Skip to content

📝 A curated list of awesome applications, softwares, tools and shiny things for OS X.

Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings

ryuheechul/awesome-osx

 
 

Folders and files

NameName
Last commit message
Last commit date

Latest commit

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Repository files navigation

Awesome

A curated list of awesome applications, softwares, tools and shiny things for macOS.

Items marked with Open-Source Software are open-source software and link to the source code. Items marked with Freeware are free (as in free beer).

Table of Contents

Applications

Audio

  • Audacity - Free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Audio Hijack - Record audio from any application like iTunes, Skype or Safari, or from hardware devices like microphones and mixers.
  • BackgroundMusic - Record system audio, control audio levels for individual apps, and automatically pauses your music player when other audio starts playing and unpauses it afterwards. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Cog - A free open source audio player for macOS. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Mixxx - Free DJ software that gives you everything you need to perform live mixes, veritable alternative to Traktor. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • VOX Player - Play numerous lossy and lossless audio formats.
  • XLD - Rip/Decode/convert/play various "lossless" audio files. Open-Source Software Freeware

Bookmark Utilities

  • ReadKit - Have all your Instapaper, Pocket, etc. feeds in one place even when you're offline.
  • Spillo - Powerful, beautiful and fast Pinboard client.

Chat Clients

  • ChitChat - A native Mac app wrapper for WhatsApp Web. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Colloquy - A GUI IRC Client. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Goofy - Unofficial Facebook Messenger client. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • LimeChat - Instant messaging application. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Messenger for Desktop - An app for Facebook messenger. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Profanity - A terminal XMPP client. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Slack - A messaging app for teams. Freeware
  • Telegram - A messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it’s super fast, simple and free. Freeware
  • Textual 5 - An Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client. Open-Source Software
  • WeeChat - A terminal IRC client. Open-Source Software Freeware

Data Recovery

  • Data Rescue - Comprehensive and professional data recovery for a multitude of scenarios.
  • DiskWarrior - Recover from filesystem corruptions when Disk Utility is out of options.

Developers

  • Base 2 - A GUI for managing SQLite databases.
  • Cakebrew - The Homebrew GUI App. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Charles - Charles is a Proxy that allow you to view all of the HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
  • CocoaRestClient - An app for testing REST endpoints. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Dash - An API Documentation Browser and Code Snippet Manager.
  • dlite - The simplest way to use Docker on macOS. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Gas Mask - A simple hosts file manager which allows editing of host files and switching between them. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • gitbar - Open source github contribution stats on your Menu Bar. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • GitHub Desktop - A GUI for using GitHub. Freeware
  • GitUp - A simple but powerful Git macOS app. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Hosts - Edit hosts file. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • ImageAlpha - Apply lossy compression on PNG files with or without transparency for more efficient files. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • ImageOptim - Makes images take up less disk space and load faster. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Insomnia - A modern REST client with a beautiful interface. Freeware
  • Integrity - Easily find your website's broken links. Freeware
  • Kaleidoscope - Powerful diff and merge application supporting text, images, and folders.
  • Paw - The ultimate REST client.
  • Postgres.app - The easiest way to get started with PostgreSQL. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • PSequel - A PostgreSQL GUI tool. Freeware
  • QorumLogs - Swift Logging Utility for Xcode & Google Docs. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Quiver - A delightful notebook for programmers that allows mixing rich text, code, markdown, LaTeX, and graphs.
  • Sequel Pro - A MySQL database manager. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Sip - A simple color picker for developers.
  • SnippetsLab - Manage and organise snippets of code.
  • SourceTree - A free Git & Mercurial client. Freeware
  • StarUML - A sophisticated software modeler.
  • Tower - The most powerful Git client.
  • Unused - An app for checking Xcode projects for unused resources. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Vagrant Manager - Manage your vagrant machines in one place with Vagrant Manager for macOS. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • WWDC - The WWDC app. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Zsh - A powerful command line shell. Open-Source Software Freeware

E-Book Utilities

  • Calibre - Incredibly ugly but powerful software for ebook management and conversion. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Kindle App - Amazon Kindle App for macOS.
  • Kitabu - Desktop ePub ebook reader.
  • Sigil - Multi-platform ePub editor. Open-Source Software Freeware

Editors

  • Atom - The hackable text editor. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Brackets - A modern text editor that understands web design. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Emacs - Port of Emacs to work as an macOS app. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Light Table - A customizable editor with REPL support for Clojure, JavaScript, Python and others. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • MacVim - Vim, the text editor. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Sublime Text 3 - The sophisticated text editor.
  • TextMate - A graphical text editor. Open-Source Software
  • VimR - Vim, refined. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Visual Studio Code - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications. Open-Source Software Freeware

