Best apps for Mac
286 apps
Top Mac apps ranked by the community
Zoom is a video conferencing service used for team meetings, classes and large webinars, with screen sharing, recording, breakout rooms and virtual backgrounds. The Zoom Workplace suite adds team chat, phone, whiteboards and docs, and AI Companion can summarize meetings and draft follow-ups on paid accounts. A free plan covers short meetings with a limited number of participants.
9 Zoom alternativesPros
- Reliable video quality, even on modest connections
- Breakout rooms, webinars and recording cover most meeting needs
- Widely known, so guests rarely need help joining
Cons
- Free meetings are capped in length and participants
- AI Companion requires a paid account
- Has faced privacy and security criticism in the past
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesWebex is Cisco's collaboration suite covering video meetings, team messaging, webinars and cloud calling, built with large enterprises and their security requirements in mind. Meetings can be end-to-end encrypted, and an AI Assistant provides summaries, noise removal and real-time translation. Webex also integrates with Cisco's meeting room hardware, and a free plan is available for basic meetings.
8 Webex alternativesPros
- Enterprise-grade security with end-to-end encrypted meetings
- AI Assistant provides summaries and real-time translation
- Integrates with Cisco meeting room hardware
Cons
- Interface can feel complex compared with simpler meeting apps
- Free plan is limited to basic meetings
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesJitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing app that runs in the browser, with mobile and desktop apps as well. Anyone can host meetings for free on the public meet.jit.si service or deploy their own server for full control. It includes screen sharing, chat, breakout rooms, background blur, live streaming to YouTube and optional end-to-end encryption. The project is maintained by 8x8.
9 Jitsi Meet alternativesPros
- Free meetings on meet.jit.si, with guests joining from the browser
- Open source and self-hostable for full control
- Optional end-to-end encryption and live streaming to YouTube
Cons
- Call quality can degrade with many participants
- Fewer admin and scheduling features than commercial suites
- Self-hosting at scale needs tuning and plenty of bandwidth
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesGoTo Meeting is a video conferencing service from GoTo, the company formerly known as LogMeIn. It covers business meetings with screen sharing, recording, drawing tools, breakout rooms and calendar integrations, and can be joined from a browser or from desktop and mobile apps. It fits companies already using other GoTo products, such as GoTo Connect for business phone or GoTo Webinar.
8 GoTo Meeting alternativesPros
- Dependable business meetings with drawing tools and recording
- Join from a browser or from desktop and mobile apps
- Fits well alongside GoTo Connect and GoTo Webinar
Cons
- Interface feels dated next to newer meeting apps
- Less widely used than Zoom or Teams, so guests may be unfamiliar
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesMicrosoft Outlook is an email and calendar app available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web, used with Outlook.com, Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts as well as Gmail and other IMAP services. It combines mail with calendars, contacts and tasks, supports shared mailboxes and scheduled sending, and integrates with Teams for meetings. Copilot can draft replies and summarize threads on eligible plans.
12 Microsoft Outlook alternativesPros
- Email, calendar, contacts and tasks in one app
- Shared mailboxes and Teams integration for businesses
- Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web
Cons
- The move from classic to new Outlook on Windows has been disruptive
- Free Outlook.com accounts show ads
- Copilot features require an eligible paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryProton Mail is an end-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland. Messages between Proton users are encrypted automatically, emails to others can be password-protected, and stored mail uses zero-access encryption so Proton cannot read it. Its apps are open source, paid plans add custom domains and more addresses, and it is part of a suite with Proton Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass.
9 Proton Mail alternativesPros
- End-to-end and zero-access encryption protect stored mail
- Based in Switzerland, with open source apps
- Part of a suite with Proton Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass
Cons
- Free plan is tight on storage and addresses
- Using IMAP clients requires Proton Mail Bridge and a paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesThunderbird is a free and open-source email client for Windows, macOS and Linux, with an Android app based on K-9 Mail. It manages multiple accounts in a unified inbox and includes a calendar, address book, chat and built-in OpenPGP encryption. Add-ons and themes customize it extensively, and it is developed by MZLA Technologies, a Mozilla Foundation subsidiary funded by user donations.
9 Thunderbird alternativesPros
- Free and open source, funded by donations rather than ads
- Built-in OpenPGP encryption, calendar and address book
- Highly customizable with add-ons and themes
Cons
- Interface feels busier than minimalist modern clients
- Getting the most out of it takes some setup and add-ons
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesSpark is an email client from Readdle that works with Gmail, Outlook, iCloud and other IMAP accounts on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Its smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters, and it supports send later, snoozing, a gatekeeper for new senders and AI writing help. Teams can share email threads, comment on them privately and draft replies together.
