# Macapp.space: full content > A directory of Mac apps by indie makers. Browse by category and topic, read release notes, and find alternatives. This file is every content page on https://macapp.space, as markdown; the index is https://macapp.space/llms.txt. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/find-mac-apps # How to find Mac apps when you don't know the app's name > **TL;DR** Mac apps live in three places: the Mac App Store, makers' own websites, and Homebrew, which installs many of those website apps from the command line. The App Store's search only sees App Store apps, and Homebrew's `brew search` matches package names, so neither helps much when you know the job but not the app. To search by job across both, open Macapp.space, pick a topic such as Mac cleaners, and compare the price, macOS minimum and latest version on each app page before you install. Finding a Mac app is easy when you know its name and hard when you only know the job. Every place you can search sees only part of the Mac software that exists, and most of them match the words you type against app names. This guide shows where Mac apps live, how to search each place, and how to search by job instead. ## Where do Mac apps come from? Mac apps come from three places. The first is the Mac App Store, Apple's store app on every Mac. The second is the maker's own website, where you download a DMG or ZIP file and drag the app into Applications. The third is Homebrew, a package manager that installs many of those website apps from Terminal with one command. These overlap but are not the same set. An app can be on the App Store only, on its maker's site only, or on both. Cacheless, a disk cleaner, is an example of both: its catalog page notes a sandboxed App Store version and a direct download that asks for full disk access. If you search only one place, you miss the apps that live only in the others. ## How do you search the Mac App Store? Open the App Store app, type one or more words in the search field at the top-left corner of the window, and press Return. Apple's guide also lists the sidebar sections you can browse instead: Discover, Create, Work, Play, Develop and Categories. Click an app's name or icon to open its page. Apple's guide says the page shows screenshots, ratings and reviews, developer information, file size, compatibility, languages, age rating and privacy information. To download, click Get or the button that shows the price. The App Store is the safest default because every app in it passes Apple's App Review. Its limit is coverage: it shows only apps whose makers chose to sell through Apple. Many developer tools, system utilities and open-source apps are distributed only from their makers' sites, and the App Store search never returns them. ## How do you search for Mac apps that aren't on the App Store? Homebrew is the closest thing to a search box for apps outside the App Store. After you install Homebrew from brew.sh, run: ```sh brew search clipboard brew desc --search --cask clipboard ``` According to Homebrew's manual, `brew search` does a substring search of cask tokens and formula names, so it finds `clipboard` only when the word is in a package's name. `brew desc --search` also searches the one-line descriptions, which helps when the app's name says nothing about what it does. The [Homebrew Formulae](https://formulae.brew.sh/) site lets you look up the same packages in a browser. Homebrew's limits are that it needs Terminal, that a cask's description is one line, and that it lists only apps someone has packaged as a cask. It tells you an app exists, not whether it is any good, what it costs or whether it still gets updates. ## Why is it hard to find a Mac app by what it does? It is hard because most search boxes match words, not meaning. You type the job, such as "clean my disk", and the tool looks for those exact words in app names and short descriptions. An app called Pearcleaner never mentions "disk" in its name, so a name search for "disk" misses it. Macapp.space has the same limit, and it is better to know it up front. Its search code requires every word you type to appear somewhere in an app's name, tagline or description; a match in the name counts most. That means extra words hurt. On 31 October 2026, a search for "disk cleaner" returned Data Sweeper, Cacheless, Macdisk, Tencent Lemon Cleaner, FreeMacSoft AppCleaner and DevCleaner first, while "clean my disk" returned two apps, because "my" had to appear too. ![Macapp.space search results for disk cleaner, showing Data Sweeper, Cacheless, Macdisk, Tencent Lemon Cleaner, FreeMacSoft AppCleaner and DevCleaner with their price and category](/content/find-mac-apps/search-disk-cleaner.webp) The fix is to search with two or three nouns that describe the job, or to skip search and browse by job. ## How do you find a Mac app by the job it does? Browse a page that groups apps by job instead of by name. On Macapp.space these are topic pages: 97 of them on 31 October 2026, across 14 categories. The [Mac cleaners](/topics/mac-cleaners) topic held 41 apps that day, including FreeMacSoft AppCleaner, OnyX, Pearcleaner, Mole and PureMac. Apps from the App Store, makers' sites and Homebrew sit side by side, so you are not limited to one source. Each topic page has filters across the top. Any, Menu bar, Notch and Dock show where an app lives on screen, and Open source keeps only apps with public source code. If you want a cleaner that sits in the menu bar, that is one click instead of reading every listing. ![The Macapp.space Mac cleaners topic page with 41 apps and the Any, Menu bar, Notch, Dock and Open source filters](/content/find-mac-apps/topic-mac-cleaners.webp) ## How do you find and check a Mac app on Macapp.space? 1. Open [Macapp.space](/) and press ⌘K, or open [Search](/search). 2. Type two or three words for the job, such as `menu bar calendar`. 3. If the results miss, open [Categories](/categories) and pick the topic closest to the job. 4. Use the Menu bar, Notch, Dock or Open source filter if where the app lives matters to you. 5. Open an app page and read its Price, Requires (the macOS minimum) and Version lines. An Apple silicon: Native line appears only for apps that run natively. 6. Open its release notes to see when it last shipped an update. 7. Follow the app's Get link to its App Store listing or the maker's site, and install from there. Macapp.space does not install anything itself. It sends you to the App Store or the maker's site, so the usual macOS checks still apply. ## What should you check before you install a Mac app? Check four things: price, macOS minimum, whether it runs natively on Apple silicon, and when it was last updated. A free download can still sell a subscription inside the app, and a well-reviewed app may not have shipped an update in years. On Macapp.space the price and macOS minimum are on the app page, Apple silicon support shows as a Native line when the catalog records it, and the release notes page shows the update history. For an app from outside the App Store, macOS adds one more check for you. Apple's Gatekeeper verifies that the app is signed by an identified developer and, from macOS Catalina on, notarized by Apple, which means Apple scanned it for known malware. The first time you open it, your Mac asks if you are sure. ## Which way of finding Mac apps should you use? Use the App Store when you know the app's name and it sells there. Use Homebrew when you are comfortable in Terminal and know roughly what the package is called. When you know the job but not the app, open a Macapp.space topic page for that job: it puts App Store and direct-download apps in one list with price, macOS minimum and latest version, so you compare them on one page instead of searching three places. