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Efficient App laurels

5 Best Mac Apps in 2026

Updated today (Mar 29, 2026)

See how our top 5 picks compare across the 5 mac apps we evaluated.

Explore what each does best, where it falls short, and why it earned a spot on our 2026 list.

Alex Bass Headshot
Alex Bass
Andra Vomir Headshot
Andra Vomir

    Best Mac Apps at a Glance

    5 apps and 4 deals
  1. 1
    Raycast
    Raycast

    Best MacOS spotlight search replacement

    Best MacOS spotlight search replacement
  2. 2
    Tella
    Tella

    Best for recording + editing course content

    Best for recording + editing course content
  3. 3
    Screen Studio
    Screen Studio

    Best for polished screen recordings

    Best for polished screen recordings
  4. 4
    CleanShot X
    CleanShot X

    Best for fast Mac screenshots

    Best for fast Mac screenshots
  5. 5
    Arc Browser
    Arc Browser

    For your productivity workspace

    For your productivity workspace

How We Evaluate Mac Apps

We score each mac app across multiple criteria, and hands-on expert evaluation

  • No Category Criteria records assigned to this category yet.
  • Expert Evaluation
    Curated by
    Alex
    and
    Andra
    , our rankings reflect in-depth testing, industry insights, and hands-on experience.
1
Raycast

Raycast

Best MacOS spotlight search replacement

Best MacOS spotlight search replacement

If you're using MacOS, Raycast is hands-down the best spotlight search replacement available. It's one of those apps that you won't "get" until you use it, but once you use it, you won't be able to live without it.

It's usually the first app we install on a new computer, if that tells you anything.

Raycast
Go to Raycast site

What is Raycast?

What is Raycast?

Most people use the native Spotlight search within MacOS, and most are totally happy with it. If that's you, you probably don't care much about this space, but I'm here to tell you that you should.

Search is the main way to navigate the OS, and imagine this search box with superpowers. Do you open up the calculator? Raycast has that built in. Have a separate window resizing/manager tool like Rectangles? Yeah, Raycast does that too.

Just about anything you can think of, Raycast can do, or they have an app/integration for it. I'm not kidding—I literally compressed the image to the Arc + Raycast integration using a Raycast plugin:

Embedded Image

Never again do you need to navigate to a sketchy "image conversion" website again—you can now do it all through your favorite ⌘ + Space shortcut via Raycast.

Now for the more technical crowd... I'm here to tell you that it's better than Alfred in every way. It's beautiful, free, has deeper native integrations, and the developer community is next-level.

Skeptical? I hear you—so much in-fact that I've debated (for hours) with just about every single one of my power-user friends about why Raycast is far-and-above better than Alfred. They didn't believe me, fought me tooth-and-nail on it.

And guess what? Every single one of them are now using Raycast (and Arc 😉). They just needed to download it and give it a genuine shot. It does everything better, and looks 10x as good (UI/UX).

It's free, just give it a shot yourself. If you're skeptical, come debate me on Twitter—happy to convince you as well 🦾

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2
Tella

Tella

Best for recording + editing course content

Best for recording + editing course content

Tella solved a real pain point for us when it came to recording + editing our Motion Course. But if you're looking for a Loom alternative, it's not quite there because it's missing core features (like the quick ability to leave comments at certain timestamps). In that case we'd recommend Supercut instead.

Overall, we'd recommend Tella for recording tutorials, courses or any videos you want to put a bit more effort into (opposed to something like a quick screen recording).

Tella
Go to Tella site

What is Tella?

What is Tella?

Tella is an awesome tool to use if you are wanting to create courses or film beautiful videos that require screen sharing. It easily allows you to film a series a clips to create your video, and also allows you to edit your videos right within the web browser.

We used Tella to create our Motion App Course and it saved us tons of time and not to mention we didn't have to hire a video editor to get a beautiful end result.

While some editing features can be improved, overall we'd recommend it and found that it came in very handy.

Superhuman Mail
Superhuman Mail
Featured

Get through your inbox 2x as fast (for teams of all sizes).

3
Screen Studio

Screen Studio

Best for polished screen recordings

Best for polished screen recordings

If you're looking for the highest quality screen recording software for showing off product interfaces in video or for posting GIFs and short videos to social media, then there's no better screen recording software on the market.

Screen Studio
Go to Screen Studio site

What is Screen Studio?

What is Screen Studio?

Screen studio is the best screen recording tool for quick and elevated videos. You don't have to have any experience with professional screen recording when using Screen Studio. It gives your screen video a professional look by default with features like automatic zoom, smooth cursor movement, auto-hiding your static cursor and super easy editing (if even required). We are huge fans.

