Shottr
Shottr is a macOS app that lets you take screenshots of your desktop. Yes, macOS has a built-in screenshot tool that is great. But Shottr adds a lot more features, is faster and more customizable.
It has a free version with all features you need. The paid version is roughly 10€. A can replace the default shortcuts I am used to with Shottr and get the better experience without having to learn anything new.
Raycast
Raycast is another replacement tool. It replaces Spotlight. The main thing I use it for is to switch apps via keyboard shortcuts.
I have set up ⌘ ⌥ T for my terminal, ⌘ ⌥ B for my browser, and ⌘ ⌥ S for Spotify. This makes it super fast to switch between my most used apps.
I also use the calculator in Raycast. It is super convenient because it can understand every unit you throw at it.
2 days in seconds → 172.800 s
60GiB / 150Mib/s → 3.276,8 s
6000 seconds from now → 21:16 (yes, actually correct at the time of writing)
Raycast is free.
Blip
Blip is like Apple’s AirDrop, but for everyone. It lets you share files easily. It is fast, intuitive, and has unlimited bandwidth.
Blip is free for individuals. Businesses pay $25 per month per user.
OrbStack
OrbStack is a Docker implementation for macOS. It is optimized for Apple Silicon.
Other than Docker Desktop, OrbStack has a native UI. It is fully compatible with Docker, Docker Compose, and Kubernetes. OrbStack even integrates Rosetta 2 for x86_64 emulation.
OrbStack is free for individuals and costs $8 per user per month for businesses.
BlockBlock
I once had an issue with the Codex app from OpenAI behaving like a virus, letting it auto-start on login without asking me and prevent force quitting. I had to reinstall macOS to get it fully removed.
That’s why I use BlockBlock now. It prevents apps from auto-starting on login or running in the background.
That’s basically what the macOS settings are supposed to do.
BlockBlock is free.
Screens
Screens is a screen sharing app. I use it to access my MacBook from my iPhone.
Screens costs $2.99/month, $24.99/year, or a $74.00 lifetime license.
Ghostty
Ghostty is the only good terminal emulator. Built by the legend himself, Mitchell Hashimoto. Super fast, native UI, all the features you want.
It is free and open source.
Helium
Helium is a Chromium-based browser that is built to be minimal but feature-complete.
The UI has reduced gaps, making room for the content while preserving the controls.
It is free and open source.