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I search for apps on a Mac? Open the App Store app, type one or more words in the search field at the top-left corner of the window and press Return. That finds apps sold through the Mac App Store. Apps sold on a maker's own website don't appear there; for those, use Homebrew's `brew search` or a directory such as Macapp.space. ### Where can I download Mac apps besides the App Store? From the maker's own website, usually as a DMG or ZIP file, or with Homebrew using `brew install --cask` and the app's cask name. macOS checks the developer's signature on apps from outside the App Store before it opens them. ### How do I find a Mac app when I don't know its name? Search for the job in two or three plain words, such as disk cleaner or clipboard manager, or browse a topic page that groups apps by job. On Macapp.space every search word must appear in an app's name, tagline or description, so short, specific words match best. ### How many apps are on Macapp.space? Its sitemap listed 2,810 app pages from 908 developers on 31 October 2026, grouped into 14 categories and 97 topics. Apps come from Homebrew casks, Mac App Store listings and indie app catalogs. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/mac-app-store-alternatives # Mac App Store alternatives: five other places to find and get Mac apps > **TL;DR** The Mac App Store is the safest default, but it only lists apps whose makers sell through Apple. Setapp is a subscription to 300+ curated apps from $14.99 a month. Homebrew is a free, open-source command-line installer for apps and tools. MacUpdate is a long-running download site, and Indie App Catalog curates apps by independent developers across Apple platforms. Macapp.space suits you when you want to compare App Store and direct-download Mac apps for one job on one page; it links out to install rather than installing itself. The Mac App Store is not the only place to get Mac apps, and for some kinds of software it is not even the main one. This guide compares six places side by side: what each one is, what it costs, how you install from it, and who it suits. Prices and counts are each service's own figures, checked on 31 October 2026. The six do different jobs. Two are places you install from, one is a subscription, and three are directories that help you find an app and then send you to its maker. ## What does the Mac App Store do well, and what does it miss? The Mac App Store is Apple's own store, built into every Mac. You search or browse by Discover, Create, Work, Play, Develop and Categories, click Get or the price, and the app installs and updates through the store. - **Price:** free to use; each app sets its own price. - **Native Mac app:** yes, built into macOS. - **How you install:** one click, signed in with your Apple Account. - **Best for:** anyone who wants Apple's review and one place for purchases and updates. Its limit is coverage. Apple requires every Mac App Store app to be sandboxed, so many utilities that need wider access to the Mac ship only from their makers' websites. The store's search never shows them. ## What is Setapp? Setapp is a subscription that bundles curated apps. Its site describes "300+ Mac, iOS, and web apps in one subscription" with a free 7-day trial. You install the Setapp app, then install any app in its catalog from inside it. - **Price:** from $14.99 a month plus tax for one Mac; $18.99 for Mac and iOS; $22.99 for four Macs. Each plan includes AI credits. - **Native Mac app:** yes, the Setapp app. - **How you install:** through the Setapp app, one click per app. - **Best for:** people who use several paid utilities and would rather pay one subscription than buy each app. Setapp's limit is that you only get the apps it has picked, and you keep paying monthly to keep using them. ## What is Homebrew? Homebrew is a free, open-source package manager for command-line tools and apps. Its cask format installs regular Mac apps: `brew install --cask` followed by the app's name downloads the app from its maker and puts it in Applications. - **Price:** free; the project is open source under the BSD 2-clause licence. - **Native Mac app:** no, a command-line tool. - **How you install:** in Terminal, one command per app, and `brew upgrade --cask` updates them. - **Best for:** developers and anyone who sets up Macs often and wants a scripted list of apps. `brew search` matches package names, so it works best when you already know roughly what the app is called. It shows a one-line description, not screenshots, prices or reviews. ## What is MacUpdate? MacUpdate is a Mac software download website. Its about page says it launched in 1997 and lists more than 32,000 Mac apps and 12,000 developers. - **Price:** free to browse; each app sets its own price. - **Native Mac app:** no, a website. - **How you install:** download from the site or the maker, then install it yourself. - **Best for:** finding older or niche software, and previous versions of an app. With an archive that size, check when an app was last updated before you install it. ## What is Indie App Catalog? Indie App Catalog is a hand-curated catalog of apps from independent developers. Its home page lists 2,508 apps from 1,428 indie developers across Apple platforms, with "no big studios, just solo developers and small teams." - **Price:** free to browse. - **Native Mac app:** no, a website. - **How you install:** it links you to the App Store or the maker. - **Best for:** finding indie apps, including iPhone and iPad apps, and betas before launch. It covers all Apple platforms, so Mac apps share the list with iPhone and iPad apps. ## What is Macapp.space? Macapp.space is a directory of Mac apps aimed at indie makers and small studios. Its catalog is assembled from Homebrew casks, Mac App Store listings, Indie App Catalog and other indie app lists, so App Store apps and direct-download apps sit side by side. On 31 October 2026 its sitemap listed 2,810 apps from 908 developers in 14 categories and 97 topics. - **Price:** free to browse. - **Native Mac app:** no, a website. - **How you install:** each app page links to the App Store or the maker's site. - **Best for:** comparing several apps for one job, such as a Mac cleaner, on one page, whether or not they are on the App Store. Each app page shows the price, macOS minimum, latest version and release notes, and marks apps that run natively on Apple silicon. Topic pages filter by where an app lives (menu bar, notch or Dock) and by open source. ![The Macapp.space Mac cleaners topic page, listing 41 apps with filters for Menu bar, Notch, Dock and Open source](/content/find-mac-apps/topic-mac-cleaners.webp) Its limits: it does not install or sell anything, it shows no user ratings or reviews, and its search matches the words you type against app names and descriptions rather than their meaning. It is also much smaller than MacUpdate. ## How do the six compare? | | Mac App Store | Setapp | Homebrew | MacUpdate | Indie App Catalog | Macapp.space | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Apple's store | App subscription | Command-line installer | Download site | Indie app catalog | Mac app directory | | Cost to use | Free | From $14.99/month | Free | Free | Free | Free | | Native Mac app | Yes | Yes | No (command line) | No (website) | No (website) | No (website) | | Installs apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | | Apps outside the App Store | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Platforms | Mac | Mac, iOS, web | macOS, Linux, WSL | Mac | All Apple platforms | Mac | | Size, own figure | Not published | 300+ apps | Not counted here | 32,000+ apps | 2,508 apps | 2,810 apps | ## Which Mac App Store alternative should you use? Use the Mac App Store when the app you want is there. Use Setapp if you already pay for several utilities it bundles. Use Homebrew if you live in Terminal. Use MacUpdate for a deep archive and older versions, and Indie App Catalog for indie apps across iPhone, iPad and Mac. Use Macapp.space when you know the job but not the app and want App Store and direct-download apps in one list. Open a topic page for the job, compare price, macOS minimum and last update on each app page, then install from the App Store or the maker's site. Macapp.space also keeps a [Not on the Mac App Store](/non-app-store) list for apps the store never shows. For an app from outside the App Store, macOS still checks that it is signed by an identified developer and notarized by Apple before it first opens, wherever you found it. