When you hear the word 'app,' you immediately think of those small programs for your smartphone. However, an app is simply any piece of software that serves some kind of purpose, either online, on your computer or another electronic device.
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Apps can transform the way you do anything you're passionate about, whether that's creating, learning, playing games, or just getting more done. And the App Store is the best place to discover new apps that let you pursue your passions in ways you never thought possible.
Some of the best and most versatile apps are available for Mac. We've compiled a list of the best free Mac apps, from well-known ones such as Dropbox and Skitch, to lesser known ones such as Adium and CheatSheet.
SEE ALSO: The 25 Best Free iPad Apps
Some of these apps can be found within Apple's App Store, while others are registered under the GNU GPL license, meaning that you can view and change the source code easily. Many of them are also compatible with various plugins and add-ons, which make it easy to customize the app to your liking.
Which free Mac apps would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments section below.
Homepage image: Flickr, John Watson
You can browse and buy apps in the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, on your Apple Watch, on your Mac, or on your Apple TV.
Browse and buy
To download and buy apps from the App Store, you need an Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the account that you use to access Apple services. If you use other Apple services like iCloud, sign in to the App Store with the same Apple ID. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one.
If you're in the App Store on any of your devices and see the download button near an app, you already bought or downloaded that app. When you tap or click the download button , the app downloads to your device again, but you are not charged again. You can also see a list of apps that you purchased and redownload them.
Learn what payment methods you can use to buy apps and other content. You can also create an Apple ID without a payment method when you download a free app.
How to buy apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Tap the App Store app on your Home screen.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
- Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can move it to a different spot on your Home screen. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
If an app is sold with an iMessage app or sticker pack, you can open it in Messages.
How to buy apps on your Apple Watch
With watchOS 6, you can download apps directly from the App Store on your Apple Watch. You can also add apps to your Apple Watch from your iPhone.
- Open the App Store app.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
- Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they download an app or make an in-app purchase. Learn more about in-app purchases.
How to buy apps on your Mac
- Open the App Store.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download. Apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch don't always have a version for Mac.
- Click the app.
- Click the price, then click Buy App. If you don't see a price, click Get, then click Install App. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID. If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can find it and keep it organized in Launchpad. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.
Top Mac Apps 2020
You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
How to buy apps on your Apple TV
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV.
- Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then select the app.
- Select the price or select Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.
After your app finishes downloading, you can move it around on your Home screen. Your apps will update automatically.
Top Mac Apps For Writers
You can make additional purchases within some apps. You can use Restrictions to restrict, block, or allow in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.
The App Store isn't available on Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier).
Top Mac Apps 2019
Get information about an app
If you want to know specific information about an app, like what languages the app is available in, the app's file size, or its compatibility with other Apple devices, scroll to the bottom of an app's page. You might be able to tap some sections to learn more.
You can also contact the app developer for help with an app's functionality.
Top Mac Games
Get help with billing
- Learn what to do if you see a charge from an app that you don't recognize.
- Learn how to cancel an in-app subscription.
- If you can't update your apps because your payment method is declined, update or change your payment method.
- If you have another issue with an app, report a problem or contact Apple Support.
Learn more
Top Mac Apps
- If your App Store is missing or you can't find it on your device, you might have parental controls turned on. Adjust your iTunes & App Store Purchases settings and make sure that you choose 'Allow' for the Installing Apps setting.
- Learn what to do if an app unexpectedly quits, stops responding while installing, or won't open.
- Learn what to do if you can't download apps, or if apps get stuck.
- If you want to download apps that are larger than 200 MB over cellular, go to Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store, then tap App Downloads and choose the option that you want.
- If you bought part of an apps bundle, the price of the full apps bundle is reduced by the amount you already spent.
