The macOS setup for everyone (with free software only)
THIS LIST HAS BEEN DELETED DUE TO A BUG, SO IT MISSES SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS !
This is the apps for macOS that I would recommend to anyone who just got a Mac ! Some are the default that Apple offers but I tried to offers you free alternative to escape Apple Wall Garden if you need or want to
The same list for https://alternativeto.net/software/windows-10/ & https://alternativeto.net/software/windows-11/ : https://alternativeto.net/list/29653/my-windows-setup/ https://alternativeto.net/software/linux-kernel/about/ (GUI apps only) : https://alternativeto.net/list/29661/my-linux-setup/
Default apps
I prefer brave over Safari. It blocks ads and trackers by default. I just disable the optional cryptocrap !
Worth mentioning : Mozilla Firefox (with uBlock Origin) LibreWolf Firefox but more private by default Orion Browser In beta but a promising browser. Based on WebKit (Safari)
If like my you use multiple browsers daily this one will be useful. Set it as your browser by default and when clicking on a link it will prompt which browser you want to open.
I prefer it over QuickTime Player and even the king VLC Media Player (still a great media player for macOS). It has beautiful modern design, Touch Bar support, System Media Control, Customizable UI, Online Subtitles, Music Mode, Mouse & Trackpad Gestures, Thumbnail Preview, Plugin System.
Based on the worth mentioning MPV
If you read ePUB on your Mac I would recommend you this one. For manga lovers check : HakuNeko
Worth mentioning : Thorium Reader AudioBooks also supported ! YACReader Comics focused calibre
I do prefer this Mark down text editor over TextEdit !
Way better and faster than the built-in Archive tool
Worth mentioning : The Unarchiver
Gaming
For casual gaming on my MacBook ! GOG GALAXY DRM-free games so you own them for real. Epic Games Store They gives free games every week, and 88% goes to the game editor/dev EA App For the sims Battle.net Why not itch.io BE CAREFUL TO DOWNLOAD TRUSTED GAMES BECAUSE SOME UNKNOWN SHITS ARE VIRUSES!!! ( more a thing on Windows 10 , but still)
If you want to play some PC games on your Mac ! It's a cloud gaming service so you need a good internet connection. A lot of steam and Epic Store games (that you have to own) are available, but not all. They have a free tier which is reasonable.
The best user friendly all in one emulator on macOS
Worth mentioning : RetroArch
If you want standalone emulators :
GBA : VisualBoyAdvance NDS : melonDS Gamecube and Wii : Dolphin Emulator 3DS : Citra
PlayStation : DuckStation PS2 : PCSX2 PSP : PPSSPP PSVita : Vita3K
Xbox (OG) : xemu
Master System : Mame Saturn : Mednafen (MAME can also emulate saturn) DreamCast : Redream
For more check : https://alternativeto.net/list/29770/the-ultimate-emulator-list/
If your friends game on PC, they probably use this one to communicate !
To play android game on your Mac
Worth mentioning : BlueStacks
Art & Design
If you do photography this is useful for photo editing !
Worth mentioning : Polarr
If you want to create font and make typography !
Worth mentioning : FontForge 100% free
If you want to draw !
Worth mentioning : FireAlpaca
If you want to do pixel art this one is gold !
Worth mentioning : Piskel also in WebApp LibreSprite BETA
Free lightweight 8-bit voxel art editor and interactive path tracing renderer.
Worth mentioning : Goxel
For 3D render and 3D animation. Nice UI, powerful tool and awesome community !
Worth mentioning : Blockbench Widely used for Minecraft modeling but it's easy, fast and fun to use but still gives impressive results !
For making video games or 3D environment !
Worth mentioning : Godot Engine
To quickly makes storyboard on Mac !
For story writing, plot making etc...
Worth mentioning : Highland bibisco Manuskript
A simple free video editor
For more advanced users : Shotcut (Still quite simple) VN Video Editor (Still quite simple) DaVinci Resolve Kdenlive
For making visual FX for movie production or videos.
Worth mentioning : Hitfilm Express
If you want to do 2D animation !
If you need to quickly transform or manipulate a sound file audacity is the way to go !
Worth mentioning : Sneedacity Tenacity Ocenaudio
If you want to compose / write music partition this open source app is awesome !
If you want to play music like a DJ this free and open source tool supports tons of decks from different brands !
Worth mentioning : Blueberry - DJ Mixing Software If you don't have any turntables.
3D CAD for free :)
Worth mentioning : Sweet Home 3D SketchUp
Productivity
Open source alternative to Microsoft 365 (Office)
Not as good as Microsoft Office Outlook but if you care about privacy this is a nice e-mail client !
Worth mentionning : DejaLu IN BETA
A modern UI for your RSS feed :D
For invoice making. It's an updated fork of Manta which is no longer maintained. Invoncify adds new features !
Having an Android and a Mac sucks for file, notes and idea sharing but I do it that way so it sucks less ^^
Super powerful note making workflow ! Second brain for your Mac
Zotero help you collect, organize, manage, search and cite your research sources or books.
Post-it for your Mac !
If you need to sometimes block some websites in order to be more productive, this simple free and open source tool is really great !
If I have to do some code I use this telemetry-free Visual Studio Code fork.
Privacy and security
My password manager and you should use one too !
Worth mentioning : KeePassXC
When I want more privacy online I use Tor.
If Tor does not fit my use case I use this VPN !
Worth mentioning : IVPN Proton VPN (FREE LIMITED TIER)
A free and open source firewall for macOS
To encrypt your disks or partitions.
GNU Privacy Guard is encryption software for files and emails.
To remove metadata from your pictures
More tools
If you want your Mac to stay awaken for any reason ! No standby thanks to Coffee Buzz
Move and resize your windows just like in Windows 10/11 !
Worth mentioning : Penc Trackpad gestures based
If you work only on one screen this one is a must as it allow you to have a window always on top where you can place images and create moodboards. It's pay what you want so you can put 0 and it will be free ^^
I love to have natural scrolling for the trackpad but invert it for the mouse !
Worth mentioning : MOS Per app customization + smooth scolling LinearMouse
Download videos from multiple sources (YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter and +) to mp3 or mp4 !
Worth mentioning : ClipGrab
My go to torrent client on macOS
To look at the sky on your Mac !
If you want to record your screen use OBS !
Worth mentioning : Kap Simpler
If you want to interact or record your Android screen from your Mac.
If you want to record audio from specific apps !
If you have an Android device it helps having a better sync with. File transfer, notifications, etc... I think this one is the best if you use a Mac.
Worth mentioning : KDE Connect Snapdrop WebApp
Share large file anonymously over the Tor Network.
To properly remove apps and their files.
If you're a web dev you might want to be able to preview WebP pictures on your mac !
To identify the large files on your disk !
If you need to burn ISO on USB drive or SD card !
The name says it all !
For the nerds who wants to have a quick menu with cpu temp and other infos. Allow you to manually control fans speed !
Windows or Linux Virtual Machine on your Mac
Worth mentioning : UTM The best for performance VirtualBox The OG Parallels Desktop Good enough for some Windows gaming
Comments on 'The macOS setup for everyone (with free software only)'
You're doing God's work with your lists!
Thanks. :-)
Thanks for this list, wanted to suggest an alternative to Photopea which is Pixlr, I like it a lot.