We tested dozens of macOS applications to find the ones that truly enhance your workflow. From AI-powered productivity tools to design utilities, these are the apps that deserve a spot on your Mac.
By the Ahsk Team•10 min read
Your Mac is only as powerful as the apps you run on it. While Apple's native applications are solid, third-party developers have created specialized tools that can transform how you work, create, and stay productive.
We evaluated apps based on three key criteria: solving real problems, elegant design, and superiority to built-in alternatives. Every app on this list passed our rigorous testing and daily use over several months.
The apps are ranked from #10 to #1, with our top pick at the end. Let's dive in.
10
Raycast
Supercharged Spotlight replacement
Raycast takes everything Spotlight does and multiplies it by ten. Launch apps, search files, run scripts, manage windows, and even control Spotify—all from a single command bar. The extension ecosystem lets you integrate with virtually any service you use.
Key Features
• Clipboard History: Never lose something you copied
• Window Management: Snap windows to any position instantly
• Extensions: Over 1,000 community-built integrations
• Snippets: Text expansion for frequently used phrases
Best for: Power users who want to control everything from the keyboard
Price: Free (Pro version $8/month)
9
CleanShot X
Screenshot and screen recording perfected
The default macOS screenshot tool feels primitive after using CleanShot X. Capture scrolling screenshots, record your screen with a single click, annotate instantly, and hide desktop clutter automatically. It's the tool professionals use to create clean, polished visuals.
Key Features
• Scrolling Capture: Screenshot entire web pages in one go
• Cloud Upload: Instant shareable links for screenshots
• Self-Timer: Capture menus and tooltips easily
• GIF Recording: Create quick animated demos
Best for: Content creators, designers, and anyone who shares screenshots regularly
Price: $29 one-time purchase
8
Things 3
Beautiful task management that feels effortless
Things 3 strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and power. While other task managers overwhelm with features, Things keeps you focused on what matters today. The quick entry shortcut means capturing tasks takes seconds, and the award-winning design makes planning actually enjoyable.
Key Features
• Quick Entry: Global shortcut to capture tasks from anywhere
• Projects & Areas: Organize work and life separately
• Evening Review: Plan tomorrow before you finish today
• Calendar Integration: See deadlines alongside your schedule
Best for: Anyone who wants a beautiful, distraction-free task manager
Price: $49.99 one-time purchase
7
Bartender
Tame your menu bar chaos
If your menu bar looks like a cluttered toolbar, Bartender is your solution. Hide the icons you rarely need, organize the rest into categories, and reveal them with a single click. It's a simple utility that makes your Mac feel cleaner and more professional.
Key Features
• Auto-Hide Icons: Show only when needed
• Custom Spacing: Arrange icons exactly how you want
Arc isn't just another Chromium browser—it's a complete reimagining of web browsing. Vertical tabs, Spaces for different contexts (work, personal, research), and Split View make multitasking feel natural. Once you organize your digital life in Arc, going back to traditional browsers feels limiting.
Key Features
• Spaces: Separate browsing contexts with different themes
• Vertical Tabs: See all your tabs at once in the sidebar
• Split View: Browse two sites side-by-side natively
• Boosts: Customize any website's appearance
Best for: Knowledge workers juggling multiple projects and contexts
Price: Free
5
Notion
Your all-in-one workspace for notes, docs, and databases
Notion replaced our entire productivity stack. Notes, wikis, project management, databases—it all lives in one elegant workspace. The flexibility is unmatched: build exactly the system you need, from simple note-taking to complex CRM systems. Recent AI features make writing and organizing even faster.
Key Features
• Databases: Track anything with customizable views
• Templates: Start with pre-built systems for any workflow
• Collaboration: Real-time editing with your team
• AI Writing: Generate, improve, and summarize content
Best for: Teams and individuals who want one tool for everything
Price: Free (Plus $10/month, AI add-on $10/month)
4
1Password
Security that doesn't slow you down
Using the same password everywhere is a security nightmare. Using different passwords without a manager is impossible. 1Password solves this elegantly with biometric unlock, autofill that actually works, and security alerts when your passwords appear in breaches. It's peace of mind that pays for itself.
