# PickMacApps - full content > A hand-picked shelf of beautifully designed macOS apps. Discover thoughtfully crafted tools, utilities, and indie software for your Mac. Generated: 2026-10-27 --- # PickMacApps > A hand-picked shelf of beautifully designed macOS apps. Discover thoughtfully crafted tools, utilities, and indie software for your Mac. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/ Last updated: 2026-11-01 Listings link to the developer. Editor’s Choice listings are labeled Editor’s Choice. ## Categories - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Discover the best Mac productivity apps in 2026 hand-picked for macOS Sequoia and Apple Silicon. From notch-aware clipboard managers and menu bar organizers to distraction-free window managers, these utilities streamline daily desktop workflows without battery drain or unnecessary system overhead. - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Mac utility apps bridge the missing gaps in macOS, giving you finer control over disk space, battery health, notch widgets, and background process management. Whether you need to reclaim tens of gigabytes of hidden caches or customize the MacBook camera cutout, these utilities deliver precision control. - [Dev](https://pickmacapps.store/category/dev) - Streamline your software engineering workflow with Mac developer tools crafted for modern web, mobile, and systems programming. From local server orchestration to API testing and terminal enhancement, these tools optimize developer productivity. - [Design](https://pickmacapps.store/category/design) - Curated Mac design tools for UI/UX designers, illustrators, and visual creators. From pixel-perfect screenshot measurement to palette generators and vector canvas tools, these utilities enhance your creative precision. ## Guides - [Best Mac Disk Space Analyzer (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer) - Find the top mac disk space analyzer in 2026. Compare ScanMyDisk, Mole, Bytesweep, and Plumby to visualize storage, clear caches, and reclaim drive space. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. - [Best Notes App for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notes-app-mac) - Find the best notes app mac thinkers need in 2026. Compare Anytype and iA Writer for structured databases versus focused markdown drafting. - [Best Notch Apps for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notch-apps-mac) - Discover the top notch app mac tools for 2026. Compare Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket to turn the MacBook camera cutout into a useful hub. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best AppCleaner Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-appcleaner-alternative-mac) - AppCleaner is free and only uninstalls an app. Mole is $19 once and also maps the disk. ByteSweep shows what is using the space and does not uninstall for you. - [Best NotchNook Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac) - NotchDodo and Droppy put tools in the notch for $9.99 once. Alcove, already listed here, is the notification island. NotchNook is $15 once or $2 a month. - [Best Ulysses Alternative for Writing (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing) - iA Writer is the Ulysses alternative for focused Markdown and a one-time Mac purchase. Compare the library and the subscription before you switch. - [Best Logseq Alternative for Networked Notes (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes) - Anytype is the Logseq alternative for private, structured notes. Compare objects, encryption, and sync with Logseq's markdown outliner before you switch. - [Best Paste Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-paste-alternative-mac) - Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip keep clipboard history on the Mac and charge once. Paste syncs to iPhone and iPad, and its plans renew. - [Best Screen Studio Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-screen-studio-alternative-mac) - Screen Charm and ScreenToast zoom after you record. Boom skips the editing timeline. Better Shot is the free recorder already on this shelf. - [Best Wispr Flow Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-wispr-flow-alternative-mac) - HoldSpeak and Precis dictate on the Mac and say the audio stays there. Voicera streams it, then deletes it. MacWhisper is for recordings, not typing. - [Best CleanShot X Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-cleanshot-x-alternative-mac) - Shottr is the screenshot tool, with scrolling capture and OCR. Better Shot is free and also records. DejaShot only searches shots you already took. - [Best Bartender Alternative for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac) - Find the best bartender alternative for your workflow. Compare ClearBar and Lounge for hiding menu bar icons, and see when Alcove uses the notch instead. ## Apps - [Helumi](https://pickmacapps.store/app/helumi) - More space for your Mac, without buying a new one. - [MacWhisper](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) - Quickly transcribe audio files into text on your Mac - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - Local-first notes as typed objects, with encryption and peer-to-peer sync. - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) - A focused markdown editor sold as a one-time purchase on the Mac. - [ClearBar](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) - Hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps them in one panel. - [Lounge](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) - Hides menu bar icons and opens them from a notch panel. - [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) - A notch display for notifications and now playing. - [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) - Dictation into any Mac app, on the device, paid once. - [Precis](https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis) - On-device dictation that types where the cursor is. - [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) - Dictation into any app, with a free weekly cap. - [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) - Screenshots, scrolling capture, OCR, and a screen ruler. - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - Free screenshots and screen recording, with annotation. - [DejaShot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot) - Search the screenshots you already took. - [Screen Charm](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm) - Records the screen, then zooms on each click. - [ScreenToast](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast) - Demo recorder with click zooms and drafted narration. - [Boom](https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom) - Screen recording and live presentation, without a timeline. - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - Clipboard history from the notch, kept on the Mac. - [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) - On-device clipboard history, paid once. - [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) - Encrypted clipboard history on the Mac, paid once. - [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) - Music, timers, calendar, and files in the notch. - [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) - A Dynamic Island that also works without a notch. - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - Uninstall apps, map the disk, and clear caches. - [Plumby](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) - Finds leftover files and large caches you choose to remove. - [Bytesweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) - Shows what is filling the disk, then deletes only what you approve. ## Related - [Guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) - [Submit an app](https://pickmacapps.store/submit) - [Privacy](https://pickmacapps.store/privacy) --- # Guides > Short guides that name apps already in this directory. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog Last updated: 2026-11-01 - [Best Mac Disk Space Analyzer (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer) - 2026-11-01 · 7 min. Find the top mac disk space analyzer in 2026. Compare ScanMyDisk, Mole, Bytesweep, and Plumby to visualize storage, clear caches, and reclaim drive space. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - 2026-11-01 · 6 min. Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. - [Best Notes App for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notes-app-mac) - 2026-11-01 · 6 min. Find the best notes app mac thinkers need in 2026. Compare Anytype and iA Writer for structured databases versus focused markdown drafting. - [Best Notch Apps for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notch-apps-mac) - 2026-11-01 · 7 min. Discover the top notch app mac tools for 2026. Compare Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket to turn the MacBook camera cutout into a useful hub. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - 2026-11-01 · 6 min. Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - 2026-11-01 · 7 min. Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best AppCleaner Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-appcleaner-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 6 min. AppCleaner is free and only uninstalls an app. Mole is $19 once and also maps the disk. ByteSweep shows what is using the space and does not uninstall for you. - [Best NotchNook Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 6 min. NotchDodo and Droppy put tools in the notch for $9.99 once. Alcove, already listed here, is the notification island. NotchNook is $15 once or $2 a month. - [Best Ulysses Alternative for Writing (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing) - 2026-10-25 · 7 min. iA Writer is the Ulysses alternative for focused Markdown and a one-time Mac purchase. Compare the library and the subscription before you switch. - [Best Logseq Alternative for Networked Notes (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes) - 2026-10-25 · 7 min. Anytype is the Logseq alternative for private, structured notes. Compare objects, encryption, and sync with Logseq's markdown outliner before you switch. - [Best Paste Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-paste-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 6 min. Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip keep clipboard history on the Mac and charge once. Paste syncs to iPhone and iPad, and its plans renew. - [Best Screen Studio Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-screen-studio-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 7 min. Screen Charm and ScreenToast zoom after you record. Boom skips the editing timeline. Better Shot is the free recorder already on this shelf. - [Best Wispr Flow Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-wispr-flow-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 7 min. HoldSpeak and Precis dictate on the Mac and say the audio stays there. Voicera streams it, then deletes it. MacWhisper is for recordings, not typing. - [Best CleanShot X Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-cleanshot-x-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 7 min. Shottr is the screenshot tool, with scrolling capture and OCR. Better Shot is free and also records. DejaShot only searches shots you already took. - [Best Bartender Alternative for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac) - 2026-10-25 · 6 min. Find the best bartender alternative for your workflow. Compare ClearBar and Lounge for hiding menu bar icons, and see when Alcove uses the notch instead. ## Related - [Home](https://pickmacapps.store/) --- # About PickMacApps & Firoj Alam > Indie hacker and Mac and iOS app developer who curates Mac apps on PickMacApps. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/about PickMacApps is a directory of Mac apps kept by Firoj Alam. A listing is a name, a description, a pricing label, and a link to the developer. ## Author - Name: Firoj Alam - Contact: firojalama80@gmail.com - Not affiliated with Apple Inc. ## Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice is a paid placement. The price is the one on the submit page. At most 3 published apps can carry the label. It is not a test score. There are no affiliate links. ## Related - [Home](https://pickmacapps.store/) - [How we pick](https://pickmacapps.store/how-we-pick) --- # How We Pick Mac Apps — Editorial Policy > Apps are added by hand. Editor’s Choice is a paid placement, not a test score. Listings link to the developer. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/how-we-pick Apps are added by hand. The directory records a name, a description, a pricing label, and a link to the developer. This page does not claim a timed hardware test. ## Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice is a paid placement. The price is the one on the submit page. At most 3 published apps can have the label. Links go to the developer. They are not affiliate links. ## Related - [Home](https://pickmacapps.store/) - [About the curator](https://pickmacapps.store/about) --- # Submit your Mac app > Submit your Mac app to the PickMacApps directory. Editor’s Choice is labeled on the listing. