10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner
Tags: macos, developer, productivity
Published: 2023-11-21 15:08:44

---
title: 10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner
published: true
tags: MacOS,Developer, Productivity,discuss
canonical_url: https://firstfinger.in/free-apps-for-mac/
---

 ![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/Mac-Free-Apps.jpg)

As a Mac user for over 2-3 Years, I've tested countless apps seeking those special features that make you more productive. These apps help me get things done faster while adding helpful new functionality. I regret not installing them sooner!

## 1. Today - A Menu Bar Calendar

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner9.webp)
_Today - A Menu Bar Calendar_

Calendar apps provide great value but constantly toggling between apps and windows hampers productivity. [**_Today_**](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/today/id6443714928?mt=12) solve that by putting your agenda right in the menu bar.

It connects to your existing calendar and then intelligently displays upcoming events and tasks. Click any event to instantly open it in your main calendar app. Create new events without switching apps via handy keyboard shortcuts.

Customize Today's look and feel for the perfect menu bar calendar. Change the icon, start/end time displays and which calendar sources to show.

I rely on Today to keep my schedule readily available. The convenience keeps me on task without constant app switching.

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## 2. Shottr - Effortless Screenshot Editing

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner6.webp)
_Shottr - Effortless Screenshot Editing_

As a writer, I take a lot of screenshots. Seldom do first attempts correctly capture the intent and context. That's where [**_Shottr_**](https://shottr.cc/) shines.

It makes easy work of screenshot editing. No need to open separate image editors. Fix, annotate or highlight shots right in Shottr.

Draw arrows, shapes and text to call attention to details. Use the ruler to demonstrate dimensions. Sample colours and dimensions for design work. For privacy, blur or erase sections.

Shottr boosts screenshot productivity with robust capture tools, extensive editing features and easy export options. It eliminates the friction of screenshot management.

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## 3. Quiet Reader - Distraction Free Reading

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner2.webp)
_Quiet Reader - Distraction-Free Reading_

I do my best to comprehend reading in quiet spaces free from interruption. Unfortunately, most web articles load with distractions that disrupt focus.

[**_Quiet Reader_**](https://quietreader.app/) strips articles down to only the core content. Eliminating ads, suggestions and visual clutter lets me digest the information better.

It works anywhere text appears on your Mac. Highlight the target area and open it in Quiet Reader. Customize text size, colours and background hues for the best reading experience.

If I fail to understand something clearly in one pass, I know distractions undermine comprehension. Quiet Reader ensures focused, efficient reading.

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## 4. Command X - Windows Style File Management

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner10.webp)
_Command X - Windows Style File Management_

After over a decade on Mac, I still miss the Windows keyboard shortcut Command X to cut and paste files. MacOS oddly omits this handy function.

[**_Command X_**](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/command-x/id6448461551?mt=12) restores this feature bringing faster file management. Now you can quickly and seamlessly cut/paste files between folders.

It runs silently in the background until you need it. No interface or customization is necessary - just old-school Windows cut-and-paste functionality.

As a lifelong keyboard shortcut fan, Command X fills a frustrating Mac gap. All my Windows muscle memory now works again!

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## 5. AltTab - Visually Switch Windows

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner3.webp)
_AltTab - Visually Switch Windows_

Every operating system handles window switching and app management differently. MacOS prefers app-level control while Windows focuses on open windows.

[**_AltTab_**](https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) brings native Windows window-switching functionality to Mac. See all open windows organized neatly in one view.

Switch focus between windows faster using handy keyboard shortcuts. Customize shortcuts for window actions like close, minimize and quit.

If you work across Windows and Mac devices, AltTab makes your Mac window management process consistent. No more context-switching mental models!

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## 6. Shazam - Quick Song Identification

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner7.webp)
_Shazam - Quick Song Identification_

As a lifelong music fan, I constantly wonder "What song is this?" In social settings around unfamiliar music, [**_Shazam keeps me in the loop_**](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/shazam-identify-songs/id897118787?mt=12).

The Mac menu bar app listens to room audio and instantly identifies tracks. Click once to activate with results appearing seconds later.

Toggle automatic listening via the menu bar icon to scrub song IDs in real time. Customize keyboard shortcuts for even faster access.

Next time catchy new music grabs your attention, Shazam satisfies curiosity with a quick song ID. No more mystery tracks!

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## 7. MacMouseFix - Use Your Mouse Better

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner4.webp)
_MacMouseFix - Use Your Mouse Better_

Apple perfected cursor navigation via Multi-Touch trackpads. Unique gestures guide you effortlessly through workflows.

Unfortunately, most third-party mice lack these capabilities. Clunky config programs only provide basics like scroll direction and speed.

[**_MacMouseFix_**](https://mousefix.org/) brings full trackpad gesture support to mice. Access Mission Control, LaunchPad, Expose and more via programmable mouse buttons.

Get context menus, dictionary lookups and text manipulation functions on mouse buttons too. Use keyboards for even more custom actions.

MacMouseFix unlocks the true potential of third-party mice. Mimic your favourite Magic Trackpad gestures and shortcuts!

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## 8. PurePaste - Plain Text Pasting

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner1.webp)
_PurePaste - Plain Text Pasting_

I frequently copy content from websites into documents and emails. However, retained formatting causes headaches requiring meticulous re-styling.

[**_PurePaste_**](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/pure-paste/id1611378436?mt=12) simplifies reuse by automatically stripping formatting on paste. No more fixing font properties, sizes and colours!

Configure rules by source and destination. Optionally keep features like hyperlinks when pasting text. Customize keyboard shortcuts to toggle strip formatting on and off.

Paste freely into any application knowing PurePaste has your back. Say goodbye to troublesome retained formatting!

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## 9. OneThing - A Menu Bar Scratchpad

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner5.webp)
_OneThing - A Menu Bar Scratchpad_

As a writer, inspiration constantly strikes at inopportune times. Without quickly noting ideas, momentary brilliance permanently fades.

[**_OneThing_**](https://apps.apple.com/in/app/one-thing/id1604176982?mt=12) provides instant access to a digital scratchpad via the menu bar. Jot down ideas, to-do items, goals or anything needing capture.

Type directly into OneThing or drag/drop text snippets for easy logging. Customize font styles and colours as needed for your noting process.

OneThing eliminates the friction of taking quick notes on Mac. Critical task tracking happens in seconds without changing apps.

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## 10. Latest - Update All Apps in 1-Click

![10 Must-Have Free Apps for Mac That You'll Regret Not Installing Sooner](https://firstfinger.in/content/images/2023/11/10-Must-Have-Free-Apps-for-Mac-That-You-ll-Regret-Not-Installing-Sooner8.webp)
_Latest - Update All Apps in 1-Click_

With a vast app collection, keeping everything updated is tough. MacOS only reminds us about App Store items. The rest you must manage manually.

[**_The Latest app_**](https://max.codes/latest/) takes the headache out of app maintenance. It checks your entire catalogue and shows available updates in one dashboard.

See which apps have changed and what they are. Flexible filtering options help prioritize updates. And most importantly - update everything in one batch with one click!

Latest saves me hours every month. Now I can keep my apps current effortlessly.

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**_👉🏻 Read More:_** [_Top 10 BEST Mac Apps for Productivity in 2023!_](https://firstfinger.in/best-mac-apps-for-productivity-2023/)

_👉🏻_ [_How to Transfer Files Wirelessly between Mac & Android?_](https://firstfinger.in/transfer-files-mac-android-wireless/)

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