Get a new Mac or give your computer a new lease on life with Apple Silicon (like a Mac mini M4 or a recent MacBook Pro) is the perfect excuse to set up a top-tier creative workspace. Beyond Apple's own apps, the macOS ecosystem is full of programs designed for designers, video editors, musicians, developers, and users who simply want a more agile, secure, and comfortable Mac.
In this guide you will find a complete tour of the key tools For creatives and general users alike: from professional suites like Adobe Creative Cloud or Final Cut Pro, to free gems like GIMP, VLC, or Rectangle, as well as utilities for productivity, security, and window management. Everything is explained in an accessible way, with practical examples and recommendations to help you install only what's truly worthwhile.
The Mac as a creative workspace: power and screen at your disposal
Current Macs stand out for two very clear thingsThe performance of Apple Silicon chips and the quality of its displays (especially the Retina panels) make editing photos, videos, audio, or 3D much smoother, even on compact devices like the Mac mini M4.
If you work with images, video, or interface designHaving a screen with good color fidelity and high resolution allows you to see fine details, check gradients, and work with small fonts without straining your eyes. In models like the iMac, that screen becomes your primary canvas for desktop publishing, photo editing, or animation.
The other fundamental aspect is performanceThe M-series processors handle demanding tasks like exporting 4K/8K video, rendering 3D scenes, or managing large audio projects with multiple tracks very well. Add to that fast SSD drives, and creative applications open in seconds, significantly reducing wait times.
Finally, macOS integrates very well with the rest of the Apple ecosystem.Sidecar to use the iPad as a second screen, Continuity and Handoff to continue working between devices, and iCloud integration to keep your files up to date without going crazy with USB drives.
Professional creative suites: design, video and audio at the highest level
If you are seriously dedicated to the creative world (or you want to get closer to that level), there is a set of applications that have been industry standard for graphic design, video and audio for years.
Adobe Creative Cloud remains the great classic. For designers, photographers, illustrators, and content creators. With Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, or Premiere Pro, you have almost every discipline covered: advanced photo retouching, vector illustration, editorial layout, video editing, and much more.
A powerful and more economical alternative is Affinity SuiteAffinity, comprised of Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, and Affinity Publisher, is a one-time payment service that offers professional tools for image editing, vector design, and desktop publishing. It's a very attractive option for creatives who want high-quality results without committing to a monthly fee.
For colorists and editors who want to go a step furtherDaVinci Resolve is a true Swiss Army knife: video editing, color correction, visual effects, compositing, and audio post-production all in one suite. The free version is already incredibly comprehensive and runs very well on Mac.
Video editing on Mac: from YouTube to professional productions
macOS has become one of the favorite environments for video editingThis is for both content creators and film and television professionals. Here are the key pieces to build a solid workflow.
Final Cut Pro It's Apple's big bet for video editing. It's fully optimized for macOS and Apple Silicon chips, which is noticeable when working with 4K and even 8K projects, multiple layers, and effects. It allows you to configure custom workspaces, use a second screen for the timeline, and, on some laptops, take advantage of the Touch Bar for specific shortcuts.
If you record your own screen or do live streamsOBS Studio is the leading free tool for video capture and streaming. You can record tutorials, online courses, or presentations, combining video sources, cameras, microphones, and custom scenes without paying for a license, making it easy to... automatic subtitles.
For those who frequently need to convert and compress videosHandBrake is an essential tool. It allows you to transcode files to more efficient formats, compress them without losing too much quality, and use presets designed for mobile, web, or various devices.
In everyday life you also need a good playerVLC remains the classic capable of opening virtually any format, and if you're looking for an interface more integrated with macOS, IINA offers a more modern aesthetic while maintaining compatibility with most codecs.
Image editing, graphic design and color: from logo to digital art
The combination of good screens and powerful software This makes the Mac especially appealing to photographers, designers, and digital artists. You don't always need to go for the most expensive option to achieve professional results.
