The Ultimate Mac Software List
Last updated August 4th, 2009.
Everything shown here are the best apps that could put Mac users on the right track towards productivity. I’ve judged their functionality for the average Mac user, and all apps listed are Universal binaries (compatible with PPC and Intel Macs). I know many will enjoy them, and have great value since they’re free (with the exception of the last category in the bottom).
Web Apps
:: Adium :: The best muti-protcol, instant messenger client. Fully customizable.
:: Camino :: The best, Mac OS X-exclusive, web browser you could get — after all, it’s based off Mozilla’s previous work.
:: Chicken of the VNC :: An excellent VNC app.
:: Cyberduck :: Best free FTP, SFTP client.
:: Evernote :: Keep your notes synced and organized through multiple platforms. (Read more…)
:: Flock :: A browser built with the ideology of the web community. Some call it a social web browser for a reason.
:: Fluid :: Build a desktop app for almost any web app.
:: Mozy :: Backup your Mac to the web.
:: Optimized Firefox for Intel Macs :: The name says it all. It’s an optimized version of the Firefox web browser.
:: Paparazzi! :: It can take a screenshot of any webpage you input into it. Perfect for those that are very big — yet you want a complete screenshot of.
:: Shiira :: A Web Kit-based browser. Much better than Safari.
:: Skype :: Because VoIP keeps getting better.
:: Thunderbird :: A tough app that handles all your email inboxes, courtesy of Mozilla.
:: Transmission :: The best BitTorrent client for the Mac. Gets bonus points for aesthetics.
NEW! :: Tweetie :: The fantastic iPhone Twitter client comes home to the Mac. An ad-free version is also available for sale.
:: Vienna :: A great and well-known RSS reader. Hey, it’s free!
Multimedia Apps
:: 1001 :: A Flickr do-it-all app.
:: Audacity :: A great, open-sorce, audio recording and editing app.
:: CenterStage :: Open-source media center app with plugin architecture.
:: Desktopia :: Automatically changes wallpapers for different times.
:: FlickrBooth :: Flickr plugin for PhotoBooth.
:: Flip4Mac WMV Component :: Codec that allows QuickTime (thereby, Front Row) to play Windows Media files.
:: GimmeSomeTunes :: One of the best iTunes controllers just got better. It can be used as either a hot-key controller, or as a windowed controller.
:: Handbrake :: A DVD ripper that exports to either MPEG-4 or h.264 video. Suitable for the iPod video.
:: ImageWell :: A small, but great photo utility. Some features include watermarking, reshaping, and cropping. Great for blogs.
:: iSquint :: A multiple format video converter that exports to an iPod-compatible one.
:: iTheater :: Beautiful media center app.
:: JUploadr :: A great, yet simple, Flickr uploader.
:: MacTheRipper :: For making ripping full backups of DVDs.
:: Miro :: An RSS video downloader and player. I features a much better interface and control than iTunes’ podcast manager.
:: Perian :: QuickTime components that’ll allow it to play almost any format.
NEW! :: Songbird :: A fantastic, open source music player powered by Mozilla.
:: TubeTV :: Download and convert web videos into your Mac.
:: VLC :: Video Lan Client is a media player that supports most multimedia formats.
Utilities
NEW! :: AppCleaner :: A free alternative to AppZapper.
:: AppFresh :: Maintain up to date your apps.
:: Burn :: An open source CD/DVD burning app. Has impressive features that could make you think twice before upgrading that old version of Toast.
:: Carbon Copy Cloner :: Easily clones your drives for you.
:: clamXav :: Even though Macs are mostly virus-free, getting this antivirus won’t hurt. Better safe than sorry.
:: Darwiin Remote :: Use a Wii remote for controlling your Mac.
:: Growl :: Delivers system-wide notifications with various plug-in options.
:: InsomniaX :: Stops your laptop from going to sleep when you close its lid. Good for music playing; bad for the laptop’s temperature?
