25 Best Apps for Mac Everyone Should Try in 2026

Finding the right apps for your Mac device can make everyday tasks faster and more efficient. The right tech stack can work wonders for your productivity.

Whether you’re managing projects, organizing notes, or exploring new AI tools, the right software can help you get more done without switching between platforms.

From productivity and writing apps to tools for students and automation, this list has something for everyone.

In this article, we'll cover the 25 best apps for Mac in 2026. Let's dive in!

What to Look for in Mac Apps

Choosing the right apps depends on how you use your Mac and what tasks you do most often. Here are a few key things to consider before downloading:

• Ease of use - Look for simple interfaces that don’t get in the way of your workflow.

• Cross-platform compatibility - Make sure the app syncs your data across devices.

• Automation features - Apps that can automate repetitive tasks save a lot of time.

• Offline support - Useful if you work in areas with spotty internet access.

• Pricing and plans - Check for free tiers or affordable upgrades.

Evaluate the apps below, see what features they offer, check their pricing, and build your ultimate, productivity-boosting tech stack!

25 Best Apps for Mac in 2026

There are thousands of mac apps available, but only a few truly make a difference in how you work and create. To help you find the most useful ones, this list breaks down the best apps for Mac in 2026 across different categories that cover productivity, writing, studying, and more.

Here’s what you’ll find in this list:

• Productivity Apps for Mac – Tools that simplify your workflow and save time.
• Note-Taking Apps for Mac – Apps to organize your notes and ideas efficiently.
• AI Apps for Mac – Smart assistants that help you work faster.
• Writing Apps for Mac – Tools for clear, focused, and structured writing.
• Calendar Apps for Mac – Apps that help you plan your day and manage your schedule.
• Email Apps for Mac – Reliable tools for handling messages and outreach.
• Mac Apps for Students – Study helpers and AI tools for academic success.
• Widget Apps for Mac – Utilities that boost productivity and keep your desktop clean.

Productivity Apps for Mac

Text Blaze

First up on our list of the best apps for Mac is Text Blaze, the ultimate productivity and automation tool.

Text Blaze is #1 on this list because it is trusted by 700,000+ users, with a 4.9 rating and 1,000+ 5-star reviews.

With Text Blaze, you can automate repetitive typing with keyboard shortcuts & dynamic text templates that work on any site or app.

Here's how Text Blaze stands out:

• Automate repetitive typing & boost productivity with keyboard shortcuts & dynamic text templates that work anywhere (we mean it).

• Text Blaze is free forever! Say goodbye to frustrating licenses or 7-day trials.

• Text Blaze works anywhere you do via the Text Blaze Chrome Extension, Windows app, and Mac app!

• Create dynamic templates with placeholders, drop-down menus, if/else rules, autopilot, and much more!

• Automate workflows by streamlining data transfer, form-filling, and repetitive typing anywhere you work.

• Text Blaze is perfect for teams! Learn more about using Text Blaze for teams to supercharge your team's communication and productivity!

Things 3

Things 3 is a task manager designed for simplicity and focus. You can organize to-dos, projects, and daily goals in a clean interface.

It supports tags, reminders, and calendar integration to help you stay on track. It’s ideal for users who like a well-structured way to plan their day.

Todoist

Todoist makes managing personal and team tasks easier with a straightforward design. You can organize projects by priority, set recurring tasks, and integrate them with tools like Google Calendar.

It supports labels and filters to help you focus on what’s most important. Great for users balancing multiple projects.

QuickKey

QuickKey simplifies repetitive typing by letting you create shortcuts for phrases or responses. It’s similar to text expansion tools and works across most Mac apps.

You can save time by turning long responses into quick commands. It’s handy for emails, customer support, and general daily typing.

Note-Taking Apps for Mac

Evernote

Evernote helps you organize notes, web clippings, and documents in one place. You can create notebooks, tag notes, and sync them across devices.

It’s great for saving ideas, research, and to-do lists. The search function makes finding past notes quick and easy.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a note-taking app built around linking ideas through markdown files. It’s great for writers, students, and researchers who want to build knowledge bases.

You can connect notes visually with backlinks to see how your thoughts relate. It offers complete control over how you organize your data locally.

Bear

Bear is a beautiful, minimal writing app focused on simplicity and speed. It supports markdown, syncing, and tags for easy organization.

The interface keeps distractions away while you write or brainstorm. Perfect for anyone who likes clean design and efficient writing.

AI Apps for Mac

ChatGPT

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI lets you generate ideas, write drafts, summarize text, and answer questions using natural language. It can assist with emails, scripts, research, or study help.

The desktop version integrates well with workflows, letting you chat while you work on other tasks. Tools like ChatGPT are great for boosting productivity and creativity.

Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI combines search and AI to give you quick, sourced answers from the web. You can ask questions and get summaries with citations.

