Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Mac users swap recommendations for the apps they rely on every day, from launchers like Raycast and Alfred to window managers such as Rectangle and tiling tools like yabai or Amethyst. Common themes include boosting productivity (clipboard managers, advanced terminals, automation tools like Keyboard Maestro and Hammerspoon), improving system control (Homebrew/MacPorts, firewalls like Little Snitch or LuLu, monitor and sleep utilities), and choosing focused editors and note‑taking tools (Obsidian, iA Writer, Things). Many comments weigh trade‑offs between Apple’s built‑in features and third‑party tools, as well as concerns over subscriptions, privacy, and long‑term trust in VC‑backed products.

App Launchers & Productivity Hubs

  • Heavy use of Spotlight replacements: Alfred, Raycast, LaunchBar, Quicksilver legacy.
  • Raycast praised for breadth: app launching, window management (backs Rectangle), clipboard history, conversions, calendar integration, app shortcuts, plugins, and extension model.
  • Concerns about Raycast: VC funding, subscription/AI focus, weaker file workflows, higher resource use; several prefer Alfred or LaunchBar’s simpler, faster workflows.
  • Some want a non-AI, non-subscription “lifetime” Raycast tier; Raycast has signaled they’re exploring cheaper or lifetime options.

Window & Workspace Management

  • Rectangle (and Pro) is the dominant recommendation; many say they “can’t use a Mac without it.”
  • Alternatives: Magnet, Spectacle, Amethyst, Multitouch, Cinch, Wins, BetterSnapTool (now redundant with BetterTouchTool’s snapping).
  • Tiling WMs: yabai+skhd (+SketchyBar) revered by power users; concerns over required privileges, though elevated mode is optional. AeroSpace is suggested but has issues with tabbed apps like Finder. Some stick with Amethyst.
  • Note that basic tiling is coming to a future macOS release, but many still expect to prefer third‑party tools.

Terminals, Dev & CLI Ecosystem

  • iTerm2 widely loved (splits, tmux -CC, profiles, history, timestamps); some mention an AI feature controversy but see it as overblown since it’s opt‑in.
  • Others favor Kitty, WezTerm, Alacritty, Warp, or Kitty+tmux; some miss iTerm2 when on Linux.
  • Package managers: Homebrew is common; multiple people argue MacPorts is older, more “sane,” and less invasive; some use Nix (nix‑darwin + home‑manager) for full system config.
  • Built‑in CLI tools highlighted: pbcopy/pbpaste, networkQuality, caffeinate, open, security, xattr -cr, etc.

Notes, Writing & Task/Info Management

  • Strong use of markdown/note tools: Obsidian, Craft, Bear, iA Writer, Typora, MarkEdit, Highland, NotePlan, Scrivener, FreePlane.
  • Things 3 is a standout todo app for many (polish, hotkeys, OS integration); critics point out lack of end‑to‑end encryption and regulatory implications.
  • Other task/journal tools: TickTick, Todoist (mentioned by comparison), OmniFocus, Day One, Notion, Be Focused/Focus for Pomodoro.
  • “Math notepads” like Calca and Soulver get praise for units and inline calculations.

Security, Privacy & Networking

  • Outbound firewalls: Little Snitch and LuLu (FOSS alternative) are heavily recommended; LuLu noted as lighter, Little Snitch as more full‑featured.
  • Additional Objective‑See tools: KnockKnock, BlockBlock, RansomWhere, Oversight.
  • SSH/key security: Secretive (Secure Enclave keys), yubikey‑agent for YubiKey‑backed SSH.
  • VPNs: Tailscale and WireGuard are frequently mentioned.
  • 2FA: Authy’s desktop app is gone and Authy is seen as “dying”; several switch to 1Password, Strongbox, OTP Auth, or upcoming Apple Passwords; some warn that desktop 2FA weakens security.

Clipboard, Screenshots & Small Utilities

  • Clipboard managers: Maccy, CopyClip, Paste, PastePal, Raycast’s built‑in clipboard, CopyClip; warnings about retaining sensitive data.
  • Screenshot/annotation tools: Shottr, CleanShot X, Xnapper, Snipaste, LiceCap; favored for fast annotations, OCR, pinning, and GIF recording despite strong built‑in macOS shortcuts.
  • Sleep control: Amphetamine, KeepingYouAwake, Owly, Caffeine; others just use caffeinate CLI. Amphetamine’s per‑app monitoring can be CPU‑heavy.
  • Monitor/menubar: MonitorControl and BetterDisplay for external display brightness and HiDPI; iStat Menus and Stats for system metrics.
  • Menubar organizers: Bartender is now distrusted due to a poorly handled ownership change; Ice and IceMenuBar are suggested replacements.

Browsers, Email & Media

  • Browsers: Arc has devoted fans citing “spaces” and organization, but others distrust its unclear monetization and future; concern it may move to paywalled features. Orion, SigmaOS, Firefox+containers, Safari+content blockers, Edge, Brave also appear.
  • Email: Mimestream (native Gmail), MailMate, Superhuman, Fastmail (service) plus native/Outlook; some prefer lightweight or privacy‑respecting clients.
  • Media: IINA is widely preferred over VLC for performance, native UI, HDR, and multi‑video support; VLC still valued for subtitle customization. Infuse, Pixelmator/Pixelmator Pro, Acorn, Affinity suite and others cover media editing.

Automation & Power‑User Tools

  • Keyboard Maestro and Hammerspoon frequently described as transformative, replacing multiple smaller utilities for automation, window management, and UI scripting.
  • Karabiner‑Elements is standard for advanced key remapping (e.g., dual‑role Caps Lock); macOS’s simple modifier remaps are seen as insufficient.
  • Other helpers: Hazel for file automation, Shortcat for keyboard‑driven UI navigation, Shortcuts and AppleScript/JavaScript for Automation for built‑in scripting.

Built‑In macOS Features & Philosophy

  • Several urge learning native tools before installing many apps: Spotlight, QuickLook, Preview+Markup, TextEdit in plain‑text mode, Image Capture, Script Editor/Shortcuts, Finder path/status bars, screenshot tools, live text from images.
  • Some intentionally “purge” third‑party utilities, preferring a lighter, more maintainable setup; others embrace a full “power user” stack but acknowledge trade‑offs in complexity and potential performance impact.