open-source software. GIMP or GNU Image Manipulation Program is packed with features and allows you to make pro-level editing of your photos. Since it is an open-source app, it is completely free of charge. Best Entertainment Apps for Mac. Spotify App for Mac. If you are a music lover and Apple music is not enough for you, then you will find Spotify a better option. With this app, you can stream music on your app and enjoy tons of songs spread across all genres. Wrap up on best apps for a new Mac The new M1 Apple MacBook Air is the best computer I’ve ever used. The long battery life means that I charge my laptop at night like I do my iPhone.
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When it comes to taking notes or writing a small blog post or a document, most people resort to Apple Notes, Evernote, or OneNote on Mac. But for writing proper documents, you need apps that are designed by keeping writers in mind. So if you are looking for a writing app for your documents, thesis, fiction, or anything else, then take a look at our compilation of the best writing apps for Mac.
Unlike any traditional note app, a writing app focuses on a minimalistic look and a distract-free writing experience. Instead of bombarding users with endless editing options such as highlighter, table, different font styles, and colors, you get to concentrate on words and text. We shall look at the widely accepted and used apps with a simple interface and ample features. Of course, they come at a cost, and some of them offer a trial.
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Read More1. iA Writer
iA Writer carries a simple and clean look. At first, it might seem like another Notepad app, but you will be surprised by the number of features and options on offer when you dig deeper.
For instance, it packs a feature to help you highlight parts of speech. The practice helps to spot superfluous adjectives, weak verbs, and unwanted repetitions. You can tweak your text accordingly and follow it as a routine to make your writing crisper.
My favorite from the bunch is the Focus mode. As the name suggests, Focus mode only focuses on the sentence or paragraph that you’re working on. We have seen similar add-on on other apps but we think iA Writer has the best implementation.
Apart from that, it carries all the bells and whistles such as Markdown support and HTML view that lets you judge how things will look when they are published on online blogging platforms Medium or WordPress.
Apart from Mac, iA Writer is also available on iOS, Android and Windows. It is priced at $29.99 as a one-time payment on Mac App Store.
Download iA Writer for Mac2. Drafts
Drafts is another critically acclaimed writing app for Mac. After installing it, all you need to do is open the app and start drafting your post. You don't need to perform any setup. You can even add new posts right from the macOS menu bar. You don't have to navigate through a home screen. Developers have paid close attention to the UI as it feels fluid and the animations are also smooth while going between drafts.
All the new entries you make are available in the Inbox section. From there, you can use the tagging system to organize notes. The text editing options range from custom fonts, line height, margins, spacing, and even different font styles.
The app plays perfectly fine with the macOS dark theme, which means it can smartly adapt if prefer writing after sunset or in low-brightness mode. We appreciate the seamless sharing and third-party integration. For example, you can mail the draft to your editor with a single click from the editing menu. Users can also save the post to iCloud Drive, Evernote, OneDrive, Google Drive, Google Docs, and even publish to the WordPress platform. Neat!
Drafts is an Apple exclusive software. It’s accessible on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Drafts comes with a 7-day trial, and after that, it will cost you $29.99 per year to include fancy features like widgets, Family Sharing, and other Pro-level features.
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Read More3. Ulysses
Among the others on this list, Ulysses wins hands down with the organization of your work. Ulysses’ unified library holds everything you ever write in it. The app can smoothly manage all kinds of writing projects, big or small.
When it comes to customizations, you can change Theme, Font style, viewing options, and more from the settings menu. Ulysses also lets you add images, keywords, and goals while writing. It’s extremely useful for long-term writing projects or assignments with fixed word counts.
Ulysses also has an edge over its rivals when it comes to sharing options. The app lets you convert a note into HTML, ePub, PDF, or DOCX. And even better, Ulysses supports publishing platforms such as Ghost, WordPress, and Medium right from the app itself.
Ulysses is accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While being Apple software platform exclusive, its annual subscription set you back by $49.99 per year while providing full syncronization of documents and access on all your devices.