Email Utilities

  • Airmail - Lightning fast email client designed for El Capitan, and a free Beta.
  • MailMate - Advanced IMAP email client, featuring extensive keyboard control and Markdown support.
  • Nylas N1 - An extensible, open source mail client with custom plugin support. Open-Source Software Freeware

Finder

  • ForkLift - File Manager and FTP/SFTP/WebDAV/Amazon S3 client.
  • Path Finder - A powerful dual-pane browser alternative to Finder.
  • Quicklook-Plugins - List of extra quicklook plugins to enable previewing more filetypes in the Finder.
  • TotalFinder - A powerful alternative to Finder.
  • XtraFinder - Adds useful features to Finder. Freeware

Games

  • Battle for Wesnoth - Turn-based tactical strategy game, featuring both single-player and online multiplayer combat. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Boxer - The DOS game emulator that’s fit for your Mac. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Dolphin - A powerful, Open Source emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii games. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • OpenEmu - Multiple Video Game System. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Screentendo - Turn your screen into a playable level of Mario. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Stockfish - Beautiful, powerful chess application. Open-Source Software Freeware

Graphics

  • Acorn - A very Mac-like image editor with a comprehensive feature set.
  • Affinity Designer - Vector image design tool, possible Adobe Illustrator alternative.
  • Affinity Photo - Raster image design tool, possible Adobe Photoshop alternative.
  • Blender - Fully-featured extensible cross-platform 3D content suite. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Image2icon - Create and personalize icons from your pictures. Freeware
  • OmniGraffle - An app for creating precise, beautiful graphics.
  • Pixelmator - Powerful image editor, possible Photoshop alternative.
  • Sketch - Hybrid vector/bitmap layout application, especially useful for UI, web and mobile design. Freeware
  • Sketch Toolbox - A super simple plugin manager for Sketch. Open-Source Software
  • xScope - Tools for measuring, inspecting and testing on-screen graphics and layouts.

Productivity

  • Alfred - Boosts your efficiency and productivity.
  • BetterTouchTool - Configure gestures for mouse and actions for keyboard shortcuts.
  • ClipMenu - ClipBoard History Manager. Freeware
  • CloudClip - Sync your clipboard between your Mac and your iOS devices. Freeware
  • f.lux - Automatically adjust your computer screen to match lighting. Freeware
  • Fantastical 2 - Complete Calendar app replacement which uses natural language for creating events.
  • Hazel - Create rules to automatically keep your files organized.
  • HazeOver - Turn distractions down and focus on your current task.
  • HyperDock - Select individual application window.
  • Instant Translate - Translate speech and text between 100+ languages from the menu bar.
  • Karabiner - A powerful keyboard customizer. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • LaunchBar - Start applications, navigate folders, manipulate files, control your Mac and much more just by using the keyboard.
  • noti - Display a notification after a terminal process finishes. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • OmniFocus - An incredible task management platform for Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
  • Paste - The new way to copy & paste for Mac.
  • PopClip - Instantly copy & paste, access actions like search, spelling, dictionary and more.
  • Quicksilver - Control your Mac quickly and elegantly. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • SelfControl - Bclock access to distracting websites. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Telephone - A SIP softphone. Make phone calls over the Internet or your company’s network. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • TextExpander - Create custom keyboard shortcuts for frequently-used text and pictures.
  • Todoist - Cross-platform to-do manager with mobile apps, great UI and has some optional premium features.

Sharing Files

  • BitTorrent Sync - Multi platform sync tool using BitTorrent protocol.
  • CloudApp - Capture and share files and screenshots instantly.
  • Jumpshare - Real-time file sharing app with support for instantly sharing code / Markdown, annotating screenshots, screen recording, and voice recording. Freeware
  • mac2imgur - Upload images and screenshots to Imgur. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Syncthing - Multi-platform, secure, decentralized sync tool. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Transmission - Simple, lightweight, multi-platform torrent client. Open-Source Software Freeware