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there an alternative app store for Mac? Yes. Setapp is the closest to a second store: you install its app, then install any app in its catalog with one click, paid for by a monthly subscription. Homebrew installs free and paid apps from the command line. Directories such as MacUpdate, Indie App Catalog and Macapp.space help you find apps and send you to the maker to download. ### What is a free alternative to Setapp? None of the options in this guide bundles paid apps for free the way Setapp bundles them for a fee. To find free apps instead, use Homebrew, which costs nothing, or a directory that shows each app's price, such as Macapp.space, whose topic pages also have an Open source filter. ### Is it safe to get Mac apps from outside the Mac App Store? Yes, when the app is signed by an identified developer and notarized by Apple. macOS Gatekeeper checks both before the app first opens, wherever you downloaded it from. ### Which option shows apps that aren't on the Mac App Store? All of them except the Mac App Store itself. Macapp.space also has a dedicated Not on the Mac App Store list of apps sold only from their makers' sites. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/mac-apps-not-on-app-store # Mac apps not on the App Store: where to find them and how to install them safely > **TL;DR** Many Mac apps are sold only from their makers' websites, often because the App Store requires every app to be sandboxed, which rules out tools that need wide access to your Mac. You install them from a DMG or ZIP, or with `brew install --cask`, and macOS Gatekeeper checks each one for an identified developer's signature and Apple notarization before it first opens. To browse them in one place, open the Macapp.space Not on the Mac App Store list and check each app's price, macOS minimum and release notes before you download. A large share of good Mac software is not on the Mac App Store. Window managers, disk tools, developer utilities and most open-source apps are usually sold or given away from the maker's own website. This guide covers why, how macOS protects you when you install them, and how to find them without visiting a hundred websites. ## Why are some Mac apps not on the App Store? The main reason is the sandbox. Apple's App Review Guidelines say Mac App Store apps "must be appropriately sandboxed," which limits what an app can read and change outside its own container. An app that needs to scan your whole disk, manage other apps' windows or change system settings often can't do its job inside that box. Cacheless, a disk cleaner, shows the trade-off well. Its catalog page notes two versions: a sandboxed one on the Mac App Store and a direct download that asks for full disk access. Same maker, two builds, because the store version can reach less. Other makers skip the store for business reasons: they want their own licences, a one-time price, upgrade pricing, or the freedom to ship an update without waiting for review. Open-source apps often have no paid listing at all and publish on GitHub instead. ## Is it safe to install Mac apps from outside the App Store? It is safe when the app passes Gatekeeper's checks, and macOS runs those checks for you. Apple's support page explains that when you open an app from outside the App Store, macOS checks its Developer ID signature to confirm it comes from an identified developer and has not been altered. Since macOS Catalina, the app must also be notarized, which means Apple scanned it for known malware and found none. The first time you open such an app, your Mac asks if you are sure you want to open it. That prompt is normal. A different warning, one that says macOS can't verify the developer, means the app is not signed or not notarized. Apple's advice in that case is to look for an App Store version or an alternative app rather than override the warning, because overriding security settings is the most common way a Mac gets infected. ## How do you install a Mac app that isn't on the App Store? You install it from the maker's download or with Homebrew. From the maker's site: 1. Download the app from the maker's own website, not from a mirror. 2. Open the DMG or ZIP file. 3. Drag the app into your Applications folder. 4. Open the app from Applications and confirm the first-launch prompt. 5. Eject the DMG and delete the download. With Homebrew, one command does the download and the move: ```sh brew install --cask aldente ``` The cask name is usually the app's name in lowercase with dashes. `brew search` finds it if you are unsure. If macOS refuses to open an app you trust, Apple's documented route is System Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Open Anyway. The button is available for about an hour after you tried to open the app, and you confirm with your login password. Use it only when you know who made the app. ## How do apps from outside the App Store stay updated? They update themselves rather than through the App Store. Many use Sparkle, an open-source update framework for macOS apps that reads an update feed the maker publishes. Homebrew can also update every outdated cask you installed with it in one command: ```sh brew upgrade --cask ``` Macapp.space reads those same Sparkle feeds when it imports apps from Homebrew, and turns them into a release notes page for each app. Before you install, that page tells you whether the app still ships updates or was last touched years ago. ## How do you uninstall a Mac app that isn't from the App Store? Look for the app's own uninstaller first, then drag the app to the Trash. Apple's guide says that if an app includes an "Uninstall" or "Uninstaller" app, often in the same folder, that is the best way to remove it along with its login items, extensions and data stored elsewhere. Some apps put an uninstall or reset option in a menu or in their settings instead. If there is no uninstaller: 1. Quit the app. 2. Open Applications in a Finder window. 3. Drag the app to the Trash, or select it and choose File, then Move to Trash. 4. Enter an administrator password if asked. 