Best Productivity Apps For Mac

Boost your efficiency with the best Mac productivity apps. From task managers to automation tools, discover apps that’ll help you work smarter, stay organized, and get more done.

best mac apps

All The Best Productivity Apps For Mac

  • Obsidian

    What It Is / What It Does…

    A markdown-based note-taking and knowledge management tool.

    Details

    Developer:

    Obsidian.md


    Editor’s Note

    Great for creating a “second brain” and organizing complex projects.

    If you’re serious about taking notes and building a personal knowledge system, Obsidian is a must-have for your Mac.

    More than just a note-taking app, Obsidian turns your notes into a powerful, interconnected knowledge base using simple Markdown files.

    With bidirectional linking, graph views, and endless customization through plugins, it’s perfect for writers, researchers, and anyone managing complex ideas.

    Whether you’re outlining projects, tracking ideas, or building a second brain, Obsidian gives you full control over your notes—locally stored and fully private.

    For deep thinkers and organized minds, Obsidian is the ultimate tool to connect your thoughts and supercharge your creativity.

  • MindNode

    What It Is / What It Does…

    A mind-mapping app for brainstorming and organizing ideas visually.

    Details

    Developer:

    IdeasOnCanvas


    Editor’s Note

    MindNode helps turn scattered ideas into structured plans with minimal effort.

    Got big ideas but struggling to organize them? MindNode is the perfect tool to turn your thoughts into clear, actionable plans.

    This beautifully designed mind-mapping app helps you visually brainstorm, connect ideas, and structure projects with ease.

    From simple to-do lists to complex workflows, MindNode keeps your creativity flowing without feeling overwhelming.

    Its clean interface, seamless iCloud sync, and intuitive features like Quick Entry and Focus Mode make organizing your ideas feel natural and engaging.

    If you’re ready to bring clarity to your brainstorming and turn ideas into action, MindNode is the creative tool your Mac needs.

  • Fantastical

    What It Is / What It Does…

    A smart calendar app with natural language input and task integration.

    Details

    Developer:

    Flexibits


    Editor’s Note

    The best calendar app for busy professionals. Seamlessly integrates with other tools.

    If Apple’s Calendar feels a bit too basic for your busy schedule, Fantastical is the upgrade your Mac needs.

    This award-winning calendar app combines a beautiful, intuitive design with powerful features like natural language input, integrated task management, and seamless syncing across all your devices.

    Whether you’re scheduling meetings, setting reminders, or managing multiple calendars, Fantastical makes it effortless.

    Its clean interface and smart notifications keep you on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed. For anyone who wants to stay organized and actually enjoy using their calendar, Fantastical is a must-have.

  • Things 3

    What It Is / What It Does…

    A simple yet powerful task manager for organizing your to-dos and projects.

    Details

    Developer:

    Cultured Code


    Editor’s Note

    The clean design and intuitive workflow make Things 3 one of the best task managers for Mac.

    If you’re ready to take control of your tasks and stay organized, Things 3 is the ultimate to-do app for your Mac.

    With its beautifully minimalist design and powerful task management features, Things 3 makes it effortless to plan your day, manage projects, and hit your goals.

    From quick task entry and intuitive organization to deadlines, reminders, and project checklists, everything feels smooth and natural.

    Plus, its seamless integration with macOS features like Calendar and Siri keeps you on track without missing a beat.

    For anyone serious about productivity, Things 3 is the perfect blend of simplicity and power.

  • Raycast

    What It Is / What It Does…

    Raycast supercharges your productivity with app launching, clipboard management, window handling, and AI tools. It’s your all-in-one Mac assistant.

    Details

    Developer:

    Raycast Inc.


    Editor’s Note

    Raycast is essential for anyone seeking speed and efficiency on macOS. Its extension ecosystem adds immense value.

    If you want to work smarter and faster on your Mac, Raycast is the productivity powerhouse you’ve been missing.

    Think of it as Spotlight on steroids—this ultra-fast launcher lets you open apps, search files, manage tasks, control system settings, and even run custom scripts, all from your keyboard.

    With deep integrations for tools like GitHub, Notion, and Google Workspace, plus a growing library of extensions, Raycast can streamline just about any workflow.

    Whether you’re a developer, designer, or just someone who loves efficiency, Raycast turns your Mac into a productivity machine.

  • DEVONthink

    What It Is / What It Does…

    Document management and note-taking for organizing and searching through large collections.

    Details

    Developer:

    DEVONtechnologies


    Editor’s Note

    Ideal for researchers and those who need advanced document organization.