Download Ulysses for Mac4. Scrivener
Scrivener was an underdog for a while but it all changed with the Scrivener 3 in late 2020. The company finally overhauled a rather dated look with modern design and elements.
One of the best aspects of Scrivener is the Binder add-on. As its name suggests, Binder helps you keep all your notes, research, and manuscript files in one place. You can easily access it from the sidebar.
We like how Scrivener offers a separate notes area in every section to jot down ideas. It comes in handy when you are running through dozens of thoughts for various sections of the novel or book.
As for export options, you can share the file in Word, PDF, or plain text. The app uses Dropbox to sync data between devices.
Scrivener is available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Windows. The app asks for $49 as a one-time payment.
Download Scrivener for Mac5. Bear Notes
Okay, we know that this app carries the word Notes in its name, but there is more to this app. Bear has one of the best user interface among all writing apps for the Mac. On top of that, the company is smartly adding the right amount of features to keep you engaged in writing.
Bear Notes takes you directly to the notes page. Swipe left and you can access the notes from the hamburger menu. The company is currently working on a new editor that should bridge the gap between Bear and other writing tools.
The exporting options include support for PDF, HTML, JPG image, Docs, and more. Who doesn't like to add themes? At least, we do. Bear gives multiple Theme options, including dark, high contrast, red, snow theme, and more.
Bear Notes supports iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Apple Watch. The subscription price is set at $1.5 per month.
Download Bear Notes for MacAlso on Guiding Tech
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Click here to see our writing articles pageStart Your First Draft
While writing is a creative activity, a good writing app can certainly make it a pleasant experience. That's why you must choose your companion app carefully for your next writing project. Share your favorite free ones in the comments below.
Next up:Looking to stay organized on Mac? Read the post below to learn about the top seven Mac apps to stay organized.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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Mac Applications & Utilities offers a great way to get the most out of your Catalina toting MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Some users prefer to pack their device with easy-to-use tools that smooth their workflow, while others prefer to have complex utilities that might take time to set up but saves time in the long run. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!
Get the perfect suite of Mac Apps that meet your needs, ease your daily tasks & increases productivity!
Categories | Best Paid & Free Apps For MacBook Pro |
---|---|
Best Mac Cleaner | 1. Disk Clean Pro 2. AppCleaner |
Best Antivirus For Mac | 1. Norton AntiVirus Plus |
Best Mac Software For Productivity | 1. Airmail 3 2. Alfred |
Must-Have Mac Apps For Writers | 1. Scrivener 2. Grammarly Protel pcb design software for mac. |
Best PDF Editors For Mac | 1. PDF Expert 2. PDFelement 6 – PDF Editor |
Top Mac Apps For Students | 1. Setapp 2. iStudiez Pro |
Best MacBook Software For Photographers | 1. Duplicate Photos Fixer 2. Pixelmator |
Editor’s Choice Mac Apps | 1. Photos Exif Editor 2. Tweak Photos |
Which Apps Should I Have On My MacBook Pro?
All these Best Mac Software should help you squeeze more productive hours out of everyday use.
Best Mac Cleaner | 1. Disk Clean Pro 2. AppCleaner |
Best Paid Mac Cleaner
1. Disk Clean Pro
Best Free Apps For Mac Air Pro
All-round Mac Optimization & Cleaning utility, Disk Clean Pro is an excellent tool to clean, optimize & protect your Mac with a package of features. As the name itself suggests, Disk Clean Pro scans out junk, log & unused files, and possesses ways to optimize the system. Here are all the benefits that come along with this best Mac solution!
FEATURES: Disk Clean Pro
- System cleaner
- Logs cleaner
- Trash cleaner
- Cleaning partial downloads
- Duplicate finder
- Internet privacy
- Shredder
Best Free Mac Cleaner
2. App Cleaner & Uninstaller Pro
App Cleaner is another best cleaning solution for your Mac machine. It helps you delete unwanted applications safely along with leftover files to recover huge chunks of space. You can use the Mac cleaner to disable, hide login items & launch agents so that no residues or unwanted files hamper your performance. Listed are the functionalities offered by App Cleaner!
