Collection
Free, open source Mac apps that replace paid utilities
Each app here costs nothing, publishes its code and covers a job that paid utilities charge for, from offline dictation to a network firewall. Open source also means anyone can check what the app does with your data, which matters most for the firewall and dictation picks.
10 apps10 free to startMac, iPhone, iPad
What gets an app in: An app gets in when it is open source and free to use in full on the Mac; open source apps that charge for their main features stay out.
- 1
HandyDoes push to talk dictation offline for free, where Wispr Flow and Superwhisper charge for their best features.Free, open source - 2
DockDoorBrings Windows style window previews to the Dock, something no macOS setting offers.Free, open source - 3
LinearMouseReplaces paid mouse tuning apps with per app scrolling and acceleration settings, all free.Free, open source - 4
MarkEditA Markdown editor small enough to replace TextEdit, with every line of its code public.Free, open source - 5
NetNewsWireA full RSS reader with no paid tier at all, on Mac, iPhone and iPad.Free, open source - 6
LuLuDoes the core job of the $59 Little Snitch, and you can read the code guarding your network.Free, open source - 7
Karabiner-ElementsRemaps keys at a level macOS settings never reach, with a big library of shared community rules.Free, open source - 8
HandBrakeShrinks and converts video for free, with presets that save you learning what every setting means.Free, open source - 9
StatsCovers most of what iStat Menus shows, free, with the code public for anyone to check.Free, open source - 10
calibreKeeps an ebook library from several stores in one place, free, with no paid edition at all.Free, open source