Who is Screen Studio for?

Who is Screen Studio for?

Screen Studio is for you if you are creating promotional videos, tutorials, product updates, demos, or social media stories. I'm sure you've seen screen recordings that were recorded and edited via Screen Studio—more and more software companies have been using them for new feature launches, and product videos.

We've tried a myriad of tools in this category (e.g. Supercut and CleanShot X), and while they both work well for capturing the screen recording, Screen Studio is a far superior. When recording software videos for our social media channels, we were previously recording with CleanShot X and the videos felt quite dull and boring. There was no auto-zoom or a way to really engage the viewer.

Then we saw someone else's demo video on Twitter and were blown away with how sleek it looked. Our first impression was "Wow, how did they film and edit that? That's so cool!". When finding out that Screen Studio was actually a software that actually automatically edits the screen recording by following your cursor, and zooming in on the screen when you click, we knew it had to be a part of our arsenal. We also wanted our videos to have that elevated look 👀

You can even edit your videos easily after the recording for vertical video platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.

We'd go as far as saying this is the best tool on the market for professional screen recording.

It is currently only available on macOS.

4
CleanShot X

CleanShot X

Best for fast Mac screenshots

Best for fast Mac screenshots

CleanShot X lets you instantly copy screenshots so you can paste them anywhere without dragging files around, keeps your shots organized on the side of your screen, and makes it easy to annotate or blur sensitive info. If you take screenshots often and want to save time, this tool will make you much more productive and is worth switching to.

CleanShot X
Go to CleanShot X site

What is Cleanshot X?

What is Cleanshot X?

For years, I used the native Mac screenshot tool (which saves your screenshots to your desktop, and then you need to drag the image into your email or wherever you're trying to get it). I didn't think there was a better option out there.

Then I met Alex and he introduced me to CleanShot X that auto-copies the screenshot you take so you can paste it directly where you want. Whaaat? Let me tell you, this saves me so.much.time on a daily basis.

Want to screenshot a few images? No problem. All the images will auto-appear on the side of your screen and you can pick and choose which ones you want.

It's also super easy to annotate and draw on each image if you want to point something out, or blur out important information.

In summary, if you screenshot often this will make you MUCH more productive. Try it for a week and you won't be able to go back.

Superhuman Mail
Superhuman Mail
Featured

Get through your inbox 2x as fast (for teams of all sizes).

5
Arc Browser

Arc Browser

For your productivity workspace

For your productivity workspace

Arc is a new browser that has been built from the ground up to completely re-think what a browser should and could be for people.

They have rethought Google's role in the foundation of the browser (how most browsers, including Safari, Brave, and Firefox make their money), and have built a solution that is meant to save you time, not serve you ads.

It's our top pick in the category and it's causing a ripple that is resulting in competitors attempting to copy them in every way. So the question for trying Arc is simple, do you want a new browser that is leading the charge (Arc)? Or the ones that are copying the leader?

Arc Browser
Go to Arc Browser site

What is Arc Browser?

What is Arc Browser?

Arc is a web browser made by the The Browser Company. And in-line with their name, they're actively maintaining Arc, while focusing their efforts on Dia Browser.

The Browser Company was acquired by Atlassian for $610M, where they will continue building both browsers (focusing on Dia) but with more financial backing to hire more. There were mentions of a potential new plan for Arc Browser in the coming months, we believe that Atlassian may see a path to monetize it for the B2B world.

Although typically acquisitions by the likes of Atlassian have led to stagnation (e.g. Trello the project management software and more recently Loom). We're cautiously optimistic about this one though since Arc Browser was already in some form of maintenance mode while the team focused on Dia.

Who is Arc Browser for?

Who is Arc Browser for?

If you've been feeling like Chrome and Safari haven't evolved to be more powerful when it comes to tab management, folder structure, and switching between different spaces (Google Profiles), then Arc was built exactly for you.

And if you, for some reason, do not want to dive into the amazing world of AI browsers, then Arc is for you.

In general, if you're someone that always opts for keyboard shortcuts, finding the quickest way to do things, separating personal and work, and just want more organization (e.g. you've tried many of those productivity extensions like Toby and Workona, but they just didn't make the cut, then my gosh, you'll love Arc).

People who use Arc typically like using the modern tools in other areas too (e.g. using one of the best email clients for email instead of regular Gmail or Outlook, or one of the best calendar apps opposed to just Google Calendar).

Key Features

Key Features

Spaces

Spaces

Spaces let you stay focused by separating your work into clean, organized environments instead of one messy browser.

For example, you can create a personal space with your YouTube, Spotify, WhatsApp, and Gmail tabs pinned. They start to feel less like tabs and more like mini apps you always have ready.