11 Spark alternativesPros
- Smart inbox separates personal mail, notifications and newsletters
- Shared threads and private comments for team email
- Gatekeeper screens new senders before they reach the inbox
Cons
- Sync relies on Readdle’s servers, which raises privacy questions
- AI and team features require a paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesSuperhuman is a premium email client for Gmail and Microsoft accounts, designed around keyboard shortcuts and speed. It offers split inboxes, reminders, scheduled sending, read statuses, snippets and AI features that draft replies and summarize threads. It targets professionals and executives who handle large volumes of email, and is sold as a subscription with no free plan.
8 Superhuman alternativesPros
- Keyboard shortcuts make triaging email very fast
- Split inboxes, reminders and snippets for heavy email users
- AI drafts replies and summarizes long threads
Cons
- Expensive subscription with no free plan
- Only works with Gmail and Microsoft accounts
- Read statuses rely on tracking pixels, a privacy concern
Cost / LicensePaidProprietaryCategoriesTuta, formerly Tutanota, is an open-source encrypted email and calendar service based in Germany. It encrypts mailbox contents end to end, including subject lines and contacts, and uses post-quantum cryptography for new accounts. Because it relies on its own encryption, it works through Tuta's apps rather than IMAP clients. A free plan exists, and paid plans add custom domains and more aliases.
7 Tuta alternativesPros
- Encrypts subjects and contacts, not just message bodies
- Post-quantum cryptography for new accounts
- Open source apps and a free plan, with servers in Germany
Cons
- No IMAP support, so you must use Tuta’s own apps
- Free plan is limited in storage and features
- Fewer integrations and features than mainstream providers
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesHEY is a paid email service from 37signals, the makers of Basecamp, that rethinks how mail is triaged. First-time senders must be approved in the Screener, newsletters go to The Feed, receipts to the Paper Trail, and spy pixels are blocked automatically. It includes a calendar and supports custom domains for businesses, but works only with HEY addresses rather than existing Gmail or IMAP accounts.
9 HEY alternativesPros
- Screener lets you approve first-time senders before they reach you
- Spy pixels in emails are blocked automatically
- The Feed and Paper Trail set newsletters and receipts aside
Cons
- Works only with HEY addresses, not existing Gmail or IMAP accounts
- Opinionated workflow that doesn’t suit everyone
- No free plan beyond the trial
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesMailspring is a free, open-source desktop email client for Windows, macOS and Linux that works with Gmail, Office 365, iCloud and any IMAP account. It offers a unified inbox, fast search, themes and templates, and runs its mail sync engine locally rather than in the cloud. An optional Pro subscription adds read receipts, link tracking, send later and reminders.
7 Mailspring alternativesPros
- Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux
- Sync engine runs locally rather than through a cloud service
- Unified inbox, themes and templates in a clean interface
Cons
- Send later, reminders and read receipts require Pro
- A Mailspring ID account is required even for the free version
- No mobile apps to go with the desktop client
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategorieseM Client is a desktop email client for Windows and macOS that brings email, calendar, tasks, contacts and notes together in one app. It works with Gmail, Exchange, Microsoft 365, iCloud and IMAP accounts, and includes built-in PGP encryption, snoozing, send later and quick templates. A free version is available for personal use with a limited number of accounts, and the Pro license unlocks the rest.
7 eM Client alternativesPros
- Email, calendar, tasks, contacts and notes in one desktop app
- Built-in PGP encryption without extra plugins
- Works with Gmail, Exchange, Microsoft 365, iCloud and IMAP
Cons
- Free version is for personal use with a limited number of accounts
- No Linux version, only Windows and Mac
- Interface can feel dense because of its many features
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesApple Mail is the email app included with macOS, iOS and iPadOS, supporting iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and other IMAP accounts in a unified inbox. It offers send later, follow-up reminders, smart search and Mail Privacy Protection, which hides your IP address and stops senders from seeing when you open messages. With iCloud+, Hide My Email creates random addresses that forward to your inbox.
9 Apple Mail alternativesPros
- Free and preinstalled on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Mail Privacy Protection hides your IP and blocks open tracking
- Unified inbox for iCloud, Gmail, Exchange and IMAP accounts
Cons
- Only available on Apple devices
- Few power-user features or extensions compared with dedicated clients
- Hide My Email requires an iCloud+ subscription
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesCrisp is a French customer messaging platform that gathers website chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and other channels into one shared inbox. It includes a chatbot builder, AI answers based on your own content, a knowledge base, email campaigns and a status page. A free plan covers basic live chat, and paid plans add automation, AI features and more channels.