Key Features
• Watchtower: Alerts for compromised or weak passwords
• Travel Mode: Hide sensitive vaults when crossing borders
Figma killed the era of emailing design files back and forth. Real-time collaboration, powerful prototyping, and a plugin ecosystem that extends functionality infinitely—it's why design teams everywhere have made the switch. Even if you're not a designer, Figma's intuitive interface makes creating mockups and presentations surprisingly easy.
Key Features
• Real-Time Collaboration: Design with your team simultaneously
• Auto Layout: Create responsive designs that adapt automatically
• Dev Mode: Handoff designs with perfect specs to developers
• FigJam: Built-in whiteboarding for brainstorming
Best for: Designers, product teams, and anyone creating visual content
Price: Free (Professional $12/month)
2
Visual Studio Code
The code editor that won
VS Code didn't just compete with existing code editors—it redefined them. Free, lightning-fast, and extensible beyond belief, it's become the default choice for developers across every language and framework. GitHub Copilot integration brings AI-assisted coding directly into your workflow, making you significantly more productive.
Key Features
• IntelliSense: Smart code completion that actually understands context
• GitHub Copilot: AI pair programmer that writes code with you
• Extensions: 50,000+ extensions for every use case imaginable
• Integrated Terminal: Run commands without leaving your editor
Best for: Developers, technical writers, and anyone writing code
Price: Free (Copilot $10/month)
1
TOP PICK
Ahsk
AI that works everywhere you do
Here's the truth: switching to ChatGPT, Google, or any web-based AI tool every time you need help kills your flow. Ahsk solves this by bringing AI assistance directly to wherever you're working. Select any text in any app—a paragraph in Pages, code in VS Code, an email draft in Mail—and get instant answers, rewrites, or summaries without leaving your context.
Unlike Apple Intelligence which feels limited and inconsistent, Ahsk works everywhere on macOS. It's the difference between having an AI assistant available when Apple decides versus having one that's always there when you need it. For students, it's like having a tutor who can explain any concept instantly. For professionals, it's a writing partner that makes every email sharper and every document clearer.
Key Features
• Global Ask: Select text anywhere and get instant AI-powered answers without switching apps
• Instant Translation: Translate any text into 50+ languages with one click - no copy-pasting to Google Translate
• Smart Rewrite: Transform your writing to be more professional, casual, concise, or elaborate with one click
• Video Downloader: Download videos from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram instantly with ⌥⇧D shortcut
• Screenshot Analysis: Capture any part of your screen and ask questions about it using multimodal AI
• Lecture Mode: Follow along with video lectures and get real-time summaries and explanations
• Universal Integration: Works in Safari, Chrome, Notion, Slack, Mail, Messages, VS Code—literally everywhere
Why Ahsk Ranks #1
After testing every productivity app on this list, Ahsk stands out for one reason: it fundamentally changes how you interact with your Mac. While other apps improve specific tasks, Ahsk enhances everything you do. It's the only app that made us wonder how we ever worked without it. The state of flow it enables—where AI assistance is instant and invisible—is what computing should feel like in 2025.
Best for: Everyone. Students, professionals, writers, developers, researchers—anyone who works on a Mac
The best Mac apps don't just add features—they transform how you work. Each app on this list earned its spot by solving real problems elegantly and becoming indispensable in daily use.
If you're just getting started, we recommend beginning with Ahsk. It's free, works everywhere, and immediately makes your Mac feel more powerful. From there, add tools based on your specific needs—whether that's design (Figma), productivity (Things 3), or development (VS Code).
Remember: the goal isn't to install every app on this list. It's to find the ones that eliminate friction from your workflow and help you stay in the state of flow. Start with your biggest pain point, and build from there.