FEATURES: App Cleaner & Uninstaller Pro
- Finds & removes Mac widgets & Internet plugins.
- Remove multiple Mac apps & associated files in one go.
- Locate & delete broken service files without any hassles.
- It helps you recover lots of storage space.
- Observe a noticeable performance boost.
Best Antivirus For Mac | 1. Norton AntiVirus Plus 2. Systweak Anti-Malware |
Best Paid Antivirus For Mac
1. Norton AntiVirus Plus
Norton Antivirus Plus is a reliable Mac Antivirus solution to have stable and all-round protection for your MacBook. The software runs fast & detects malicious threats accurately. The Mac utility offers Real-Time Threat Protection, a Password Manager, Smart Firewall & 2GB of Cloud Backup, to store important files & prevent them from data loss. Norton offers multiple versions, based on device use!
FEATURES: Norton AntiVirus Plus
- A built-in firewall for ideal protection.
- Finds & eliminates potential malware, spyware, online threats & other viruses.
- Capable of catching phishing emails that might trick you into compromising personal data.
- Cloud Storage for safeguarding personal documents.
- Automated backup.
- Parental Controls.
Best Mac Software For Productivity | 1. Airmail 3 2. Alfred |
Paid Mac App For Increasing Productivity
1. Airmail 3
For Apple users, who are not happy with the native design of macOS mail. Having Airmail 3 on their machine can completely transform the way & feel of handling emails. It helps you get a clear, systemized & Gmail-like interface on MacBook Pro. The Mac app comes with a customizable interface for easy email management. You can schedule emails, snooze it & manage your daily tasks for better productivity.
FEATURES: Airmail 3
- Easy to set up.
- Highly customizable for better management.
- Snooze messages for convivence.
- Lets you treat emails like tasks.
Free Mac App For Increasing Productivity
2. Alfred
Similar to your Mac’s built-in ‘Spotlight’ search, Alfred helps in making a hassle-free search on your machine while keeping your fingers on the keyboard, rather than on mouse. The Mac utility is perfect for those suffering from mouse-related repetitive stress. You can use Alfred, to search for folders, files & even surf the web using just your keyboard.
FEATURES: Alfred
- Lets you search & browse with ease.
- With Alfred’s clipboard history, you don’t need to type the same URLs again.
- You can link keywords & hotkeys to create a customized workflow.
- You can perform math calculations in a jiffy.
- And perform other basic tasks without any hassles.
Must-Have Mac Apps For Writers | 1. Scrivener 2. Grammarly |
Best Paid App For MacBook Pro For Writers
1. Scrivener
Scrivener is nothing short of the most comprehensive writing program around. It offers all the essential tools you’ll need to get started as a writer. The Mac app is packed with various brainstorming tools, a virtual draft board for pinning ideas & note cards. It offers a dedicated section for storing research docs for quick access. What’s more?
FEATURES: Scrivener
- Comes with dozens of project templates for Screenplays, Novels, Stories etc.
- Import different file types.
- Get familiar with different writing & formatting types & tools.
- Name generator.
- Live word counts.
- Export to Word.
- Print or create PDF files.
Best Free App For MacBook Pro For Writers
2. Grammarly
Spell-check on iPhones are awesome, but it’s not that greats on Mac machines. That’s why Grammarly shines. It’s available as a dedicated Mac Application & as a Safari extension. You can rely on this freemium Mac application to do powerful spelling & grammar checking. Grammarly arrives as a true life savior for anyone who works with clumsy typing fingers.
FEATURES: Grammarly
- Just drag & drop documents you would like to proofread.
- Makes sure that anything you write is effective, precise & error-free.
- It offers a bunch of context-free suggestions to polish your writing.
