35 Absolutely Essential Mac Apps
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For one reason or another, a lot of freelancers use Macs. It may be the raw power, the stability or they may just look rather – cool? Well, both of us know why that really is. It’s the apps! The software that makes the hardware bling, and it’s not necessarily thanks to Apple. Aperture and iCal may be nice, but often we rely on the smaller, even more useful applications. Here’s a list of great little applications that the Mac-powered freelancer should consider.
1. Text Expander
is a great little application for all those little snippets of text you need all the time. Writer? Typos can trigger Text Expande. Developers? No more code library needed. Designers? Well, we can always add signatures to email, right?
2. Quicksilver
is a world of its own. Unlike most launchers, the best thing about Quicksilver is that it’s not only a launcher. As probably the best productivity application on the Mac, it’s something you need to learn how to use in order to master it.
3. Backdrop
is very simple. Just fill in a color or image and hide the desktop clutter. Need minimalistic? Now you have it…
4. Shoo Apps
does what the long forgotten (or so it seems) Spirited Away did. it hides inactive applications.
5. Hazel
is a maid for your Mac. Have a lot of files just sitting waiting to be organized? Well, Hazel can move those files based on the criteria you set up. Be it name, date, location or what site or e-mail the file came from, this little application takes care of it.
6. Sticky Windows
is an application I personally can’t live without anymore. Say hello to tabs. Drag a window to the top, left or right edge of the screen and a tab will appear. To remove a tab, you just drag it away. It’s that simple.
7. Pzizz
is quite neat. It creates custom nap and sleep melodies for you to help you relax. Need a power nap – take one. It really may help, or it may just work as placebo. But hey, why not try it?
8. Scrivener
is a great tool for writers. From brainstorming, to outlining to writing in fullscreen mode, this application supports all the creative phases that a writer encounters. Say goodbye to Word and just… Write!
9. Writeroom
is a simple, yet very powerful application and full screen writing is the name of the game. Not more, but less. If the complexity of modern word processors isn’t inspiring, work it all out with Writeroom.
10. Avenir
is a writing application specialized for fiction. Characters, locations, scenes. If you’re a fiction writer, Avenir will give you even more flexibility in writing your next bestseller.
11. Circus Ponies Notebook
is just that – a notebook. If you really love that old Moleskine, but want to go digital, this application lets you do just that. The interface resembles an actual notebook, letting you do outlines, add tasks, etc.
12. Yojimbo
is many things to many people. It can be a text archive, a code archive, a bookmark list, a web archive, just about anything you desire. This flexibility in both format (text, images, PDF, rich text,…) and control lets you customize Yojimbo to your own workflow.
13. Montage
is yet another specialized writing tool. Well, it actually isn’t. It is specialized, but quite uniquely for screenwriting. That’s right, say hello to TV, movies and theatre. Integration with Address Book even lets you submit, track and send your queries and scripts.
14. OmniFocus
is a GTD application by the legendary OmniGroup. the makers of OmniOutliner and OmniGraffle. The application grew out of a collaboration with Ethan Schoonover who made a GTD workflow plugin for OmniOutliner. The plugin was so successful it deserved to be an actual application. Today, Ethan works for Omni, and with the help of GTD guru Merlin Mann it’s safe to say OmniFocus will be a very good application.
15. Things
is a task management application that’s not yet released, but looks amazing. If everything goes well, this could be the GTD application with the best interface. Some of the features CulturedCode is planning are quite unique, but time will tell if our waiting is worth it. Now go and subscribe to their newsletter!
16. Linotype Explorer
is a great font management application for the Mac. You can use it to both install, manage and “test” fonts. Best of all – it’s free.
17. Xylescope
is great for fine tuning the CSS for your sites. The web, html and css views let you find that little bug that’s been troubling you. Have all the source code organized and shown in a way that makes you want to code, and code, and code…
18. Quicksnap
is a great alternative to Mac OS X’s own screen capture system. You can time them, customize them, change the format and much more.
