More free Mac apps

There are plenty more completely gratis options to choose from

WhatsApp Desktop

FROm whatsapp.com Also on iPhone

Best known as a mobile messaging tool that enables cross-platform conversations (unlike Apple’s iMessage), the macOS version pairs with the iOS app. It then works just the same as on your iPhone but, if you’re having a detailed conversation, you can swap the on-screen keyboard for the comfort of a physical one.

SuperDuper

FROm shirt-pocket.com SuperDuper started out as a way to clone your Mac’s hard drive, but it has evolved into way more than that. You can configure clones so they are bootable – acting as an emergency backup if the worst happens and your Mac breaks completely. The clone can be stored on any volume or disk image – though if you want to use it as a safety net, it’s best to back it up to an external hard drive that’s unplugged and stored safely. You can even clone your Time Machine backups to a larger drive.

You can create as many clones as you like as often as you like without paying a penny. The free version leaves out the Smart Update feature that incrementally updates clones, scheduling of cloning operations, and scripting support, but it’s still a powerful and indispensible tool.

CyberDuck

FROm cyberduck.io Most of us rarely need to access an FTP server, so paying for a tool to do it makes little sense. CyberDuck allows you to copy files to and from FTP and SFTP servers, Amazon S3 storage, WebDAV servers and cloud services. It can also keep files in sync between servers.

The Unarchiver

FROm theunarchiver.com The Unarchiver does one thing, but it does it well. While the Mac’s built-in Archive Utility stumbles over all but the most common formats, The Unarchiver will open RAR archives, Tar, Gzip, and even old formats like StuffIt and Disk Doubler.

TinkerTool 7

FROm bresink.com Deep in macOS are ‘hidden’ settings that normally require a trip to Terminal to change. This tool lets you make changes more easily. Want to use the space-saving JPEG format for screenshots, or use spacers to group icons in the Dock? It can do those and more!

Spark

FROm readdle.com

Also on iPhone, iPad Spark is an email client designed for collaborating with teammates. You can work together on message drafts, share messages via a web address, and chat inside the app.

It doesn’t skimp on more traditional email client features. It’s smart enough to tell promotional emails and regular messages apart and give the latter more prominence. You can snooze messages, and a quick-reply feature allows you to respond with an emoji. Built-in widgets allow you to see recently opened emails, calendars and reminders. It’s the ideal email client for collaborative working.

CopyClip

FROm fiplab.com CopyClip sits in the menu bar and stores everything you have cut or copied. Unlike the Mac’s built-in clipboard, which only retains one item, you can view, search and use multiple items. You can even pin items to the top if you need to access them frequently.

Dashlane

FROm dashlane.com

Also on iPhone/iPad Password managers are pretty much an essential tool for anyone who spends much time online and wants to use secure passwords. The free version of Dashlane allows you to store, and automatically fill, up to 50 passwords. You can also store other sensitive information like credit card details, payment information and secure notes. Your data is secured using AES 256-bit encryption. Dashlane also has a dashboard that displays information on the ‘health’ of your passwords. Features like syncing across devices, a built-in VPN, and Dark Web Monitoring are available with a subscription, but the free version is excellent.

Franz

FROm meetfranz.com Having trouble keeping up with friends and colleagues using different messaging platforms? Try Franz. It’s a messaging client that allows you to connect and chat on popular platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Skype, and several more.

HiddenMe

FROm bit.ly/mfhddnm Mojave’s Stacks can help solve desktop clutter, but sometimes you won’t want anything visible at all. This utility allows you to hide them at the tap of a button, saving you from accidentally revealing a gift receipt, say, when you show your partner something else.