Best Mac Apps for a New MacBook in 2026 (30+ Picks)

Quick answer

You just unboxed a new MacBook. Before you do anything else, here are the best mac apps to install right now: Raycast (launcher, replaces Spotlight), 1Password (credential manager), Rectangle (window tiling), Noticky (always-on-top sticky notes from your menu bar), IINA (video player), and Homebrew (package manager that installs everything else). This guide covers 30+ apps organized by category. Every recommendation is either free, open-source, or a one-time purchase. No subscription bloat. Each app was chosen because it solves a specific macOS limitation or dramatically improves a workflow. If you only have five minutes, install the six apps above and come back later for the rest.

Why the default Mac setup is incomplete

macOS Sequoia ships with a capable set of built-in apps, but Apple leaves significant gaps. There is no proper window tiling (Stage Manager is clunky), no clipboard history, no native always-on-top for windows, no built-in screenshot annotation, and Spotlight search is slow compared to third-party alternatives.

A fresh MacBook is a blank canvas. The apps you install in the first hour define how productive you will be for years. This list is opinionated: every pick earns its spot by solving a real problem that macOS does not address on its own.

Good to know: Most apps below run from the menu bar with no Dock icon, keeping your workspace clean. That is a design philosophy worth embracing. Menu bar apps are the power-user way to extend macOS.

Productivity apps

Raycast (free / Pro $8/mo)

The Spotlight replacement every Mac user eventually discovers. Raycast launches apps, searches files, converts units, manages clipboard history, runs scripts, and integrates with dozens of services. The free tier covers everything most users need. Install it first, then remap Spotlight's shortcut (Cmd-Space) to Raycast.

Why it matters on a new MacBook: It replaces at least three separate utilities (launcher, clipboard manager, snippet expander) with a single app.

Noticky ($6 one-time)

A menu bar sticky notes app with one feature that no competitor matches: notes that float above all windows, including fullscreen apps. Press Cmd-Shift-N from anywhere to capture a thought. Notes persist across desktops, support Markdown, sync via iCloud, and lock with Touch ID. No Dock icon, no clutter.

Why it matters on a new MacBook: If you work in fullscreen (which you will on a 14" or 16" MacBook), every other note app disappears. Noticky stays visible. Always-on-top notes are essential for reference material, meeting agendas, and quick TODO lists that you need to see while coding, writing, or designing.

Things 3 ($50 one-time)

The best native task manager on macOS. Clean design, keyboard-driven, quick entry with a global hotkey, and natural language date parsing. One-time purchase with no subscription. Syncs to iPhone and iPad via iCloud.

Fantastical (free / Premium $57/yr)

Calendar app that replaces the stock Calendar. Menu bar quick-access, natural language event creation, and multi-calendar support. The free tier is enough for most users.

Obsidian (free for personal use)

Local-first, Markdown-based knowledge base. Your notes are plain .md files stored on disk. No lock-in. Plugin ecosystem is massive. Pair it with iCloud Drive for free sync across Apple devices.

Development tools

Homebrew (free, open-source)

The macOS package manager. Run one command in Terminal and you unlock access to thousands of CLI tools, libraries, and even GUI apps (via Casks). Install Homebrew before anything else if you write code.

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Visual Studio Code (free)

The default code editor for most developers in 2026. Extensions for every language, built-in Git, integrated terminal, and a massive ecosystem. If you prefer something lighter, Zed (open-source, Rust-based) is a compelling alternative with native macOS performance.

Warp (free)

Modern terminal emulator built with GPU rendering. Features: AI command search, blocks-based output, persistent sessions, and team sharing. Replaces Terminal.app and iTerm2 for most workflows.

TablePlus ($89 one-time)

Native database client for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, and more. Fast, clean UI, inline editing. The free tier limits you to one open tab, which is fine for casual use.

Proxyman ($55 one-time)

Native macOS HTTP debugging proxy. Inspect, intercept, and modify HTTP/HTTPS traffic from any app. Indispensable for API development and debugging.

Design and creative tools

Figma (free tier available)

The collaborative design tool. Runs in the browser but also has a native Mac app. Essential for UI/UX work, prototyping, and design systems. Free tier supports three projects.

CleanShot X ($29 one-time)

The screenshot and screen recording tool that Apple should have built. Annotation, scrolling capture, pin screenshots to screen, cloud upload, GIF recording. Replaces the built-in Screenshot.app entirely.

Pixelmator Pro ($50 one-time)

Native image editor that handles 90% of what Photoshop does at a fraction of the price. One-time purchase, no subscription. Machine learning-powered tools for background removal, super resolution, and color matching.

IINA (free, open-source)

The modern video player for macOS. Native UI, hardware acceleration, supports every format including MKV, AVI, and FLAC audio. Replaces VLC with something that actually looks like it belongs on macOS.

Window management and utilities

Rectangle (free, open-source)

Window tiling via keyboard shortcuts. Snap windows to halves, thirds, and quarters. Free and open-source. Rectangle Pro ($10) adds more layouts, custom sizes, and window gap spacing.

Stage Manager (Apple's built-in alternative) remains frustrating for power users. Rectangle is the standard.

AltTab (free, open-source)

Replaces the Cmd-Tab app switcher with a Windows-style window switcher that shows previews of individual windows, not just app icons. Essential if you work with multiple windows of the same app.

Bartender ($16 one-time)

Controls your menu bar. Hides icons you rarely need, shows them on demand, and keeps the menu bar tidy as you install more utilities. With 10+ menu bar apps installed, Bartender becomes mandatory.

Karabiner-Elements (free, open-source)

Keyboard customization tool. Remap any key, create complex key sequences, and assign app-specific shortcuts. Power users use it to remap Caps Lock to Hyper (Ctrl+Option+Cmd+Shift) for a dedicated shortcut layer.

