Published on May 9, 2025 6 min read

The Best Productivity Apps for Mac in 2025

So you're on a Mac in 2025, trying to get stuff done. Whether you're working from home, juggling side gigs, managing a team, or just trying to make sense of the chaos, that little Apple logo on your laptop is only as good as the tools you run on it. That's where productivity apps come in. Because let’s be honest... the default setup can only take you so far.

We’ve rounded up 12 of the best productivity apps for Mac in 2025 that are actually worth your time (and maybe a few bucks). These aren’t just apps you install and forget—they’re apps that help you work smarter, faster, and without pulling your hair out by 3 PM.

1. Notion

All-in-one workspace for notes, projects, databases, and more

Notion is more powerful, more integrated, and still incredibly customizable. Whether you use it as a daily planner, team wiki, content calendar, or second brain, it delivers.

• Custom dashboards, templates, and databases
• New AI features that summarize, auto-tag, and generate content
• Seamless collaboration across devices and platforms

Best for: Organizers, planners, and anyone who likes their digital life looking clean and slick.

2. Raycast

It’s like Spotlight, but a boosted version.

If you haven’t ditched Spotlight search for Raycast yet, 2025 is the year to do it. It’s a launcher, calculator, clipboard manager, task runner, and script executor all in one.

• Launch apps, run scripts, search files with lightning speed
• Loads of community-built extensions
• Customizable commands and themes

Best for: Keyboard warriors and automation enthusiasts.

3. Alfred

Still the OG Mac productivity booster

Alfred's been around for over a decade now, but it's still going strong. With workflows, clipboard history, file navigation, and a killer search function, it's a must-have.

• Workflow automation with almost zero effort
• Snippets for text expansion
• Scriptable and insanely customizable

Best for: Power users who like full control (but also simplicity).

4. Things 3

A beautiful, minimal to-do list that just works

Things 3 hasn’t changed much... and that’s not a bad thing. It's still one of the best-designed task managers out there.

• Gorgeous interface with simple organization
• Calendar integration and drag-to-schedule
• Perfect balance between ease and depth

Best for: People who want a to-do list that doesn’t overwhelm.

5. Fantastical

The calendar app Apple should have made

Fantastical makes managing your time feel nice. Seriously. It’s got a modern UI, natural language input, and seamless sync across devices.

• Create events with phrases like “Lunch with Joe tomorrow at 1 PM”
• Supports multiple calendar accounts and sets
• Includes meeting scheduling tools and weather forecasts

Best for: Calendar-first productivity folks who like visuals.

6. CleanShot X

Screenshot and screen recording productivity tool

If you're still using macOS's built-in screenshot tools, CleanShot X is going to blow your mind. It's “THE” app for screen capturing.

• Annotate, blur, pin, or share screenshots in seconds
• Record videos with voice, camera, and mouse tracking
• Create GIFs, scrolling captures, and more

Best for: Creators, teachers, and remote workers.

7. Spark Mail

SparkMail is Email... but way less annoying.

Email sucks. Spark makes it suck less. In 2025, it has even more AI smarts and collaboration features baked in.

• Smart inbox that sorts important stuff from the noise
• Built-in scheduling, reminders, and templates
• Collaborative email threads (yes, that’s a thing)

Best for: Inbox zero chasers and people who work in teams.

8. Magnet

Snap windows like you’re on Windows (but better)

Window management on macOS? Meh. Magnet fixes that. It lets you snap windows to halves, quarters, full screen, or custom sizes with simple shortcuts.

• Keyboard shortcut-based window snapping
• Works across multiple displays
• Simple, fast, and stable

Best for: Multitaskers who hate clicking and dragging.

9. Hazel

Your silent digital housekeeper

Hazel watches your folders and automatically organizes, renames, moves, and deletes stuff based on rules you set.

• Auto-organize your Downloads folder (finally)
• Rename files with patterns
• Clean up after apps uninstall themselves

Best for: Anyone drowning in digital clutter.

10. Bear

A beautiful, distraction-free writing app

Writers, take note (literally). Bear is a markdown note-taking app that looks clean and feels smooth.

• Tag-based organization
• Markdown support + export options
• Rich formatting with a minimal UI

Best for: Writers, note-takers, and journalers.

11. Moom

Window management, but with memory

If Magnet is the quick-and-easy window snapper, Moom is the memory-smart cousin that remembers your window layouts and lets you recreate them with a click.

• Custom window arrangements
• Works great with multi-monitor setups
• Save and recall layouts

Best for: People who work with specific window setups every day.

12. Obsidian

A second brain in Markdown

Obsidian is still going strong in 2025 as a knowledge management app. It’s local-first, super customizable, and connects your notes like a mind map.

• Build a connected graph of your notes
• Write in plain text/Markdown (your data is yours)
• Tons of community plugins

Best for: Researchers, thinkers, and long-form note-takers.

Honorable Mentions

Toggl Track – For time tracking that doesn't feel like a chore

Toggl Track is perfect for folks who want to track their time without diving into a full-blown project management tool. It’s got a minimalist interface, quick-start timers, and reports that make sense without needing a manual. Whether you’re billing clients, analyzing your workflow, or just curious where your day went, Toggl Track makes time tracking feel less like... well, a chore.

Dropbox or iCloud – Still essentials for syncing and backups

They might not be the flashiest apps on the list, but Dropbox and iCloud are still the backbone of digital continuity in 2025. Dropbox gives you solid third-party syncing across platforms, while iCloud integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. For backing up your files, sharing folders, or keeping documents in sync between devices, these tools still hold their ground.

Setapp – A subscription-based app that gives you access to tons of these apps

Setapp is like the Netflix of Mac apps. For one monthly fee, you get access to a growing collection of curated software, including several mentioned in this article. It's a budget-friendly way to try premium apps without committing to each one individually. If you're serious about Mac productivity, Setapp can be your one-stop shop.

Final Thoughts

Your Mac is only as productive as the tools you stack on it. And in 2025, that stack should include apps that don’t just "do stuff" but make you feel more in control of your digital life.

From smart scheduling (Fantastical) to window magic (Moom and Magnet) to full-on knowledge systems (Notion and Obsidian), there's something on this list for everyone.