:: Letterbox :: A mod that turns Mail’s window into a widescreen one — perfect for such displays like my MacBook Pro’s.
:: LiteIcon :: Change your Mac’s system icons with ease.
:: Monolingual :: If you want to free up a couple of gigabytes from your hard drive, you best bet is by deleting languages you don’t use for your OS. This app does exactly that with ease.
:: MainMenu :: An app that can adjust system preferences or optimize your machine — all via the menu bar!
:: Quicksilver :: While it’s still in beta, it’s a powerful launcher. I can’t work without. Say goodbye to Spotlight!
:: Renamer4Mac :: Bulk name editing for files on your Mac.
:: Safari Enhancer :: Just as the name implies, it allows you add various features to this browser.
:: Semulov :: Easy to reach disk ejector app. (Read more…)
:: The Unarchiver :: Handles more files for decompression than OS X’s own. Gotta love the name.
:: TrimTheFat :: Save some space by removing the PowerPC part of Universal apps. Just note that not all Universal apps are compatible.
:: VirtueDesktops :: Have multiple desktops without the need of an additional monitor! Similar to the upcoming Spaces feature in Leopard.
:: WideMail :: An alternative to Letterbox.
Productivity
:: Blender :: An open source 3D graphics creation system. If you know your stuff, you can make some amazing things with this.
:: Gimpshop :: Gimp, a robust, open source image editor, when it’s been modified to resemble Photoshop.
:: NeoOffice :: It’s OpenOffice — natively for the Mac, and the X11 environment isn’t needed!
:: Punakea :: Tag everything on your Mac, and search for them quickly. (Read more…)
:: Scrievener Gold :: A free, light version of the popular Scrievener.
:: sidenote :: For taking down quick notes which hide at the edge of the screen.
:: Smultron :: A free, but powerful, text editor.
Games
:: Quinn :: Tetris re-invisioned for OS X.
Misc.
:: Afloat :: Make windows float on top of others, or even transparent. (Read more…)
:: Aurora :: An app that turns your Mac into an expensive alarm clock with iTunes. It’s even Apple Remote-compatible.
:: ClearDock :: All it does is remove the dock’s background to make it crystal-clear. I know, it’s a shallow enhancement — but it does look good.
:: Disctop :: Beautifully displays discs on your desktop. (Read more…)
:: Dock Library :: Browse the alternative dock designs and apply them with this app. (Read more…)
:: Google Earth :: The fantastic 3D Earth browser — available as a Universal binary.
:: MacLibre :: An open-source software distribution system for the Mac.
:: MacTracker :: Displays updated info on any Mac ever built.
:: Todos :: An app that is capable of displaying every single app you have in a stylish, semi-transparent window.
Screensavers
:: DashSaver :: Not exactly a screensaver, but brings up your widget-filled Dashboard after a determined period of inactivity. May be handy for keeping up with the weather, stocks, and such.
:: Fenêtres Volantes :: The screensaver with the most eye candy — makes all your open windows to start flying accross the screen.
:: IdleWeb :: As recently dugg, it allows web pages to be displayed as a screensaver. Definitely great when linked to great ones like digg labs’ swarm.
:: LotsaWater :: Gorgeous water effects over your desktop, or customized picture.
:: Plasma Tunnel :: Takes your Mac into a voyage through a 3D plasma tunnel.
:: PongSaver :: Who hasn’t heard of those Pong clocks? Well, here’s a screensaver that turns your Mac into one. Insanely retro!
:: Retro Toast :: When nostalgia attacks — one flying toaster at a time.
:: ShuffleSaver :: This screensaver takes your favorite images from Flickr and iPhoto, then shuffles them.
Widgets
:: iClip lite :: The perfect clip board that resides within your Dashboard. (Read more…)
:: Flidget :: A widget that instantly uploads a picture to your Flickr account.