GIMP is one of the great free options for editing photos and advanced graphics, and can be combined with techniques for create wallpapers with AIIt offers layers, masks, custom brushes, filters, and in-depth retouching tools. It's ideal for those who need something comparable to Photoshop without spending a penny.
Among the most highly rated paid solutions is Pixelmator ProA Mac-designed editor built from the ground up with a very clean interface. It combines photography, graphic design, and digital painting tools, along with features powered by machine learning and non-destructive editing.
Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo offer another professional perspective For vector and raster images. They are highly valued in interface design, illustration, and retouching, with smooth performance and a one-time payment structure that appeals to many studios and freelancers.
For those who are obsessed with colorPANTONE Studio is an app designed to capture colors with your mobile phone's camera, create palettes, organize them, and export them. It even allows you to test colors on rendered 3D materials to get an idea of ​​how your color combinations will look on real-world objects.
Music and audio production: from the studio to the living room
If your creative side is more focused on soundmacOS also offers very powerful tools for composing, producing, and mixing audio.
Logic Pro is Apple's professional music production environmentwith a huge library of instruments, loops, and effects. It allows you to record, edit, and mix complex projects, work with third-party plugins, and even design sounds for video and games, and in many workflows, it's natural to explore techniques for create audio with AI.
For simpler tasks or beginner usersGarageBand (included on many Macs) already offers a very decent foundation: multitrack, virtual instruments, and loops for demoing ideas without complications.
If you also listen to music while you work or designServices like Spotify fit perfectly into your daily routine. They offer personalized playlists, podcasts, and background playback across all your devices, ideal for staying motivated while editing or programming.
Essential free software: Get more out of your Mac without spending
One of the best pieces of news for any Mac user in 2025 It's the enormous amount of free and open-source, professional-grade software available to you. You don't need to pay for subscriptions to have good tools for work and leisure.
In categories such as multimedia, productivity, or security There are many well-established free alternatives: VLC and IINA for playback, HandBrake for video conversion, OBS for recording and streaming, LibreOffice for office applications, and GIMP for image editing. In many cases, these apps easily rival paid options.
Using free and open-source software has clear advantagesConstant updates, active communities that fix bugs, code transparency, and often independence from aggressive monetization models are key advantages. However, it's always best to download from official sites or recognized repositories to avoid manipulated binaries.
In the field of security and privacyProjects like Bitwarden (a password manager) or trusted VPN clients help protect your information without requiring large investments. Combined with macOS's native protections, they significantly raise the security level of your computer.
If you've just gotten a new Mac mini M4 or laptop And if you don't want to fill your hard drive with random apps, it's worth relying on curated lists of free apps recognized by specialized media. That way, you only install what adds real value to your daily life.
Homebrew: the package manager you were missing on macOS
To go a step further in software managementEspecially if you come from the Linux world or are a developer, Homebrew is practically essential. It's the package manager that macOS doesn't include by default, and it greatly simplifies the installation of tools.
With Homebrew you can install, update, and uninstall apps From the Terminal with a simple command. It's useful for both command-line utilities and graphical applications using "casks". This saves you from manually searching for DMG or PKG files on each website.
Installation is very simpleGo to the official brew.sh website, copy the command line they provide, paste it into Terminal, and follow the steps. From then on, you'll be able to execute commands like brew install nombre-paquete o brew install --cask nombre-app.
This makes even more sense when you want to have your environment replicated across multiple Macs, or reinstall the system from scratch without going one by one. With just a few scripts, you can get your entire suite of design, development, multimedia, and utility tools up and running in minutes.
Some practical examples with very useful casks would involve installing VLC with brew install --cask vlc, OBS with brew install --cask obs or the Bitwarden desktop app with brew install --cask bitwardenEverything is controlled from a single manager, without wasting time on manual installers.
Multimedia and streaming: watch, convert, and record on your Mac
If your main use of your Mac is browsing, watching series, movies and online contentThere are a few features that greatly improve the experience compared to relying solely on the browser and pre-installed apps.
As media players, VLC and IINA are two safe bets.VLC stands out for its incredible compatibility with almost any video and audio format you throw at it. IINA, on the other hand, offers a more polished interface designed for macOS, with gesture integration and a more modern design.
