A small collection for everyday Mac work. Find a clear benefit, understand the trade-off, and choose what earns a place in your setup.
Start with what you already have. Add only what you need.
Start with what’s built in
Before adding another utility, see what your current version of macOS can already do.
macOS built-in tools
Free
Best forMac owners who want fewer utilities to maintain
Why it helps
Launch apps with Spotlight and arrange windows with the system's own controls.
The trade-off
Features depend on your macOS version; built-in tiling offers less customisation than dedicated layout tools.
Compatibility & sources
Included with macOS. This collection discusses window tiling on Sequoia 15 or later and Spotlight clipboard history on Tahoe 26; check Apple's guide for your installed version.
From one useful shortcut to repeatable layouts. Choose the amount of control you need.
Rectangle
Free
Best forPeople who want a small set of dedicated window shortcuts
Why it helps
Move windows into useful sizes with shortcuts or screen-edge snapping.
The trade-off
Window control involves Accessibility access, and an app's minimum window size still limits the result.
Compatibility & sources
The current official download specifies macOS 14 or later. Check the download requirement again before installing; older releases have different requirements.
Spend less time finding the last thing. Pay attention to compatibility and what gets saved.
Raycast
Free core · Paid upgrades
Best forPeople who want launching, Quicklinks and window commands in one interface
Why it helps
Find apps and invoke frequently used commands from the same keyboard entry point.
The trade-off
More features mean more settings and permissions to assess; custom window commands, sync and other Pro features require a subscription.
Compatibility & sources
Raycast v2 requires macOS Tahoe, according to its launch FAQ. The older v1 has separate requirements; do not assume a v1 compatibility claim applies to v2. Hardware eligibility should be checked with the current download.
Best forPeople who want a dedicated, searchable clipboard history
Why it helps
Search and reuse retained copied items in a dedicated clipboard history.
The trade-off
Retained copies need deliberate storage, exclusion and clearing choices; local storage alone does not establish security.
Compatibility & sources
The official site specifies macOS Sonoma 14 or later. Free open-source release distribution and a paid App Store channel are available; check the chosen channel's current terms.
Check the receiving device and choose an archive the recipient can open.
LocalSend
Free
Best forMac owners sending a file to a nearby Windows computer or Android phone
Why it helps
Free, open-source file sharing across the listed platforms without a LocalSend account.
The trade-off
Both devices need a permitted local-network path; appearing in discovery does not establish that a file was received.
Compatibility & sources
The current project README lists macOS 11, Windows 10 and Android 7 as minimums; the US Mac App Store listing also specifies macOS 11 or later. Verify the chosen distribution before installing.
Best forMac users choosing an archive format around the recipient's extraction tools
Why it helps
Create ZIP or 7z archives and extract supported formats including RAR.
The trade-off
Creation and extraction support differ; ordinary Keka does not create RAR, and password compatibility needs a recipient check.
Compatibility & sources
The official web download and US Mac App Store listing specify macOS 10.10 or later. Check the requirement for the distribution and release you choose.