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/submit Listings are reviewed by hand. Nothing goes live from the form alone. ## Free listing Free, after review. The form asks for the same details as a listing: name, website, tagline, description, icon, category, the app’s own price model, and an email. - Add the PickMacApps badge on the app’s site, then the listing is reviewed. - The link from the listing back to the app is nofollow. - No visitor count is promised. ## Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice is a one-time payment. The current price is on the submit page. Those listings are labeled Editor’s Choice. - No badge is required. - Editor’s Choice label on the directory. - A follow link from the listing to the app’s site. ## Checklist - Your app is functional - It delivers what it promises - Is not an infoproduct A free listing needs the badge on the app’s site before the form can be sent. An Editor’s Choice listing does not. Email is used only to reply about the submission. ## Related - [Privacy](https://pickmacapps.store/privacy) --- # Best Mac Disk Space Analyzer (2026) | PickMacApps > Find the top mac disk space analyzer in 2026. Compare ScanMyDisk, Mole, Bytesweep, and Plumby to visualize storage, clear caches, and reclaim drive space. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Utilities, Storage When macOS system warnings alert you that storage is running low, a visual mac disk space analyzer reveals exactly which directories and hidden files are consuming room. Here is a factual comparison of ScanMyDisk, Mole, ByteSweep, and Plumby. ## Visualizing Storage to Reclaim Disk Space Rather than digging through nested Finder folders, a visual disk map renders your storage as interactive charts so you can spot giant installers, old video exports, and cache buildup at a glance. ## ScanMyDisk: Visual Disk Space Analyzer [ScanMyDisk for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/scanmydisk) maps storage usage into an interactive visual breakdown so you can find oversized files and inspect hidden directories. The listing is marked Paid and does not record a dollar price. ScanMyDisk is built by the author of this site. ## Mole, ByteSweep, and Plumby [Mole for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) uninstalls Mac apps together with leftover files, maps disk usage, and clears caches. The site listed $19 once, with a 14-day refund, and macOS 14 or later. [ByteSweep for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) illustrates what is filling disk space and cleans only items you confirm, offering a 7-day restore window for $29.99 on macOS 14+. [Plumby for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) finds caches, old installers, iPhone backups, and files left after an app is dragged to the Trash. The site listed $29 a year or $79 once, and macOS 15 or later. It only removes what you select. If you specifically want to remove leftover files from deleted software, read our companion [AppCleaner alternative guide](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-appcleaner-alternative-mac). | App | Visualization | Safe Cleanup | Pricing | Editor's Choice | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ScanMyDisk | Interactive visual breakdown | Not described | Paid. No dollar amount in the listing | Only when the directory marks it Editor’s Choice | | Mole | Maps disk usage | Uninstalls apps with leftover files and clears caches | $19 once | No | | ByteSweep | Shows what is using disk space | Cleans only what you approve. Restore for 7 days | $29.99 once | No | | Plumby | Finds caches, installers, and leftovers | Removes only what you select | $29 a year or $79 once | No | ## Which disk analyzer to install Choose ScanMyDisk if you want a visual diagram of your drive. Choose Mole if you want uninstalling and a disk map in one paid app. Choose ByteSweep if you want approval prompts and 7-day undo. Check our complete shelf for more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/). ## From the directory - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - [Bytesweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) - [Plumby](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) ## Keep reading - [Best AppCleaner Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-appcleaner-alternative-mac) - AppCleaner is free and only uninstalls an app. Mole is $19 once and also maps the disk. ByteSweep shows what is using the space and does not uninstall for you. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps > Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Clipboard, Utilities Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip each keep clipboard history on the Mac and list a one-time price. Only Maclip’s listing says the history is encrypted. ## On-Device Clipboard History Compared Tucket says nothing you copy leaves the Mac. Clippio says there is no cloud sync. Maclip says the history is encrypted and clips are not uploaded. Only Maclip is described as encrypted. ## Tucket: History in the Notch [Tucket for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) keeps a history of what you copy and opens it from the MacBook notch. The developer states that nothing copied leaves the computer. It lists a one-time lifetime license of $10 (regularly $15) and requires macOS 14 or later. ## Clippio: Low-Cost Menu Bar Manager [Clippio for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) stores clipboard history on the Mac, with search, pins, and text recognition on copied images. The developer says there is no cloud sync. The site lists a one-time price of $6.90 for macOS 13 or later. ## Maclip: Encrypted History and Sequential Paste [Maclip for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) keeps clipboard history encrypted on your Mac and includes a multi-clip queue to paste items in sequence. The developer says password-manager apps are ignored. The site lists $9.99 once for up to two Macs with a 7-day trial on macOS 13 or later. | Feature / Spec | Tucket | Clippio | Maclip | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Notch Integration | Yes. Opens from the MacBook notch | Not stated | Not stated | | Encrypted history | Not stated | Not stated | Yes. Stored encrypted on the Mac | | Price listed | $10 once | $6.90 once | $9.99 once | | Leaves the Mac? | Listing says nothing you copy leaves the Mac | Listing says no cloud sync | Listing says clips are not uploaded | | Also stated | Opens from the MacBook notch. macOS 14 or later | Search, pins, and text recognition on copied images | Ignores password-manager apps. Up to two Macs | ## Which clipboard manager to install Choose Tucket if you want your history docked into the notch. Choose Clippio if you want the most affordable one-time menu bar utility with image OCR. Choose Maclip if encryption and password exclusions are your priority. Explore our shelf for more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/). ## From the directory - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) - [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Notch Apps for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notch-apps-mac) - Discover the top notch app mac tools for 2026. Compare Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket to turn the MacBook camera cutout into a useful hub. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Notes App for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps > Find the best notes app mac thinkers need in 2026. Compare Anytype and iA Writer for structured databases versus focused markdown drafting. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notes-app-mac Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Writing, Productivity Finding the best notes app mac thinkers need depends on whether your ideas require structured relational links or a distraction-free page for raw drafting. Here we compare Anytype and iA Writer using facts from our directory data. ## Relational Databases vs. Plain-Text Markdown Anytype and iA Writer represent two distinct approaches to digital notes. Anytype treats every note as a typed database record with relations, while iA Writer treats notes as clean markdown files saved in standard folders. ## Anytype: Local-First Typed Objects [Anytype for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) organizes information as typed objects with relations, keeps data local-first, and syncs peer-to-peer. It has a free plan. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits. The tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say encryption is on by default. ## iA Writer: Focused Drafting [iA Writer for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) is a markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. The Mac app is a one-time purchase, sold separately from the iPhone, iPad, and Windows versions. The developer's buy page listed the Mac app at $49.99. Confirm the current price on ia.net before you buy. | From the listing | Anytype | iA Writer | | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Typed objects with relations. Local-first. Peer-to-peer sync. | Markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. | | Encryption | The tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say it is on by default. | Not stated | | Price in the listing | Free plan. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits. Check anytype.io. | One-time Mac purchase. Buy page listed $49.99. Confirm on ia.net. | ## Which notes app fits your workflow Choose Anytype if you want typed objects, local-first data, and peer-to-peer sync. Choose iA Writer if you want a markdown page sold once on the Mac. The Anytype tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say the notes are encrypted on the device. Visit PickMacApps to find more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/). ## From the directory - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Logseq Alternative for Networked Notes (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes) - Anytype is the Logseq alternative for private, structured notes. Compare objects, encryption, and sync with Logseq's markdown outliner before you switch. - [Best Ulysses Alternative for Writing (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing) - iA Writer is the Ulysses alternative for focused Markdown and a one-time Mac purchase. Compare the library and the subscription before you switch. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Notch Apps for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps > Discover the top notch app mac tools for 2026. Compare Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket to turn the MacBook camera cutout into a useful hub. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notch-apps-mac Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Notch, Utilities Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket are the notch and menu-bar apps in this directory. Each sentence below is from that app’s listing. ## Turning the Notch into an Interactive Hub Alcove puts notifications and now playing in the notch. NotchDodo is a hover panel for music, timers, calendar, files, notes, and clipboard. Droppy is a Dynamic Island that also works without a notch. Lounge hides menu bar icons. Tucket opens clipboard history from the notch. ## Alcove, NotchDodo, and Droppy [Alcove for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) turns the notch into a dynamic notification island for media playback and system alerts on macOS 15+. [NotchDodo for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) turns the MacBook notch into a hover panel for music, timers, calendar, files, notes, and clipboard for $9.99 lifetime on macOS 14+. [Droppy for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) delivers an interactive island that functions on both notched MacBooks and notchless external monitors for $9.99 once on macOS 14+. ## Lounge and Tucket [Lounge for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) tucks crowded menu bar icons into an expandable tray next to the notch and includes clipboard history on macOS 26+. [Tucket for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) provides clipboard history accessible from the notch with on-device privacy for $10 one-time on macOS 14+. | App | What the listing says | Price recorded | | --- | --- | --- | | Alcove | Notifications, now playing, and status in a notch display. macOS 15 or later. Not a menu bar icon hider. | Paid. No dollar amount listed | | NotchDodo | Hover panel for music, timers, calendar, files, notes, and clipboard. macOS 14 or later. | $9.99 once | | Droppy | A Dynamic Island. On a Mac without a notch, or on an external display, it uses that island instead of a camera cutout. | $9.99 once | | Lounge | Hides menu bar icons and opens a panel near the notch, with clipboard history. macOS 26 or later. | Paid. No dollar amount listed | | Tucket | Clipboard history opened from the MacBook notch. Nothing you copy leaves the Mac. Not described as encrypted. | $10 once | ## Which notch app to install Choose Alcove for notifications and now playing. Choose NotchDodo for the hover panel. Choose Droppy if the Mac has no notch. Choose Lounge to hide menu bar icons. Choose Tucket for clipboard history from the notch. Tucket is not described as encrypted. Browse our full shelf to discover more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/). ## From the directory - [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) - [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) - [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - [Lounge](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) ## Keep reading - [Best NotchNook Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac) - NotchDodo and Droppy put tools in the notch for $9.99 once. Alcove, already listed here, is the notification island. NotchNook is $15 once or $2 a month. - [Best Bartender Alternative for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac) - Find the best bartender alternative for your workflow. Compare ClearBar and Lounge for hiding menu bar icons, and see when Alcove uses the notch instead. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps > Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Utilities, Free Free, in this guide, means the directory marks the app Free, or the listing describes a free plan. Paid apps are not called free. ## Free and freemium apps in the directory Better Shot is the app marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are Freemium and describe a free way to start. Mole and Clippio are Paid, so they are not in the free table. ## Better Shot and Shottr [Better Shot for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) takes screenshots and records the screen. The developer says it is free, with no account and no watermark. The site also calls it open source. [Shottr for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) takes screenshots, including scrolling captures, and adds OCR, a screen ruler, and a color picker. A free copy asks you to upgrade after 30 days. The Basic license was listed at $12 once. ## Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype [Voicera for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) includes a free tier offering 500 words per week of fast speech-to-text dictation that types directly into your active window. [MacWhisper for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) offers a free version powered by OpenAI Whisper and Nvidia models that transcribes recorded audio files locally on your Mac using Metal GPU acceleration. [Anytype for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) has a free plan. It organizes notes as typed objects, keeps data local-first, and syncs peer-to-peer. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits. The tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say the notes are encrypted. | App | Job | Pricing Model | Key Highlights | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Better Shot | Screenshots and recording | Free | Free screenshots and screen recording. No account and no watermark. Not described as OCR or scrolling capture | | Shottr | Screenshots | Freemium | Scrolling capture, OCR, a screen ruler, and a color picker. Basic license listed at $12 once | | Voicera | Dictation | Freemium | Free plan listed at 500 words a week. Audio is streamed for recognition. Not described as offline | | Anytype | Notes | Freemium | Free plan. Local-first typed objects with peer-to-peer sync. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits | | MacWhisper | Transcription | Freemium | Transcribes audio on the Mac. The listing says transcription runs locally | ## Which free app to install Better Shot is the free recorder. Shottr is freemium and is the one with scrolling capture and OCR. Voicera's free plan was listed at 500 words a week, and the audio is streamed. Anytype has a free plan. Mole is paid at $19 once, so it is not a free alternative. Clippio is paid at $6.90 once. Discover more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) on our curated homepage. ## From the directory - [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) - [MacWhisper](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps > Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026 Last updated: 2026-11-01 By Firoj Alam Published: November 1, 2026 Last updated: November 1, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Utilities, Productivity This guide groups Mac apps that are already in the PickMacApps directory by the job they do. Each sentence below comes from that app's listing. ## Essential Mac Apps Grouped by Daily Job The apps below are the ones on this shelf for each job. Pricing labels are Free, Freemium, or Paid. A dollar amount is included only when the listing records it. ## Screenshots: Shottr and Better Shot [Shottr for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) takes screenshots, including scrolling captures, and adds OCR, a screen ruler, and a color picker. [Better Shot for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) takes screenshots and records the screen, then lets you annotate or edit the video. The developer says it is free, with no account and no watermark, and that it needs macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel. The site also calls it open source. ## Menu Bar: ClearBar and Lounge [ClearBar for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps those apps in one panel, where you can open a menu or quit the app. The site listed a launch price of $5, then $12, paid once. [Lounge for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) hides and reveals menu bar icons and opens a panel near the notch, with clipboard history in that panel. The site did not list a price. ## Clipboard: Tucket and Clippio [Tucket for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) keeps a history of what you copy and opens it from the MacBook notch. The developer says nothing you copy leaves the Mac. The site listed $10 once. The listing does not say the history is encrypted. [Clippio for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) stores history on the Mac, with search, pins, and text recognition on copied images. The developer says there is no cloud sync. The site listed $6.90 once. ## Voice: HoldSpeak and Voicera [HoldSpeak for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) types what you say into the Mac app where the cursor is. The developer says transcription stays on the Mac, with no account, and that you pay once after a 7-day trial. It needs Apple silicon and macOS 14.6 or later. The site did not list a dollar price. [Voicera for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) types speech into the app you are using. The developer says audio is streamed for recognition and not kept after the text comes back. A free plan was listed at 500 words a week. The listing does not say this works offline. ## Writing: Anytype and iA Writer [Anytype for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) organizes information as typed objects with relations, keeps data local-first, and syncs peer-to-peer. It has a free plan. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits. [iA Writer for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) is a markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. The Mac app is a one-time purchase. The developer's buy page listed it at $49.99. | Job | Recommended App | Alternative | Pricing | Why Install | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Screenshots | Shottr | Better Shot | Shottr freemium, $12 once. Better Shot free | Shottr: scrolling capture and OCR. Better Shot: screenshots and screen recording, no OCR claim | | Menu bar | ClearBar | Lounge | ClearBar paid once ($5, then $12). Lounge: no price listed | Both hide menu bar icons. Lounge also opens a notch panel with clipboard history | | Clipboard | Maclip | Tucket | Maclip $9.99 once. Tucket $10 once | Maclip stores history encrypted on the Mac. Tucket opens history from the notch and is not described as encrypted | | Dictation | HoldSpeak | Voicera | HoldSpeak paid once, price not listed. Voicera freemium | HoldSpeak says transcription stays on the Mac. Voicera streams audio and is not described as offline | | Writing & Notes | Anytype | iA Writer | Free tier / Paid once | Anytype: local-first typed objects and peer-to-peer sync. iA Writer: a calm markdown page, one-time purchase | | Disk | ScanMyDisk | Mole | Both paid. Mole $19 once. ScanMyDisk: no dollar amount listed | ScanMyDisk maps storage in a visual breakdown. Mole also maps the disk and uninstalls apps | ## Disk: ScanMyDisk and Mole [ScanMyDisk for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/scanmydisk) maps storage usage into an interactive visual breakdown so you can find oversized files and inspect hidden directories. ScanMyDisk is built by the author of this site. The listing does not record a dollar price. [Mole for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) uninstalls Mac apps together with leftover files, maps disk usage, and clears caches. The site listed $19 once. Explore our homepage to compare more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) across every utility category. ## From the directory - [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) - [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) ## Keep reading - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. - [Best Mac Disk Space Analyzer (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer) - Find the top mac disk space analyzer in 2026. Compare ScanMyDisk, Mole, Bytesweep, and Plumby to visualize storage, clear caches, and reclaim drive space. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best AppCleaner Alternative for Mac (2026) > AppCleaner is free and only uninstalls an app. Mole is $19 once and also maps the disk. ByteSweep shows what is using the space and does not uninstall… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-appcleaner-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Utilities, Storage An AppCleaner alternative is only worth it if uninstalling one app is not the whole job. [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) uninstalls and maps the disk. [ByteSweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) does not uninstall for you. AppCleaner, from FreeMacSoft, is free. You drag in an app, it finds the small files that belong to that app, and you delete the ones you tick. The download page has builds for current macOS and for older versions. If that is all you do, a few times a year, you do not need a paid replacement. The page is [freemacsoft.net/appcleaner](https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/). ## What AppCleaner is actually for People search for an alternative when the free app feels too small. They want a picture of the whole disk, or they want caches and old backups gone, or they already dragged an app to the Trash and the leftovers are still there. Those are three different jobs. A cleaner that deletes caches will not walk you through uninstalling Slack. An uninstaller will not tell you that an iPhone backup is the thing filling the drive. ## If you still want to uninstall [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) uninstalls an app and reviews the leftover files with it. It also maps disk usage and clears caches. The site listed $19 once, with a 14-day refund, and macOS 14 or later. That is the closest paid step up from AppCleaner on this shelf, because uninstalling is still in the product. See [mole.fit](https://mole.fit/). [Plumby](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) is aimed at the leftovers and the bulky stuff: caches, macOS installers, old videos, iPhone backups, and files left after you dragged an app to the Trash. It removes only what you select, and personal files start unticked. The site listed $29 a year or $79 once, and macOS 15 or later. It is the wrong buy on an older Mac. Confirm the price on [plumby.app](https://plumby.app/). ## If the disk is full, not the app [ByteSweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) explains what is using the space and waits for you to approve a deletion. The developer says nothing is removed until you say so, and that anything cleaned can be put back for 7 days. The site listed $29.99 once for one computer, a 3-day trial on the Mac, and macOS 14 or later. It does not present itself as the thing you drag an app onto. Use it when the question is "what is this 40 GB," not "how do I remove this app." Read [bytesweep.app](https://bytesweep.app/). ## Side by side | | Mole | Plumby | ByteSweep | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Uninstall an app and its leftovers | Yes | Leftovers after you trash the app | Not the job | | Show what filled the disk | Yes. Maps disk usage | Calls out caches, backups, installers | Yes, and explains each item | | Undo | 14-day refund on the purchase | You choose each item | Restore cleaned items for 7 days | | Price we could verify | $19 once | $29 a year, or $79 once | $29.99 once | | macOS, per the developer | 14 or later | 15 or later | 14 or later | ## Which one to install - You drag in one app, tick its files, and delete them: stay with free AppCleaner - You want that uninstall plus a disk map, in one paid app: Mole - The app is already in the Trash and you are hunting leftovers, caches, and old backups, on macOS 15: Plumby - You want to see what is large before anything is deleted: ByteSweep ## What this page does not claim If your goal is seeing what uses space across the entire drive rather than uninstalling an app, read our [Mac disk space analyzer guide](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer). Explore our homepage to compare more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) for maintenance and storage cleanup. ## From the directory - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - [Bytesweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) - [Plumby](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) ## Keep reading - [Best Mac Disk Space Analyzer (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-mac-disk-space-analyzer) - Find the top mac disk space analyzer in 2026. Compare ScanMyDisk, Mole, Bytesweep, and Plumby to visualize storage, clear caches, and reclaim drive space. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best NotchNook Alternative for Mac (2026) > NotchDodo and Droppy put tools in the notch for $9.99 once. Alcove, already listed here, is the notification island. NotchNook is $15 once or $2 a month. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Notch, Utilities A NotchNook alternative puts something useful in the MacBook notch. [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) and [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) both list $9.99 once. [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) is the narrower one already on this shelf. NotchNook turns the notch into a small desk: music, calendar, notes, to-dos, a timer, and a tray you can drop files on. Its site lists two prices, $15 once or $2 a month, and says one license covers two Macs. It needs macOS 14.6 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. There is a free trial. Read [getnotchnook.com](https://getnotchnook.com/) before you pay. The $2 plan only stays useful if you keep paying. ## What NotchNook is actually for This is not a menu-bar hider. Lounge and ClearBar tuck icons away. If your goal is hiding crowded icons, read our [Bartender alternative guide](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac). NotchNook and the apps below do the opposite. They give the black cutout a panel. If your Mac has no notch, ask that question first. Droppy says it still draws an island on a notchless display. This page does not claim the others do. ## NotchDodo and Droppy [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) is a hover panel for music, timers, the day's calendar, files, notes, and the clipboard. The site calls the $9.99 purchase a lifetime license and says it needs macOS 14 or later. That is a lower one-time price than NotchNook's $15, for a similar list of tools. Confirm it on [notchdodo.com](https://notchdodo.com/). [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) is sold as a Dynamic Island. The developer says that on a Mac without a notch, or on an external display, it uses the island rather than a camera cutout. The site listed $9.99 once, no subscription, and a three-day trial of every feature. It needs macOS 14 or later. See [getdroppy.app](https://getdroppy.app/). The practical split is the screen. If you only use a notched MacBook, NotchDodo is the one whose site lists the music, calendar, files, and notes in one hover. If you also work on a display with no notch, Droppy is the one that says it still has a place to sit. ## Alcove is already on this shelf [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) was added with the Bartender guide, and it is a different cut of the same idea. It is a notch display for notifications and now playing, closer to the iPhone island than to a tray of files and notes. The developer says it needs macOS 15 or later. A price was not on the page when that guide was written, so this one does not invent one. Use it if alerts and music are the whole job. Do not expect NotchNook's file tray. ## Side by side | | NotchDodo | Droppy | Alcove | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What the notch holds | Music, timer, calendar, files, notes, clipboard | A Dynamic Island; the site does not itemize every tool | Notifications and now playing | | No notch | Not claimed here | Yes, including external displays | Not claimed here | | Price we could verify | $9.99 lifetime | $9.99 once, 3-day trial | Not listed | | macOS, per the developer | 14 or later | 14 or later | 15 or later | ## Which one to install - You want the file tray, notes, and calendar, and you will pay NotchNook's $15 or $2 a month: stay with NotchNook - You want that kind of tool list for $9.99 once, on a notched MacBook: NotchDodo - You also use a monitor or a Mac with no notch: Droppy - You only want notifications and the current song: Alcove ## What this page does not claim These apps were not lined up on the same Mac. Feature lists are what each developer publishes, and prices move. NotchNook's site is the place to confirm the $15 and $2 figures. If a page disagrees with this guide later, believe the developer. ## From the directory - [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) - [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) - [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) - [Lounge](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) - [ClearBar](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) ## Keep reading - [Best Bartender Alternative for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac) - Find the best bartender alternative for your workflow. Compare ClearBar and Lounge for hiding menu bar icons, and see when Alcove uses the notch instead. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Ulysses Alternative for Writing (2026) > iA Writer is the Ulysses alternative for focused Markdown and a one-time Mac purchase. Compare the library and the subscription before you switch. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Writing, Markdown [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) is the Ulysses alternative for people who want a Markdown file and a quiet page, bought once on the Mac, instead of a writing library on a subscription. Ulysses is the better fit when one library has to hold many projects, with goals and publishing built in. iA Writer is the better fit when the draft itself is the whole job. This page compares those two jobs. It does not claim one app is better at everything. ## When a Ulysses alternative makes sense Ulysses is a full writing app for Apple devices. People look for something else when the library, or the subscription, is the part they do not want. A switch is worth it if you need: - A page that gets out of the way of the sentence you are writing - A Markdown file in a folder, not only inside an app library - A Mac purchase you pay once, rather than a subscription - The same kind of editor on Windows, not only on Apple devices - Less organization around the draft If you live in the library, sheets, and publishing tools, Ulysses is doing the job you bought it for. ## What Ulysses is for Ulysses is a Markdown writing suite for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Projects sit in one library. You can set a writing goal, keep notes beside a draft, and publish from the app. Sync stays inside Apple's ecosystem. The app is sold as a subscription, so the cost continues after the first year. Check the developer's current price before you subscribe. This page does not quote it, because that number changes. ## What iA Writer changes [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) is a markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. The Mac version is a separate purchase from the iPhone and iPad version, and from Windows. On the [developer's buy page](https://ia.net/writer/get/buy), the Mac app was listed at $49.99. Confirm that before you pay. A purchase covers the current version; major upgrades can cost extra later. ## Ulysses and iA Writer, side by side | | iA Writer | Ulysses | | --- | --- | --- | | Main job | The sentence in front of you | A library of projects | | Files | Markdown in a folder you choose | A library the app manages | | Devices | Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad, sold separately | Apple devices | | Goals and publishing | Light | Built in | | Price | One-time purchase per platform | Subscription | | Best fit | A focused draft | Many projects in one place | ## Stay with Ulysses if - You keep many articles or chapters in one library - You use writing goals and publishing from the same app - You work only on a Mac, iPhone, and iPad - You want sheets, keywords, and filters around the draft - A subscription is an acceptable way to pay for that library ## Switch to iA Writer if - You want the current sentence highlighted and the rest dimmed - You want the draft as a Markdown file you can move - You also write on Windows - You would rather pay once per platform than subscribe - You do not need a built-in publishing pipeline ## The difference that matters The useful difference is where the draft lives. In Ulysses, a chapter is an item in the library, with a goal count beside it. In iA Writer, the listing says the Mac app is a markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. It does not describe a focus mode that fades other sentences. If you will miss the library, iA Writer will feel empty. If the library was the part you were avoiding, that emptiness is the feature. ## Which draft fits which app | Job | Use | | --- | --- | | One essay, written in a single sitting | iA Writer | | A book split across many sheets, with a daily word goal | Ulysses | | A file you will edit later in another Markdown app | iA Writer | | Publishing to a blog from the writing app | Ulysses | The other guide on this site is [the Anytype comparison for people leaving Logseq](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes). That one is about a knowledge base, not about drafting prose. ## From the directory - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) ## Keep reading - [Best Logseq Alternative for Networked Notes (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes) - Anytype is the Logseq alternative for private, structured notes. Compare objects, encryption, and sync with Logseq's markdown outliner before you switch. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Logseq Alternative for Networked Notes (2026) > Anytype is the Logseq alternative for private, structured notes. Compare objects, encryption, and sync with Logseq's markdown outliner before you switch. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-logseq-alternative-notes Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Notes, Privacy [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) is the Logseq alternative for people who want notes stored as objects, not only as an outline, The tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say how that encryption is set up. Logseq is the better fit when the work is a daily outline in plain files. Anytype is the better fit when those notes need fields, links between types of things, and peer-to-peer sync. The description does not say the sync is encrypted by default. This page is a comparison, not a ranking of every notes app. ## When a Logseq alternative makes sense Logseq is already a strong outliner. People usually look past it for a specific gap, not because the outliner is broken. A switch is worth it if you need: - A note that has fields, such as author or status, instead of only bullets - Tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say it is on without a setup step - Sync between your own devices that does not depend on a folder you manage - Relations between notes, such as a book linked to a person - A layout that is closer to a database than to a journal If none of those are the problem, Logseq does not need replacing. ## What Logseq is for Logseq is a free, open-source outliner. Notes live as Markdown or Org files on your Mac. Pages link to each other, and a graph is built from those links, often starting from a daily note. That file-based setup is the point: you can open the same text in another editor, and you can sync the folder with git or iCloud yourself. Official sync, if you want it, is a separate paid service. It is a poor match if you wanted each note to be a record with typed fields. You can fake that with properties, but the app is still an outliner. ## What Anytype changes [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) keeps notes on the device first, then syncs them peer-to-peer. A note can be an object with a type. A book can have an author field and a status, and that author can be its own object. The app is free to start. Paid plans add remote storage and sharing limits, so check [current prices on anytype.io](https://anytype.io/pricing) before you pay. The desktop code is published under the Any Source Available License. That is not the same as Logseq's open-source license, so do not treat Anytype as a drop-in open-source project. ## Logseq and Anytype, side by side | | Anytype | Logseq | | --- | --- | --- | | Shape of a note | Object with fields and relations | Outline of bullets | | Encryption | Tagline mentions encryption. Not described as on by default | Not on unless you add it | | Sync | Peer-to-peer, included | Your own files, or paid Logseq Sync | | Files you can open elsewhere | Export, not the live format | Markdown or Org on disk | | License | Source-available | Open source | | Price | Free to start; storage plans are paid | App is free; official sync is paid | | Best fit | Private notes with structure | Daily outline and a graph | ## Stay with Logseq if - You write in bullets and a daily journal - You want the notes as plain files in a folder - You already sync that folder with git or iCloud - You use the graph as the way you find old notes - You want an open-source app specifically ## Switch to Anytype if - You want a book, a person, and a project to be different kinds of notes - You want those notes linked by a relation, not only by a wiki-style link - You want the app whose tagline mentions encryption - You want sync between devices without running your own folder sync - You are fine exporting if you later want plain Markdown ## The difference that matters The useful difference is the shape of a note. In Logseq, a reading log is a page of bullets: title, then author, then a quote. In Anytype, the same log can be a Book object with those as fields, and the author can be a Person object you reuse on the next book. If you will not use fields and relations, you are paying complexity for a feature you will not open. ## Which note fits which app | Job | Use | | --- | --- | | Daily journal and a graph of pages | Logseq | | Reading list with author and status fields | Anytype | | Notes you must open as .md in another app | Logseq | | Tagline mentions encryption. The description does not say every device is encrypted | Anytype | The other guide on this site is [the iA Writer comparison for people leaving Ulysses](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing). That one is about writing a draft, not about a knowledge base. ## From the directory - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) ## Keep reading - [Best Ulysses Alternative for Writing (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-ulysses-alternative-writing) - iA Writer is the Ulysses alternative for focused Markdown and a one-time Mac purchase. Compare the library and the subscription before you switch. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Paste Alternative for Mac (2026) > Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip keep clipboard history on the Mac and charge once. Paste syncs to iPhone and iPad, and its plans renew. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-paste-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Clipboard, Utilities A Paste alternative on this shelf is a clipboard history that stays on the Mac. [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket), [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio), and [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) each charge once. None of them claim to sync an iPhone. Paste saves what you copy, lets you search it, and pins the bits you reuse. Its pricing page lists $2.49 a month or $29.99 a year, and a 7-day trial. Every plan includes the Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps. A pay-once lifetime plan exists on that page. The dollar amount did not show up in the page text, so this guide does not quote it. Check [pasteapp.io/pricing](https://pasteapp.io/pricing). ## What Paste is actually for If the thing you will miss is copying on the Mac and pasting on the iPhone, stay with Paste. The three apps below do not offer that. They are for the other complaint: a subscription for a history that never leaves the computer. - You paste on an iPhone or iPad as well as a Mac: Paste - You only need the Mac, and you want one payment: Tucket, Clippio, or Maclip - You want the history in the notch: Tucket - You want several clips pasted in a row, and password apps ignored: Maclip ## History that stays on the Mac [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) opens from the MacBook notch and sorts copies by type. The last ten clips can be pasted with a shortcut, without opening the panel. The developer says nothing you copy leaves the Mac. The site listed $10 once, with $15 shown as the regular price, and macOS 14 or later. See [trytucket.com](https://www.trytucket.com/). [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) is a menu-bar history with search, pins, and text recognition on images you copied. The developer says it stays on the device and does not sync to a cloud. The site listed $6.90 once and macOS 13 or later. That is the lowest price of the three. Confirm it on [clippio.siliconapps.dev](https://clippio.siliconapps.dev/). [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) encrypts the history on the Mac. The developer says clips are not uploaded, that password-manager apps are ignored, and that you can paste several clips in order. The site listed $9.99 once for up to two Macs, a 7-day trial, and macOS 13 or later. Read [maclip.cc](https://www.maclip.cc/). Tucket is the notch. Clippio is the smaller bill. Maclip is the one that talks about encryption and about not saving passwords. All three say the history stays on the Mac. Paste's reason to exist, on its own pricing page, is the other devices. ## Side by side | | Tucket | Clippio | Maclip | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Where it opens | The notch | Menu bar and a shortcut | Search, with paste-in-order | | Leaves the Mac? | Developer says no | Developer says no cloud sync | Developer says not uploaded | | iPhone | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed | | Price we could verify | $10 once, $15 shown as regular | $6.90 once | $9.99 once, up to two Macs | | macOS, per the developer | 14 or later | 13 or later | 13 or later | ## Which one to install - You copy on the Mac and paste on the iPhone: stay with Paste - You want the history in the notch and one payment: Tucket - You want the lowest one-time price on this list: Clippio - You want encryption called out, and password apps skipped: Maclip ## What this page does not claim These apps were not timed against Paste, and Paste's lifetime price is not quoted because it was not in the pricing-page text. History limits, if an app caps them, were not compared. If a price page changes, use the developer's number. ## From the directory - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) - [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Screen Studio Alternative for Mac (2026) > Screen Charm and ScreenToast zoom after you record. Boom skips the editing timeline. Better Shot is the free recorder already on this shelf. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-screen-studio-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Screen recording, Demos A Screen Studio alternative is a recorder that makes a demo look edited. [Screen Charm](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm) and [ScreenToast](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast) add the zoom after you stop. [Boom](https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom) never opens a timeline. Screen Studio records the screen, the camera, and the audio, then animates zooms and smooths the cursor so a product demo does not look like a raw capture. Its site says new licenses are a subscription, and that the old one-time license is no longer sold to new buyers. A current dollar price was not on the homepage. Check [screen.studio](https://screen.studio/) before you pay. ## What Screen Studio is actually for People looking for a Screen Studio alternative usually want the zoom, not a blank recording. The click should pull the frame in, and the cursor should stop jittering. If you only need a file of the screen with no effects, the built-in macOS recorder is enough, and so is a simpler app. If you need a phone in the shot, that is a different tool and it is not on this list. ## Zoom after you record [Screen Charm](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm) records the full screen, one window, or an area, plus camera, microphone, and system audio. When the recording ends, it puts a zoom on each click. You can change the zoom or delete it. The site listed $99 once, with $149 shown as the regular price, and said there is no subscription. macOS 14 or later is recommended. Confirm the price on [screencharm.com](https://screencharm.com/). [ScreenToast](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast) is the same kind of recorder, and it goes one step further: it can write a script from what you did on screen and read that script aloud. Zooms land on the clicks. The site listed Pro at $7 a month, or $59 for the year, and said you need Pro to export. It needs macOS 14 or later. See [screentoast.com](https://screentoast.com/). Between those two, the split is the voiceover and the bill. Screen Charm is a one-time purchase and leaves the narration to you. ScreenToast will draft the narration and then charge a subscription if you want the file out. ## Boom, if you do not want a timeline [Boom](https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom) records and also presents live, with layout changes and zoom while you are talking. The developer says there is no editing timeline. You trim, then export. It is aimed at calls such as Zoom and Meet as well as a recording. The site offers a free trial and did not list a price. It needs macOS 13 or later. Check [boomvideo.app](https://www.boomvideo.app/). Pick Boom if the Screen Studio step you wanted to skip is the edit, not the zoom. Do not pick it if you wanted to adjust every click zoom after the fact. That control is what Screen Charm keeps. ## Better Shot is already on this shelf [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) is the free recorder from the CleanShot guide. It records the screen and the camera, and the developer says it can add auto-zoom, with no account and no watermark. It needs macOS 14 or later. It is the one to try before paying $99 or starting a subscription. It is not a dedicated demo studio, and this page is not a timed comparison against Screen Studio. ## Side by side | | Screen Charm | ScreenToast | Boom | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | When the zoom happens | After the recording, on each click | On each click, plus a drafted voiceover | While you present or record | | Timeline | You can tweak each zoom | Export needs Pro | No editing timeline | | Price we could verify | $99 once, $149 shown as regular | $7 a month, or $59 a year | Free trial; price not listed | | macOS, per the developer | 14 or later recommended | 14 or later | 13 or later | ## Which one to install - You want click zooms you can edit, and you would rather pay once: Screen Charm - You want those zooms and a narration written from the recording: ScreenToast - You present live and do not want a timeline afterward: Boom - You want to see if a free recorder is enough: Better Shot ## What this page does not claim None of these was timed against Screen Studio, and this page does not know Screen Studio's current monthly price. The split is what each developer says the app does, checked on their sites. If a price changes, the developer is the source to trust. ## From the directory - [ScreenToast](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast) - [Boom](https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom) - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - [Screen Charm](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm) ## Keep reading - [Best CleanShot X Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-cleanshot-x-alternative-mac) - Shottr is the screenshot tool, with scrolling capture and OCR. Better Shot is free and also records. DejaShot only searches shots you already took. - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Wispr Flow Alternative for Mac (2026) > HoldSpeak and Precis dictate on the Mac and say the audio stays there. Voicera streams it, then deletes it. MacWhisper is for recordings, not typing. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-wispr-flow-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Dictation, Privacy A Wispr Flow alternative is a dictation app: you talk, and the text lands where the cursor already is. [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) and [Precis](https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis) say that happens on the Mac. [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) sends the audio out. Wispr Flow does that job across Mac, Windows, and phones. On its pricing page, the free plan included 2,000 words a week on desktop, and Pro was listed at $12 per user a month. Check [wisprflow.ai/pricing](https://wisprflow.ai/pricing) before you treat that as the bill. This page does not claim to know whether Wispr keeps the audio on your Mac. The apps below are clearer about that. ## What Wispr Flow is actually for People searching for a Wispr Flow alternative usually want to stop typing in email, chat, and notes. They do not want a separate window where they drop an audio file. If the recording already exists, that is a transcription app, and it is the last section of this guide. - Text should appear in the app you already have open - You care whether the audio leaves the Mac - You would rather pay once than subscribe - You are transcribing a meeting file you already have: skip to MacWhisper ## On the Mac: HoldSpeak and Precis [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) uses a key you hold, then types into the Mac app under the cursor. The developer says recording and transcription stay on the device, that your voice is not uploaded, and that there is no account. It needs Apple silicon and macOS 14.6 or later. There is a 7-day trial, then a one-time payment. The site did not show a dollar amount when this was written. Read [holdspeak.com](https://holdspeak.com/) before you pay. [Precis](https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis) is the same kind of tool, with a tighter system requirement. The developer says speech recognition runs on the Mac, that no audio is sent to a server, and that the recording is deleted once the words are typed. The site listed a founding price of $19, then $29, paid once, and said the app needs macOS 26.5 on Apple silicon. Confirm both on [myprecis.app](https://myprecis.app/). If both will run on your Mac, the practical difference is the system version and whether you want Precis to reshape the sentence for the app you are in. HoldSpeak is the one that still claims to run on macOS 14.6. Precis, as listed, will not. ## Voicera, which sends the audio out [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) also types into the app you are using. It does not make the on-device promise. The privacy note says audio streams to speech recognition while you talk and is gone once the text comes back. No recording is kept, according to that page. A free plan was listed at 500 words a week. Pro was listed at $12 a month, or $5 a month on the yearly plan. See [voicera.app](https://voicera.app/). Choose Voicera if a free weekly cap is enough to try dictation, or if you are fine with audio leaving the Mac for the length of the sentence. Do not choose it because you wanted offline dictation. The page we checked does not say it works offline. ## MacWhisper is a different job [MacWhisper](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) is already on this shelf, and it is the wrong install if you wanted Wispr Flow. It turns audio and video files, and recordings you make in the app, into text. That is useful for a meeting you already captured. It is not the same as holding a key in Mail and having the sentence appear. People mix the names up because both sit near "Whisper." The jobs are not the same. ## Side by side | | HoldSpeak | Precis | Voicera | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Job | Type where the cursor is | Type where the cursor is | Type where the cursor is | | Audio, per the developer | Stays on the Mac | Stays on the Mac | Streams out, then is not kept | | Price we could verify | Pay once; dollar amount not listed | $19 founding, then $29, once | Free 500 words a week; Pro from $12 a month | | Mac, per the developer | Apple silicon, macOS 14.6 or later | Apple silicon, macOS 26.5 | Not stated in the listing | ## Which one to install - You want dictation that the developer says never uploads audio, and your Mac is older than macOS 26: HoldSpeak - You are on macOS 26.5 or later and want the same on-device claim, paid once: Precis - You want to try dictation free, and you accept that audio is streamed: Voicera - You have a recording to transcribe, not a cursor to fill: MacWhisper ## What this page does not claim Nobody on this page was timed against Wispr Flow. The split is what each developer says about the job, the audio, the price, and the macOS version, checked on their sites. Those numbers move. If a pricing page disagrees with this guide later, believe the developer. ## From the directory - [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) - [Precis](https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis) - [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) - [MacWhisper](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best CleanShot X Alternative for Mac (2026) > Shottr is the screenshot tool, with scrolling capture and OCR. Better Shot is free and also records. DejaShot only searches shots you already took. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-cleanshot-x-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 7 min Tags: Screenshots, Utilities A CleanShot X alternative depends on the shot you need. [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) is the screenshot tool. [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) also records. [DejaShot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot) does neither. It searches shots you already have. CleanShot X is the suite people mean when they say "screenshot app": capture, annotation, scrolling pages, screen recording, and a cloud link. On its pricing page, Basic was $35 once, with a year of updates and 1 GB of cloud, then an optional $19 a year. Pro was $10 per user a month, billed annually, with unlimited cloud. Read [cleanshot.com/pricing](https://cleanshot.com/pricing) before you pay. The apps below do not all replace that whole list. ## What CleanShot X is actually for If the missing piece is a still image of a window or a long page, you want a screenshot app. If the missing piece is a video of the screen, you want a recorder, and a still-image tool will feel incomplete. If the shots are already in a folder and you cannot find the one with the error message, you want search, not another capture hotkey. ## Shottr, for the screenshot itself [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) captures an area, a window, or the full screen, and it can scroll a page or a chat and stitch that into one image. It also reads text and QR codes, measures distances on screen, and picks colors. The site says it runs on macOS 10.15 or later. It does not advertise screen recording. You can download it free. The purchase page says that copy asks you to upgrade after 30 days. Basic is $12 once, for one person and up to five computers, and a license is required for commercial use. That is a one-time payment, not a subscription. Confirm it on [shottr.cc](https://shottr.cc/). Shottr is the closest swap when CleanShot's cloud and video editor are not the reason you opened it. You are paying, if you pay, for the still image and the measuring tools. ## Better Shot, if you also record [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) takes the screenshot and the recording. You can mark up a still with arrows and text, and you can record the screen and the camera, then trim the video. The developer says the price is $0, with no account and no watermark, and calls the app open source. It needs macOS 14 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel. See [bettershot.site](https://www.bettershot.site/). This is the one to pick when you wanted CleanShot because it records, not only because it grabs a window. It will not run on a Mac stuck before Sonoma. Shottr will. ## DejaShot is a different job [DejaShot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot) does not replace the capture button. It reads the text inside screenshots already in the folders you choose, and it notes which app a new one came from, so you can search by what you remember. The site listed $4.99 and macOS 14 or later. Check [dejashot.com](https://dejashot.com/). Install it after you already have a pile of shots and cannot find one. Do not install it expecting a scrolling capture or a recorder. ## Side by side | | Shottr | Better Shot | DejaShot | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Job | Take and measure a screenshot | Screenshot and screen recording | Search screenshots you already took | | Scrolling capture | Yes | Not what the site leads with | No | | OCR | On the capture | Not the reason to install it | On the files in your folders | | Recording | No | Yes, plus a video editor | No | | Price we could verify | Free download; $12 once for Basic | $0, per the developer | $4.99 | | macOS, per the developer | 10.15 or later | 14 or later | 14 or later | ## Which one to install - You want scrolling screenshots, OCR, and a ruler, and you do not need a recorder: Shottr - You want capture and recording in one free app, on macOS 14 or later: Better Shot - The screenshot already exists and you cannot find it: DejaShot - You want CleanShot's cloud sharing and team controls specifically: none of these three claim to replace that ## What this page does not claim These apps were not timed against CleanShot X. The table is what each developer says the app does, and the prices listed on their sites when this was written. If a price page changes, the developer is right and this paragraph is stale. ## From the directory - [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - [DejaShot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot) ## Keep reading - [Must-Have Mac Apps (2026): Essential Picks | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/must-have-mac-apps-2026) - Discover the must have mac apps for 2026. Hand-picked utilities grouped by job for screenshots, menu bar, clipboard, voice, writing, and disk maintenance. - [Best Free Mac Apps (2026): Hand-Picked | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-free-mac-apps) - Better Shot is marked Free. Shottr, Voicera, MacWhisper, and Anytype are freemium. Mole is $19 once, so it is not a free app. - [Best Clipboard Manager for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-clipboard-manager-mac) - Find the best clipboard manager mac utility for 2026. Compare Tucket, Clippio, and Maclip on privacy, notch access, encryption, and one-time pricing. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Best Bartender Alternative for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps > Find the best bartender alternative for your workflow. Compare ClearBar and Lounge for hiding menu bar icons, and see when Alcove uses the notch instead. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-bartender-alternative-mac Last updated: 2026-10-25 By Firoj Alam Published: October 25, 2026 Last updated: October 25, 2026 Read: 6 min Tags: Menu bar, Utilities Finding the best bartender alternative keeps your macOS menu bar uncluttered when background utilities crowd the screen. [ClearBar for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) and [Lounge for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) hide icons, while [Alcove for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) uses the notch. Bartender is the app people install when third-party icons crowd the menu bar, and when the MacBook notch covers the ones at the edge. The three apps below are the ones on this shelf that get mentioned for that problem. They are not the same kind of tool. ## What you are actually replacing Bartender's job is small. It tucks menu bar icons away and lets you open them again. If that is the annoyance, you want a hider. If the annoyance is that notifications and music have nowhere to sit, you want something in the notch. Buying a notch toy will not tidy a bar full of icons. Looking for tools that transform the notch into an interactive application tray? Read our companion [NotchNook alternative guide](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac). - Too many icons, and you still want each menu one click away: a hider - Icons disappearing under the notch: a hider that knows the notch is there - Notifications, music, and battery as a small island: a notch display, not a hider ## Hiding icons: ClearBar and Lounge [ClearBar for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps those apps in one panel, where you can open a menu or quit the app. The developer says it runs on macOS 26 or 27, and only on Apple silicon. The site listed a launch price of $5, then $12, paid once. Read [clearbarmac.app](https://clearbarmac.app/) before you pay. [Lounge for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) also hides and shows menu bar icons. Hover near the notch and a panel opens with the hidden icons and the ones still on the bar. Clipboard history is in that panel. The developer says it needs macOS 26 or later. Check [bartendermacoslounge.com](https://www.bartendermacoslounge.com/) for the current price. Between those two, the split is the panel. ClearBar is a list of hidden apps with memory and quit. Lounge is a notch-side panel that also keeps clipboard history. ## The notch: Alcove [Alcove for Mac](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) is not a Bartender stand-in. It turns the notch into a small display for notifications, now playing, and status, closer to the iPhone Dynamic Island than to a menu bar manager. The developer says it needs macOS 15 or later. See [tryalcove.com](https://tryalcove.com/). ## Side by side | | ClearBar | Lounge | Alcove | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Job | Hide menu bar icons | Hide menu bar icons | Notch display | | Where the hidden stuff goes | One panel, with memory and quit | A panel by the notch, plus clipboard history | The notch itself | | macOS, per the developer | 26 or 27, Apple silicon | 26 or later | 15 or later | | Price we could verify | $5 launch, then $12, paid once | Not listed on the site | Not listed on the site | ## Which one to install - You want the bar clean and a panel that can quit a heavy app: ClearBar - You want the bar clean and you already live near the notch, or you want clipboard history there: Lounge - You want notifications and music in the notch, and the icons can stay: Alcove ## What this page does not claim Browse our homepage to discover more of the [best Mac apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) for keeping macOS clean and distraction-free. ## From the directory - [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) - [Lounge](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) - [ClearBar](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) ## Keep reading - [Best NotchNook Alternative for Mac (2026)](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notchnook-alternative-mac) - NotchDodo and Droppy put tools in the notch for $9.99 once. Alcove, already listed here, is the notification island. NotchNook is $15 once or $2 a month. - [Best Notch Apps for Mac (2026) | PickMacApps](https://pickmacapps.store/blog/best-notch-apps-mac) - Discover the top notch app mac tools for 2026. Compare Alcove, NotchDodo, Droppy, Lounge, and Tucket to turn the MacBook camera cutout into a useful hub. ## Related - [All guides](https://pickmacapps.store/blog) --- # Productivity Mac Apps > Discover the best Mac productivity apps in 2026 hand-picked for macOS Sequoia and Apple Silicon. From notch-aware clipboard managers and menu bar… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity Discover the best Mac productivity apps in 2026 hand-picked for macOS Sequoia and Apple Silicon. From notch-aware clipboard managers and menu bar organizers to distraction-free window managers, these utilities streamline daily desktop workflows without battery drain or unnecessary system overhead. Rather than bloated all-in-one suites, modern Mac productivity favors lightweight, single-purpose utilities built in native Swift. Browse vetted tools offering one-time licenses, transparent offline local storage, and instant keyboard shortcuts that let you get things done faster. ## What to look for - Native Swift vs Electron: Native Mac apps consume significantly less RAM and idle CPU, keeping your MacBook cool and responsive. - System Resource Footprint: Prioritize background utilities that use fewer than 50MB RAM and draw zero continuous background CPU cycles. - Privacy & Data Locality: Look for tools that process your clipboard, windows, and document history 100% on-device without cloud sync requirements. - Pricing Transparency: Favor upfront one-time licenses or generous perpetual fallback options over aggressive recurring monthly subscriptions. ## 6 productivity apps - [HoldSpeak](https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak) - Dictation into any Mac app, on the device, paid once. - [Precis](https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis) - On-device dictation that types where the cursor is. - [Voicera](https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera) - Dictation into any app, with a free weekly cap. - [Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype) - Local-first notes as typed objects, with encryption and peer-to-peer sync. - [iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer) - A focused markdown editor sold as a one-time purchase on the Mac. - [Clippio](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio) - On-device clipboard history, paid once. ## Related - [All apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) --- # Utility Mac Apps > Mac utility apps bridge the missing gaps in macOS, giving you finer control over disk space, battery health, notch widgets, and background process… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility Mac utility apps bridge the missing gaps in macOS, giving you finer control over disk space, battery health, notch widgets, and background process management. Whether you need to reclaim tens of gigabytes of hidden caches or customize the MacBook camera cutout, these utilities deliver precision control. Every tool in this directory has been vetted for macOS Sequoia compatibility and Apple Silicon architecture. We highlight transparent disk analyzers, menu bar cleaners, and notch companions that do one job exceptionally well without cluttering your system. ## What to look for - Non-Destructive Cleaning: Ensure disk analyzers visualize storage and let you choose what to delete rather than running automated black-box cleanup scripts. - Notch & Menu Bar Adaptability: Look for utilities that gracefully handle both notched MacBook displays and traditional external 4K/5K monitors. - Apple Silicon Optimization: Confirm universal or native arm64 binary support for maximum power efficiency and instant launch times. - System Permissions: Pay attention to apps requiring Full Disk Access or Accessibility permissions — ensure the developer provides transparent privacy disclosures. ## 15 utility apps - [Alcove](https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove) - A notch display for notifications and now playing. - [Droppy](https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy) - A Dynamic Island that also works without a notch. - [Mole](https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole) - Uninstall apps, map the disk, and clear caches. - [Boom](https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom) - Screen recording and live presentation, without a timeline. - [NotchDodo](https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo) - Music, timers, calendar, and files in the notch. - [Bytesweep](https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep) - Shows what is filling the disk, then deletes only what you approve. - [Better Shot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot) - Free screenshots and screen recording, with annotation. - [Screen Charm](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm) - Records the screen, then zooms on each click. - [Tucket](https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket) - Clipboard history from the notch, kept on the Mac. - [DejaShot](https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot) - Search the screenshots you already took. - [Plumby](https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby) - Finds leftover files and large caches you choose to remove. - [Lounge](https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge) - Hides menu bar icons and opens them from a notch panel. - [Maclip](https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip) - Encrypted clipboard history on the Mac, paid once. - [ClearBar](https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar) - Hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps them in one panel. - [MacWhisper](https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper) - Quickly transcribe audio files into text on your Mac ## Related - [All apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) --- # Dev Mac Apps > Streamline your software engineering workflow with Mac developer tools crafted for modern web, mobile, and systems programming. From local server… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/category/dev Streamline your software engineering workflow with Mac developer tools crafted for modern web, mobile, and systems programming. From local server orchestration to API testing and terminal enhancement, these tools optimize developer productivity. Find native macOS developer utilities optimized for zsh, Xcode, Git, and Docker workflows that minimize context-switching and accelerate your development loop. ## What to look for - CLI & GUI Synergy: Great Mac dev tools offer both a fast visual UI and a command-line interface for scripting and terminal efficiency. - Low CPU Overhead: Developer machines already run heavy Docker containers and builds — your auxiliary dev utilities should stay lean. - Keyboard-First Navigation: Look for comprehensive command palettes and customizable hotkeys to stay in your coding flow. - Security Audits: Ensure tools that handle API keys or database credentials store secrets in the secure macOS Keychain. ## 1 dev apps - [Helumi](https://pickmacapps.store/app/helumi) - More space for your Mac, without buying a new one. ## Related - [All apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) --- # Design Mac Apps > Curated Mac design tools for UI/UX designers, illustrators, and visual creators. From pixel-perfect screenshot measurement to palette generators and… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/category/design Curated Mac design tools for UI/UX designers, illustrators, and visual creators. From pixel-perfect screenshot measurement to palette generators and vector canvas tools, these utilities enhance your creative precision. Explore lightweight design companions that integrate into your menu bar or hotkey flow, enabling rapid asset extraction, OCR text grabbing, and design feedback. ## What to look for - Sub-Pixel & Retina Accuracy: Verify that screenshot and measurement tools support 2x Retina display rendering and sub-pixel measurement. - Instant Annotation: Look for screenshot tools that let you blur sensitive info, draw clean numbered steps, and copy to clipboard instantly. - Built-in OCR: Built-in text recognition in screenshot utilities saves hours of manual transcription from static mockups. - Export Flexibility: Support for SVG, WebP, PNG, and transparent background formats is crucial for web and mobile design. ## 2 design apps - [ScreenToast](https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast) - Demo recorder with click zooms and drafted narration. - [Shottr](https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr) - Screenshots, scrolling capture, OCR, and a screen ruler. ## Related - [All apps](https://pickmacapps.store/) --- # Helumi > Helumi: More space for your Mac, without buying a new one. Helumi is a macOS application that adds a cloud drive to Finder with terabytes of space and… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/helumi Last updated: 2026-10-03 ![Helumi](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/helumidemo2.jpg) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Dev](https://pickmacapps.store/category/dev) - Added: 2026-10-03 Helumi is a macOS application that adds a cloud drive to Finder with terabytes of space and zero bytes used on your Mac. Files look and open like normal, but they live in the cloud and stream only the parts you need, so large videos start playing instantly. This tool is designed for video editors, photographers, and creators who work with large files and are running out of disk space. Key Features: - Adds a Helumi drive in Finder, next to Macintosh HD, with up to 30 TB of space. - Streams only the part of a file you need, so large videos start in under a second. - Keeps files off your disk, with an option to keep folders offline. - Shares files with a link and collects files from anyone. - Restores deleted files for 30 days and resumes interrupted uploads. Helumi is a macOS application that gives your Mac terabytes of cloud storage as a normal Finder drive, using zero local disk space. Files stream on demand, so even huge videos open instantly. [Visit website](https://www.helumi.app/) ## Related - [Dev](https://pickmacapps.store/category/dev) --- # MacWhisper > MacWhisper: Quickly transcribe audio files into text on your Mac. MacWhisper is a Mac transcription app that uses OpenAI's Whisper and Nvidia Parakeet… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/macwhisper Last updated: 2026-05-09 ![MacWhisper](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Macwhisperdemo.gif) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-05-09 MacWhisper is a Mac transcription app that uses OpenAI's Whisper and Nvidia Parakeet to turn audio and video into accurate, searchable text in seconds. All transcription runs locally on your device with Metal and GPU acceleration. Core features: • Drag-and-drop transcription with up to 300x realtime speeds • Records meetings, microphone, and system audio with automatic detection • Speaker recognition, batch transcription, and YouTube video support • Realtime captions with live translation, plus DeepL subtitle translation • Integrates with ChatGPT, Claude, Groq, Ollama, and 100+ supported languages Join thousands of journalists, researchers, students, and creators trusting MacWhisper for fast, private, on-device transcription. [Visit website](https://goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l/macwhisper) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Anytype > Anytype: Local-first notes as typed objects, with encryption and peer-to-peer sync. Anytype is the notes app in the Logseq guide. It organizes… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/anytype Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Anytype](https://pickmacapps.store/apps/anytype-cover.jpg) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 Anytype is the notes app in the Logseq guide. It organizes information as typed objects with relations, keeps data local-first, and syncs peer-to-peer. The app has a free plan. Paid memberships add remote storage and sharing limits. Check current prices on anytype.io before you buy. [Visit website](https://anytype.io) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # iA Writer > iA Writer: A focused markdown editor sold as a one-time purchase on the Mac. iA Writer is the writing app in the Ulysses guide. It is a markdown editor… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/ia-writer Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![iA Writer](https://pickmacapps.store/apps/ia-writer-cover.jpg) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 iA Writer is the writing app in the Ulysses guide. It is a markdown editor built around a calm page and plain-text files. The Mac app is a one-time purchase, sold separately from the iPhone, iPad, and Windows versions. The developer's buy page listed the Mac app at $49.99. Confirm the current price on ia.net before you buy. [Visit website](https://ia.net/writer) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # ClearBar > ClearBar: Hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps them in one panel. ClearBar hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps those apps in one panel… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/clearbar Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![ClearBar](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/ClearBardemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 ClearBar hides third-party menu bar icons and keeps those apps in one panel, where you can open a menu or quit the app. The developer says it needs macOS 26 or 27 on Apple silicon. The site listed a launch price of $5, then $12, as a one-time purchase. Check the price on the site before you buy. [Visit website](https://clearbarmac.app/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Lounge > Lounge: Hides menu bar icons and opens them from a notch panel. Lounge hides and reveals menu bar icons and opens a panel near the notch, with… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/lounge Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Lounge](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Loungedemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Lounge hides and reveals menu bar icons and opens a panel near the notch, with clipboard history in that panel. The developer says it needs macOS 26 or later. The site did not list a price when this was checked. [Visit website](https://www.bartendermacoslounge.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Alcove > Alcove: A notch display for notifications and now playing. Alcove puts notifications, now playing, and status in a notch display styled like the iPhone… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/alcove Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Alcove](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/alcovedemo.webp) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Alcove puts notifications, now playing, and status in a notch display styled like the iPhone Dynamic Island. The developer says it needs macOS 15 or later. The site did not list a price when this was checked. It is not a menu bar icon hider. [Visit website](https://tryalcove.