Then with a simple swipe, you're instantly in your work space, where everything switches over to your work tools, accounts, and logins. No switching profiles, just a completely different setup built for getting things done.

Split Screen

Split Screen

With Arc Browser you can easily drag a tab beside one another and it will automatically turn your browser into a split screen. It's one of those features that feels obvious once you use it, but surprisingly no other browser has nailed it this well.

Instead of constantly switching between tabs, you can actually work across tools at the same time. Think having your email open next to your CRM, or your notes beside a YouTube video you're learning from.

Availability

Availability

Arc Browser is currently available on MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Who shouldn't use Arc Browser?

Who shouldn't use Arc Browser?

If you're someone that couldn't care less about the browser you're using (erm... why are you even reading this?), and you don't like change, and have never been frustrated by Chrome or Safari, then you aren't likely to be blown away by Arc Browser.

Final Verdict

Final Verdict

Well, there's no more waiting list, so you can just give it a shot yourself to see if it sticks, whether you're on MacOS, Windows, iOS, or Android, so we'd say yes, Arc is worth it. That said, if you're won Windows, Arc doesn't have as much feature parity as MacOS, so while we highly recommend Arc on MacOS, we don't recommend it as much on Windows. Pay closer attention to when Comet or Dia make their way to Windows instead.

Worth trying
Apps worth trying
These mac-adjacent apps prioritize another category at their core, but their mac features are strong enough that you should still consider them.
  1. Comet Browser
    Comet Browser
    Browser

    Best free agentic mode option

    Best free agentic mode option
  2. Todoist
    Todoist
    Todo List

    Best pen-and-paper alternative

    Best pen-and-paper alternative
  3. Clockwise
    Clockwise
    Time Management

    Clockwise optimizes your team’s schedules to create more time in everyone’s day.

    Clockwise optimizes your team’s schedules to create more time in everyone’s day.
  4. Reclaim AI
    Reclaim AI
    Time Management

    For basic task scheduling on your calendar

    For basic task scheduling on your calendar
  5. Superlist
    Superlist
    Todo List

    Best design-focused task and list app

    Best design-focused task and list app
  6. TickTick
    TickTick
    Todo List

    Best for basic task management

    Best for basic task management
  7. Routine
    Routine
    Daily Planner

    Best free daily planner

    Best free daily planner
  8. Dub Links
    Dub Links
    URL Shortener

    Best for modern link attribution, a true industry disrupter

    Best for modern link attribution, a true industry disrupter
  9. tl;dv
    tl;dv
    AI Note Taker

    Best for low-friction setup that records video

    Best for low-friction setup that records video
  10. Mailman
    Mailman
    AI Email Assistant

    Best for scheduled email delivery

    Best for scheduled email delivery
  11. Dashlane
    Dashlane
    Password Manager

    Best modern password manager

    Best modern password manager
  12. Superhuman Mail
    Superhuman Mail
    Email

    Best overall email client

    Best overall email client
  13. Dia Browser
    Dia Browser
    Browser

    Best for AI power users living in the browser

    Best for AI power users living in the browser
  14. Motion
    Motion
    Project Management

    Best AI to-do app for organizing tasks and time

    Best AI to-do app for organizing tasks and time
  15. Morgen Calendar
    Morgen Calendar
    Daily Planner

    Calendar with basic task management

    Calendar with basic task management
  16. Inbox Zero
    Inbox Zero
    AI Email Assistant

    Open-source AI assistant for email

    Open-source AI assistant for email
  17. Akiflow
    Akiflow
    Daily Planner

    Best for task consolidation from third party apps

    Best for task consolidation from third party apps
  18. Sunsama
    Sunsama
    Daily Planner

    Best pen and paper alternative

    Best pen and paper alternative
  19. Linear
    Linear
    Project Management

    Best for engineering teams

    Best for engineering teams
  20. ChatGPT
    ChatGPT
    AI Chatbot

    Best overall AI chat app

    Best overall AI chat app
  21. Perplexity
    Perplexity
    AI Chatbot

    Best for researching, whether work, student, or personal

    Best for researching, whether work, student, or personal
  22. Granola
    Granola
    AI Note Taker

    Best virtual and in-person AI note taker

    Best virtual and in-person AI note taker
  23. Trello
    Trello
    Project Management

    Simple kanban task management

    Simple kanban task management
  24. Zapier
    Zapier
    Automation

    Best no-code tool for building app integrations

    Best no-code tool for building app integrations
  25. Notion
    Notion
    Knowledge Base

    Good knowledge base, but skip for everything else

    Good knowledge base, but skip for everything else
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