8 Crisp alternativesPros
- Shared inbox for chat, email, WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger
- Bundles a knowledge base, email campaigns and a status page
- French company with a GDPR-minded approach to customer data
Cons
- Free plan is limited to basic chat, while AI and automation need paid plans
- Reporting is lighter than in help desks built for large enterprises
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesFront is a customer operations platform that turns email, SMS, chat, WhatsApp and social messages into a shared inbox teams can work in together. Messages can be assigned, commented on internally and routed with rules, while analytics track response times and workload. Front AI drafts replies and summarizes threads, and the tool serves support, sales and account teams who prefer an email-like workflow.
8 Front alternativesPros
- Email-like shared inbox that feels familiar to new users
- Internal comments and assignment replace forwarding and CCs
- Rules and analytics help balance workload and response times
Cons
- Per-seat pricing adds up quickly for larger teams
- Advanced analytics and automation are reserved for higher plans
- No free plan beyond the trial
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryLiveChat is a live chat tool that lets support and sales teams talk with website visitors in real time. Agents get canned responses, chat routing, visitor tracking, a preview of messages as they are typed and performance reports, with AI help for writing replies. It is made by Text, the company behind ChatBot, HelpDesk and KnowledgeBase, and connects to many e-commerce and CRM tools.
9 LiveChat alternativesPros
- Message preview shows what visitors type before they send it
- Canned responses, routing and visitor tracking for fast replies
- Many integrations with e-commerce and CRM tools
Cons
- Per-agent pricing becomes expensive as the team grows
- Chatbots and ticketing require separate products from the same company
- No free plan beyond the trial
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriestawk.to is a free live chat platform that lets businesses add a chat widget to their website and answer visitors from the web, desktop or mobile apps, with no limit on agents. It also includes ticketing, a knowledge base and real-time visitor monitoring. The company earns money through optional paid add-ons, such as removing its branding, AI assistance or hiring agents to staff the chat.
8 tawk.to alternativesPros
- Free live chat with no limit on the number of agents
- Includes ticketing, a knowledge base and visitor monitoring
- Web, desktop and mobile apps to answer from anywhere
Cons
- Removing tawk.to branding requires a paid add-on
- Interface and reporting feel basic next to premium tools
- AI assistance is sold as a paid extra
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesCanva is an online design editor built around drag-and-drop templates for social media graphics, presentations, posters, videos and documents. It targets non-designers and marketing teams, with a large stock library, brand kits, real-time collaboration and Magic Studio AI tools for creating and editing images and text. It runs in the browser and as desktop and mobile apps.
12 Canva alternativesPros
- Huge template library makes design accessible to non-designers
- Real-time collaboration and brand kits for marketing teams
- Available on web, desktop and mobile, with Magic Studio AI tools
Cons
- Many templates, assets and AI features sit behind the Pro plan
- Popular templates can make designs look like everyone else’s
- Limited precision for print production or advanced vector work
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesAdobe Illustrator is a desktop vector editor used by designers to create logos, icons, typography, illustrations and print artwork that scale to any size. It offers precise pen and shape tools, multiple artboards, many plugins and tight integration with Photoshop, InDesign and other Creative Cloud apps, plus Firefly features such as text-to-vector generation. An iPad version is also available.
11 Adobe Illustrator alternativesPros
- Industry-standard vector tools for logos, icons and print artwork
- Tight integration with Photoshop, InDesign and Creative Cloud
- Large plugin ecosystem and Firefly text-to-vector generation
Cons
- Subscription-only, with no perpetual license
- Steep learning curve, especially the pen tool
- Can be resource-heavy on large, complex files
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesInkscape is a free, open source vector drawing program for Windows, macOS and Linux that uses SVG as its native format. Illustrators, hobbyists and web designers use it for logos, diagrams, icons, cutting-machine files and print layouts. It provides Bezier and calligraphy tools, path operations, text on path, many extensions and import/export for PDF, EPS and AI files.
10 Inkscape alternativesPros
- Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Native SVG format, ideal for web graphics and cutting machines
- Powerful path operations and a large set of extensions
Cons
- Can feel slow with large or complex documents
- Interface is less polished than commercial vector editors
- Limited CMYK support for professional print workflows
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesAffinity is a professional creative app from Canva that merges the former Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher into one program with vector, pixel and layout workspaces. It is free to download for Windows and macOS, while its optional Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan. It suits designers who want an alternative to Adobe subscriptions and can import PSD, PDF and IDML files.
12 Affinity alternativesPros
- Free download combining vector, pixel and layout workspaces in one app
- Imports PSD, PDF and IDML files from Adobe workflows
- Professional tools without a mandatory subscription
Cons
- Canva AI tools require a paid Canva plan
- Smaller plugin and training ecosystem than Adobe’s
- Imported Adobe files can need manual adjustments
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesCorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a long-running vector design package for Windows and macOS, common in sign making, apparel printing, engraving and print shops. Alongside the CorelDRAW drawing and layout app, it bundles Corel PHOTO-PAINT for bitmap editing and a browser-based companion app. It is offered as a subscription or a one-time license, and a free trial is available.