19. Knox
lets you encrypt and backup your files. Creating vaults using advanced encryption standards is now even more secure. Because it’s based on the same technology Apple’s FileVault uses, all your data can be opened without Know if needed.
20. Cocktail
is a maintenance utility that keeps your Mac running smoothly. Lots of features, all accessible via a simple UI, let you check and repair your disks, run maintenance scripts, clear system caches and a hundred other things.
21. CSSEdit
is the best looking CSS editor for the Mac out there. You can edit it, preview it, extract. It chops, slices, even dices. It can even play along with AJAX.
22. Coda
is an all in one application that makes designers want to take notes and is a lot of web developer’s only tool. A text and css editor, a built in file browser (let’s not forget, these guys built Transmit) and an Apple Design Award to its honor. It also comes packed with a an actual web reference book reformatted and built into the actual application.
23. TextMate
is probably the most popular text editor for the Mac. Do you need to code? You probably already have TextMate. Why am I even mentioning it?
24. Transmit
is a FTP application with a very simple interface. Don’t underestimate it though. Panic put a lot of power into this application, adding features like docksend, iWeb and WebDAV integration and a ton of automator actions you can use.
25. Cyberduck
may not be as powerful as Panic’s Transmit, but still supports FTP, SFTP as well as Bonjour. Its advantage is that it’s open source. Get the duck quacking!
26. Forklift
is a very nice file manager and FTP client. Need better integration? Well, Forklift has an application deleter as well as Amazon S3 support.
27. RooSwitch
is a great application whose features make it quite unique. The core feature is application data profiles. You can then switch through these profiles, basically letting every application support multiple users. Developers can create custom user profiles for testing their applications while other users can have “home” and “work” profiles.
28. Billings 2
lets you track and then invoice your clients. Simple. Choose a template or create your own. No need for professional graphics software. That said, print designers don’t really need this application.
29. OnTheJob
performs just one task and that’s tracking your time. One task, but it does a great job of it. You can work and then take a break letting OnTheJob’s idle time checker stop the timer. Checking its status is as easy as looking at the dock badge and after finishing it can even create a simple invoice if needed.
30. iBiz
is a very powerful invoicing and time-billing application. Unlike the past two, it has a ton of features, letting you have all the information you need. Add to that advanced networking as well as iCal and Address Book integration and iBiz is something a freelancer who wants to track his income really needs.
31. Serverskine
is a godsend for web developers and designers. If you know the feeling of trying to look for a clients hosting account password, you’ll love this application. Track server, domain hosting information – all for free!
32. Devonthink
is a database application. You can store any kind of document in it. From text and images to MP3s, keep track of all your data in what every way you see fit. Organize, reorganize. Are other organization applications chaotic? Make your own.
33. Skype
is the most popular VoIP client out there. Although recently they did have a problem or two, Skype remains a key communication tool for a lot of companies. Low prices make it a great option for freelancers who work with international clients.
34. Ecto
is a desktop blogging application that works with most weblog systems. From Blogger to Wordpress and beyond. Its interface makes it a good tool for freelancers who like to blog between productive sessions of procrastination.
35. Spanning Sync
will be a great companion if you use Google Calendar. This application let’s you do the impossible – synchronize Google Calendar and Apple iCal. Finally.
What about you? What’s your favorite little Mac application that makes your freelance career that much easier?
Unlike the rest of the team, Ivan Brezak Brkan still has to balance his freelance interface design and new media writing/copywriting career with a busy university life. New media and blogs are his outlets of choice – and “new” marketing his passion. Find out more about Ivan at IvanBrezakBrkan.com.
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Wow, thank you for that.
Thanks for the comprehensive list of applications. I am not MAC user but learned a lot about MAC environment.
Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!
I use VirtualHostX to setup and manage client websites I’m testing on my Mac.
http://clickontyler.com/virtualhostx/
Very interesting. There still seems to be this concept though that most designers use Macs to design. A little peek into the forums would teach us otherwise though. I hope we can expect a list soon of apps for Windows users.
