Got a new Mac? Install these apps first.

Got a new Mac and starting fresh on a new installation? These are the applications and tools that you should be installing first. This list is composed of apps and tools that are used daily on my Mac (and I'm sure you will too), to make life easier and more productive.

Christian Bagley
Christian BagleyList by Christian Bagley, last updated 
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  1. Dropbox icon
     Like

    Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that also have Dropbox installed. Because copies of your files are stored on Dropbox's secure servers, you can also access them from any computer or mobile...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Website Home Page
    Dropbox screenshot 1
    Dropbox screenshot 2
    +2
    Dropbox screenshot 3
  2. Web browser built on an open-source platform featuring multiple account support, integrated password manager, dark mode, real-time translation, and seamless cross-device syncing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • PortableApps.com
    Main Window
    Settings
    Incognito Mode
    +8
    Main View (Android)
  3. Evernote icon
     Like

    Cross-platform app for creating and organizing notes from text, web pages, images, and voice memos. Offers security features and integrates with various tools.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
    Evernote screenshot 1
    Evernote screenshot 2
    +2
    Evernote screenshot 3
  4. 1Password icon
     Like

    Securely manage passwords across devices with auto-fill and vulnerability alerts, organizing passwords and notes for quick access and synchronization.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Desktop & Mobile Apps
    1Password screenshot 1
    1Password screenshot 2
    +2
    1Password screenshot 3
  5. Alfred icon
     Like

    Alfred is a productivity application for macOS, which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion. Search your Mac and the web, and control your Mac using custom actions with the Powerpack.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Alfred screenshot 1
    Alfred screenshot 1
    Alfred screenshot 2
    +1
    Alfred screenshot 3
  6. Boosts productivity by managing reusable text snippets, enabling quick sharing across platforms. Offers fill-in fields and data insights to improve team performance.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Google Chrome
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    TextExpander screenshot 1
    TextExpander screenshot 1
    TextExpander screenshot 2
  7. Ulysses icon
     Like

    Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
    Ulysses screenshot 1
    Ulysses screenshot 2
    +5
    Ulysses screenshot 3
  8. Bartender icon
     Like

    Bartender lets you organize your Menu Bar Apps, by hiding them, rearranging them, or moving them to the Bartenders Bar. You can display the full menu bar, set options to have Menu Bar Apps show in the menu bar when they are updating, or have them always visible in the Bartenders...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Quick Reveal
    Bartender Bar
    Menu Bar Item Spacing
    +2
    Triggers
  9. Quick access to your files and folders in every app.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    In Open and Save dialogs, Default Folder X's toolbar menus give you quick access to your files and folders
    Click on a Finder window to go to it in a file dialog. Right-click on a tabbed Finder window to choose which tab you want
    Add Default Folder X's menu to your Finder toolbars to quickly access files and folders there too
    +4
    Panels below Open dialogs let you preview, change info, tag, comment and change permissions
  10. Setapp icon
     Like

    A new way to get apps for your Mac. Over 70 top-tier applications for a single subscription. No ads or in-app purchases. Get on board! 🚀

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    Setapp screenshot 1
  11. Dropshare icon
     Like

    Your very own secure file sharing tool! Dropshare is a menu bar application for Drag&Drop upload files, screenshots and even directories to your own server, Amazon S3 or Rackspace Cloud Files. Sharing files with friends, customers, colleagues or anyone else has never been so...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Dropshare screenshot 1
    Dropshare screenshot 1
    Dropshare screenshot 2

The best apps and tools that you should install first on your new Mac.

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