{"id":98541,"date":"2026-06-05T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=98541"},"modified":"2026-06-05T08:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T13:48:51","slug":"the-5-apps-i-install-on-every-new-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/98541-the-5-apps-i-install-on-every-new-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Apps I Install on Every New Mac"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new Mac represents an opportunity to start \u201cfresh\u201d, whether you\u2019re coming over from another platform, or from an older Mac. Recently, I purchased an M5 Pro MacBook Pro, to replace my nearly five year old M1 Pro MacBook Pro. Instead of simply migrating all my files and apps over to the new machine, I wanted to take a more considered approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To that end, I\u2019ve compiled a list of five applications I immediately<\/em> install on every new Mac. As with any list, I\u2019ll say this my Top 5 represent my preferences. (Your mileage may vary.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1) First on the list is Rectangle<\/a>, a free and open source window manager for macOS. This application provides quicker and consistent window snapping compared to the built-in macOS offering. In my testing, macOS\u2019s window management keyboard shortcuts work only on certain apps and every app. Rectangle works flawlessly across every app I use, and it supports moving windows to and from external displays. A paid version offers more features, but the free version more than meets my needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2) Passwords are everything, and for years I\u2019ve used 1Password<\/a> to manage all of my family\u2019s passwords. It keeps all of my account passwords and logins secure and syncs across all of my other Apple devices. Apple\u2019s own Password app is a good fall-back, but 1password offers a cleaner, more organized experience. Plus, it integrates nicely with browsers like Safari, Chrome and Firefox. I only wish 1password retained its native macOS feel, so it would feel more integrated with macOS. 1password is subscription-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3) Alfred<\/a> is my favorite application launcher. It\u2019s faster than Spotlight, it\u2019s stable, and (with the paid add-on PowerPack) it brings a robust set of capabilities that go beyond launching apps. I\u2019ve used other launchers like LaunchBar and Raycast, but keep coming back to Alfred. Despite its age, Alfred\u2019s still rock solid. Alfred is free. (A new version 6 has been teased on the developer\u2019s blog.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4) Bloom<\/a> brings a refined Finder experience to the Mac, by way of several useful multi-pane layouts. Bloom has completely replaced the Finder for me, because it makes working with files so much easier. The ability to set custom Workspaces, where each pane in Bloom\u2019s multi-pane layout can be set to specific folders, is a game-changer. Bloom costs $16US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5) NetNewsWire<\/a> is my favorite RSS reader, letting me keep up with my favorite blogs and sites. It\u2019s free, it\u2019s fast, and it lets me focus on the articles I want to read, without distraction. It also syncs across all my Apple devices, letting me pick up where I left off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was really tough to keep my list to just five applications. Honorable mentions must go to CleanShot X <\/a><\/strong>(screenshot and screen recording utility), Fantastical<\/a><\/strong> (calender), Typinator<\/a><\/strong> (text expansion), and PastePal<\/a><\/strong> (visual clipboard history). What are YOUR five must-have Mac apps? Let me know in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These are the five Mac apps I absolutely can\u2019t live without.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286,"featured_media":98605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7597,4],"class_list":["post-98541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mac-tips","category-tech-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nThe 5 Apps I Install on Every New Mac<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These are the five Mac apps I absolutely can\u2019t live without.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/98541-the-5-apps-i-install-on-every-new-mac\/\" 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