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # HoldSpeak > HoldSpeak: Dictation into any Mac app, on the device, paid once. HoldSpeak types what you say into the Mac app where the cursor is. The developer says… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/holdspeak Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![HoldSpeak](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/holdspeakdemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 HoldSpeak types what you say into the Mac app where the cursor is. The developer says transcription stays on the Mac, with no account, and that you pay once after a 7-day trial. It needs Apple silicon and macOS 14.6 or later. The site did not list a dollar price when this was checked. [Visit website](https://holdspeak.com/) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # Precis > Precis: On-device dictation that types where the cursor is. Precis types what you say into the app where the cursor is, and the developer says the… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/precis Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Precis](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Precisdemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 Precis types what you say into the app where the cursor is, and the developer says the audio stays on the Mac. The site listed a founding price of $19, then $29, paid once. It says the app needs macOS 26.5 on Apple silicon. Check the price before you buy. [Visit website](https://myprecis.app/) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # Voicera > Voicera: Dictation into any app, with a free weekly cap. Voicera types speech into the app you are using. The developer says audio is streamed for… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/voicera Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Voicera](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Voicerademo.jpg) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 Voicera types speech into the app you are using. The developer says audio is streamed for recognition and not kept after the text comes back. A free plan was listed at 500 words a week. Pro was listed at $12 a month, or $5 a month on the yearly plan. Check voicera.app before you subscribe. [Visit website](https://voicera.app/) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # Shottr > Shottr: Screenshots, scrolling capture, OCR, and a screen ruler. Shottr takes screenshots, including scrolling captures, and adds OCR, a screen ruler… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/shottr Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Shottr](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/shottr.jpg) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Design](https://pickmacapps.store/category/design) - Added: 2026-10-25 Shottr takes screenshots, including scrolling captures, and adds OCR, a screen ruler, and a color picker. It runs on macOS 10.15 or later. The purchase page lists a one-time Basic license at $12, for one person and up to five computers, and says a free copy asks you to upgrade after 30 days. A license is required for commercial use. Check shottr.cc before you pay. [Visit website](https://shottr.cc/) ## Related - [Design](https://pickmacapps.store/category/design) --- # Better Shot > Better Shot: Free screenshots and screen recording, with annotation. Better Shot takes screenshots and records the screen, then lets you annotate or… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/better-shot Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Better Shot](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/BetterShotdemo.png) - Price model: Free - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Better Shot takes screenshots and records the screen, then lets you annotate or edit the video. The developer says it is free, with no account and no watermark, and that it needs macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel. The site also calls it open source. [Visit website](https://www.bettershot.site/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # DejaShot > DejaShot: Search the screenshots you already took. DejaShot does not take the screenshot. It reads the text inside screenshots you already saved and… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/dejashot Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![DejaShot](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/DejaShotdemo.png) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 DejaShot does not take the screenshot. It reads the text inside screenshots you already saved and notes which app they came from, so you can search them. The site listed a price of $4.99 and said it needs macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://dejashot.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Screen Charm > Screen Charm: Records the screen, then zooms on each click. Screen Charm records the screen, camera, and audio, then applies a zoom on each click after… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/screen-charm Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Screen Charm](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/screencharmdemo.mp4) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Screen Charm records the screen, camera, and audio, then applies a zoom on each click after the recording. The site listed a one-time price of $99, with $149 shown as the regular price, and said there is no subscription. macOS 14 or later is recommended. [Visit website](https://screencharm.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # ScreenToast > ScreenToast: Demo recorder with click zooms and drafted narration. ScreenToast records a product demo and adds zooms on clicks. It can also draft a… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/screentoast Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![ScreenToast](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/ScreenToastdemo.jpg) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Design](https://pickmacapps.store/category/design) - Added: 2026-10-25 ScreenToast records a product demo and adds zooms on clicks. It can also draft a narration from what you did and read it aloud. The site listed Pro at $7 a month, or $59 a year, and said export needs Pro. It needs macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://screentoast.com/) ## Related - [Design](https://pickmacapps.store/category/design) --- # Boom > Boom: Screen recording and live presentation, without a timeline. Boom records the screen and runs live presentations with layout changes and zoom… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/boom Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Boom](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/boomdemo.avif) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Boom records the screen and runs live presentations with layout changes and zoom, without an editing timeline. The site offers a free trial and did not list a price when this was checked. It needs macOS 13 or later. [Visit website](https://www.boomvideo.app/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Tucket > Tucket: Clipboard history from the notch, kept on the Mac. Tucket keeps a history of what you copy and opens it from the MacBook notch. The developer… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/tucket Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Tucket](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Tucketdemo.jpg) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Tucket keeps a history of what you copy and opens it from the MacBook notch. The developer says nothing you copy leaves the Mac. The site listed a lifetime price of $10, with $15 shown as the regular price, and said it needs macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://www.trytucket.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Clippio > Clippio: On-device clipboard history, paid once. Clippio stores clipboard history on the Mac, with search, pins, and text recognition on copied images… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/clippio Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Clippio](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Clippiodemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) - Added: 2026-10-25 Clippio stores clipboard history on the Mac, with search, pins, and text recognition on copied images. The developer says there is no cloud sync. The site listed a one-time price of $6.90 and macOS 13 or later. [Visit website](https://clippio.siliconapps.dev/) ## Related - [Productivity](https://pickmacapps.store/category/productivity) --- # Maclip > Maclip: Encrypted clipboard history on the Mac, paid once. Maclip stores clipboard history encrypted on the Mac, and it can paste several clips in… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/maclip Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Maclip](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Maclipdemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Maclip stores clipboard history encrypted on the Mac, and it can paste several clips in order. The developer says clips are not uploaded, and that password-manager apps are ignored. The site listed $9.99 once for up to two Macs, with a 7-day trial, and macOS 13 or later. [Visit website](https://www.maclip.cc/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # NotchDodo > NotchDodo: Music, timers, calendar, and files in the notch. NotchDodo turns the MacBook notch into a hover panel for music, timers, calendar, files… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/notchdodo Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![NotchDodo](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/NotchDododemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 NotchDodo turns the MacBook notch into a hover panel for music, timers, calendar, files, notes, and clipboard. The site listed a lifetime license at $9.99 and said it needs macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://notchdodo.com/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Droppy > Droppy: A Dynamic Island that also works without a notch. Droppy is a Dynamic Island for the Mac. On a Mac without a notch, or on an external display… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/droppy Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Droppy](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Droppydemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Droppy is a Dynamic Island for the Mac. On a Mac without a notch, or on an external display, it uses that island instead of a camera cutout. The site listed $9.99 once, with a three-day trial, and macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://getdroppy.app/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Mole > Mole: Uninstall apps, map the disk, and clear caches. Mole uninstalls Mac apps together with leftover files, and it also maps disk usage and clears… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/mole Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Mole](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/moledemo.webp) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Mole uninstalls Mac apps together with leftover files, and it also maps disk usage and clears caches. The site listed $19 once, with a 14-day refund, and macOS 14 or later. [Visit website](https://mole.fit/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Plumby > Plumby: Finds leftover files and large caches you choose to remove. Plumby finds caches, old installers, iPhone backups, and files left behind after an… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/plumby Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Plumby](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Plumbydemo.png) - Price model: Freemium - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 Plumby finds caches, old installers, iPhone backups, and files left behind after an app is dragged to the Trash. The site listed $29 a year or $79 once, and macOS 15 or later. It only removes what you select. [Visit website](https://plumby.app/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Bytesweep > Bytesweep: Shows what is filling the disk, then deletes only what you approve. ByteSweep shows what is using disk space and cleans only what you… Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/app/bytesweep Last updated: 2026-10-25 ![Bytesweep](https://pub-621eb870dc3341c586576c494fa43fdc.r2.dev/Bytesweepdemo.png) - Price model: Paid - Category: [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) - Added: 2026-10-25 ByteSweep shows what is using disk space and cleans only what you approve. The developer says it does not remove anything until you say so, and that cleaned items can be restored for 7 days. The site listed $29.99 once, a 3-day Mac trial, and macOS 14 or later. It is a disk cleaner, not an app uninstaller. [Visit website](https://bytesweep.app/) ## Related - [Utility](https://pickmacapps.store/category/utility) --- # Privacy > What the PickMacApps submit form collects, and what it does not. Canonical: https://pickmacapps.store/privacy The submit form asks for an app name, website, tagline, description, icon, category, price model, and email so a listing can be reviewed. That information is used only to reply about the submission. It is not sold. The site does not ask you to create an account. Theme preference is stored in this browser. Fonts are loaded from Google Fonts, which means your browser requests them from Google. Editor’s Choice listings are labeled Editor’s Choice. This page describes the site’s own practices. It is not legal advice. ## Related - [Submit an app](https://pickmacapps.store/submit)