Looking to supercharge your Mac in 2025? WIRED has compiled a list of the 31 best Mac apps—both free and paid—that will elevate your experience, whether you're a creative pro, a spreadsheet wizard, or just want to keep your digital life a bit more tidy and secure. The list spans everything from essential organization tools and writing aides to media players, security must-haves, and native Apple apps you might be sleeping on. WIRED’s Brenda Stolyar doesn’t just name-drop; she gives hands-on insights like why she ditches sticky notes for Apple’s free Stickies app or how ApolloOne helps photographers fine-tune their workflow. So if you’ve ever felt spoiled by macOS but knew it could do more, this curated app guide is your launchpad.

Key Takeaways (App Guide by Category):

🛠️ For a Better User Experience:

• Amphetamine (Free): Keeps your Mac awake without you having to wiggle your mouse. Great for file uploads and presentations.
• CheatSheet (Free): Displays keyboard shortcuts based on the active app—ideal for productivity ninjas.
• AdGuard ($30/year): Customizable ad blocker that works across browsers and apps.
• Zoom (Free/$13–$18 per month): Still a top choice for video calls and includes screen sharing, chat, and whiteboard features.
• ApolloOne ($30/year): Ideal for pro photographers managing RAW image files and metadata.
• Lightroom ($10/month): Adobe’s gold standard for photo and video editing—powerful, intuitive, and cross-platform.
• IINA (Free) & VLC (Free): Two top video players for broader format support with slick interfaces.
• EdgeView 3 ($7): Lightweight photo viewer for photographers needing an efficient image browser.
• iPhone Mirroring (Free with macOS Sequoia): Control your iPhone right from your Mac—great for multitasking while your phone stays put.

📝 For a Better Writing Experience:

• Ulysses ($40/year): Minimalist writing app for long-form content—includes iOS app.
• LibreOffice (Free): Full open-source office suite compatible with MS Word formats.
• Microsoft 365 ($100/year): Feature-rich word processor with voice transcription and grammatical suggestions.
• Grammarly (Free/$12/month): Real-time grammar checker and tone advisor; Premium adds plagiarism checker and AI assistance.
• Day One ($35/year): Secure journaling app with backups, rich media support, and voice note integration.
• Notes (Free): Easily one of the most beloved default Mac apps for brain dumping and organizing detailed thoughts.

📂 For Better Organization:

• Paprika Recipe Manager ($30): Save and adjust online recipes; sync across platforms.
• Hazel ($42 one-time): Smart file automation—sort by name, type, source, etc.
• Shift (Free/$149/year): Consolidates apps like Slack, Gmail, Instagram—all in a single window.
• Dropbox (Free/$10–$17/month): Sync with non-Apple devices, transfer large files, but not a true backup solution.
• Slack (Free): Group communication powerhouse; not just for work anymore.
• Reminders (Free): Surprisingly robust task app with tagging, priority levels, and scheduling.
• Freeform (Free): Apple’s whiteboard app for sketching, collaborating, and designing together.
• Stickies (Free): Digital Post-Its for your desktop—customizable and always in view.

🔒 For More Security:

• NordVPN ($60/year): Fast, secure, and supports a wide range of protocols; great for streaming too.
• Bitwarden (Free/$10–$40/year): Open-source password manager with passkey support—WIRED’s top pick.
• Dashlane (Free/$5/month): More features than Bitwarden but limited on free tier; best for ultimate convenience.
• MSP360 (Free): Automate backups to cloud services like Amazon S3—ideal for tech-savvy users.

🎬 For a Better Entertainment Experience:

• Amazon Kindle (Free): Read books on your Mac; syncs with Kindle devices.
• Spotify (Free/$12/month): Still ruling music and podcast discovery—great UI and playlist sharing.
• Apple TV (Free with $10 Apple TV+): Stream Apple originals or access your purchased content.
• Amazon Prime Video ($15/month): Another go-to for streaming on your Mac.

Quote of the episode:
“If you want to know who someone truly is… check their Notes app.” — Adrienne So, WIRED

Final Tip:
Many of these apps offer free tiers or trials—perfect for testing what fits best with your workflow. From digital journaling to cloud backups, this list is like a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. Just don’t forget to clean out your Dock once in a while. Happy downloading!

Sources:

• WIRED’s original Mac app roundup article
• Additional specs and user reviews from MacUpdate, App Store, and Reddit/macapps
• Cross-checked app legitimacy and pricing via developer websites and official Apple channels

Stay tuned for more bite-sized tech overviews right here on the podcast!
Link to Article