  • TextExpander

    What It Is / What It Does…

    Expands text snippets into full phrases, emails, or code with keyboard shortcuts.

    Details

    Developer:

    Smile Software


    Editor’s Note

    Great for automating repetitive typing tasks. Saves hours for heavy typists.

    If you’re constantly typing the same things over and over, TextExpander is the productivity hack your Mac needs.

    This powerful tool lets you create custom shortcuts (called snippets) that instantly expand into text, emails, links, code, or even entire paragraphs.

    Whether you’re responding to emails, drafting documents, or entering repetitive data, TextExpander saves you time and reduces errors.

    It’s perfect for teams too—everyone can share and sync snippets for consistent communication.

    For anyone looking to work faster and smarter, TextExpander is an essential tool that turns keystrokes into productivity.

  • Swish

    What It Is / What It Does…

    Gesture-based window management for Mac using Magic Trackpad or Magic Mouse.

    Details

    Developer:

    High Coders


    Editor’s Note

    Makes multitasking smooth and intuitive. Swish is a productivity boost for trackpad users.

    If you love using gestures on your Mac and want even more control, Swish is the upgrade your workflow needs.

    This intuitive gesture-based window manager lets you move, resize, and snap windows with simple trackpad gestures—no keyboard shortcuts or dragging required.

    Want to maximize a window? Just swipe up. Need to snap something to the side? A quick swipe does the trick.

    Swish feels like a natural extension of macOS, making multitasking faster and more fluid. For anyone who wants to make their Mac feel smarter and more responsive, Swish is a must-have.

  • Bear

    What It Is / What It Does…

    A beautifully simple markdown note-taking app.

    Details

    Developer:

    Shiny Frog


    Editor’s Note

    Perfect for writers or anyone who prefers a clean interface for notes.

    If you’re looking for a beautifully simple yet powerful note-taking app for your Mac, Bear is the one to beat.

    Designed with writers, thinkers, and creators in mind, Bear strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and functionality.

    Its clean, distraction-free interface makes it easy to capture ideas, draft articles, or organize thoughts, while powerful features like Markdown support, tags for organization, and cross-note linking take your productivity to the next level.

    Whether you’re jotting down quick notes or crafting long-form content, Bear keeps everything organized and accessible.

    If you want a note-taking app that feels as good as it works, Bear is an absolute must-have.

Things To Keep In Mind, Best Practices….

Apple Mac Buyers Guide

How to Choose the Best Productivity Apps for Mac

Not every productivity app will help you work smarter. Some will streamline your workflow, others will just clutter your desktop.

Here’s how to pick the right Mac productivity apps that’ll actually make a difference.

  1. Focus on Solving a Problem
    Don’t install apps just because they’re trending. Identify what’s slowing you down—task management, focus, organization—and choose tools that fix it.
  2. macOS Compatibility
    Running macOS Sonoma or an older version? Check if the app is fully compatible. If you’re on an M1/M2 Mac, make sure it’s optimized for Apple Silicon to avoid sluggish performance.
  3. Lightweight and Efficient
    Your productivity app shouldn’t drain your Mac’s resources. Look for apps that are fast, responsive, and don’t hog your CPU or battery.
  4. User-Friendly Interface
    Complicated apps kill productivity. Pick tools with clean, intuitive interfaces that let you get to work without a learning curve.
  5. Regular Updates and Support
    Apps that aren’t regularly updated can become buggy and unreliable. Choose apps with consistent updates and responsive support.
  6. Integration with Other Tools
    The best productivity apps seamlessly integrate with the tools you already use—Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, or iCloud.
  7. Transparent Pricing
    Free, one-time purchase, or subscription? Know exactly what you’re paying for. Skip apps that lock essential features behind expensive paywalls.
  8. Read Real Reviews
    Ignore the hype. Look for genuine reviews about performance, reliability, and ease of use. User feedback reveals what marketing won’t.
  9. Try Before You Buy
    Many premium apps offer free trials. Take advantage of them to see if the app fits your workflow before spending money.
  10. Security and Privacy
    Handling sensitive data? Choose apps with strong security and privacy features. Look for end-to-end encryption and clear privacy policies.
  11. Customization Options
    Your workflow is personal. The best apps let you customize settings, shortcuts, and layouts to match how you work.

Bottom Line?

Don’t clutter your Mac with apps that slow you down. Choose productivity tools that are fast, secure, and actually help you get more done.

Mac Apps Database

We use Macs to run this site and we’re always testing and using new ones. The best of the best (and the ones we like most) get added to our master list which you can check out by clicking the button below.