Nice list. I have a hard time imagining that these are all “absolutely essential”. You list “Things” which is “not yet released, but looks amazing”. How can it be essential, much less “absolutely essential” if it’s not even released yet? There’s also a lot of duplication, with several writing apps, 2 FTP apps (excluding coda), several tracking/billing applications. Surely we’re not supposed to buy all this stuff to make sure we have the essentials?
I take issue with the title, and some of the choosing of the apps. However, I do agree, lots of the ones on here are essential, and many are just quite handy.
Coda rules! Especially when you have a ’site’ set up and can upload right from the working enviornment.
StickyWindows, Ecto and Cocktail all sound interesting.
Thanks for the resource.
I’ve been meaning to try out Writeroom, so thanks for the reminder. A few of the apps here aren’t really my style though. I can’t seem to get into Quicksilver for example despite how strongly some folks swear by it. I wasn’t familiar with a few of the options in this list so I’m going to have to check it out, particularly Xyle scope, which seems interesting.
Also, I recently wrote an article called Seven great Mac applications for freelance web designers that some people might find some value in. These are some of the best ones I use often.
Sticky Windows looks interesting I’ll take a look at that. As for Spanning Sync at the bottom, you might want to try gSync instead, it’s cheaper and doesn’t rely on 3rd party servers.
Jean from SmileOnMyMac here. Glad to see TextExpander at the top of the list–but the link is broken.
Truly remarkable post. Sure comes in handy.
I’m nearly converting myself to the Mac, just waiting for Leopard.
Ive been macless for over a month. The new Mac Book Pro will arrive soon – I will have to check these aps out! Thanks for the post!
I love many of the apps you listed. Of them all though, I think Scrivener is the most under-rated. If you write long pieces (ie. books), Scrivener is mind-blowingly great. I highly recommend trying out the tutorial that comes with it. It’s not just better than Word — it’s a real writer’s tool! I can’t praise it enough.
You typo “its” too many times for me not to clench my teeth in rage!
it’s = it is
its = neutral pronoun possessive
Freelancers who can’t afford proofreaders should know this!
Respectfully yours,
Clementine J. W. McGillicuddy III
I gotta say that I like Billable a whole lot more than Billings. It’s simpler and it wasn’t as buggy (although now I can’t remember exactly the bug that was making me nuts w/Billings).
But I LOVE Scrivener!!!! I can’t recommend it highly enough!!!!!!
Looking forward to the pc version of this list.
Great list, almost makes me want to switch to a Mac again.
For item 14. OmniFocus you have the url for 15. OmniFocus is located at: http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnifocus/
Ooo those are some goodies. Looks like MacNewsOnline will need to update their list too. ( http://www.macnewsonline.com/wp/the-ultimate-mac-apps-list/ )
My ThinkPad has raw power, stability, and looks cool too!
Very interesting apps, I’ve used OS X for a while before, and some of these I’ve used when I did.
I’ll be waiting for a list for Windows
.
Coda is awesome for sure though.
I’m with Dennis and jb, Coda rocks some serious socks. For coders, it’s better than Dreamweaver, without all the useless crap (and A LOT cheaper).
Thank you for the list. I didn’t know about some of these apps.
As for Spanning Sync, I may be misssing something, but the fact is that I keep my Google Calendar and my iCal synchronized without any outside help. You may want to check Google’s FAQ on this.
OS9 had something like Sticky Windows, built in. Not sure why they dropped it with OSX but good to see we can get that back.
These are AWESOME! I have a few of these already and I bookmarked this post so I will download more later.
Thanks so much for this- very comprehensive.
@Jean: Yikes, thanks for pointing out the broken link, that’s fixed
@Scotty: Point taken, I’ve gone through and fixed those, I think I got them all!
Very nice site!
Hello productivity, you are looking mighty sexy tonight.