Great Apps That Aren’t Free…
:: 1Password :: Never forget your web passwords! (Read more…)
:: AppZapper :: The simplicity of this drag-and-drop app uninstaller is so simple, it’s genius.
:: BannerZest :: Create flash animations with ease. (Read more…)
:: BitClamp :: Easy to use file encryptor/decryptor. (Read more…)
:: Cocktail :: The ultimate Mac maintenance/optimization utility. (Read more…)
:: Coda :: One-windowed web development suite.
:: Comic Life :: Now all your pictures can be turned to comics with ease! Anyone up for some adventures of the flatulent Super Grandpa?
:: CSSEdit :: Excellent and easy to use CSS editor with tons of features. (Read more…)
:: Default Folder X 4 :: An improvement over the dull system save/open windows. (Read more…)
:: Delicious Library 2 :: I simply fell in love with this app. The interface, the looks, the functionality… Now I have all my DVDs, CDs, books, and videogames organized in here. (Read more…)
:: Disco :: Beautiful disc burning app. (Read more…)
NEW! :: EventBox :: The Swiss Army kife of popular internet services — in one app. Support for Twitter, FaceBook, Flickr, and RSS are some worth mentioning.
:: EvoCam :: Do almost everything with your webcam(s), thanks to this app.
:: FlickrExport :: Flickr plugins available in iPhoto and Aperture flavors. (Read more…)
:: Flow :: A speedy FTP client. (Read more…)
:: ForkLift :: File manager, FTP client, and app deleter extraordinaire! (Read more…)
:: iBank :: A powerful financial manager for the Mac.
:: Gluestick :: An excellent layer-based image editor. (Read more…)
:: iShowU :: An excellent on-screen capture app. (Read more…)
:: iToner :: The easiest way to transfer non-Apple ringtones to your iPhone. (Read more…)
:: iWork ’09 :: The productivity suite from Apple that keeps getting better each year. Now, if only some spreadsheet application included…
NEW! :: LiveScribe Desktop :: While the software may be free, the intelligent pen is not. Keep all your notes in one place with this fusion of technology and convenience.
:: Mailplane :: Desktop client for Gmail accounts.
:: MarsEdit :: One of the best desktop blogging clients available.
:: MediaCentral :: This is how Apple’s Front Row should have been. It would be the perfect multimedia app if only it supported media downloaded from iTunes.
:: NewsFire :: After recommending NetNewsWire as the best RSS reader for a couple of years, a reader directed me to this app. While it’s still an RSS reader, the looks and some options make it all worth-while.
:: Omni Outliner :: An amazing app for capturing, organizing, and developing your ideas.
:: Parallels Desktop :: Just like Boot Camp, enables your Mac to run Windows — but in a separate window within OS X (no more restarts required!).
:: Picturesque 2 :: Beautify your images. (Read more…)
:: Pixelmator :: The best image editor available exclusively for the Mac. (Read more…)
:: Podcast Maker :: In case that working with GarageBand isn’t prime for your podcasts.
:: PulpMotion :: Create fantastic videos with lots of movie effects. (Read more…)
:: RapidWeaver :: Make full, feature-rich websites with ease. Definitely much better than iWeb.
UPDATED! :: Senuti :: One of the best iPod importers, but no longer free.
:: Sticky Windows :: Organize whatever windows are plaguing your desktop. (Read more…)
:: Stomp :: The ultimate video compressor. SousChef :: A classy cookbook app made for the Mac. (Read more…)
NEW! :: Swift Publisher 2 :: A competitor for Apple’s Pages, and a great one at that.
:: TextMate :: An oh-so-beautiful text editor.
NEW! :: Things :: The ultimate organizer for the hectic player of today’s modern world. (Read more…)
:: Typinator :: Less actual typing, more words typed. (Read more…)
:: Yummy FTP :: The best FTP client around for the Mac.
:: YummySoup! :: A cookbook app made for the Mac. (Read more…)
