In today’s article, I will share the Best Mac apps in 2024.
If you’ve got a new (or old) Mac, these apps will help you make your life easier.
I’ve included apps for privacy, security, storage, file organizing, screenshots, and more. Most of these apps are universal, as in, you’ll probably need and use them regardless of your age, profession, or other characteristics.
These apps aren’t sponsored and hence there’s no bias on why one application has or hasn’t been included in the list. These are purely the apps I feel every Mac user should have.
Let’s get started then!
1. NordVPN (privacy/ unblocked access and speed)
Primary features:
- Hides IP address
- Makes your activities anonymous
- Encrypted connection
- Unblocks websites and OTT content
- Prevents speed reduction and other ISP-induced issues
Everything you do on the internet, and I mean “everything” is recorded, monitored, and can be traced back to you. Every website you visit, item you purchase, video you watch, or even like, it’s all linked to you. By “you” I mean your actual name, current location, and sometimes even more.
This is why, as soon as I get a new Mac (or any other device whatsoever), I put in NordVPN.
It’s a VPN, a Virtual Private Network. In simpler words, it’s software that “hides” your IP address. This IP address is what links “you” to all your activities. If it’s changed/hidden, whatever you do online remains private, anonymous, and de-linked to you.
More importantly, changing the IP address also lets you unblock any blocked website and access more content. Did you know on most OTTs, including Netflix/ Amazon Prime and others, you only get access to a fraction of their content? Yes, even if you have the most expensive plan you can’t access their “entire” library. A VPN helps solve that. Finally, many times, your ISP willingly and consciously “reduces” your internet speed for various reasons. The VPN helps bypass that as well.
Finally, a VPN adds encryption to your connection. Without a VPN, your devices can be hacked very easily especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi at a railway station/airport or other such places.
2. 1Password (Password Manager)
Primary features:
- Automatically saves passwords.
- End-to-End encrypted passwords
- Auto-fill passwords
- Auto sync across devices and OS
- Independently audited
When you get a new Mac or even an old one, you need to ensure all your passwords are intact, don’t you?
1Password is a password manager. It makes sure your passwords are automatically saved, inserted when needed, and even synced across devices.
The passwords are encrypted locally. This means, 1Password, or any other third party never has access to them. Even if 1Password wanted to, it can’t access your passwords. This fact has been verified multiple times by independent, third-party agencies and audits.
It’s cross-device and OS-compatible. This means if you’ve 1Password, all your passwords can be accessed and auto-filled across all devices that you’ve 1Password on. Even installation isn’t required as it’s also available as a browser extension.
You can even share passwords or other sensitive information with anyone, using a simple link, even if they don’t use 1Password!
It’s also capable of generating passwords and notifying you of breaches.
3. Hazel (file organizer)
Primary features:
- Automatically organize files and folders
- Set and change rules
- Rename/delete files
This is a file and folder organizer to put it simply. When I got a new Mac, I was very organized, for the first 3 days. Then it all spirals out of control.
This is why I started using Hazel and I must say I’ve never regretted the decision. You can basically create rules that Hazel will follow when sorting your files and data.
Hazel can decide which file types go where, rename files for you, and delete files (all within set rules by you).
I’ll be honest, setting it up requires a few minutes, an hour if you’re slow. But that’s one-time and important because these rules will govern your files.
4. pCloud (Cloud Storage)
Primary features:
- Cloud storage
- End-to-End encrypted
- Remote upload links
- File versions and history
- Share files with non-pCloud members
- Backup from Dropbox/Google Drive and other platforms.
pCloud is an End-to-End encrypted cloud storage platform. E2E means pCloud or any other third party can never access your data.
I use it to store nearly everything that I’d like to never lose, sync across devices but more importantly share with others. Yes, its sharing features are impressive. For starters, I can share nearly everything using simple links. Others can send files to your pCloud without even having a pCloud account. Even custom branding of links is allowed.
It’s ultra-secure as all files are copied and stored on 5 different servers.
All files are “versioned” (so you can access a previous version, and restore if you need to). It’s also capable of playing audio and video files.
Even if you’re currently using Dropbox (extremely unsecure), or any other cloud storage such as Google Drive/ Facebook/ Google Photos, etc. pCloud lets you import files directly.
6. SnagIt (for screenshots)
Primary features:
- Photo and video snaps
- Scrolling screenshots
- Recognize elements in screenshots
- Edit screenshots
This is a subjective choice but me being a blogger, I need hundreds of screenshots a week. Nothing has worked for me as well as Snagit (this line isn’t sponsored). Even on PC, I’ve used the “Snipping tool” but the overall Snagit UI plus color accuracy has just always outperformed.
For starters, it supports scroll-captures so you can scroll for longer screenshots. It even has this ultra-advanced feature that lets you instantly convert screenshots into UI!
Moreover, it has a very advanced editor. It can recognize the elements in a screenshot. E.g. buttons/texts and lets you edit it directly, even the text! You can also choose to capture/ignore the cursor, choose capture area, use it to record video, and more.
Conclusion- Best Mac Apps 2024
Those were the best Mac Apps in 2024. I’ve tried to include a diverse range of apps that cater to you from different angles. At the least, you must get a VPN as you’re leaking information without it.
Of course, there’s a very long list of other apps you can install on your system. These were just the apps that my Mac can’t live without.
Go on then, try these out. Most of these are completely free and let you start right away.