There are almost 2 million apps available for download in the Mac App Store. If you’re a new Mac user, knowing what apps are worth having, and which ones you need to download first, can be a bit overwhelming.
But what if we told you that there were 10 apps all Mac users need to have and that each one was available for free? Sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong!
In this article, we’ll tell you all about the best mac software for beginners. We’ll tell you all about the apps you need to download today, what they do, and even how you can use them to better your Mac experience.
1. Alfred 4
Do you find yourself using the Spotlight feature on your Mac quite often? Or even the much simpler Finder tool located on your dock? If the answer is yes, you’re going to absolutely love the Alfred 4 app.
Alfred 4 is a productivity app that takes the best of Finder and Spotlight and builds upon it, letting you do all that both have to offer, plus a bit more, all within one app. With Alfred 4, you’ll be able to find things on your Mac faster, create keyboard shortcuts, and even solve basic equations.
Like every app on this list, Alfred 4 is completely free to download and use. So, at worst, it’s very much worth trying out to see if it makes you a more productive Mac user or not.
2. Google Chrome
Apple’s Safari is beloved by many Apple users, and for good reason, as it’s a solid web browser built from the ground up with Mac computers in mind. With that being said, there are some features that are lacklustre, or just plain missing, that other web browsers offer.
That’s where Google Chrome comes into play. Google Chrome is a web browser created by the search engine Google that packs quite a punch. At best, it’s going to your new favourite web browser, and at worst, it’ll be nice to have for certain features.
Perhaps the best feature that Chrome offers is the ability to download a wide variety of plugins, called extensions, that you can use to enhance your web browsing experience. For example, if you want to watch YouTube videos without ads, there’s an ad blocker extension that can help you do so.
If you want to keep safe and avoid cyberattacks, there are cybersecurity plugins that can help keep you better protected. Regardless of what you use your computer for, there is most likely a Chrome extension out there that you can use to make tasks much easier.
3. GarageBand
Like to make music in your spare time? Interested in starting a podcast in the near future? Then you need to download Apple’s GarageBand application today.
GarageBand is without a doubt the best way to record audio using your computer. And if you have a Mac, odds are GarageBand is already on your computer. With that in mind, if you can’t find it, you can download it from the app store in only a few short seconds.
Within GarageBand, you’ll have all the tools you need to record, mix, and master sound. That means that making a demo with your band, or starting that podcast, is all doable using your Mac and a few other pieces of hardware.
4. Gimp
One of the only things that Mac computers don’t come preloaded with is a solid photo editor. And while Adobe Photoshop is available on the Mac, its price tag is a bit much for someone who only needs a basic tool to use for simple photo editing jobs.
To make things more complicated, there are hundreds of free photo editors out there, which means figuring out which one is right for you can be overwhelming. If you’re not sure which one is the right choice, the answer to it is a simple one, it’s Gimp.
Gimp is powerful enough to handle the biggest photo editing jobs that you could imagine but simple enough to use that you can pick it up in a few hours. That means that, if you need to edit something fast for school or work, you can get the job done in a hurry after downloading Gimp to your Mac.
5. Grammarly
One of the best Mac apps available today is Grammarly. Grammarly is like your traditional spell check and grammar tool, but much more powerful.
It does a much better job understanding what you’ve typed that other spell checkers, and thus, it can find errors that those spell checkers can’t. There’s a standalone app that is great for anyone who writes a lot for school and work, and it’s as good as having someone else read something that you wrote for you while browsing for errors.
The best part? Grammarly also has a Google Chrome plugin that you can use when writing online. It’ll help you find errors, and correct them, so you can make sure your emails or social media posts are well written.
6. Pages/Numbers/Keynote
If you’re making the move from a PC to a Mac, odds are you’re missing Microsoft Office and the various software programs that come with it. And while you can find a mac software version of Office, there is a free alternative, made by Apple, that is worth checking out.
Like Garageband, if you have a Mac, odds are you already have Pages, Numbers, and Keynote downloaded. They’re the Mac alternatives to Microsoft’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and are easy-to-use and must-have apps for all Mac users.
Because they’re made from the ground up with Apple computers in mind, they work a lot better than any copy of Office for Mac that you can purchase. And again, they’re free to use and give you the ability to open those Microsoft file types, which is a huge bonus.
7. SimpleNote
On your Mac computer, you’ll find two quick ways to take notes, on the Notes app, and on the Stickies app. Both offer unique features and a simple interface, so you can take notes within them without much of a hassle.
What makes SimpleNote so great is it takes the best of Notes and the best of Stickies and puts it together within one app. That means that you can take tons of notes, and even stick them to the corner of your screen, using the SimpleNote Mac software.
8. Slack
Do a ton of work on your computer? Always sending emails and sharing files with your coworkers? Talk to your boss about getting the office signed up for Slack.
Slack is, at its core, a communication platform designed with work in mind. It’s like a social media website, but with features that make collaborating on projects and sharing files as simple as a click of a button.
Some of the biggest organizations in the world use Slack, as it’s the best way to communicate with everyone in the office digitally. And while it’s paid version gives you access to more useful features, you can still get a lot done using the free version of the application.
9. Spotify
Like to listen to music while you work? Or maybe you’re big into podcasts? If the answer is yes, then you absolutely need to have the Spotify app installed on your Mac.
The paid version of Spotify will remove all ads and give you some cool features, like the ability to download music to listen to offline. But the free version is still great, and again, the best way to listen to tunes or podcasts while on your Mac computer.
10. WeatherDock
Not a fan of your Mac’s weather apps? Want to get a bit more information about what’s going on outside your door weather-wise?
Check out WeatherDock, as it’s without a doubt the best weather app available on Mac today.
The WeatherDock app is super customizable and gives you a ton of information within the app itself. You can leave the app open, and it’ll “dock” on your screen, so you can check for weather updates whenever you want.
Want to Know More About the Best Mac Software?
Some of the best Mac software out there is free-to-use, easy to download, and can make your user experience that much better. And as long as you stick to the apps on this list, you’re guaranteed to get an app that works great and doesn’t cost you a penny.
Looking for more ways to get the most out of your Mac computer? Check out our blog daily, as we’re always talking about the latest Mac tips and tricks.