Terminal

Utilities

  • 1Password - Password Manager and Secure Wallet.
  • Amphetamine - Prevents macOS from automatically going to sleep, with lots of configurations. Freeware
  • AnyBar - A menubar status indicator. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • AppCleaner - Uninstall your apps easily. Freeware
  • Arthur - Safely optimize some of your Mac's hidden settings.
  • Bartender - Organize your menu bar apps.
  • BeardedSpice - Control web based media players with the media keys found on Mac keyboards. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • BetterZip - A very capable and full-featured archive manager.
  • BitBar - Display output of any script to the menu bar. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Burn - No-nonsense burning of Data/Audio/Video CDs and DVDs, including copying. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Caret - Very capable markdown editor.
  • CheatSheet - Know your short cuts. Freeware
  • CommandQ - Never accidentally quit an app again.
  • ControlPlane - Automate running tasks based on where you are or what you do. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • DaisyDisk - Analyze disk usage and free up disk space.
  • Deliveries - Beautiful and simple package tracking. Freeware
  • DisableMonitor - Easily disable or enable a monitor on your Mac. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • EtreCheck - Output system information and configuration to get more informed help from Apple support professionals. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Finicky - App that allows you to set rules that decide which browser is opened for every link. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Fluid - Turn web applications into Mac applications.
  • gfxCardStatus - Menu bar app to monitor and switch between integrated and discrete GPUs on MacBook Pro. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Helium - A floating browser window that allows you to watch media while you work. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • InsomniaX - Prevents macOS from automatically going to sleep (on lid closing or idle timeout). Freeware
  • iStat Menus - An advanced system monitor for your menubar.
  • Kawa - A better input source switcher with shortcuts. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • KeePassX - A free, open source, and light-weight password manager. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • KeepingYouAwake - Menu bar utility that prevents Mac from going to sleep. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Keka - Compress to and extract from many archive file formats. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Knock - Unlock your Mac quickly and securely. Freeware
  • LaunchControl - Create, manage and debug launchd services. Freeware
  • Loading - See when apps are using your network in your Mac menubar. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Little Snitch - Protect your privacy.
  • MacDown - Markdown editor. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Mackup - Keep your application settings in sync. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • MacPass - Password Manager. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Media Converter - Simple (drag and drop) but advanced media conversion. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Menubar Colors - Convenient access to the system color panel. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Monodraw - A powerful ASCII art editor.
  • Noizio - Ambient sound equalizer for relaxation or productivity.
  • Notational Velocity - Store, retrieve and sync notes within a minimal GUI. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Numi - Beautiful calculator app. Freeware
  • OnyX - Multifunction utility to verify disks and files, run cleaning and system maintenance tasks, configure hidden options and more.
  • Paparazzi - A small utility that makes screenshots of webpages. Freeware
  • Paragon NTFS - World fastest NTFS driver.
  • Radio Silence - Simple to use firewall and network monitor.
  • Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client - Remote Desktop Connection Client lets you connect from your Macintosh computer to a Windows-based computer.
  • Site Sucker - Automatically download websites from the Internet.
  • ShiftIt - Managing windows size and position. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • SmartCapsLock - Makes the Caps Lock key smarter, so that when the key accidentally gets activated and you START YELLING even though you don't want to, you can just select the yelling-text and press the key again to instantly fix its case instead of typing everything all over again.
  • Soulver - Beautiful expressive calculator.
  • SSH Tunnel - Manage your SSH tunnels, tightly integrated with macOS Keychain, secure and intuitive.
  • Subtitles - Automatically downloads subtitles for your movies and TV shows. Freeware
  • TeamViewer - Remotely control another computer.
  • TextBar - TextBar is a tiny but powerful app that lets you add any text to your MenuBar.
  • Typeeto - Lets you use your Mac's keyboard as a bluetooth keyboard to type on another devices.
  • Typora - Another minimal Markdown editor. Freeware
  • Übersicht - Run system commands and display their output on your desktop as widgets. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • The Unarchiver - Unarchive many different kinds of archive files. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • VirtualBox - Powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use, free alternative to VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Wineskin - Run Windows applications and games on your Mac. Open-Source Software Freeware

Video

  • HandBrake - High performance video encoding and conversion tools with a nice GUI. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • mpv - Media player. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • ScreenFlow - Screencasting and video editing software.
  • Subler - Mux and tag MP4 files. Open-Source Software Freeware

Window Management

  • Amethyst - Window manager (automatically keep windows sized in grids). Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Divvy Window Manager - Window management for tiling your windows.
  • Hammerspoon - Extremely powerful scripting engine for macOS. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • kwm - Tiling window manager with focus follows mouse. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Moom - Move and zoom windows, super light weight and customizable.
  • Spectacle - Easily organize windows without using a mouse. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Stay - Resize/position windows when displays change.
  • Zooom/2 - Mac window management.

Others

Command Line Utilities

macOS Utilities

Setup

laptop

mac-dev-setup

macOS 10.9 Mavericks Setup

macOS 10.10 Yosemite Setup

macOS 10.11 El Capitan Setup

Security

  • VeraCrypt - Free and open source disk encryption software. Open-Source Software Freeware
  • Viscosity - Fully-featured OpenVPN client, ready for enterprise deployment.

Miscellaneous

Discussion Forums

Apple

IRC channels

MacRumors

Reddit

Contribute

Contributions are most welcome, please adhere to the contribution guidelines.

⬆ back to top

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About

📝 A curated list of awesome applications, softwares, tools and shiny things for OS X.

Resources

Stars

Watchers

Forks

Releases

No releases published

Packages

No packages published