5. Empty the Trash. For an app installed with Homebrew, `brew uninstall --cask` followed by the cask name does the same. Uninstalling does not cancel a subscription you bought through the app, so cancel that with the maker separately. ## Where can you find Mac apps that aren't on the App Store? You can find them on makers' websites, in Homebrew's cask list, and in directories that collect them. The App Store's own search never shows them, which is why they are hard to discover. Macapp.space has a [Not on the Mac App Store](/non-app-store) list for exactly this. An app lands there when its catalog record marks it as a direct download, or when it has no distribution recorded and no App Store ID. Apps recorded as sold both ways stay off the list, so it is mostly apps the App Store would not have shown you. It is sorted by name, with apps such as 0 A.D., 010 Editor and 1Password near the top. ![The Macapp.space Not on the Mac App Store list, showing HIARCS Chess Explorer, 0 A.D., 010 Editor, 115Browser and 1Password with their categories](/content/mac-apps-not-on-app-store/not-on-app-store.webp) The list is sorted alphabetically and has no filters of its own. When you are looking for a job rather than browsing, a topic page such as [Mac cleaners](/topics/mac-cleaners) is faster: it mixes App Store and direct-download apps and lets you narrow by Menu bar, Notch, Dock or Open source. ## What should you check before you download one? Check the price, the macOS minimum, Apple silicon support and the last update. Macapp.space shows Price, Requires and Version lines on each app page, adds an Apple silicon: Native line when the app runs natively, and links to the release notes. Then follow the app's Get link to the maker's own site, so the file you download comes from the developer and passes Gatekeeper's signature check. ## What is the quickest way to find Mac apps outside the App Store? Use Homebrew if you know the app's name and like Terminal. If you are browsing, open the Macapp.space [Not on the Mac App Store](/non-app-store) list, or a topic page for the job you need. Each app page gives you the price, macOS minimum and update history before you click through to the maker's site, which saves opening a dozen tabs to compare apps the App Store can't show you. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why are some Mac apps not on the App Store? Apple's App Review Guidelines require Mac App Store apps to be sandboxed. Apps that need wider access, such as cleaners that read the whole disk or tools that change system behaviour, often ship only from their makers' sites. Some makers also prefer their own pricing, licences or update schedule. ### Is it safe to download Mac apps from outside the App Store? It is safe when the app is signed by an identified developer and notarized by Apple, which Gatekeeper checks before the app first opens. Notarization means Apple scanned the app for known malware and found none. Apple warns against overriding Gatekeeper for an app it has not checked. ### How do I open a Mac app that is not from the App Store? Open it from Applications; the first time, macOS asks if you are sure. If macOS blocks it, go to System Settings, Privacy & Security, and click Open Anyway, which is available for about an hour after you tried to open the app. Do this only for an app whose maker you trust. ### How do Mac apps from outside the App Store update? They update themselves rather than through the App Store, many through the open-source Sparkle framework. Homebrew can also update every outdated cask you installed with it by running `brew upgrade --cask`. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/best-ai-apps # Best AI apps for Mac > **TL;DR** For a general desktop assistant, 5ire is an open-source AI assistant and MCP client with a local knowledge base. For code, Amp's Mac app runs its coding agent and needs Apple silicon and macOS 26. AirBuild uses AI agents to build iOS apps and handle App Review, and is in limited early access. Almighty adds an assistant that runs Mac tweaks with Apple Intelligence or another AI provider. 1Password gives AI agents access without handing over passwords. "AI app" now covers everything from a chat window to a tool that adds one AI button to a photo editor. That makes most lists of AI apps for Mac hard to use. This guide sorts the AI apps in the Mac Directory catalog by how much of the app is AI: apps that are an assistant, apps that run an agent for you, and established tools that added an AI feature to a job you already do. What each app does comes from its maker's site. Install details come from the app's catalog page, which for these apps comes from its Homebrew cask. Where the maker's site does not say something, such as a price, this guide does not either. ## Which app is a general AI assistant for the Mac? [5ire](/apps/5ire) is the general-purpose pick. Its site calls it "an open source cross-platform desktop AI assistant and MCP (Model Context Protocol) client." It supports a local knowledge base and a custom prompt library. The Homebrew cask describes it as an AI assistant and MCP client. The MCP part matters if you use more than one model or tool. An MCP client can connect to MCP servers that expose tools and data, so the assistant is not limited to what the chat window can do. Because 5ire is open source and cross-platform, it suits people who want to see how the app works or use the same assistant on more than one operating system. ## Which apps run an AI agent for you? An agent does a task over several steps rather than answering one message. Two catalog apps are built around one. [Amp](/apps/amp) is a coding agent. Its download page offers "the Amp coding agent beta apps for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android." The Mac app requires Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later, updates itself, and can be installed from the site or with Homebrew. You sign in with the same account you use on ampcode.com. The Homebrew cask describes Amp as a coding agent and development environment. Because the apps run on phones and tablets too, you can check on a thread away from your desk. [AirBuild](/apps/airbuild) is narrower. Its site says it uses "AI agents to build your app and handle App Review." Specialized agents submit the app, respond to Apple, fix rejection issues and resubmit, the site says, without manual handoffs. The output is a native iOS app, and AirBuild has a macOS download. At the time of writing its site asks visitors to join a waitlist and says early access is limited, so check availability on its page before planning around it. ## Which Mac tools added an AI assistant? Some of the most useful AI on a Mac sits inside a tool you would install anyway. [Almighty](/apps/almighty) is a collection of "over 100 Mac tweaks and utilities in one native app." Its assistant, Zeus, takes a typed or spoken request such as "Turn dark mode on", finds the right tweak and runs it. The site says Zeus can use Apple Intelligence on your Mac, Claude Code, Codex, or any OpenAI-compatible API. That choice is the reason to pick it: you can keep requests on the Mac with Apple Intelligence or send them to a provider you already pay for. Almighty is free to download and says it collects no analytics. [Amore](/apps/amore) helps developers ship Mac apps outside the App Store, handling Sparkle updates, code signing, notarization and DMG creation. Its home page includes a "Set up with AI" prompt you paste into a coding agent, plus an Amore skill that installs into Claude Code. The AI here is not inside Amore; it is a set of instructions that lets your coding agent drive Amore's command line. [4K Video Downloader Plus](/apps/4k-video-downloader-plus) downloads video and audio from YouTube and similar services. Its product page lists AI processing to "enhance sound in videos with AI." It is a downloader first, with AI as one feature. ## Which app keeps AI agents away from your passwords? Once an agent can act for you, it needs access to accounts. [1Password](/apps/1password) markets 1Password for Agents with the line "Give AI Agents access, not your passwords," and its site describes securing AI tools alongside passwords and secrets. For scripts and terminals, the [1Password CLI](/apps/1password-cli) is also in the catalog; its Homebrew cask describes it as a command-line interface for 1Password. If you run Amp, 5ire with MCP servers, or any other agent, decide how it gets credentials before you give it work. A secrets manager is a better answer than pasting keys into a prompt. ## How should I choose an AI app for Mac? Pick by the job, then check the requirements: 1. **Ask questions and use tools from one window.** [5ire](/apps/5ire). 2. **Write and change code with an agent.** [Amp](/apps/amp), if you have Apple silicon and macOS 26. 3. **Get an iOS app built and through App Review.** [AirBuild](/apps/airbuild), once you have access. 4. **Control your Mac by asking.** [Almighty](/apps/almighty). 