Thank you for the list.
Another top something Mac apps list… With the same exact software as the others.
omnifocus’s link need to be resuced.
it’s http://www.culturedcode.com/things/
I’d have to add Adium X to this list. Great app and a great development team.
I would also add BLENDER (not only free but quite good) to render 3D scenes. Nice compilation anyway. Congrats
forget Cocktail. MainMenu is where it’s at.
Great list. Regarding Cocktail: I think Onyx does everything it does, but it’s free, and extraordinarily stable.
As a complement to Spanning Sync, I would suggest any serious Google aficionados to try out Mailplane (http://mailplaneapp.com/). Great soft!
E
So so list. Some of the apps really are must haves. Some
a) Candybar (to make icons pretty)
b) DragThing (to put all my stuff, been using it too long for anything else)
c) Quickeys (keyboard macros, a Mac legend)
d) SynkProfessional (goodbye Retrospect, muhahaha)
e) PhotoStickies (very quick, and opens transparent images without the white squares that are so ugly)
f) MonoLingual (to remove unneeded language resources)
g) Kitty Spanlges Solitaire (unparalleled quality solitaire game)
Gsync is a much better app than Spanning Sync.
i really like Jumpcut, the clipboard extender, and, until leopard comes out, Desktop Manager [NOT Virtue Desktops]. i use them both all the time.
And what about iTunes LAME, Handbrake, VLC and MPlayer? they seem pretty “Essential” to me.
Interesting that MAMP didnt make the list
Hey nice list!
Lists are easy to digest and very useful.
If you want to get Apple News then go to my Blog.
http://www.thedailymac.com
Like most developers, Mac developers need a project management tool that can help them plan their time and projects.
Check out Merlin . It is a real Cocoa App. designed by project managers.
I use half of the software you wrote about, but the other half is now just waiting for me
Skitch (http://plasq.com/skitch) has been one of my most used apps in the last few months and I’ve totally fallen in love with Mailplane (http://mailplaneapp.com). I’d also have to put Color Schemer Studio on my list too (http://www.colorschemer.com/studio_info.php).
Already using some of them, but tanks anyway…
Thanks. CSSEdit is a great tool, I use it all the time. Great post.
Thx for the good list.
http://blog.accessko.nl
What about Pixel image editor? I miss it on that list, http://www.pixelimageeditor.com
Fantastic! Now all I got to do is get myself a Macbook Pro!
Where’s GraphicConverter?
Thank you for the post! Really useful! I knew just few of those apps
Transmit is much better than cyberduck …
Great stuff, thanks!
i have used ecto and it is a great product and makes multiple blog updates easy.
g.
http://www.cheapgreencar.com
Just an FYI – That Billings bug got fixed in 2.5.1. (I’m pretty sure the one you are referring to is the annoying one a few people reported).
I wanted to also point to another couple of my favorites:
Adium
http://adiumx.com
A fantastic multi chat app. The main reason i use this over iChat for my AIM is that Adium stores chat history, and it lets me be “invisible” (online but appear to be offline)
Pastor
http://www.mehlau.net/pastor
A great app for storing private passwords and other such information
You forgot one of my favs: Desktoptopia (http://www.desktoptopia.com)
The best screenshot application I’ve seen.
http://plasq.com/skitch
You need an invite.
I’m not sure how these are absolutely essential. For instance, if you’re listing two seperate FTP clients, how are both the essential application? This grammatical quibble aside, I think the list is pretty good, but not particularly focused in any one direction. Coda and TextMate are both great applications, but are geared towards completely different users (Coda being the casual or learning programmer, TextMate being the, ahem, learned. So can there really be an “essential” application list that covers both? No. So the entire list was kind of an exercise in futility, but whatever.
