Free Apps. (In no particular order)
Mac apps:
Handbrake – for processing videos to reduce size and other features
Amphetamine – stop your Mac from going to sleep
Thunderbird – mail, calendar, contacts and tasks. Has third party extensions and add-ons
Paparazzi – captures and saves entire webpages. Save in format you choose.
Bean – lightweight word processor
Black Magic Speed Test – just tests speed of your disk drives internal or external
GIMP – image manipulation tool. Touchup and work on images. Alternative to Photoshop
Unarchiver – Native compression app on Mac is ok, but this does much more
Clockify – time tracker
FindMy – on Apple devices – use to find a device, person, AirTag. Don’t overlook this one.
Watch apps:
Cloud Battery – see battery level in your other Apple Gear
iTranslate – turn your watch into a two-way translation tool
Shazam – identify a song to get information and an Apple Music link
WatchChat2 – works with WhatsApp
Parrity – uses your connected phone to surf
IOS apps:
Snapseed – photo editor and filers for RAW or JPEG images
ChatGPT – ask questions, request jokes, and stories and more
Spotify – alternative to Apple Music, very popular, many features
CNN – get news directly on your phone
Apple Sports – Mostly American sports (MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, NCAA and more to come)
Google Maps – superior to Apple Maps when following directions on foot
What3words – geographical division of planet to identify your location and share with friends
Atlas Obscura – Find attractions when traveling that could be hidden gems
NASA – for space nuts, live coverage an videos. Over 21,000 images
Clear – minimalist to-do lists (also on iPad)
WolframAlpha – famous for math and physics but expanded into chemistry, biology, economics and more
Hyperduck – send links from Apple mobile device to Mac. Offline mode too.
iPad apps:
Reading List:Book Tracker – add a book by scanning barcode or search online and add to your list.
SketchBook Drawing Pad – for kids but you can use it too
NetNewsWire – subscribe to RSS feeds
JustWatch – saw a movie you wanted to watch? Now find the legal streaming source
Serial Reader – copyright free books (about 900) available for you read. Mostly classics
Some apps work on all Apple platforms.
From the February 2025 edition of of Mac|Life (available on Apple News)