- Compatible with platforms like Facebook, Twitter & almost anywhere on the web.
Best PDF Editors For Mac | 1. PDF Expert 2. PDFelement 6 – PDF Editor |
Must-Have Paid PDF Editor For MacBook
1. PDF Expert
Having to work with PDFs is a fact of life. Fortunately, PDF Expert makes the task super-easy. The Mac software doesn’t allow you to fill out the forms or merge PDF files, but it also offers users great editing tools. You can rely on PDF Expert to annotate, sign PDF files without any hassles. Here are some of the benefits that make it one of the Best PDF Editor for Mac.
FEATURES: PDF Expert
- Edit PDF text, images, links & outlines.
- Its quick annotations, hassle-free form filing & file merging completely the task in record time.
- Convert PDF files to popular formats such as Word, Pages, Docs, etc.
- It helps you create signatures with a single click.
- Helps users to share the documents to clients, co-workers & everyone in between through built-in options.
Must-Have Free PDF Editor For MacBook
2. PDFelement 6 – PDF Editor
A complete package of editing tools such as PDF Editor, Annotator, Converter, Reader, Form Filler & much more. PDFelement is an amazing PDF solution to change the way you work & manage your important files. Be it basic key features to edit, delete, cut, change font attributes, edit a hyperlink, or advanced tools to combine, convert, reorganize PDFs. PDFelement 6 has everything you’ll need!
FEATURES: PDFelement Pro
- Fill PDF forms.
- Extract, crop, delete, insert pages.
- Convert PDFs to popular file formats, including DOCX, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, etc.
- Combine different file formats into a new PDF.
- Set a password to protect files from being opened by unauthorized users.
- Support printing, send PDFs, save files to cloud storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
Also Read: 7 Best App Uninstaller For Mac to Remove Unwanted Apps
Top Mac Apps For Students | 1. Setapp 2. iStudiez Pro |
Best Paid Mac App For Students
1. Setapp
Setapp is like Netflix for Mac applications. It provides users with a library of Mac utilities, just ready to install on your machine. You can explore a huge range of software & apps, for nearly every task to be done on your Mac. Be it a Duplicate Finder, Mac Cleaner, Personal Budgeting, Task Manager, Coding, Blogging, etc. you name it & you can get it all for a single monthly fee.
FEATURES: Setapp
Best Free Apps For Macbook
- Just pay a subscription-free for $9.99 & you can have access to more than 120+ Mac apps.
- Use the number of best mac software under one subscription.
- Several Mac utilities get added to Setapp.
- Suitable for students & freelancers to get a handy toolkit of major apps all under one license fee.
Best Free Mac App For Students
2. iStudiez Pro
It’s a task organizer & planner app, designed specifically for students. You can use iStudiez Pro to manage all types of schedules & everyday jobs easily. A special section is dedicated to keeping track of homework, assignments & other projects. You can organize them as per date or by priority to sort them into pending & completed tasks.
FEATURES: iStudiez Pro
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- Clean & intuitive interface.
- Track your grades. An option to calculate GPA based on current & past semesters.
- Follow up with your homework.
- Organize your schedule.
- Everything can be synced across all the devices (iPhone, iPad or both) for easy access.
Best MacBook Software For Photographers | 1. Duplicate Photos Fixer 2. Pixelmator |
Best Mac Software For Photographers (Paid)
1. Duplicate Photos Fixer
Removing duplicates means removing unnecessary junk. Since most of the aspiring & pro photographers deal with lots of exact and similar-looking pictures. A Mac Software like Duplicate Photos Fixer would of great use to manage those duplicate, edited & resized photos, which are saved under different names. It’s one of the best apps for MacBook Pro to manage huge photo collection, delete unnecessary duplicates & reclaim huge storage space.
FEATURES: Duplicate Photos Fixer
- Easy-to-use & user-friendly interface.
- Find & remove both identical & similar looking photos.
- Different scanning modes for accurate identification.
