Yesterday, my coworker Zac Hall discussed the Mac applications he relies on, prompting me to reflect on the essential Mac apps and utilities I cannot do without.
Some of these are major applications, like Final Cut Pro, but there are also numerous utilities I utilize frequently that I would genuinely miss if they were gone …
My essential Mac applications
Final Cut Pro
My coworkers, Jeff Benjamin and Fernando Silva, manage to produce about seven videos each morning before breakfast. My own video production pace is, shall we say, a bit more gradual. It’s not as ridiculously slow as my YouTube updates might imply, as many of my videos remain unlisted and are mainly for sharing with friends. However, creating videos is a passion of mine, and since I knew I’d eventually want to transition from iMovie to Final Cut, I decided to make that leap right away – a significant advantage of one-time cost apps.
Spark Mail
I attempt to use Apple’s Mail app periodically, but I’ve predominantly relied on third-party alternatives that provide better organization for multiple accounts and superior aesthetics. (To me, it always seemed odd that Mail doesn’t embody the design sensibilities we usually associate with Apple.) Over the last few years, Spark has been my main choice, offering a clean, modern interface alongside easy account management and smart mailboxes. I skip the AI subscription features.
Lightroom Classic
I’ve been using Lightroom for many years, and when Adobe transitioned it into a subscription model with a vastly updated interface, I was thankful they retained the original version as Lightroom Classic, albeit with a required subscription. To me, it’s an exceptionally designed app that aligns perfectly with my workflow, guiding me through culling and prioritizing to editing and exporting. Over the years, I’ve produced numerous presets, making the editing process quite efficient.
Photoshop
We frequently use stock photography for our articles, and I prefer to keep my libraries clutter-free, so I turn to Photoshop for these edits. Most of the modifications I make are fairly straightforward, meaning I could use a simpler editor, but since Adobe now bundles Lightroom with Photoshop under their subscription model… One feature I particularly appreciate is the generative AI tools, which facilitate creating the 2:1 aspect ratio crucial for my work, often allowing for additional content generation – and I’m generally impressed with the outcomes.
Scrivener
Although I haven’t written any books lately, when I do, Scrivener is my go-to application. In the world of novel writing, there are planners and pantsers – I’m unequivocally a planner, crafting a meticulous outline before writing my first word. Scrivener’s card-based system is excellent for planning, and it allows for easy referencing of previous scenes throughout the writing process. My novel, The Billion Dollar Heist, comprised 145,000 words spread across 204 scenes (structured more like a film than a book), with fluctuating viewpoints, and Scrivener made it effortlessly manageable.
Final Draft
For screenwriting, Final Draft is my preferred software. As a newcomer to scriptwriting, having an app that manages formatting simplifies the process significantly. For instance, when I select ‘Dialog’ with a single keystroke, I am prompted to enter the character’s name. By avoiding characters with similar starting letters, I can autocomplete their names seamlessly and proceed to type their dialog.
Utilities
The links below direct you mostly to my reviews, where you can find further details.
TextSniper
At DMN, we often need to extract quotes from press releases and other documents, which isn’t always straightforward. Patent applications, for instance, can come with unusual formatting that hinders simple copy-pasting, and some companies announce information using graphic images on sites like X … TextSniper is a helpful utility that allows you to capture any text, even from images, with great speed and simplicity.
Moom
This is my favorite macOS window management application, allowing me to swiftly switch between various window and desktop configurations on my MacBook Pro and external monitor.
PhraseExpress
Think of it as TextExpander without the subscription fee. While the interface is less refined, it’s rare that I interact with it directly – I have dozens of macros I use consistently.
Hidden Bar
A menubar manager, similar to Bartender.
iPhone Mirroring
This app is a lifesaver. When I have my Mac at hand, I prefer to execute everything from there, so having iPhone-exclusive applications accessible right on my Mac is incredibly useful.
NordVPN
I utilize a VPN whenever I access sensitive sites on public Wi-Fi networks, especially for my own files (like Dropbox). NordVPN is also excellent for bypassing geographic restrictions, as the service stays ahead in the ongoing cat-and-mouse game of access.
What are your essential Mac applications and utilities? Feel free to share in the comments.
Photo: Ben Lovejoy