It’s useful for research, brainstorming, and fact-checking without endless scrolling. It saves time when you need clear, reliable information fast.

Claude

Claude by Anthropic helps users write, edit, and analyze text in a conversational way. It’s designed to handle long documents while keeping responses easy to understand.

You can use it for summarizing, drafting, or generating ideas. It’s one of the most reliable AI apps for Mac users who write often.

Writing Apps for Mac

Grammarly

Grammarly AI improves your writing by checking grammar, clarity, and tone. It offers real-time suggestions across browsers and apps.

You can also get feedback on overall writing style and readability. Tools like Grammarly are perfect for anyone who writes emails, reports, or content daily.

Ulysses for Mac

Ulysses for Mac is a focused writing environment for bloggers, authors, and students. It combines a markdown editor with a distraction-free layout and syncing.

You can organize projects and export writing to formats like PDF or Word. It’s ideal for long-form writing without losing focus.

Hemingway Editor

Hemingway Editor helps you write clearer, simpler sentences. It highlights passive voice, long sentences, and hard-to-read phrasing.

You can use it to polish your writing before publishing or submitting. It’s great for improving readability and keeping writing concise.

Calendar Apps for Mac

BusyCal

BusyCal offers a customizable calendar with smart to-do integration. You can add weather, travel time, and tags to events.

It syncs with multiple accounts like iCloud and Google Calendar. It’s best for users who manage complex schedules and want more control.

Fantastical

Fantastical combines calendar, reminders, and scheduling in one app. You can create events using natural language and view your week or month in clean layouts.

It integrates with other productivity tools and widgets on Mac. Ideal for users who want simplicity with power.

Motion

Motion AI uses AI to plan your day automatically based on tasks and meetings. It reschedules work when conflicts arise and helps prioritize focus time.

You can track progress and productivity from one dashboard. It’s designed for users who want their schedule managed automatically.

Email Apps for Mac

Airmail for Mac

Airmail for Mac is a fast, clean email client built for Mac. It supports multiple accounts and integrates with other tools like Trello and Evernote.

You can customize swipes, templates, and keyboard shortcuts. It’s ideal for users who want full control over their inbox.

Proton Mail

Proton Mail focuses on email privacy and encryption. You can send secure emails that protect sensitive data.

The interface is simple and fits naturally into the macOS ecosystem. It’s a solid pick for users who value privacy and security.

Direct Mail

Direct Mail is built for creating and sending email campaigns directly from Mac. It offers templates, analytics, and subscriber management.

You can track open and click rates in real time. It’s great for small businesses or freelancers managing newsletters.

Mac Apps for Students

Mindgrasp

Mindgrasp AI helps students summarize lectures, notes, and readings with the help of AI. You can upload documents, videos, or PDFs and get concise explanations in seconds.

Tools like Mindgrasp are built for studying smarter and staying organized across multiple subjects. Great for students who want to understand more and study with AI.

Gauth AI

Gauth AI is an AI homework helper that solves problems and explains step-by-step solutions. You can scan questions using your Mac camera or upload them for detailed answers.

Tools like Gauth AI are especially helpful for math, science, and reasoning subjects.

Studdy AI

Studdy AI focuses on simplifying learning by summarizing PDFs, notes, and lectures. It provides flashcards and explanations to help with memorization.

You can organize study sessions and get AI support while preparing for exams. It’s perfect for university students and self-learners.

Widget Apps for Mac

Raycast

Raycast helps you control your Mac with commands and shortcuts. You can open apps, search files, or use custom extensions.

It’s a fast alternative to Spotlight for power users. It also supports workflow automation for repetitive tasks.

Alfred

Alfred is a productivity app that boosts efficiency with quick search and custom workflows. You can use it to open apps, search the web, or control your Mac hands-free.

It supports text expansion and clipboard history. Tools like Alfred are perfect for users who like fast, keyboard-based control.

Bartender for Mac

Bartender for Mac organizes your Mac menu bar by hiding or rearranging icons. You can clean up your workspace and access hidden icons when needed.

It’s simple but effective for improving focus. A must-have for users who prefer a minimalist setup.

What is the Best App for Mac?

The best app for Mac depends on what you use your computer for most. If you focus on productivity, task managers and automation tools can save hours every week. Writers might prefer apps that keep their workspace distraction-free, while students might need AI tools for studying and note-taking.

It’s less about finding one perfect app and more about building a setup that matches your daily workflow. Try out a few of the apps from this list to see which ones fit your needs best.

Our recommendation for the best free app for Mac is Text Blaze. Text Blaze is is trusted by 700,000+ users, with a 4.9 rating and 1,000+ 5-star reviews. Text Blaze helps you automate repetitive typing and workflows anywhere you work on macOS.

Give Text Blaze a try for free today!