Exclusive software is almost a thing of the past. Just as Instagram was once an iPhone-exclusive app, there was a time when Windows users chose Microsoft for specific apps and Mac users chose Apple for certain other features. Still, longtime macOS users or those switching to a Mac may be tempted to discover that certain software is only available for Apple devices.
Of course, some of them are Apple’s own, like Safari or the iWork suite, made up of Pages, Numbers and Keynote. While Microsoft Office is usually a much better option, there aren’t that many apps that are exclusive to the macOS ecosystem. Still, those developed exclusively for macOS have a specific charm, as they simply transform a somewhat simple experience into something well thought out and crafted. That’s why we’ve rounded up five essential macOS apps that you won’t find anywhere else, and that just might make your Mac experience a whole lot better. Here they are.
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Portal – Escape to nature
Portal app running as animated wallpaper on a MacBook Pro – José Adorno/BGR
Portal is one of those Mac apps you never knew you needed until you opened it for the first time. Created by indie developers Portal Labs, it helps people manage their well-being while they work, browse, or just take it easy after a long day. Portal is an important productivity tool, whether it’s starting your first article of the day, catching up on my messages, or just taking a second between tasks.
The idea behind the app is simple, but everything is so well thought out that the experience is second to none. In short, Portal takes over your wallpaper with cinematic and vibrant landscapes, and with spatial support it immerses you in breathtaking sights and sounds. These portals allow you to reconnect with the natural world even when you are indoors. According to the developers, time in nature can increase focus, boost creativity, relieve anxiety and improve sleep. With this app you can immerse yourself in the sounds of nature and its wonders while you work, surf the web or just chill.
This year, Portal added a Circadian Flow, which syncs the app with your time zone so you can experience evolving nature sights and sounds from morning to evening. Portal for Mac is available through the Mac App Store with a seven-day free trial for all customers. It costs $69.99 per year or $12.99 per month. You can also purchase a lifetime pass for the one-time price of $299.99.
Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro running on a MacBook Pro – José Adorno/BGR
Pixelmator software has been one of the top reasons to use Mac for years. With three different options, Pixelmator, Pixelmator Pro and Photomator, these software are great for photo editing, whether it’s collage, professional editing or just adjusting an image. With various machine learning features, Pixelmator Pro makes difficult photo editing an easy and straightforward process.
When Apple announced it was acquiring Pixelmator, we were concerned that it might be phased out, like Dark Sky happened. Still, a year later, Apple continues to offer minor updates to the software, including support for Apple Intelligence. While it’s still unclear whether the company will release a new Aperture with Pixelmator technology, or whether it will eventually phase out the apps by adding new features to Apple Intelligence and the Photos app, Pixelmator Pro for macOS remains the best photo editing software on the Mac. This is especially if you don’t want to pay for an Adobe subscription. Pixelmator Pro costs a one-time purchase of $49.99 from the Mac App Store.
Finalcut Pro
Final Cut Pro running on a MacBook Pro – Apple Inc.
We wish we could provide a list of exclusive macOS apps without mentioning Final Cut Pro. Even though this is Apple’s own software (we mean Pixelmator Pro is also Apple’s portfolio now), this is probably the best video editing software for Mac users, especially those with an Apple Silicon Mac.
Final Cut Pro is fast, reliable, and has several features that make editing a video an easy experience. From professionals to amateurs, Final Cut Pro can be useful to many of us. Among the features, users can take advantage of Magnetic Timeline. This makes editing faster by automatically placing clips one after the other. It features advanced color correction tools, object tracking powered by machine learning, and Apple Silicon Macs can enjoy faster exports and real-time playback, even with complex timelines.
Final Cut Pro costs a one-time fee of $299.99, and the app differs from the iPad version, which is offered as a subscription. Although it is much more expensive than the other apps mentioned above, having Final Cut Pro as your video editing software is a must for anyone who wants to take their creations to the next level.
Sketches
Sketch shows off the new Liquid Glass look on macOS Tahoe – Sketch
This native macOS app is the perfect option for anyone who designs and prototypes. Sketch is one of the apps that shows why designers usually choose a Mac, because not only is it available for iPhone and iPad, but it offers the perfect balance between beginners and professional editing tools.
Sketch offers styleable frames with endless options when building screens, user interfaces and more. Designers can quickly test their ideas and share these concepts with others, with a link to a browser-based prototype.
The great thing about Sketch is the ability to use the convenience of the Mac keyboard and trackpad, but also switch between the iPad to take advantage of the Apple Pencil, and turn complex tasks into literally just a sketch. The app also offers offline access and local file management, so you can use it without interruptions. The app comes with a 30-day free trial. After that, users can sign up for a subscription, which starts at $12 per month.
Ulysses: writing app
Ulysses’ Review Mode on MacBook – Ulysses
Sometimes owning a MacBook isn’t enough to emulate Carrie Bradshaw. If you’re just starting out as a columnist for a high-profile magazine, or are just writing your first novel, you know you need the perfect software for it. It’s not the Notes app, it’s not Pages, and it’s not Microsoft Word.
If you feel like a writer, Ulysses is the app you need to bring your creativity to life. While it’s available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, the big screen offers the most effective, focused writing experience because it helps you write first and edit later.
Ulysses also offers an integrated grammar and style checker, which is available for more than 20 languages. It analyzes the text and offers informed suggestions for capitalization, punctuation, semantics, redundancy, style, and more. Users can also export the pages to publish directly from the app to WordPress, Ghost, Medium, and Micro.blog. Ulysses requires a subscription and offers monthly and annual subscriptions. Still, users can give it a fully functional try before deciding whether to purchase the app or not.
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