macOS Essentials

Focused on serving alternatives, these are the best and most important apps for macOS.

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Ema_NymtonList by Ema_Nymton, last updated 
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  1. Browser

  2. Mozilla Firefox icon

    Mozilla Firefox

     Like

    It's does the same as Safari, but customizable and not useless.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Gecko
    Firefox Desktop (Light Theme)
    Firefox Desktop (Dark Theme)
    Firefox iOS (Light Theme)
    +7
    Firefox iOS (Dark Theme)
  3. Google Chrome icon

    Google Chrome

     Like

    Some people like this better than Firefox.

    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)
  4. Vivaldi icon

    Vivaldi

     Like

    Other people prefer this over Chrome?

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Android Auto
    • Flathub
    The only web browser powerful enough for you!
    Vivaldi on desktop Welcome screen
    Vivaldi on desktop Speed Dial
    +38
    Vivaldi v7.0 on desktop Dashboard

  5. Production

  6. DaVinci Resolve icon

    DaVinci Resolve

     Like

    iMovie has become incredibly bad over the years, but the free version of DaVinci Resolve will be more than enough to handle your video editing needs.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPad
    Hollywood's #1 Post Solution
    All In One Solution for Post Production
    Edit The world's fastest and most advanced professional NLE.
    +9
    Cut Designed for editors to turn around work fast!
  7. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     Like

    GarageBand is nothing compared to Reaper. "Unlimited" tracks, VST/AU support, much cheaper than Logic Pro and amazingly customizable.

    Reaper suggests a 60-day trial period, but does not require payment after this period. A personal license costs $60.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Default theme
    Full screen in Linux with inline MIDI editor using REA Evolution theme
    Analog Default theme
    +3
    Dark_Side_Imperial theme

  8. Communication

  10. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     Like

    You can contact Android users on Telegram.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +17
    Telegram iOS #3

  11. Media

  12. VLC Media Player icon

    VLC Media Player

     Like

    Quicktime Player is a joke compared to this classic player.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Kindle Fire
    • Haiku
    • Android TV
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 2
    +4
    VLC Media Player screenshot 3
  13. calibre icon

    calibre

     Like

    Although Calibre is not as sleek as Apple Books, it is open-source, much more modular and provides the amount of detail I want from a virtual library. With 'Flow Mode' enabled the included E-book Viewer is also just as serviceable as Books.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Homebrew
    calibre screenshot 1
    calibre screenshot 1
    Calibre collection on the iPhone
    +4
    You can choose many languages

  14. Utilities

  15. Keka icon

    Keka

     Like

    It works 10 times better than whatever macOS comes with, I honestly forgot.

    LOOK AT THE ICON.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Keka screenshot 1
    Keka screenshot 1
    Keka screenshot 2
    +1
    Keka screenshot 3
  16. iTerm icon

    iTerm

     Like

    My friend installed this and zsh on my computer.

    I guess it's better than Terminal?

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    iTerm screenshot 1
    iTerm screenshot 1
    iTerm screenshot 2

  17. Entertainment

  18. Lichess icon

    Lichess

     Like

    Lichess is free, open-source, online and runs in your browser.

    You cannot uninstall Chess.app from macOS.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Home page, light background
    Game analysis, custom background
    Home page, dark background.
    +3
    2.5D board and pieces, custom background
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