Apps to get on a new MacBook

The most installed app in each category

Three per category, ranked by installs in the last 30 days.

Browse the web

Google ChromeWeb browser#1 · 25K installs

1. Mozilla Firefox14K
2. Brave7.8K

Chat and calls

SlackTeam communication and collaboration software#1 · 7.3K installs

1. Discord7K
2. Zoom6.3K

Music and video

V

VLC media playerMultimedia player#1 · 11K installs

1. Spotify8K
2. IINA7.1K

Docs, sheets and PDFs

L

LibreOfficeFree cross-platform office suite, fresh version#1 · 57K installs

1. Microsoft Word2.3K
2. Microsoft Excel2K

Take notes

ObsidianKnowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files#1 · 20K installs

1. Notion5.1K
2. calibre3.6K

Passwords and security

1PasswordPassword manager that keeps all passwords secure behind one password#1 · 6.7K installs

1. Bitwarden5K
2. KeePassXC3.1K

AI assistant

ClaudeAnthropic's official Claude AI desktop app#1 · 20K installs

1. CChatGPT13K
2. GGemini2.8K

Cloud storage and transfers

LocalSendOpen-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop#1 · 7K installs

1. OpenMTP5.7K
2. Google Drive5.2K

Arrange windows

RectangleMove and resize windows using keyboard shortcuts or snap areas#1 · 9.8K installs

1. AltTab3.7K
2. DockDoor2.5K

Free up space

MacPackerArchive manager#1 · 5.4K installs

1. Keka4.8K
2. FFreeMacSoft AppCleaner3.9K

Screenshots and recording

OBSOpen-source software for live streaming and screen recording#1 · 6.8K installs

1. Shottr2.6K
2. KKeyCastr1.5K

Tidy the menu bar

V

VorssaintMenu bar toolkit with keep-awake, system monitor and volume mixer#1 · 15K installs

1. Ice4.1K
2. TThaw3.4K

Clipboard history

MaccyClipboard manager#1 · 8.7K installs

1. Clop1.5K
2. Clipy723

Games

SteamVideo game digital distribution service#1 · 4.3K installs

1. Moonlight2.8K
2. Prism Launcher1.4K

Install counts come from Homebrew, a free tool many Mac users install apps with, so they describe those people, not every Mac owner. How we count App Store charts are Apple's rankings.