5. **Give agents access safely.** [1Password](/apps/1password). | App | What the AI does | Requirement or status from its site | | --- | --- | --- | | 5ire | Desktop assistant and MCP client | Open source, cross-platform | | Amp | Coding agent | Apple silicon, macOS 26 or later | | AirBuild | Builds iOS apps, handles App Review | Waitlist, limited early access | | Almighty | Runs Mac tweaks on request | Choice of AI provider | | Amore | Lets a coding agent set up distribution | Skill for Claude Code | | 4K Video Downloader Plus | Enhances sound in videos | AI is one feature | | 1Password | Gives agents access, not passwords | 1Password for Agents | For developer tools beyond AI, see [the best Mac apps for developers](/guides/best-mac-apps-developers). For a command-driven way to work without an AI model, see [Raycast alternatives for Mac](/guides/best-raycast-alternatives). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there an open-source AI assistant app for Mac? 5ire describes itself as an open-source, cross-platform desktop AI assistant and MCP (Model Context Protocol) client. Its site says it supports a local knowledge base and a custom prompt library. ### What do I need to run Amp on a Mac? Amp's download page says the Mac app requires Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later. You can download it from the site or install it with Homebrew, and you sign in with the same account you use on ampcode.com. ### Can I choose which AI model a Mac utility uses? Almighty's assistant, Zeus, lets you choose Apple Intelligence on your Mac, Claude Code, Codex, or any OpenAI-compatible API, according to its site. ### How do I give an AI agent access to accounts without sharing passwords? 1Password markets 1Password for Agents for this, with the line 'Give AI Agents access, not your passwords.' The 1Password CLI is also in the catalog for scripting access to secrets. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/best-free-mac-apps # Best free Mac apps > **TL;DR** Free covers a few different deals. Hidden Bar, Spaced, Menu Bar Calendar, One Thing and DevCleaner for Xcode are listed as free on the Mac App Store. AltTab and Amethyst are free downloads from their own sites, and AltTab keeps a few features for its Pro tier. Balance and 4K Video Downloader Plus say on their sites that you can download them for free. Check each app page for the macOS minimum before you install. A list of free Mac apps is only useful if it says what free means. Some apps cost nothing on the Mac App Store. Some are free downloads with a paid Pro tier. Some are open projects you download from the maker's site. This guide picks free apps from the Mac Directory catalog and says, for each one, where the free claim comes from. Prices for Mac App Store apps come from each app's catalog page, which reads the store listing. Claims about apps sold outside the store come from the maker's own site. Nothing here is a price we inferred. ## What counts as free in this list? There are three kinds of free below: - **Free on the Mac App Store.** The catalog page lists the price as free. The app may still sell an upgrade inside it, which the store price does not show. - **Free download with a paid tier.** The maker's site says you can download it free and names features that cost extra. - **Free download from the maker.** The maker's site says the app is free to download and the catalog has no store price for it. Read the app page before you rely on a specific feature, because the free tier is where most paid upgrades draw the line. ## Which free apps tidy the menu bar? [Hidden Bar](/apps/hidden-bar) hides menu bar icons you do not need to see. It is free on the Mac App Store and lists macOS 10.12 as its minimum, the lowest of any app in this guide. Its last listed update is from June 2021. [Barbee](/apps/barbee-hide-menu-bar-items) does the same job, is also free, needs macOS 11.0, and was updated in September 2026. Pick one hider, not both. [Spaced](/apps/spaced) adds separators to the menu bar so related items sit together in groups, according to its maker, Sindre Sorhus. It is free and needs macOS 26.0. ## Which free apps help you focus? [One Thing](/apps/one-thing) puts a single task or goal in your menu bar, which its maker calls "a quiet reminder to focus on one thing at a time." It is free and needs macOS 26.0. [Menu Bar Calendar](/apps/menu-bar-calendar) shows a monthly calendar from the menu bar. Click a date to open it in the Calendar app or Google Calendar, or right-click a day to create an event. It is free and needs macOS 26.0. [Balance](/apps/balance-focus-time-tracker) combines time tracking with a Pomodoro focus timer. Its site describes it as "mindful time tracking" and offers it as a free download. On the Mac App Store it is free, sits in Productivity and needs macOS 14.0. Version 2.7 shipped in October 2026. ## Which free apps manage windows? [AltTab](/apps/alttab) brings Windows-style Alt-Tab to the Mac. Its site says it shows every window, not just every app, including minimized and hidden windows and windows on another Space. It is a free download. Search by window title and the alternative switcher styles belong to AltTab Pro, so this is a free download with a paid tier. [Amethyst](/apps/amethyst) is a tiling window manager "along the lines of xmonad", according to its site. You download it from its releases page or with Homebrew. It needs macOS 10.15 or later and Accessibility permission. ## Which free apps cover media and development? [4K Video Downloader Plus](/apps/4k-video-downloader-plus) downloads video and audio from YouTube and similar services. Its maker says it runs on macOS, PC and Linux and that you can download it "absolutely for free." The site also mentions an AI processing feature to enhance sound in videos; check which features the free version includes before relying on them. [DevCleaner for Xcode](/apps/devcleaner-for-xcode) is free on the Mac App Store in the Developer Tools category. It needs macOS 14.0 and version 2.8.0 shipped in November 2025. If you build apps in Xcode, it is the one developer pick here; see [the best Mac apps for developers](/guides/best-mac-apps-developers) for more. ## How should I pick free apps without regretting it? Free apps cost something else: disk space, permissions, and the risk that an app stops getting updates. Three checks help: 1. **Look at the last update.** Hidden Bar's last listed update is from 2021. That is fine if it works on your Mac, but a recently updated app like Barbee is the safer bet on a new macOS release. 2. **Check the macOS minimum.** Spaced, Menu Bar Calendar and One Thing need macOS 26.0. If you are on an older release, they will not install. 3. **Know which permissions you are granting.** Window managers such as Amethyst need Accessibility access to move other apps' windows. Grant that only to apps you trust. | App | Kind of free | macOS minimum | | --- | --- | --- | | Hidden Bar | Free on the App Store | 10.12 | | Barbee | Free on the App Store | 11.0 | | Spaced | Free on the App Store | 26.0 | | One Thing | Free on the App Store | 26.0 | | Menu Bar Calendar | Free on the App Store | 26.0 | | Balance | Free on the App Store and site | 14.0 | | AltTab | Free download, Pro tier | Not listed | | Amethyst | Free download | 10.15 | | 4K Video Downloader Plus | Free download per its site | Not listed | | DevCleaner for Xcode | Free on the App Store | 14.0 | Every app in this list has a page in the catalog with its price, category and links. For the menu bar in more depth, read [the best menu bar apps for Mac](/guides/best-menu-bar-apps). If you came here looking for a free launcher, [Raycast alternatives for Mac](/guides/best-raycast-alternatives) covers the free and paid options by job. