Looking to supercharge your Mac in 2025? WIRED has compiled a list of the 31 best Mac apps—both free and paid—that will elevate your experience, whether you're a creative pro, a spreadsheet wizard, or just want to keep your digital life a bit more tidy and secure. The list spans everything from essential organization tools and writing aides to media players, security must-haves, and native Apple apps you might be sleeping on. WIRED’s Brenda Stolyar doesn’t just name-drop; she gives hands-on insights like why she ditches sticky notes for Apple’s free Stickies app or how ApolloOne helps photographers fine-tune their workflow. So if you’ve ever felt spoiled by macOS but knew it could do more, this curated app guide is your launchpad.
Key Takeaways (App Guide by Category):
🛠️ For a Better User Experience:
Amphetamine (Free): Keeps your Mac awake without you having to wiggle your mouse. Great for file uploads and presentations.CheatSheet (Free): Displays keyboard shortcuts based on the active app—ideal for productivity ninjas.AdGuard ($30/year): Customizable ad blocker that works across browsers and apps.Zoom (Free/$13–$18 per month): Still a top choice for video calls and includes screen sharing, chat, and whiteboard features.ApolloOne ($30/year): Ideal for pro photographers managing RAW image files and metadata.Lightroom ($10/month): Adobe’s gold standard for photo and video editing—powerful, intuitive, and cross-platform.IINA (Free) & VLC (Free): Two top video players for broader format support with slick interfaces.EdgeView 3 ($7): Lightweight photo viewer for photographers needing an efficient image browser.iPhone Mirroring (Free with macOS Sequoia): Control your iPhone right from your Mac—great for multitasking while your phone stays put.📝 For a Better Writing Experience:
Ulysses ($40/year): Minimalist writing app for long-form content—includes iOS app.LibreOffice (Free): Full open-source office suite compatible with MS Word formats.Microsoft 365 ($100/year): Feature-rich word processor with voice transcription and grammatical suggestions.Grammarly (Free/$12/month): Real-time grammar checker and tone advisor; Premium adds plagiarism checker and AI assistance.Day One ($35/year): Secure journaling app with backups, rich media support, and voice note integration.Notes (Free): Easily one of the most beloved default Mac apps for brain dumping and organizing detailed thoughts.📂 For Better Organization:
Paprika Recipe Manager ($30): Save and adjust online recipes; sync across platforms.Hazel ($42 one-time): Smart file automation—sort by name, type, source, etc.Shift (Free/$149/year): Consolidates apps like Slack, Gmail, Instagram—all in a single window.Dropbox (Free/$10–$17/month): Sync with non-Apple devices, transfer large files, but not a true backup solution.Slack (Free): Group communication powerhouse; not just for work anymore.Reminders (Free): Surprisingly robust task app with tagging, priority levels, and scheduling.Freeform (Free): Apple’s whiteboard app for sketching, collaborating, and designing together.Stickies (Free): Digital Post-Its for your desktop—customizable and always in view.NordVPN ($60/year): Fast, secure, and supports a wide range of protocols; great for streaming too.Bitwarden (Free/$10–$40/year): Open-source password manager with passkey support—WIRED’s top pick.Dashlane (Free/$5/month): More features than Bitwarden but limited on free tier; best for ultimate convenience.MSP360 (Free): Automate backups to cloud services like Amazon S3—ideal for tech-savvy users.🎬 For a Better Entertainment Experience:
Amazon Kindle (Free): Read books on your Mac; syncs with Kindle devices.Spotify (Free/$12/month): Still ruling music and podcast discovery—great UI and playlist sharing.Apple TV (Free with $10 Apple TV+): Stream Apple originals or access your purchased content.Amazon Prime Video ($15/month): Another go-to for streaming on your Mac.Quote of the episode:
“If you want to know who someone truly is… check their Notes app.” — Adrienne So, WIRED
Final Tip:
Many of these apps offer free tiers or trials—perfect for testing what fits best with your workflow. From digital journaling to cloud backups, this list is like a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. Just don’t forget to clean out your Dock once in a while. Happy downloading!
WIRED’s original Mac app roundup articleAdditional specs and user reviews from MacUpdate, App Store, and Reddit/macappsCross-checked app legitimacy and pricing via developer websites and official Apple channelsStay tuned for more bite-sized tech overviews right here on the podcast!
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