System utilities

1Password ($36/yr)

Password manager with native macOS integration, Safari extension, and system-wide autofill. Stores credentials, SSH keys, API tokens, and documents. Share vaults with family or team.

AppCleaner (free)

Properly uninstalls apps by finding and removing all associated files (preferences, caches, support files) that macOS leaves behind when you drag an app to Trash.

The Unarchiver (free)

Opens every archive format: ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, GZ, BZ2, and dozens more. Replaces the limited built-in Archive Utility.

Amphetamine (free)

Prevents your MacBook from sleeping. Menu bar app with timers, triggers, and rules. Useful for presentations, downloads, and running long tasks.

MonitorControl (free, open-source)

Adjusts brightness and volume on external monitors using the keyboard media keys. Works with most DisplayPort and HDMI monitors. Without this, you are adjusting external display brightness via the monitor's OSD buttons.

Communication

Slack (free tier / paid plans)

Workplace messaging. The native Mac app is better than the web version for notifications and memory usage (Electron, but optimized). If your team uses Slack, install the app.

Zoom ($0-$13/mo)

Video conferencing. The native app handles hardware better than the browser version, especially for screen sharing and virtual backgrounds.

Spark Mail (free / Premium $60/yr)

Email client with smart inbox, snooze, send later, and collaborative features. Native macOS app that handles multiple accounts. The free tier is feature-complete for individuals.

File management and storage

Keka ($5 one-time on App Store / free from website)

File archiver that creates and extracts ZIP, 7z, TAR, and more. Better compression options than the built-in tool. Supports AES-256 encrypted archives.

Transmit ($45 one-time)

FTP/SFTP/S3 client from Panic. Native macOS design, drag-and-drop file management, multi-connection support. Integrates with Finder.

Writing and notes

iA Writer ($50 one-time)

Distraction-free writing app with Markdown support. Focus mode highlights the current sentence. Exports to WordPress, Medium, and PDF. One-time purchase.

Bear (free / Pro $30/yr)

Markdown notes app with nested tags, backlinks, and a polished UI. Syncs via iCloud. The free tier covers basic note-taking.

For sticky notes specifically, Bear and iA Writer are full document editors. If you need quick capture notes that stay visible on screen while you work in other apps, that is a different tool: Noticky handles always-on-top notes without the overhead of a full editor.

Essential Mac apps comparison table

New MacBook setup checklist

Here is the order that matters:

1. Run macOS updates. Get to the latest Sequoia build first.
2. Install Homebrew. Everything else becomes easier with brew install.
3. Install 1Password. Set up your vault before creating any new accounts.
4. Install Raycast. Remap Cmd-Space to Raycast immediately.
5. Install Rectangle. You will need window tiling within minutes.
6. Install Noticky. Set up your first always-on-top note with your setup TODO list.
7. Install your dev tools. VS Code or Zed, Warp, TablePlus.
8. Install CleanShot X. Because you will want to screenshot your new setup.
9. Install Bartender. Your menu bar is getting crowded by now.
10. Tweak System Settings. Enable Tap to Click, increase tracking speed, set up Hot Corners, configure keyboard shortcuts.

Good to know: Run brew install --cask raycast rectangle noticky iina to batch-install several apps from this list in one command. Homebrew Cask handles GUI app installation cleanly.

Tips for your new MacBook in 2026

Skip the subscription trap. Several apps on this list are deliberately chosen because they are one-time purchases or free. Noticky is $6 once. CleanShot X is $29 once. Pixelmator Pro is $50 once. Your MacBook already cost $1,500+. You do not need monthly charges on top.

Embrace menu bar apps. The best macOS utilities live in the menu bar, not the Dock. Noticky, Raycast, Bartender, Rectangle, Amphetamine, MonitorControl: they all run from the menu bar. This keeps your Dock clean and your workspace focused. Check our upcoming guide on the best menu bar apps for Mac.

Learn the keyboard shortcuts. macOS has powerful built-in shortcuts. Combine them with app-specific hotkeys (like Noticky's Cmd-Shift-N for quick capture) and you will rarely reach for the trackpad. Our macOS keyboard shortcuts guide covers the essentials.

Set up iCloud early. Many of the apps on this list sync via iCloud (Noticky, Things 3, Bear, Obsidian with iCloud Drive). Sign in during initial setup and your notes, tasks, and files will follow you across devices automatically.

FAQ

What are the first apps to install on a new MacBook?

Homebrew (package manager), 1Password (security), Raycast (launcher), and Rectangle (window tiling). These four apps address the biggest gaps in a stock macOS installation and should be installed within the first five minutes.

Are there good free Mac apps worth installing?

Yes. Rectangle, AltTab, Karabiner-Elements, MonitorControl, IINA, AppCleaner, The Unarchiver, and Amphetamine are all free or open-source and genuinely essential. You do not need to spend money to dramatically improve your Mac experience.

How do I keep notes visible on screen while working?

Most note apps disappear when you switch apps or enter fullscreen mode. Noticky solves this with always-on-top notes that float above every window, including fullscreen apps. It runs from the menu bar with a $6 one-time purchase.

Should I use the Mac App Store or install apps directly?

Both. The Mac App Store handles updates automatically and sandboxes apps for security. But many power-user tools (Homebrew, Karabiner-Elements, Warp) are not available on the App Store. Use whichever distribution method the developer recommends.

What is the best Mac setup for developers?

Start with Homebrew, then install your preferred editor (VS Code or Zed), a modern terminal (Warp), a database client (TablePlus), and a proxy inspector (Proxyman). Add Noticky for persistent reference notes while coding, Rectangle for window tiling, and Karabiner for keyboard customization.