8 MacOS apps I can't live without – and why

While Linux is my overall operating system of choice, I use MacOS primarily for video editing. However, when it comes to writing, I depend on a select few additional apps to help make cranking out words more efficient and reliable. Below are the apps I use every day to get work done on my Mac.

Also: 10 Linux apps I can’t do without – and why

1. Arc browser

Although Safari is a serviceable browser, it’s not Arc. Arc is a beautiful, modern take on the web browser that’s more than just aesthetics. This browser does tab management as well as Opera, renders faster than Chrome, and is a bit more customizable than any browser on the market. 

Since I started using Arc on MacOS, I’ve been trying to get the attention of Browser Company to port this outstanding browser to Linux. Should that happen, Arc would become my default on both desktop and laptop. 

Also: 5 ways Arc browser makes browsing the web fun again

Arc browser is free to use and install.

2. Davinci Resolve

For the longest time, I used Final Cut Pro for video editing. But when I continued having trouble getting the look I needed for my videos, I knew the problem was in my software of choice. 

Also: I was a Final Cut Pro diehard until DaVinci Resolve won me over with these 3 features

After switching to Davinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro goes unused, collecting dust. Davinci Resolve is the best prosumer option on the market for editing and color grading by a long shot. Davinci Resolve’s color tools are unbelievable — I get true-to-life skin tones with ease (thanks to the ACES workflow) and can tweak color to my heart’s content. 

Davinci Resolve does have a fairly steep learning curve, so if you decide to give the free version a try, make sure to do a bit of research on how it works before you dive in. I opted for Davinci Studio, the paid version, to access its exclusive features. It’s a flat fee of $295, and if you’re serious about video editing, it’s worth every penny.

3. Finder

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Finder is probably the best file manager available. I realize file managers aren’t the most exciting category to list, but can you imagine doing anything without one? 

Besides working with local files, I also use Finder to connect to both SMB and NFS shares across my network. Of all the file managers I’ve used, Finder is the easiest to use for remote shares.

Also: 5 easy ways to turn MacOS Finder into a way better file manager

Finder comes pre-installed with MacOS.

4. Bartender 5

Ok, this isn’t really a must-have, but I certainly like it. Bartender 5 gives you control over the look and feel of the MacOS menu bar, so you can change the shape, color, what icons to show or hide, and more. 

My menu bar tends to get fairly cluttered, and with Bartender 5, I can define what icons are always visible and which autohide. That feature alone makes it worth the one-time fee of $20.

5. Grammarly Desktop

Although I refuse to use AI for writing (or anything creative), I do use Grammarly Desktop to catch those Kryptonite commas and monstrous misspellings. When I hand in copy or a book manuscript, I want it to be as clean as possible, so my editors don’t have to fix basic mistakes. Without it, my editors would probably want to punch me in the run-on sentence.

Also: Why the Grammarly app is so much better than the browser extension

Grammarly Desktop can be used with both free and paid accounts.

6. Arc Studio

When I switch from writing books to scripts, I move from using LibreOffice to Arc Studio, a writing tool designed specifically for screenwriters. I’ve used this app to write TV pilots and stage scripts and it does a fantastic job of formatting them according to industry standards (and effortlessly). 

Also: 4 ways I reuse my old iPhones instead of trading them in – including with robots

Although Final Draft might be the de facto standard in the industry, Arc Studio is far less expensive and has a smaller learning curve. If you want to dip your toes into script writing, I highly recommend it. 

You can use Arc Studio for free or purchase a paid plan for either $69 or $99 per year. Find out more about the available plans on the Arc Studio pricing page.

7. Warp Terminal

I do use the terminal in MacOS for quite a few tasks. When I need to turn to a terminal, I default to Warp Terminal (on both MacOS and Linux) because it’s far more powerful, flexible, and just plain cooler than the competition. 

Warp Terminal also has a built-in AI tool that makes it easy to find out what a command or block of code does. That’s very handy, especially when you’re learning a new programming language. But even for basic commands (such as SSH), Warp Terminal is superior. For instance, the command completion feature means there’s less guesswork and typing. That alone is worth the price of entry.

Also: The most popular programming languages in 2024

Warp Terminal can be installed and used for free or you can purchase a license to add more AI requests per month and other features. Check out the pricing here.

8. LibreOffice

Sure, MacOS ships with iWork, but I find that application not nearly as reliable as LibreOffice. While I was working on my last novel, Pages decided the file was read-only and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get it to open the manuscript with write permissions. 

Fortunately I had a backup, but when you’re pushing 70k words in a manuscript, losing any work can be a headache. With LibreOffice, I don’t have to worry. I’ve been using this office suite for a very long time and have only run into a handful of issues, each of which was easily resolved.

Also: 6 ways LibreOffice is better than Google Docs for serious writing work

LibreOffice is free to download and install.