In this article I will list a number of applications that I personally find genuinely useful.
TextExpander (to avoid typing the same things over and over)
TextExpander lets you save a list of snippets — fragments of text that can be inserted from a handy menu but, above all, through fully customisable abbreviations.
With TextExpander I can insert information such as my home address, bank transfer details or the code snippets I use most often simply by typing a few letters on the keyboard, and TextExpander automatically inserts the desired text.
The great thing about TextExpander is that it also lets you set variables within text snippets, making the application even more powerful and useful.
ImageOptim (to optimise images for the web without using Photoshop)
A free, lightweight and easy-to-use program for minimising the size of images for use on the web without sacrificing quality.
SiteSucker (to download websites and browse them offline)
This program lets you download entire websites to your Mac. The latest version of SiteSucker is only available for OS X Mavericks and Yosemite, but earlier versions for older Macs can also be downloaded from the website. There is also an iOS version.
AppCleaner (to uninstall programs from your Mac)
Although removing software from an Apple computer leaves fewer “leftovers” than on Windows PCs, an app such as AppCleaner lets you delete all the files associated with a program, for a more thorough clean-up when uninstalling.
Download Shuttle (a download manager for the Mac)
It speeds up downloading files from the internet and also lets you pause and resume downloads.
Amphetamine (to stop your Mac from going to sleep)
A free utility that prevents the computer from automatically going to sleep, the display from turning off or the screen saver from starting. In practice, it works like caffeine and keeps your Mac awake.
FruitJuice (to get the best out of your MacBook’s battery)
I recently bought a new MacBook, and FruitJuice was one of the first apps I reinstalled. It lets you monitor the battery’s health and performance and suggests when to charge it and when to unplug the MacBook to maximise the battery’s lifespan.
MacDropAny (to overcome the limits of cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive)
MacDropAny lets you use the most popular cloud storage services, such as Dropbox, iCloud Drive, Copy, MediaFire, Google Drive, Box, OneDrive and Mega, without having to put your files in a specific folder: you can choose which folders to sync with the various cloud services. The app is free and was created by a 17-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand.
SelfControl (to avoid distractions from email or social media)
This app lets you define a list of websites or services to block and set a period of time during which they cannot be accessed. This way you can avoid distractions and concentrate on the work at hand. Recommended for anyone who can’t resist checking Facebook every 5 minutes.
Gas Mask (to manage your Mac’s hosts file)
An extremely handy tool both for web developers and for anyone who simply wants to block access to certain websites or servers from their computer. What Gas Mask does can also be done with the sudo nano /etc/hosts command in the terminal, but Gas Mask makes everything easier, even for less technical users.
Pixel Winch (to measure what you see on screen)
A free program that lets you measure the various elements you see on screen quickly and easily. For SetApp subscribers there is an app that lets you measure and check the alignment of on-screen objects, called PixelSnap.
Hocus Focus (to eliminate distractions by hiding unused windows)
This app is worth trying because, apart from its name, which I think is brilliant, it automatically hides the windows of inactive apps after a set period of time or immediately after you stop using them. Simple, practical and free.
GIF Brewery (to turn videos into animated GIFs)
A fun program for converting short video files into animated GIFs. It also offers many editing options to customise the GIF files to suit your needs.
f.lux (to adjust your monitor’s brightness automatically)
I have been using this app for a long time, and it is truly fantastic for avoiding unnecessary eye strain when you spend many hours in front of a monitor.
BootChamp (to manage restarts with Boot Camp)
Instead of using a key combination at startup to choose whether to boot your Mac into OS X or Windows (if you use Boot Camp), this app gives you an icon in the menu bar that lets you restart the Mac into the operating system of your choice.
Disk Inventory X (to find the files taking up the most space)
An app that makes it very easy to find the files using the most space on your hard disk. Extremely useful if you use small-capacity SSDs.
Sync (to sync files and folders between computers)
From the creators of BitTorrent, a program for syncing content between multiple devices without relying on third-party cloud services.
Bartender (to manage menu bar icons)
It lets you manage and hide the various app icons in the menu bar, to avoid overcrowding. Especially useful for anyone who records screencasts and wants to avoid an endless parade of icons appearing in their videos. Bartender is also a valuable ally for anyone with a small-screen laptop: in these cases an application’s menu can often take up almost all the horizontal space, making the various icons in the Mac menu bar inaccessible.
Hazel (to automate operations on files and folders)
This app requires a fair amount of practice and, above all, study to get the most out of it. It lets you monitor folders in order to move, rename or perform operations on files completely automatically. Among other things, I use it to keep my entire photo library organised.
SpamSieve to say goodbye to spam
One of the apps I now consider essential on my Mac is definitely SpamSieve, even though I practically never use it directly: SpamSieve quietly does its job in the background, as an anti-spam program that works alongside your email client.
After an initial training phase, SpamSieve can catch spam with surgical precision. Whether it’s press releases about events you couldn’t care less about or unmissable scam offers, SpamSieve shows no mercy.
This program works with many email clients for the Mac. As well as Apple Mail and Airmail, it also supports Outlook, Postbox, MailMate, Mailsmith and others.
HandBrake (to convert videos from one format to another)
Free software that lets you change the format of video files. With HandBrake it is very easy to convert video files to another format, or simply to reduce their size, embed subtitles and more.
Folx (to download torrent files and more)
A download manager that lets you search for and download torrent files. It also integrates easily with the main browsers.
MuteMyMic (to mute your Mac’s microphone)
If you’re in a chat and want to lower your microphone volume or mute it temporarily, this is the app you’ve been looking for — and it’s free on the Mac App Store.
Muzzle (to avoid embarrassing notifications while screen sharing)
A simple free Mac app that automatically silences notifications on your computer whenever you are sharing your screen with apps such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Join.me…
OnyX (to optimise your Mac and clean up unnecessary files)
A very well-known program that lets you configure some hidden Mac settings and carry out maintenance and clean-up tasks.
EtreCheck to detect problems with your Mac
Although it may sound like a cliché, it is well known that a Mac needs less maintenance than a Windows PC.
If you do run into problems with your Mac, however, I recommend downloading EtreCheck. It is an app that scans your Mac for potential problems. What makes it special is that it also generates a report you can use to ask for help in Apple support communities, providing all the details needed to solve the problem.
EtreCheck also detects adware and other software that shouldn’t be on your computer. And although it is a paid app, it can also be used free of charge (for up to 5 scans).
Enjoy!
