The team’s choices

The free apps the MacFormat team can’t live without

HandBrake

FROm handbrake.fr If you’re like me, you’ll have a ton of old family videos that you can’t play on your Apple devices – but fear not, because HandBrake can sort them out. It looks a little intimidating at first, but all you need are its presets and a file to convert. It’s a lifesaver if you think those treasured memories are stuck in a folder buried deep on your Mac.

Stocard

FROm stocardapp.com I used to carry around so many loyalty cards that my wallet was bursting at the seams. Then I found Stocard. It lets you scan your cards and store them in a virtual wallet; the cashier then scans the code at the checkout and away you go. Now I never have to worry about leaving a loyalty card at home – and my wallet is much lighter too.

Doodle

FROm doodle.com I’m a member of a book club, and I’ve become reliant on Doodle for getting decisions on group gatherings. You offer up dates and times to the group, each member votes, then everyone gets to see which option works best for most people. Anything that eliminates the need for endless to and fro messages is a sure winner in my book!

PhotoScape X

FROm x.photoscape.org Want a good photo editor but put off by Photoshop’s pricey subscription? Give this app a go. It’s free, but don’t let that fool you – PhotoScape is an accomplished app that’s ideal for light editing. I love using it for fast edits and fixes, and to spruce up my snaps to make them shine. There’s a paid-for Pro edition too, but the free version is all I need.