7 CorelDRAW alternativesPros
- Long-standing favorite in sign making, apparel printing and engraving
- Bundles Corel PHOTO-PAINT for bitmap editing
- Choice between a subscription and a one-time license
Cons
- Less common in agencies, which can complicate file exchange with Adobe users
- Expensive for hobbyists and occasional users
- Dense interface with a learning curve for newcomers
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesAdobe InDesign is a desktop publishing application for laying out magazines, books, brochures, reports, interactive PDFs and ebooks. It handles parent pages, multi-column text threading, advanced typography, styles and print preflight, and integrates with Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Fonts. Publishers, agencies and in-house design teams use it for long or complex multi-page documents.
6 Adobe InDesign alternativesPros
- Industry standard for magazines, books and long documents
- Advanced typography, styles and multi-column text threading
- Print preflight and smooth handoff with Illustrator and Photoshop
Cons
- Subscription-only, which is costly for occasional use
- Steep learning curve for newcomers to page layout
- Overkill for simple flyers or one-page designs
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesScribus is a free, open source page layout program for Windows, macOS and Linux, used to design newsletters, brochures, posters, magazines and books. It supports CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, PDF/X export for professional printing and Python scripting. Nonprofits, schools and small publishers use it to produce print-ready files without paid software.
6 Scribus alternativesPros
- Free, open source page layout for Windows, macOS and Linux
- CMYK, spot colors and PDF/X export for professional printing
- Python scripting to automate repetitive layout tasks
Cons
- Interface feels dated and less intuitive than InDesign
- Fewer templates and tutorials than commercial layout software
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesFigma is a design platform for user interfaces, websites and apps where teams edit the same file in real time from the browser or the desktop app. It covers vector design, interactive prototypes, shared component libraries and variables for design systems, and Dev Mode for developer handoff. Plugins, FigJam whiteboards and AI features extend it for product and design teams.
12 Figma alternativesPros
- Real-time multiplayer editing in the browser or desktop app
- Components and variables make design systems manageable
- Huge ecosystem of plugins and community files
Cons
- Paid seats add up quickly for growing teams
- Most work requires an internet connection
- Large files can become slow and memory-hungry
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesSketch is a vector design app built exclusively for macOS, used to create user interfaces, icons and interactive prototypes. Files can stay local or live in shared workspaces with real-time collaboration, and a web app lets teammates and developers browse designs, comment and inspect specs without a Mac. Symbols, shared libraries and a long-standing plugin ecosystem support design-system work.
10 Sketch alternativesPros
- Fast native Mac app that also works offline
- Long-standing plugin ecosystem and shared libraries
- Web app lets teammates without a Mac comment and inspect specs
Cons
- Editing requires a Mac, which limits mixed-platform teams
- No free plan beyond the trial
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesPlatformsAxure RP is a desktop application for Windows and macOS used by UX designers and business analysts to build highly functional prototypes. It supports conditional logic, variables, dynamic panels, repeaters and form inputs, so prototypes can simulate real application behavior without code. Projects are shared through Axure Cloud for review, comments and developer inspection.
9 Axure RP alternativesPros
- Conditional logic, variables and repeaters for realistic prototypes
- Simulates real application behavior without writing code
- Axure Cloud handles review, comments and developer inspection
Cons
- Steep learning curve compared with simpler design tools
- Less suited to polished visual design than Figma or Sketch
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesBalsamiq is a wireframing tool that deliberately keeps mockups rough and sketch-like, so discussions focus on structure and flow rather than visual polish. It offers a drag-and-drop library of UI controls, links between screens for simple click-through prototypes and comments for feedback. It is available as a web app and a desktop app for Windows and macOS, with integrations for Confluence, Jira and Google Drive.
8 Balsamiq alternativesPros
- Sketch style keeps discussions on structure, not visual polish
- Very easy to learn, even for non-designers
- Integrations with Confluence, Jira and Google Drive
Cons
- Not suited to high-fidelity designs or detailed prototypes
- No free plan once the trial ends
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesLunacy is a vector design app from Icons8 for creating interfaces, prototypes and graphics on Windows, macOS and Linux. It works offline, opens Sketch files natively and includes Icons8 libraries of icons, photos and illustrations, along with AI helpers such as background removal. Cloud documents allow real-time collaboration; most features are free, with a paid plan for extended cloud features.
7 Lunacy alternativesPros
- Works offline on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Opens Sketch files natively, no Mac required
- Built-in Icons8 libraries of icons, photos and illustrations
Cons
- Smaller plugin ecosystem and community than Figma
- Less widely used, so fewer shared resources and tutorials
- Extended cloud features require a paid plan
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategories
