The Best Free Softwares For Your Mac

list of best free useful softwares for your Mac

By default, the Mac is equipped with plenty of programs that help to keep the business running. It includes useful tools for reminders, notes, and short texts. Of course, a mail program, the browser Safari and the preview for PDFs and image documents of all kinds. The Pages, Numbers, and Keynote iWork programs for text, spreadsheets, and presentations from the Mac App Store for free. For beginners in the music production, Garageband is suitable, similarly, video editing done with iMovie is great. The Mac is complete from day one.

And yet, beyond all of these, there are software vendors whose products are essential. The most important and (mostly) free ones have been collected here.

Amphetamines

With freeware amphetamines, you can revise the power settings of Mac and can make sure it stays active. In the application, separate settings for screen and hard disks can be made.

Flycut Clipboard Manager

The Freeware Flycut Clipboard Manager stores text stored in the clipboard in a history. This allows various texts to be saved in the clipboard and used in different apps. With different key combinations, users always keep track of the stored texts. The tool is integrated in the menu bar after starting.

Omni Disc Sweeper - Disk under control

The free Omni Disc Sweeper tool gives users an efficient overview of the data stored on each volume. The advantage is that with the tool especially large files can be quickly found and deleted. The tool is therefore ideal for creating free space. Omni Disk Sweeper quickly and easily reads all disks, including external disks.

Arthur - Enable hidden functions in macOS

Arthur activates hidden functions in macOS. But this is a paid app. Of course, the tool does not add any new functionality to the operating system, but simply presents users with functions that are difficult to access or rather unknown. Examples include activating file extensions, managing system files or deleting files.

Witch - Tab changer on steroids

If you like to keep your fingers on the keyboard, you can not help memorizing a few keyboard shortcuts. The most popular in everyday life are probably the selection and space keys for the search and the selection and tab key for the program change. However, if you have several windows in the programs and several tabs open in these windows, the situation quickly becomes confusing. Witch, on the other hand, lets you bring out the already opened windows in the individual programs directly in the window or via the keyboard, if desired, the individual tabs can be scoured. All in all a welcome relief in everyday life.

Touch Switcher

It lets the user switch between programs very quickly. Once the app has been installed, an app icon will appear in the Control Strip area. Alternatively, you can set up an additional shortcut in the settings for it. The app can do much more than just opening or bringing programs to the fore, the selection key can be used to hide multiple apps, and the control key to close several of them.

BetterTouchTool - Touchpad upgrade

With the tool BetterTouchTool you can use the touchpad of Mac computers much more efficiently. The software adds more gestures to it. You can create keyboard shortcuts and speed of clicks can also be adjusted with the tool. Unfortunately, BetterTouchTool is not free, but it can provide real value for Mac users who want to improve touchpad operation. The trial version gives you a good overview of what the tool can do.

Customize Deeper - Mac interface

Deeper can unlock hidden features in macOS. As a result, the software allows you to customize the graphical interface to your own requirements.

GeekTool - Create interactive backgrounds yourself

With the GeekTool you create an interactive background image that displays the time, calendar entries, weather information and other objects. If you play music on the Mac, the corresponding piece of music including the cover can also be displayed interactively on the desktop.

Alfred - Hotkeys and more

Alfred increases the efficiency of the operation of macOS with hotkeys, with which you start programs faster. However, Alfred's biggest benefit is improving the Mac's Spotlight search.

CCleaner for Mac

The well-known cleanup tool CCLeaner is not only available for Windows, but also for Mac computers. The tool cleans up your Mac's disk and removes a lot of garbage like cookies, temporary files, or remnants of installations. In addition to more space on the plate, with CCleaner, you also get a safer Mac.

Franz - All-in-One messenger tool

With Franz, you can use the most popular messenger software such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and others centrally in a single and free tool. So you can communicate with multiple contacts in one interface from one tool.

GPGSuite - Data encryption on the Mac

With the GPGSuite you get a collection of different tools for data encryption. The tool is based on OpenPGP. The collection also includes tools to encrypt emails. To do this, use GPGMail. The installation extends Apple Mail with encryption features. In addition, the suite can manage the keys and also perform encryption from other programs.

FileZilla - Powerful FTP program

FileZilla is a powerful FTP client that provides access to cloud storage such as Amazon S3. The open source program supports the connection to various portals and offers a clear interface. The integrated server manager can save and store connections.

Cyberduck for macOS - FTP and cloud storage client for macOS

Cyberduck is an FTP client for macOS and for Windows. With this tool, users can access not only FTP storage, but all storage that supports WebDAV. With Cyberduck, users can connect to different datastores, even in the cloud.

Unarchiver - Unpack archives

With this free tool you can extract numerous different archives in different formats. Unarchiver is not able to create archives on its own, but is primarily used for extracting. The tool supports Zip, Tar-GZip, Tar-BZip2, RAR, 7-zip, LhA and various disc formats such as CDI, NRG or MDF. The tool is also available through the Mac App Store.

RetroShare - Secure, Anonymous and Free Data Exchange

This is an open source solution that allows team members to securely communicate with each other while sharing data. RetroShare provides secure and client-based data sharing. Team members can use the Instant Messaging application to send documents and create forums or chat lobbies for group communication.

ClipGrab for macOS

With ClipGrab, you can quickly and easily download videos and audio tracks from YouTube or other video portals. The advantage of the tool is its easy operation. You just have to enter the link of the video in the tool and then you can download the data. In the settings, you can specify in which format the downloaded file should be saved.

Caliber - Manage eBooks

With Caliber, you can manage your eBooks on the Mac for free. The tool is also available for Windows and Linux. You can also synchronize eBooks with iPads via iTunes.

Table Tool - Easily edit CSV files

The Table Tool from the Mac App Store is a small spreadsheet program that lets you quickly create spreadsheets based on CSV files. For example, Table Tool is ideal for converting and editing CSV files to work with database applications or other spreadsheets.

Isolator - for concentrated work on the Mac

If you want to focus on writing or reading, you do not need any other windows on the desktop that could distract you. Of course, you can either close them or switch to full-screen mode. An interesting alternative is the small program Isolator. The application does not enlarge windows, but blurs them all in the background so that the user can no longer see them and thus focus more easily on the window in the foreground.

Automate Spark tasks

With the free tool Spark, you can create automatic tasks or shortcuts for different tasks in macOS. Spark executes AppleScript commands. You can choose to have Spark automatically start when logging in, or if you want to start the tool manually. Advanced users can use Spark to create some interesting tasks and hotkeys. In addition to system tasks, you can also configure the playback of music via iTunes or start apps automatically.

Microsoft Remote Desktop on the Mac

In addition to apps for smartphones and tablets, Microsoft also provides a client for the Mac, with which you can use the Remote Desktop. The app uses the RDP protocol, also suitable for computers with Windows 10. Under macOS High Sierra, new remote desktop connections can be set up quickly and easily.

RealVNC remote maintenance with and to macOS

When it comes to the remote control of computers, many administrators rely on VNC derivatives. Especially popular in macOS are the variants RealVNC and ThinVNC. With these products, a remote maintenance for Windows computers, Macs and Linux machines can be performed for free. Since all VNC variants use the VNC protocol, the programs are also compatible with each other. This means that you can install the server part of UltraVNC on servers and access the server at the same time as the RealVNC client. Of course, as uniform as possible installations are ideal. However, since this is not always possible, it may make sense to use a VNC variant where the administrator can specify which clients are to be used.

Mobile data under control with Trip Mode

With Trip Mode you control which apps are allowed to download data from the Internet when you're on the go. The tool is especially useful if you use your iPhone as a mobile hotspot, and do not want to unnecessarily burden the data volume. The software allows exactly which apps are allowed to connect to the Internet on the Mac. Especially when traveling Trip Mode proves to be an ideal solution, especially because the tool is easy to use. You can use the trial version for up to seven days. After that you have to buy this software.

Little Snitch - Firewall and Network Monitor

Little Snitch acts as a local firewall and network monitor. The advantage is the ease of use. Especially for users who travel frequently, and connect their Macbook with public Wi-Fi. It also gives an overview of which apps send data to the network and the Internet. Network connections must be explicitly allowed after installation. The tool can be used for 30 days for free and then you need to purchase it.

Time Machine Editor

There is no way around the backup. After all, macOS has been integrated with Leopard Time Machine since version 10.5. But there are tools that extend or exceed its usefulness.

The freeware Time Machine Editor lets you make settings on the time-machine backup. For example, you can change the interval and the time window of the backup. The tool changes virtually no system files and is ready to use in seconds.

Encryption and passwords

You know it: "12345" is not a good password. You may also know how to create a strong password that you can remember. However, with the multitude of Internet services that one uses, one should take the help of password managers. Because every site has its own password. But you know that, too. Here are very helpful tools for your passwords.

MacPass - access to Keepass database

With MacPass you can use the KeePass databases on the Mac and thus provide your passwords on the Mac for Windows computers and smartphones with iOS or Android.

LastPass - store passwords

The freeware version of LastPass stores passwords in a database. The tool integrates with Safari and can be used from the browser.

Dashlane - 1Password alternative

Dashlane is a free database for storing passwords and access data.

Data encryption with VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt creates encrypted areas (containers) on any disk and mounts them as drives. The official successor of TrueCrypt, however, requires the open source solution Fuse for its installation.

Encrypt data in the cloud with BoxCryptor

With the Freeware BoxCryptor you encrypt files before uploading them to cloud storage such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox. To do this, the tool hooks into the synchronization agent of the respective cloud storage.

Time for some Music and Entertainment

The computer also has to do a bit of fun. Listed below are some recommendations for a little entertainment.

YouTube To MP3 (Mac)

With YouTube to MP3 Converter you download the soundtrack of YouTube videos to your computer via MP3. The software, which is also available for Windows and Linux, works very simple: Copy the URL of the video into the window and then start downloading.

Lyrics Finder

As subscribers to Apple Music, they appreciate Apple's service to offer the text to (almost) every song. Obtaining your music from other sources - such as ripped from CD, purchased elsewhere or obtained from Youtube as described above, lacks texts. Help can be found in the Lyrics Finder , which lets you find song lyrics for the MP3s you have stored in your music collection for free. The lyrics that already exist will not be downloaded again. You can download songs from iTunes using drag-and-drop. The Lyrics Finder can also play songs and display the MP3 tags of songs.

Stellarium - 3D planetarium

Stellarium offers a graphically very appealing, almost photorealistic view of the starry sky. The free software shows a comprehensive view of the night sky including all constellations. You enter the coordinates of the place from which you want to see the night sky. Then you can adjust the perspective and run the view animated. You can also control the time of day. If you like to look in the stars, you can hardly avoid this standard software. Hobby astronomers can display constellations with graphics. Labels, constellations, and graphics can be turned on and off. The operation is very intuitive. Above all, the tool offers a realistic representation of the night sky.

Celestia - Virtual journey through space

Celestia is a free application that lets you display the night sky and constellations in a very appealing way. Unlike Stellarium, however, the application does not display the sky from the perspective of an Earth observer, but allows a virtual journey through space. The graphics are as appealing as Stellarium. With just a few mouse clicks you can navigate in space, fly through our solar system and much more. On the Internet you will find additional add-ons that you can integrate. You can track the orbits of planets and navigate with the mouse. The journey can also be recorded with screenshots or films.

PS4 Remote Play for Mac

With the Gratestool Remote Play, you can stream games from Playstation 4 to Mac. You only need to install the software and run PS4 and Mac on the same network. Install a PKG file on the Mac and simply connect the PS4 controller to the Mac.

Paint 2

Paint 2 is an easy-to-use tool that lets you edit your pictures. The freeware version of Paint Pro has some limitations, but is sufficient for many needs. You can use it to rotate pictures, edit shadows and reflections, add texts and much more. The tool does not replace full image editing, but provides tools for fast and easy image editing.