When you need to compress or transform videosHandBrake lets you convert large files to more efficient formats like H.264 or H.265, applying specific presets for YouTube, mobile devices, or local playback. Perfect for freeing up SSD space or preparing content for sharing.
If you create educational content or work remotelyOBS Studio is ideal for recording your screen while explaining processes, streaming live, or creating demonstration videos. You can combine multiple audio and video sources, add text, scenes, and overlays without paying for licenses.
For more advanced screenshots In addition to the features included in macOS, CleanShot X adds functions such as scrolling capture, powerful annotations, screen recording with audio, and quick cloud uploads for easy sharing. It's a highly valued tool for those who document processes or create visual tutorials.
Productivity, organization and office automation: organize your day-to-day life
Even if you're not a designer or video editorYour Mac can become your operations center for working, studying, and organizing your personal and professional life with the right apps.
For office tasks and classic documentsLibreOffice offers a complete suite with a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software that is completely free and compatible with Microsoft Office formats. It's perfect for students, small businesses, or anyone who doesn't want to pay for a subscription.
In the field of writing and note-takingUlysses and Bear serve different but complementary purposes. Ulysses is geared towards writers and content creators who want a distraction-free environment, advanced organization, and flexible exporting. Bear, on the other hand, stands out for its tagging system, iCloud synchronization, Markdown support, and recognition of elements such as addresses or colors.
For more general writing and style editingLanguageTool becomes a key ally. It corrects spelling, grammar, and style in several languages, with browser extensions and a clean editor. It's very useful if you write professional texts and want to minimize errors.
If you want to take your organization to the next levelNotion offers an all-in-one workspace: databases, notes, wikis, to-do lists, and project management. It integrates well with other tools and allows for real-time collaboration, making it ideal for both teams and advanced individual use.
In the calendar and daily planning sectionFantastical stands out for its natural language input and integration with services like iCloud, Google, and Exchange. Adding an event by typing something like "meeting tomorrow at 10 with Marta" and having the calendar understand and place it correctly saves more time than you might think.
For those who want a robust and beautiful task managerThings 3 is a very well-designed option, with an organizational system based on projects, areas, labels, and dates that makes it easy to keep everything you have to do under control, both at work and in your personal life.
If you prefer something lighter so you can focus on what you're doing at any given momentBe Focused Pro uses the Pomodoro Technique, breaking your work into intervals with breaks. It also offers statistics, tags, and cross-device syncing to help you stay focused and track your progress.
Finally, to share and move files Easily move between folders and apps with Dropover, which creates temporary floating areas where you can drop files and then distribute them with ease. It's ideal if you perform a lot of drag-and-drop operations throughout the day.
Window management, focus, and utilities to improve macOS
One of the most common complaints from those coming from Windows It's window management in macOS. Luckily, there are very lightweight utilities that improve this aspect and other small system details.
Rectangle is probably the most recommended tool For organizing windows. It allows you to snap windows to halves, thirds, corners, and custom positions using keyboard shortcuts. It's ideal if you work with multiple apps open on large monitors or multi-screen setups.
Magnet offers a similar experienceIt features a highly visual approach to "fitting" windows by dragging them to edges and corners. It's perfect if you prefer to manage everything with the mouse, and it also includes predefined shortcuts to speed up placement.
Alfred, in its free version, is a significant improvement over what Spotlight offers.It's not just for searching for files and apps, but also for launching quick actions, opening websites, performing calculations, or executing commands. With a little practice, it becomes a natural extension of your keyboard.
HazeOver helps reduce distractions Automatically dimming background windows and leaving only the active one fully visible. Very useful if you tend to accumulate windows and find it difficult to focus on just one thing.
To work more comfortably with compressed filesThe Unarchiver adds support for formats like RAR, 7z, ISO, CAB, and BIN, which the native macOS utility doesn't handle well. It integrates with Finder and works almost seamlessly.
