When it comes to Macs, there’s a misconception that apps cost more. While Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and other powerful tools come with a hefty price tag and robust set of features, many useful Mac apps are available for free. So, take a look below at some of the must-have free macOS software and apps.
Preview & Apple Photos
If you are on the lookout for a decent Mac photo editor for free, you don’t have to look beyond Preview. The app comes with macOS and is the default application for opening any picture. The app lets you rotate and crop images and adjust shadows, levels, exposure, saturation, and more. To access Preview’s editing capabilities, click the Show Markup Toolbar icon in the top menu.
If you find the editing capabilities of Preview limiting, consider using Apple Photos. Apple Photos is called the best photo editor Mac for free, and it comes preinstalled with macOS. Its amazing editing capabilities let you adjust colors and curves, and you can apply quick filters and overall retouching. To edit an image in Apple Photos, open the app and click Edit.
Simplenote
The only simple thing about Simplenote is your decision to download it. No matter what or how you write, the app promises to fit seamlessly into your workflow. The app has a powerful organizational and syncing system that gives competition to the most potent note-takers available.
Simplenote puts a premium on efficiency and speed and offers a lightweight, clean interface that lets users breeze in and out of their notes, quickly find what they’re looking for, and organize their thoughts. If you are in the habit of taking lots of notes or writing down your thoughts whenever inspiration hits you, this app is for you.
Pocket redefines how you absorb information, and it is Mac’s DVR for the Internet. The app is not only for things you read, but it comes with a versatile web clipper that lets you save any video, photo, or articles that you find interesting and wish to go through later. Whatever you save will be presented neatly without any ads.
Google Chrome
While macOS comes with Safari, every Mac user should also have a copy of Google Chrome in their Dock. Chrome is smart, fast, and customizable and comes with a dedicated store filled with themes and extensions, and it is easier to enhance Chrome than Safari.
Itsycal
Displaying the time and date in your menu bar can be helpful, but if you wish to have more control over your meetings or appointments, Itsycal is the choicest clock replacement. The app adds a useful calendar to the menu bar, complete with a list of upcoming meetings and appointment dates. You can add an event without launching Calendar.
Slack
Since most offices have a work-from-home or hybrid work culture, improving productivity by utilizing technology is important. One of the must-have applications for those working remotely is Slack, and it is one of the best business chat apps around. The app is a chat window so your conversations can go on without logging into a browser. You can even have multiple accounts running simultaneously, and there are many helpful bots that you can add to the chat rooms.
HandBrake
HandBrake is an open-source, free and powerful software program that lets you convert any media file to M4V, MP4, or MKV. You can even convert your entire Blu-ray or DVD collection into digital form to watch on Apple TV. All you need to do is select the type of device you want your file to be transcoded, and then the file will be converted within a few seconds. So, download and install HandBrake to get started on creating your digital movie catalog.
Spotify
After Apple Music, the next best music streaming service for your Mac is Spotify. With Spotify, you can listen to thousands of songs across genres, and the app even includes a playlist section that you can use to keep track of your favorite music. Moreover, Spotify has an amazing music discovery section where you can find out what’s trending or what music you would enjoy based on what you have been listening to.
So, whether you need to edit your pictures, convert your files into MP4 or MKV, streamline remote working with your colleagues or listen to unhindered music, there’s a Mac app for all. What’s more, you can install the apps for free and enjoy all the features that the apps and software offer.