- Auto-mark duplicates so that you don’t need to select the detected duplicates manually.
- Recover huge chunks of space by clearing dupes.
- Supports multiple file formats.
- Review results before deleting duplicates.
Best Mac Software For Photographers (Free)
2. Pixelmator
Pixelmator boasts a massive bunch of powerful photo editing features to help you touch & enhance images with fun. The Mac software is designed to integrate seemingly well with macOS Catalina’s fresh & modern look. It’s power-packed tools, lets you draw, paint, apply dazzling effects & create amazing compositions without many hassles.
FEATURES: Pixelmator
- Top-notch painting tools.
- Lots of retouching tools.
- Correct wrinkles, repair scratches & lighten specific areas.
- A plethora of drawing tools to apply shadows, strokes & more effortlessly.
- Breath-taking effects.
Also Read: Top Ten Duplicate File Finders For Mac
Editor’s Choice Mac Apps | 1. Photos Exif Editor 2. Tweak Photos |
Editor’s Choice Mac Apps
1. Photos Exif Editor
Photos Exif Editor is a fast, reliable & easy-to-use Mac software to help users read, write & modify EXIF information/metadata from single or multiple photos at once. EXIF data is basically a set of data attached to each image you capture. It includes information such as Date, Camera Model, Size, Location & other Camera Settings. Reviewing this data can help you to know a lot about a particular photo. Moreover, you can easily manipulate this data according to different needs! Epson r330 printer reset.
FEATURES: Photos Exif Editor
- View, edit & modify EXIF, IPTC & XMP photo metadata.
- See camera & lens setting information. This data comes handy if you’re an aspiring photographer.
- Change Geo-location coordinates to disguise the actual location of the picture taken.
- Delete entire metadata in a go, to have complete protection from any type of security threat.
- Supports multiple file formats.
Best Free Apps For Macbook Pro 2020
2. Tweak Photos
Tweak Photos is a perfect batch photo editing Mac tool, that brings a plethora of features to alter and enhance images to make it the liveliest. Mac Software has all the essential functionalities to resize, auto-correct, rotate, flip, de-noise, control brightness, sharpness, etc. You can apply lots of beautiful effects, frames, borders & whatnot to make photos look more pleasing & aesthetic.
FEATURES: Tweak Photos
- A perfect set of mesmerizing photo filters & effects to give an exclusive touch to your pictures.
- Create, apply elegant & effective watermarks.
- Keep track of the sequence of effects for better multi-layer management.
- Supports multiple file formats, making it the best batch photo editing software.
- De-noise images without much hassles.
- Rename multiple files at once.
- Convert photos in bulk & more.
Also Read: How to Speedup MacBook Pro: Make Your MacBook Pro Faster
Bottom Line
Discussed Best Mac Apps & Utilities can help you express your creativity, become more productive, enhance security & helps you take care of your MacBook.
FAQs: Best Mac Apps 2020
1. Which Are The Best Apps For MacBook Pro?
Although, your Apple machine comes packed with lots of in-built applications & tools that can fulfill all your basic needs & requirements. But the market has lots of wonderful & useful apps in each category, to make the most out of your machine. Check out the above list to choose the most recommended Mac Software!
2. How Do I Download Apps For Mac?
Since all the aforementioned Mac Software is available on the official App Store, you can follow the steps below to install them on your machine.
- Open the App Store, using Dock, Launchpad or Spotlight search.
- Look for the Mac application you would like to install.
- Click on the Get button or Price to start the installation process. (Get option is for free Mac apps & Price for paid utilities.
- Enter your Apple ID & Password (If needed).
Enjoy the Best Mac Software on your machine, the new downloaded utility would be visible in the Launchpad app.
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3. Do Macs Need Cleaning Software?
Unlike Windows PCs, Mac machines don’t have registries. But having the best cleaning utility can certainly help users to reclaim storage space & get rid of unwanted, unused & unnecessary stuff in a few clicks.
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