You just got a new MacBook. macOS comes with a solid set of built-in apps, but there are a handful of third-party tools that most Mac users eventually wish they’d installed on day one. Here’s what’s actually worth installing immediately.
Short Answer: The must-install apps for a new MacBook are: Homebrew (package manager), Raycast (launcher), Rectangle (window management), Arc or Chrome (browser), Notion or Obsidian (notes), CleanMyMac or DaisyDisk (maintenance), and 1Password (passwords). Most are free or have free tiers.
System & Productivity Essentials
1. Homebrew — Developer Package Manager
Homebrew is essential if you do any development work. It installs command-line tools, apps, and developer dependencies with a single command. Even if you’re not a developer, Homebrew lets you install apps that aren’t in the Mac App Store.
Install with one command in Terminal:/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
2. Raycast — The Better Spotlight
Raycast replaces Spotlight as your main launcher. It’s faster, more extensible, and has a growing ecosystem of extensions (clipboard history, calendar events, GitHub, Jira, and more). Free for core features.
3. Rectangle — Free Window Management
Rectangle adds keyboard shortcuts for snapping windows to halves, thirds, and corners — something macOS doesn’t do natively. Press a shortcut and a window snaps to the left half. Essential for anyone coming from Windows.
Browsers
4. Arc or Chrome
Arc Browser is the most popular browser among Mac power users right now. It organizes tabs into spaces, has built-in ad blocking, and feels native to macOS. Alternatively, Chrome is the safe choice if you need Google integration or extension compatibility.
Creativity & Notes
5. Notion or Obsidian
Notion is best if you want databases, project tracking, and team collaboration in your notes app. Obsidian is better if you want local, private, markdown-based notes with powerful linking between ideas. Both have free tiers.
6. CleanMyMac X or DaisyDisk
CleanMyMac X handles system cleanup, malware scanning, and performance monitoring. DaisyDisk is a one-time purchase disk visualizer that makes it easy to find what’s eating your storage. Both are useful; CleanMyMac does more but costs more.
Security & Utilities
7. 1Password
1Password is the most polished password manager for Mac. It integrates with Safari, Chrome, and Arc, autofills passwords and credit cards, and stores secure notes. $2.99/month. Worth every penny.
8. Amphetamine — Keep Your Mac Awake
Amphetamine (free, Mac App Store) prevents your Mac from sleeping while a download, render, or long task is running. Replaces the old Caffeine app and is more powerful.
9. IINA — The Best Video Player for Mac
IINA plays any video format you throw at it — MKV, AVI, FLAC, anything — with a beautiful native macOS interface. Free and open source.
10. AppCleaner — Properly Uninstall Apps
AppCleaner (free) removes all the associated files when you uninstall an app — not just the .app file. Drag an app onto AppCleaner and it finds all related preference files, caches, and support files.
Day 1 install order:
Homebrew → Raycast → Rectangle → Arc or Chrome → 1Password → Obsidian or Notion → IINA → AppCleaner → Amphetamine
Warning: Avoid installing ‘Mac optimizer’ or ‘cleaner’ apps from random websites. Many are misleading or contain adware. CleanMyMac from Macpaw is legitimate; most others you’ll find through Google ads are not.
Mac App Store Picks
- Amphetamine — keep Mac awake
- Lungo — lighter alternative to Amphetamine
- Hand Mirror — quick camera check from the menu bar
- Mango 5Star — quick window screenshot tool
FAQ
Is it safe to install apps from outside the Mac App Store?
Yes, as long as you download from the official developer website. macOS Gatekeeper will warn you about apps from unidentified developers. For well-known apps like Raycast, Rectangle, or IINA, downloading from their official site is perfectly safe.
Do I need antivirus on a Mac?
macOS has built-in malware protection (XProtect). Most security experts say a dedicated antivirus is not necessary for Macs, but CleanMyMac’s malware scan is a lightweight option if you want extra peace of mind.
What’s the best free productivity app for Mac?
Raycast is hard to beat — it replaces Spotlight, manages clipboard history, integrates with your calendar and task manager, and is completely free for core use.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Raycast installed (replaces Spotlight)
- ✅ Rectangle for window snapping
- ✅ 1Password or Bitwarden for passwords
- ✅ AppCleaner for proper app uninstalls
- ✅ IINA for video playback
Get Raycast Free ↗ ↗Get Rectangle Free
Conclusion
The MacBook’s built-in apps are good, but Raycast, Rectangle, and AppCleaner fill genuine gaps that macOS leaves open. Install those three first — you’ll notice the difference within an hour. For more Mac tips, check our guide on macOS tips and tricks.