Regarding web browsingMany users still prefer Google Chrome over Safari out of habit or because of its ecosystem. On Mac, Chrome offers solid performance, support for a wide variety of extensions, and has long since moved beyond Flash to focus on HTML5.
Security, passwords, and privacy on your Mac
Although macOS has a good reputation for securityBeing overconfident is not a good idea. A couple of the right tools can make the difference between a minor scare and a serious problem.
Bitwarden is one of the most highly recommended password managers.It offers a very comprehensive free version. It allows you to save and sync your passwords across devices, automatically fill them in on websites and apps, and generate strong passwords. Furthermore, it's open source and includes a desktop app, browser extensions, and a mobile application.
If you prefer to stay within the Apple ecosystemiCloud Keychain works very well for managing passwords between Mac, iPhone, and iPad. However, Bitwarden gains ground when you also need to work with Windows or Android and want more control over your password vault.
For one-off removal of malware, adware and potentially unwanted programsMalwarebytes is a lightweight and effective tool. It's not a substitute for a full security suite, but as an on-demand scanner, it works wonderfully for removing unwanted files without overloading your system.
If you want to add an extra layer of privacy to your connectionServices like Proton VPN help encrypt traffic, prevent excessive tracking, and access geographically restricted content. Its no-logs policy and robust encryption make it a solid choice for browsing with greater peace of mind, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
Apps for measuring performance and managing documents
If you like to know what your Mac is really capable ofOr if you want to compare performance with other computers, there are applications designed to test the hardware and better organize your files and documents.
Geekbench, in its updated version, is a classic for measuring performance. CPU and computing performance. It gives you a numerical reference that you can use to compare your computer with other models, check for improvements after updates, or make sure that everything is performing as it should.
In PDF documents, macOS's native viewer sometimes falls short.PDF Expert and PDFGear are two very interesting options for editing text, adding annotations, managing signatures, rearranging pages, or filling out forms with ease. PDFGear offers a completely free model, while PDF Expert stands out for its polished interface and iOS synchronization.
To rename large batches of files (Photos from sessions, downloaded resources, client documents), Transnomino saves you a lot of time. It allows you to apply patterns, use regular expressions, add prefixes and suffixes, or number consistently to keep folders organized.
Communication, collaboration, and entertainment on your Mac
Besides working and creating, your Mac is also your gateway to social networking, gaming, and collaborative tools.Choosing the right apps here also makes a difference in your daily experience.
For email, Spark is one of the most highly rated clients.It automatically organizes your messages, highlighting important emails from real people, reduces unnecessary notifications, and offers a clear interface. Ideal if you spend all day checking emails and don't want to go crazy.
If you are a heavy Twitter user (or X)The official Mac app offers an experience very similar to the iPad version, with support for dark mode, keyboard shortcuts, and easy management of multiple accounts. It's a great complement for staying up-to-date without relying solely on a web browser.
For asynchronous communication via videoLoom makes it easy to record your screen with your camera and voice, create visual messages, and share them instantly. It's very useful for remote teams, technical support, online education, or any context where "teaching" is better than "explaining with text alone."
In the entertainment sectionSteam and GOG are the leading platforms for gaming on Mac. Steam stands out for its enormous catalog and social features, while GOG focuses on DRM-free games and a more user-centric experience. Both platforms integrate well with macOS and take advantage of Apple Silicon's performance when games are optimized.
If you want to see what else your hardware can offer, try these applications.It's not a bad idea to even consider a refurbished computer with Apple Silicon if you haven't made the switch yet. Many of these tools benefit significantly from the new chips in graphics-intensive tasks.
The key to getting the most out of a Mac (new or old) is to combine three things well.A robust suite of creative and productivity apps, lightweight utilities that enhance your daily experience, and best practices for security and organization. With tools like Final Cut Pro, Affinity, GIMP, VLC, LibreOffice, Notion, Bitwarden, Rectangle, and Homebrew, your Mac mini M4 or any other model can become a hub for work, entertainment, and creativity that goes far beyond what the pre-installed software alone can offer.