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does free on the Mac App Store mean the whole app is free? Not always. The catalog records the price the Mac App Store lists for the download. An app listed as free can still sell an upgrade inside the app, so read the listing if you need a specific feature. ### What is a good free window switcher for Mac? AltTab is a free download that adds a Windows-style Alt-Tab switcher. It shows every window, including minimized and hidden ones. Search by window title and alternative styles are part of AltTab Pro. ### Is there a free app to clean up Xcode files? DevCleaner for Xcode is free on the Mac App Store, in the Developer Tools category, and needs macOS 14.0 or later. ### Which free apps here need the newest macOS? Spaced, Menu Bar Calendar and One Thing each list macOS 26.0 as their minimum on the Mac App Store. Hidden Bar lists macOS 10.12, so it runs on much older Macs. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/best-mac-apps-developers # Best Mac apps for developers > **TL;DR** Amp is a coding agent with a Mac app for Apple silicon and macOS 26. DevCleaner for Xcode is free on the Mac App Store. 010 Editor is a hex and text editor that reads over 330 formats, with a free trial. The 1Password CLI scripts access to secrets. Amore ships Mac apps outside the App Store with signing, notarization, DMGs and Sparkle updates. AltTab and Amethyst keep many windows under control. A developer's Mac collects tools quickly: editors, terminals, simulators, build caches, secrets, and a dozen windows. The useful question is not which apps are popular but which ones remove a step you repeat. This guide follows a working day, from writing code to shipping a build, and names the app in the Mac Directory catalog that helps at each step. Facts about each app come from its catalog page, which reads the Mac App Store listing or the Homebrew cask, and from the maker's own site. Where a site does not give a price or requirement, this guide leaves it out rather than guessing. ## Which app helps you write code? [Amp](/apps/amp) is a coding agent. Its Homebrew cask describes it as a "coding agent and development environment," and its download page offers beta apps for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android. The Mac app requires Apple silicon and macOS 26 or later and keeps itself up to date. You can download it from the site or install it with Homebrew, and you sign in with your ampcode.com account. Having the same agent on a phone means you can check a long-running thread away from the desk. If you want a general assistant that can call tools through MCP rather than a coding agent, see [5ire](/apps/5ire) in [the best AI apps for Mac](/guides/best-ai-apps). ## Which app inspects binary files? [010 Editor](/apps/010-editor) is a hex editor and a text editor in one. Its maker calls it "the ultimate toolkit for working with text and binary data" and says it can edit more than 330 formats. The site offers a free trial and lists version 17.0 as current. The Homebrew cask describes it simply as a text editor. This is the tool for the day a file will not parse: a corrupt archive, an unknown binary format, or a log with stray bytes. Most developers do not need it daily, but it saves an afternoon when they do. ## Which app recovers disk space from Xcode? Xcode keeps derived data, archives, device support files and simulators, and they add up. [DevCleaner for Xcode](/apps/devcleaner-for-xcode) is built for that cleanup. It is free on the Mac App Store, in the Developer Tools category, needs macOS 14.0, and shipped version 2.8.0 in November 2025. If you only build for the web, skip it. If you build for Apple platforms, it is one of the few free tools in this guide that pays off the first time you run it. ## Which app keeps secrets out of your shell history? API keys in dotfiles and shell history are a common leak. The [1Password CLI](/apps/1password-cli) lets scripts and terminals read secrets from 1Password instead. Its Homebrew cask describes it as a command-line interface for 1Password, and its developer documentation covers SSH and Git, SDKs and a section on security for AI. The documentation also announces a Credential Broker that gives CI/CD and other machine workflows short-lived access to secrets without managing service account tokens. The desktop app, [1Password](/apps/1password), is in the catalog too, if you do not already use it. ## Which app ships a Mac app outside the App Store? [Amore](/apps/amore) handles distribution for Mac apps sold or shared outside the App Store. Its site says it covers "code signing, notarization, beautiful DMGs, over-the-air updates, and license sales," with Sparkle for updates. It installs with Homebrew (`brew install amore`) and has a command line: `amore login`, `amore setup` and `amore release`. Hosting is either managed by Amore or your own S3, according to its setup prompt. The same page includes a prompt and an Amore skill for Claude Code, so a coding agent can run the setup for you. That fits well with [Amp](/apps/amp) or any other agent you already use. ## Which apps keep many windows under control? A build, a simulator, a browser, docs and two editors make a lot of windows. Two free catalog apps help. [AltTab](/apps/alttab) replaces the app switcher with a window switcher that shows every window, including minimized and hidden ones and windows on another Space. It is a free download, with search and extra styles in AltTab Pro. [Amethyst](/apps/amethyst) is a tiling window manager "along the lines of xmonad." It installs from its releases page or Homebrew, needs macOS 10.15 or later, and needs Accessibility permission. If you would rather place windows by hand and open apps by shortcut, [CMDKit](/apps/cmdkit) snaps the front window to a region you draw and gives any app, folder or website a keyboard shortcut. The Ultra edition is $9.99 one-time after a 14-day trial. ## How should I set up a developer Mac? Start with the steps that cost you time this week: 1. **Writing and changing code.** Try [Amp](/apps/amp) if your Mac meets its requirements. 2. **Disk filling up after Xcode builds.** Run [DevCleaner for Xcode](/apps/devcleaner-for-xcode). 3. **Keys in plain text.** Move them behind the [1Password CLI](/apps/1password-cli). 4. **Shipping a Mac app yourself.** Set up [Amore](/apps/amore). 5. **Too many windows.** Add [AltTab](/apps/alttab) and, if you like tiling, [Amethyst](/apps/amethyst). 6. **A file that will not open.** Keep [010 Editor](/apps/010-editor) around. | App | Step | Price or availability from its page or site | | --- | --- | --- | | Amp | Write code | Beta apps; Apple silicon, macOS 26 | | 010 Editor | Inspect binary files | Free trial | | DevCleaner for Xcode | Clean Xcode data | Free on the App Store | | 1Password CLI | Read secrets in scripts | Homebrew cask | | Amore | Distribute Mac apps | Get started free | | AltTab | Switch windows | Free download, Pro tier | | Amethyst | Tile windows | Free download | | CMDKit | Launch and snap | $9.99 one-time (Ultra) | For AI tools beyond coding, read [the best AI apps for Mac](/guides/best-ai-apps). For launchers and keyboard tools, read [Raycast alternatives for Mac](/guides/best-raycast-alternatives). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a free app to clean up Xcode on a Mac? DevCleaner for Xcode is free on the Mac App Store in the Developer Tools category. Its listing asks for macOS 14.0 or later, and version 2.8.0 shipped in November 2025. ### How do I distribute a Mac app outside the App Store? Amore says it handles the distribution toolchain: code signing, notarization, DMG creation, over-the-air Sparkle updates and license sales. It installs with Homebrew and has a command line for setup and releases. ### What is a good hex editor for Mac? 010 Editor is a hex editor and text editor that its maker says can edit more than 330 formats. It offers a free trial, and the current version on its site is 17.0. ### Which window manager suits a developer setup? Amethyst is a free tiling window manager in the style of xmonad, installable with Homebrew. AltTab is a free window switcher that shows every window, including those on other Spaces. