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 2017-11-21
  1. Dropbox icon
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    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...

    • Cloud Storage Service
    • FreemiumProprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • ...
    Website Home Page
  2. Google Chrome icon
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    Supports multiple accounts, syncs across devices, features an integrated password manager, dark mode, and real-time website translation.

    • Web Browser
    • FreeProprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • PortableApps.com
    • ...
    main window
  3. Evernote icon
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    Cross-platform app for creating and organizing notes from text, web pages, images, and voice memos. Offers security features and integrates with various tools.

    • Note-taking Tool
    • FreemiumProprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    • ...
    Evernote screenshot 1
  4. 1Password icon
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    Securely manage passwords across devices with auto-fill and vulnerability alerts, organizing passwords and notes for quick access and synchronization.

    • Password Manager
    • 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
    • ...
    1Password screenshot 1
  5. Alfred icon
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    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.

    • ...
    Alfred screenshot 1
  6. TextExpander icon
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    TextExpander is the communication tool to boost team productivity by cutting the repetitive typing that creeps into every task.

    • ...
    TextExpander screenshot 1
  7. Ulysses icon
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    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.

    • ...
    Ulysses screenshot 1
  8. Bartender icon
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    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...

    • ...
    Quick Reveal
  9. Hazel icon
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    Automated organization for your Mac.

    • ...
    Hazel screenshot 1
  10. Default Folder X icon
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    Quick access to your files and folders in every app.

    • Mac
    • ...
    In Open and Save dialogs, Default Folder X's toolbar menus give you quick access to your files and folders
  11. Setapp icon
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    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! 🚀

    • Online
    • ...
    Setapp screenshot 1
  12. Dropshare icon
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    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...

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • ...
    Dropshare screenshot 1

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


This list was created by Christian Bagley Oct 12, 2017 and was last updated Nov 21, 2017. The list has 12 apps.

You can create your own lists from our large database of apps either for your own sake or if you want to share some great apps with other people.


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