Here are the real essentials:
Finder
Firefox
iTunes
Terminal
Photoshop
TextMate
I think that’s good enough for damn near everybody. =)
You mention using Text Expander to catch typos in the first entry, but you clearly *didn’t* use it, or you would have caught the glaring typo
This list is good but misses some essentials like Firefox, Growl, and Adium. If your interested the following posts help fill in the gaps. here and here
I agree with many of these apps, especially Scrivener, but you forgot two extremely addicting and essential apps
A) VirtueDesktops (multidesktops really cleans up your workspace) and
B) VoodooPad (like a wiki but with instant response of a local application)
ViewIt by HexCat is a must for anyone with lots of digital photos to sort through. When I switched from a PC 2 years ago, I really missed not having the speed and functionality of ACDeeSee. I found old Mac versions it on the Web, but they were never the peer of the PC app. iPhoto is nice, but slow.
Though seemingly simple, ViewIt is more than a simple file viewer. Have it make a digital contact sheet or create a Web site gallery for you and you will see what I mean. A bargain at $20. Support these guys!
http://www.hexcat.com
I recommend you the software/service of Plaxo.
This little client will keep your calendar/address book (iCal, Mac Address Book, Outlook, Gmail and many others) all synced and with the possibility to check all that synced info online on their website.
It also provides other benefits that a freelancer might appreciate.
http://www.plaxo.com
I agree on Scrivener. It’s awesome. You’ll find my exceedlingly brief review here: http://reviewsinhaiku.com/2007/08/14/scrivener/
-MT
Avenir is fabulous. Good to see it on your list!
Ecto?!
I can’t take this list seriously if you recomment Ecto and not even mention MarsEdit.
http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/
Journler…
Hands down…. And its donationware. Seriously, the best journaling software out there.
http://journler.com/
I personally think that Aptana is a great tool for web coders. With syntax coloring, code completion, and the integrated ftp sync capability, it works quite well for me doing my web work.
I don’t know how anybody can work on a Mac without Default Folder
RSS MENU should be added to the list.
Great, simple app to keep track of your subcribed RSS feeds. It just sits there in the top menu bar showing the number of unread feeds. Stats update at your desired frequency.
Just great.
What about xTime Planning, to manage your scheduling from app4mac.com ?
Great compilation. Thanks. I wish you had added some screenshots though…
http://www.MostOfMyMac.com
very cool – will be passing this one on to a couple of colleagues -
i am trying out the sticky windows – so far so good
I am a Billings 2 user already which i really like — a couple of small issues once in awhile but pretty easy to use. Got put on to Skype by a client so am now a regular user ..
interested to know from anyone who has used Linotype Explorer what they think of it – I currently use Suitcase Fusion but am interested in the fact that Explorer categorizes the fonts (from what I can tell)
One of the most popular Mac apps ever seems to be missing…MacJournal. Take a look at the amount of downloads on Versiontracker and macUpdate and you’ll see why.
Thank you for that list! Keep us informed of more apps worth mentioning.
I’ve used billings 2 for a couple projects and have enjoyed it.. but have since switch to cashboard
I changed from Transmit to Fugu. It’s open source and I like it as much as I liked Transmit.
http://rsug.itd.umich.edu/software/fugu/
For me it’s Contactizer Pro, a very good PIM made for Mac OS X!
http://www.objective-decision.com
Quite cool list, but I missed »KoolClip« for multiple clipboards and easy handling.
Hi,
I would also like to suggest Fanurio http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com which does both time tracking and invoicing.
Fanurio is a desktop application designed to help freelancers manage their work and be paid for it. It can do basic project management, time tracking and invoicing in order to have all the functionality in one place.
Cheers,
Cosmina
“Absolutely Essential..?” Hardly “Essential;” definitely not “Absolutely.”
Don’t get me wrong…it’s always great to hear about recommended software – there’s 2 or 3 I hadn’t heard of before. Thanks for the quick descriptions before the links.
Personally, I can’t live wthout
• Default Folder, for quick navigation from Open/Save dialogs
• Adium, for multi-protocol IM
and I kinda like
• Actiontastic, my GTD helper
::
Hey. Good list, very thorough! I also wrote a list, after trying out so many applications (thank God for AppZapper!). You can find my list on my blog here. I hope it’s useful!