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/best-menu-bar-apps # Best menu bar apps for Mac > **TL;DR** If your menu bar is crowded, start with Hidden Bar or Barbee to hide icons and Spaced to group what is left. For quick access, Menu Bar Calendar shows a monthly calendar, One Thing keeps one task in view, and MenubarX opens web pages from the menu bar. AlDente adds a battery charge limit. Most of these are free on the Mac App Store; TopShelf and MenuBar Stats are $4.99 and iBar Pro is $9.99. The menu bar is the one strip of the Mac screen that every app can claim, and most people notice it only when it fills up. A good menu bar app either clears space or earns its place by putting something you check all day one click away. This guide groups the menu bar apps in the Mac Directory catalog by that job, so you can pick one per problem instead of installing ten. Every price, macOS minimum and update date below comes from the app's catalog page, which in turn comes from its Mac App Store listing or its Homebrew cask. Descriptions of what an app does come from the maker's own website. Where an app's page has no detail, this guide says so rather than filling the gap. ## Which apps hide menu bar icons? Hiding is the most common reason people look for a menu bar app. Once a Mac has a VPN, a cloud drive, a clipboard tool and a few helpers running, the icons can run into the app menus on the left, and on a MacBook with a notch some icons can end up hidden behind it. [Hidden Bar](/apps/hidden-bar) is free on the Mac App Store, sits in the Utilities category and lists macOS 10.12 as its minimum. Its last listed update is version 1.8 from June 2021, so it is an old, stable app rather than an actively changing one. If you run an older Mac, that low minimum is the reason to pick it. [Barbee](/apps/barbee-hide-menu-bar-items) does the same job and is also free. Its listing asks for macOS 11.0 or later, and version 5.0 shipped in September 2026. If you want an app that is still getting updates, Barbee is the stronger choice of the two. [iBar Pro](/apps/ibar-pro-menubar-control-tool) is the paid option at $9.99, with a free sibling, [iBar](/apps/ibar-menubar-icon-control-tool). Both list macOS 10.12 and version 2.1.1 from September 2026. The catalog does not record what the Pro version adds, so compare the two listings before you pay. ## Which apps organize the icons you keep? Hiding solves clutter, but some icons you want to see. [Spaced](/apps/spaced) from Sindre Sorhus adds separators to the menu bar, in the maker's words, "so related items sit together in groups." It is free and needs macOS 26.0. Spaced pairs well with a hider: hide what you rarely touch, then group the rest. [TopShelf](/apps/topshelf-folders-in-menu-bar) puts folders in the menu bar. It costs $4.99, lists macOS 15.6 as its minimum and was updated in September 2026. If you keep returning to the same few folders in Finder, this saves a trip through the Dock. [FolderX](/apps/folderx-menubar-launchpad) calls itself a menu bar launchpad. It is free, sits in the Productivity category, and needs macOS 12.0. ## Which apps put something useful one click away? The second kind of menu bar app adds a small tool you check often. These earn their icon. [Menu Bar Calendar](/apps/menu-bar-calendar) shows a monthly calendar when you click its icon. According to its maker, clicking a date opens it in the Calendar app or Google Calendar, and right-clicking a day creates an event. It is free and needs macOS 26.0. If you only open Calendar to check what date next Thursday is, this replaces that habit. [One Thing](/apps/one-thing) puts a single task or goal in the menu bar. The maker describes it as "a quiet reminder to focus on one thing at a time." It is free, needs macOS 26.0, and version 2.0.4 shipped in September 2026. It does not manage a to-do list, which is the point: you write one line and it stays in view. [MenubarX](/apps/menubarx-floating-browser) is a browser that lives in the menu bar. The maker calls it "a powerful Mac menu bar browser." It is free and needs macOS 14. Use it for a web page you glance at many times a day, such as a dashboard or a chat, without keeping a full browser window open. [Calculator Menu Bar](/apps/calculator-menu-bar) keeps a calculator in the menu bar. It is free, needs macOS 10.15, and was updated in March 2026. [MenuBar Stats](/apps/menubar-stats) is a $4.99 app from the studio seense, which lists it among its macOS apps. Its last update in the catalog is version 3.9 from April 2023, so check that it supports your macOS release before buying. ## Which menu bar app looks after the battery? [AlDente](/apps/aldente) is the one app in this guide that changes how your Mac behaves rather than what it shows. Its maker, AppHouseKitchen, says you can "set a charge limit, extend your battery's lifespan, and keep it performing at its best." The Homebrew cask describes it as a menu bar tool to limit the maximum charging percentage. It is distributed through the maker's site and Homebrew rather than the Mac App Store, so the catalog does not list a store price for it. ## How should I choose? Start from the problem, not the app list: 1. **Too many icons.** Install one hider. Pick [Barbee](/apps/barbee-hide-menu-bar-items) on a current Mac or [Hidden Bar](/apps/hidden-bar) on an older one. Do not run two hiders at once. 2. **Icons you need but cannot find.** Add [Spaced](/apps/spaced) to group them. 3. **Something you check all day.** Pick one of [Menu Bar Calendar](/apps/menu-bar-calendar), [One Thing](/apps/one-thing) or [MenubarX](/apps/menubarx-floating-browser), depending on whether that thing is a date, a goal or a web page. 4. **A MacBook that stays plugged in.** Look at [AlDente](/apps/aldente). Then check two things on each app page before installing: the minimum macOS version and the last update date. Three of the apps above need macOS 26.0, and a few have not been updated in years. Neither is a problem on its own, but both decide whether the app will run well on your Mac. | App | Price | macOS minimum | Job | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hidden Bar | Free | 10.12 | Hide icons | | Barbee | Free | 11.0 | Hide icons | | iBar Pro | $9.99 | 10.12 | Control icons | | Spaced | Free | 26.0 | Group icons | | TopShelf | $4.99 | 15.6 | Folders | | Menu Bar Calendar | Free | 26.0 | Calendar | | One Thing | Free | 26.0 | One task | | MenubarX | Free | 14 | Web pages | | MenuBar Stats | $4.99 | 11.0 | Stats | | AlDente | Not listed | Not listed | Charge limit | For more free picks beyond the menu bar, see [the best free Mac apps](/guides/best-free-mac-apps). If you want a keyboard launcher rather than another icon, see [Raycast alternatives for Mac](/guides/best-raycast-alternatives). