Must-have macOS security, productivity, and performance utilities
If, like me, your main work machine is a Mac, you need it to be ready for anything life and work can throw at it. This means that having the right performance, security, and productivity apps and utilities.
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Authy
2FA app that works on almost every device and platform
I used to be a Google Authenticator user, but this 2FA (2-Factor Authentication) app is old, and has a number of limitations, so I made the move to Authy. Authy is great because it works on almost every device and platform, and allows me to keep a backup of my codes, which comes in real handy when swapping devices.
Best of all, it's free!
CleanMyMac X
Scans your mac and removes junk, large hidden files, old archives, unused apps, and malware
Without a doubt, CleanMyMac X is the best way to rid your Mac of the digital detritus that it accumulates, allowing you to free up storage space and even speed things up.
I'm always amazed by its capacity to seek out digital junk that's otherwise buried deep within the bowels of the operating system.
SnagIt 2020
The ultimate screen-capture tool
My job involves taking countless screen captures every week, and of all the tools and utilities I've tried -- even the tools built into macOS -- nothing comes close to the power and flexibility of SnagIt.
Not only does this tool allow me to capture all sorts of screenshots -- from simple captures to complex stuff like scrolling windows and such -- it also features powerful editing tools to help me get those screen captures ready for posting on the web or putting into publications.
Parallels Toolbox
All-in-one solution with over 30 tools for macOS (and Windows 10)
Parallels Toolbox is a suite of easy-to-use tools that streamlines all routine computing chores that you do many times a day and turns them into actions you can carry out with a click or two, massively boosting productivity.
This suite of tools allows you to carry out a variety of tasks, from creating animated GIFs from videos to batch resizing images.
Google Chrome
Still my favorite browser
Best Mac browser. Yes, it eats quite a bit of system resources, but it's rock-solid even with dozens of tabs open, and the ability to expand its capabilities using extensions makes it a powerful web browsing platform.
Freedome VPN
Secure your internet connection
Browsing the web without a VPN leaves a digital footprint that others can use to track you down. A VPN can allow you to step over the geographical fences that some want to put around content. On top of that, a good VPN can keep you safe when accessing the web using wired and wireless networks that are not under your control.
Having tested many VPN offerings, I settled on Freedome, because it offered good security and high levels of reliability at a reasonable price.
Backblaze
Cloud backup made easy
While Time Machine is good for carrying out local backups, it's also a good idea to have an up-to-date offsite backup, and I've found that Backblaze offers the best combination of value, storage space, and performance.
iStat Menus
Geek out on everything that's going on with your Mac
I love this app because it allows me to geek-out on a massive amount of system information!
iStat Menus is an advanced Mac system monitor, covering an enormous range of stats from system temperatures to CPU performance.
iStat Menus puts an awful lot of important and useful information right at your fingertips.
Amphetamine
The small app that does an important job
Amphetamine is a little app that lives in your menu bar and allows you to quickly and easily override your energy saver settings and keep your Mac awake.
If you need a simple on/off switch for the power settings, this is your app. Need more control over power saving features? This is also your app!
Parallels Access
Fast, simple, and reliable remote access tool
After trying many different solutions, Parallels Access is my favorite method for accessing my systems remotely. With Parallels Access I can connect to my Mac (or PC) from pretty much any device, and work with the applications and files on that system as though I'm sitting at it.
This has been an absolute lifesaver for those times when I've left an important file on my computer at the home or office.
The Unarchiver
File compression and decompression made easy
While the tool built into macOS can do a reasonable job with some compressed file archives, the Unarchiver has you covered no matter what crazy file format you have to deal with.
It will open common formats such as Zip, RAR, 7-zip, Tar, Gzip and Bzip2, more obscure formats such as StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH, ARJ and ARC, and can extract files from ISO and BIN images.
It can also extract files from some Windows .EXE files.
It's an excellent tool that I use regularly!
Gloss