“13. Montage
is yet another specialized writing tool. Well, it actually isn’t. It is specialized, but quite uniquely for screenwriting. ”
A Must Have app? I don’t think so. Just having a Mac doesn’t make one a screenwriter.
Great list, but hardly essential, and certainly not absolute…
Personally, as a writer, I couldn’t live without OmniOutliner – I use it as a pre-writing brainstorming thingy – as well as a project planner, lecture planner. dinner party organiser – well the uses are endless really
if you haven’t done so, check it out
awesome, very nice
Just what I was looking for! I am in a trial version of Studiometry but wanted to research my alternatives. A gazillion thanks!!
Text Expander has been a godsend. Great feature, FreelanceSwitch!
Thanks for the great compilation. Although not all essential, and although there seems to be some overlapping, it’s good to learn to know some new tools. I looked at their websites and found most of them interesting. I will check back later and try some of them.
Also, thanks for the feedback in the comments section, always good to get some real world feedback and expand the list that way.
No BBEdit?
Hi,
Anybody know of a simple program that reminds you to save? I’m a designer and some programs like Illustrator do not have an auto save feautre. I used to use SaveMe by Goldfish Soft but it doesn’t seem to work on the new Intel based macs that run leopard. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Luis
PS: Thanks for the list of cool apps!
PurePov Models! All In One Place!
PurePov | http://google.com/group/purepov-girls/web/
Satellite Spy Xiv
Very nice program is TranslateIt! for Mac – multilingual dictionary that allows you to look up words on the fly!
http://www.mac.gettranslateit.com/
PornTube Fat Videos !
PornTube Fat Videos | http://google.com/group/porntube-fat-videos/web/
Gay Tgp Xxx
I can’t live without skEdit. It’s a tabbed text editor for CSS, PHP, XHTML and others. Code completion, coloring, and compatibility with Transmit make this a must-have for me.
http://skti.org/
Nice list, lots here I never new about. I can’t wait to get my new iMAC !!!!
Great list! I use Desktopple (http://foggynoggin.com). The pro version is awesome and takes the place of Spirited Away and Backdrop.
Hi Ivan,
Another option is Fanurio http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com which is a time tracking and billing application designed for freelancers.
Very nice site!
Great , very cool compilation!
I’m starting a freelance copywriting business and need a new computer. I’m thinking about converting to Mac, but am wondering if I’ll run into difficulties sharing files with clients. I know that a version of Office is available for Mac. Is that the way to go? Between learning the new system (it’s been 20+ years since I touched a Mac) and converting files, I’m wondering if a Mac is worth the work. Thanks for your input!
nice list, thanks for sharing.
This list is really useless.
Thanks you admin. Beleşciler atılın!
great work
The comment about Billings – “print designers don’t really need this” – is ridiculous. It does WAY more than just make nice looking invoices. It’s strength is in its tracking and easy to use interface – something print designers don’t automatically have
Also, a big plus is its integration with the amazing Daylite project management application. That integration really makes both applications shine, though they’re amazing in their own right.
What about iCompta (http://angeman7.free.fr/?language=en) ? It’s a free personal finance application. There is also an iPhone / iPod Touch version which can be synchronized very esaily with the desktop version.
While the software listed here is definitely among the best, there’s a lot of redundancy too. “Essential” should at least mean only one app per category, but it should also mean “what should have been in the box”. As is, this list is a nice overview of some of my personal favorites, but the post title feels a bit inadequate.
Lots of useful and interesting apps to make life easier that I haven’t seen on other lists. Thanks for putting it together.
Thanks for the list. I love the sticky tabs and will get on to some others too. I really don’t get all these people whingeing about your spelling and debating whether it’s the ultimate list; if you don’t like it, don’t use it. If you do, say thanks and get on with your life!
Thanks for the other suggestions from posters too.