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best free app to hide menu bar icons on a Mac? Hidden Bar and Barbee are both free on the Mac App Store and both exist to hide menu bar items. Hidden Bar's listing asks for macOS 10.12 or later; Barbee's asks for macOS 11.0 or later and was updated more recently, in September 2026. ### Which menu bar apps need the newest macOS? Menu Bar Calendar, Spaced and One Thing all list macOS 26.0 as their minimum on the Mac App Store. TopShelf lists macOS 15.6. Check the minimum version on each app page before you install. ### Can a menu bar app limit how far my MacBook charges? Yes. AlDente is described on its maker's site as a way to set a charge limit on a MacBook battery. The Homebrew cask describes it as a menu bar tool to limit the maximum charging percentage. ### Are these apps on the Mac App Store? Every app in this guide except AlDente has a Mac App Store listing in the catalog. AlDente's catalog entry comes from its Homebrew cask and its maker's website. --- Source: https://macapp.space/guides/best-raycast-alternatives # Best Raycast alternatives for Mac > **TL;DR** No single app in the catalog copies a full launcher, so match the job. CMDKit Ultra gives apps, folders and websites their own shortcuts and snaps windows, for a one-time $9.99. AltTab is a free Windows-style window switcher. Amethyst is a free tiling window manager. Almighty runs over 100 Mac tweaks, with an assistant that can use Apple Intelligence or another AI provider. ActiveDock and FolderX cover launching from a dock or the menu bar. People look for a Raycast alternative for different reasons: a price they do not want to pay, a feature they never use, or one job they want done better. A launcher bundles several jobs into one window: opening apps, switching windows, arranging windows and running small commands. The apps in the Mac Directory catalog mostly do one of those jobs each, and do it without the rest. This guide maps each job to the catalog apps that cover it. What each app does is taken from the maker's own site. Price and macOS details come from each app's catalog page. It does not compare features against Raycast itself, because Raycast is not in the catalog and this guide only states facts it can point to. ## Which app opens apps, folders and websites from the keyboard? [CMDKit](/apps/cmdkit) is the closest match to the launching part of a launcher. Its maker says CMDKit Ultra will "open apps, folders and websites, and send windows anywhere you draw them, all from your keyboard." You give any app a shortcut, press it from anywhere, and the app opens or comes to the front. Folders open in Finder and websites in your browser the same way, with no limit on how many. There are two editions. CMDKit Ultra, sold on the maker's site, costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase after a 14-day free trial and needs macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel. CMDKit on the Mac App Store is free for five app shortcuts, with a one-time $4.99 Pro upgrade. The maker says the store version is sandboxed and "never asks to control your Mac", so it keeps the shortcuts but not window snapping. CMDKit Ultra lives in the menu bar. If you liked a launcher mainly for "press a key, get the app", this covers it without a search window. ## Which app switches between windows? [AltTab](/apps/alttab) replaces the Mac's app switcher with a window switcher. Its site describes it as "Windows-style Alt-Tab for Mac" and says it shows "every window, not just every app", including minimized and hidden windows and windows on another Space, each with a badge saying where it is. The selected window previews full size before you switch. AltTab is free to download. Some features, including search by window title or app name and the choice of thumbnails, icons or a list, belong to AltTab Pro. The site reports 9.4 million downloads and 16,000 GitHub stars. If most of your launcher use was jumping to an open window, AltTab does that from the shortcut you already press. ## Which app arranges windows for you? [Amethyst](/apps/amethyst) is a tiling window manager. Its site calls it a "tiling window manager for macOS along the lines of xmonad." Rather than snapping windows one at a time, it arranges them in a layout as they open. It is available from its releases page or with Homebrew, needs macOS 10.15 or later, and must be given Accessibility permission. The site also suggests turning off the Mission Control setting that rearranges Spaces by most recent use. Amethyst suits people who want every window placed without thinking about it. If you prefer to place windows by hand, CMDKit Ultra's grid snapping is the lighter option: you draw a region, such as a left half or a corner, and send the front window there. ## Which app runs small commands and system tweaks? [Almighty](/apps/almighty) collects "over 100 Mac tweaks and utilities in one native app, from hidden settings to notch actions." It includes an assistant called Zeus: you type or speak what you want, such as turning dark mode on, and it finds and runs the tweak. Its site says you can choose Apple Intelligence, Claude Code, Codex or any OpenAI-compatible API for that assistant. Almighty is free to download with ready-to-use tweaks and a trial of the Pro features. The site says it has no analytics or data collection, and that the Mac App Store version is cheaper but has fewer tweaks than the standalone one. For people who used a launcher's command list to flip settings, this is the nearest fit in the catalog. ## Which apps launch from a dock or the menu bar? Not everyone wants a keyboard-first tool. [ActiveDock](/apps/activedock) is a customizable dock and application launcher. Its maker lists a taskbar with window previews, groups and folders, dock themes, custom icons and a start menu. [FolderX](/apps/folderx-menubar-launchpad) is a free menu bar launchpad on the Mac App Store that needs macOS 12.0. These suit people who reach for the mouse anyway and want launching to sit where their eyes already are. ## How should I choose? Write down the three things you did most often in your launcher this week, then match each one: 1. **Opening apps, folders or sites.** [CMDKit](/apps/cmdkit). 2. **Jumping to an open window.** [AltTab](/apps/alttab). 3. **Placing windows.** [Amethyst](/apps/amethyst) for automatic tiling, CMDKit Ultra for snapping by hand. 4. **Flipping settings or running small actions.** [Almighty](/apps/almighty). 5. **Launching with the mouse.** [ActiveDock](/apps/activedock) or [FolderX](/apps/folderx-menubar-launchpad). Two of these together usually cover what a single launcher did. AltTab plus CMDKit Ultra covers switching, launching and snapping. Before you install a window tool, check its permission needs: tools that move other apps' windows need Accessibility access, and a sandboxed store edition may not offer that feature at all. | App | Job | Price on its page or site | | --- | --- | --- | | CMDKit Ultra | Launch and snap | $9.99 one-time, 14-day trial | | CMDKit (App Store) | Launch | Free for five shortcuts, $4.99 Pro | | AltTab | Switch windows | Free, Pro features extra | | Amethyst | Tile windows | Free download | | Almighty | Tweaks and assistant | Free with Pro trial | | ActiveDock | Dock launcher | See maker's site | | FolderX | Menu bar launchpad | Free | For more menu bar tools, see [the best menu bar apps for Mac](/guides/best-menu-bar-apps). For tools aimed at people who write code, see [the best Mac apps for developers](/guides/best-mac-apps-developers). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a free Raycast alternative for switching windows? AltTab is free and brings a Windows-style Alt-Tab switcher to the Mac. Its site says it shows every window, including minimized and hidden ones and windows on another Space. Search and extra styles are part of AltTab Pro. ### Which app here launches apps with keyboard shortcuts? CMDKit Ultra lets you give any app, folder or website a keyboard shortcut. It costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase after a 14-day trial. The Mac App Store version, CMDKit, is free for five app shortcuts. ### Can I get window snapping without a launcher? Yes. CMDKit Ultra snaps the front window to a region you draw on a grid. Amethyst tiles windows automatically, in the style of xmonad, and needs macOS 10.15 or later plus Accessibility permission. ### Do these apps need special permissions? Window tools usually do. Amethyst's site says it must be given Accessibility permission. CMDKit's Mac App Store edition is sandboxed and, per its maker, never asks to control your Mac, which is why it handles shortcuts but not window snapping.