11 Must-Have Productivity Apps for Mac Users
Discover the best Mac productivity apps that actually make you faster.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You sit down at your Mac, coffee ready, determined to get things done.
Ten minutes later, you’re chasing tabs, jumping between tools, and trying to remember the one idea you just had. The hardware is elegant. The OS is polished. But focus? That still takes work.
That’s where the right Mac productivity apps help. Not more clutter, just the right helpers that match your rhythm, remove friction, and keep you moving.
In this guide, we’ll cover the 11 best Mac productivity apps for 2025, why they matter, who each one is best for, and how to build a simple stack that feels natural, without overwhelm.
What Makes a Good Productivity App for Mac?
A great Mac productivity app should make your work feel lighter, not heavier. It should help you move faster with fewer clicks and decisions, fitting naturally into your existing habits instead of forcing a new workflow.
The best apps stay fast, distraction-free, and sync reliably across your Mac, iPhone, and other devices. Most importantly, they should work smoothly with the tools you already love using.
How to Pick the Best Mac Productivity Apps?
When testing apps, you have to focus on how they actually feel in daily use like speed, simplicity, and whether they stay out of your way. Also look for real, practical benefits like quick task entry, smooth focus tools, and Pomodoro or energy-based planning features.
Cross-device reliability mattered too, because productivity shouldn’t break when you switch from laptop to phone. It is also important to consider fair pricing, clean design, and how well each app connects to the wider Mac ecosystem you already rely on.
Quick Comparison Table
App | Best For | Platforms | Pricing* |
Focuzed | Planning days by energy & focus | Mac (web/desktop), iOS, Android, Web | From $9/mo; Lifetime $99 |
Raycast | Keyboard-first speed on Mac | macOS (Windows beta) | Free; Pro ~$8/mo |
Things 3 | Clean, Apple-only tasking | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Watch | One-time (per platform) |
Todoist | Simple, cross-platform tasking | Mac, iOS, Android, Web, extensions | Free; Pro from $5/mo |
Notion | All-in-one notes + DBs | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Web | Free; paid ~$10/mo |
1Password | Fast, secure logins | Mac, iOS, Android, Web, extensions | From ~$2.39/mo |
Fantastical | Powerful calendar on Apple | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Watch, Windows | Free; Premium ~$4.75/mo |
Rize | Automatic time tracking | macOS, Windows | Free; Paid from $12.99/mo |
Otter.ai | Meeting notes without typing | Web, iOS, Android | Free; Pro from $8.33/mo |
OmniFocus | Heavy project complexity | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Web | Std $74.99; Pro $149.99 |
Session | Distraction-free deep work | macOS, iPad | Free; Pro $4.99/mo |
The 11 Best Mac Productivity Apps for 2025
These 11 apps represent the best of what’s available for Mac users in 2025, each bringing unique features that stand out from the crowd.
1. Focuzed.io
.png)
Focuzed is an AI-powered task manager that actually understands how your brain works, like when you have energy, when you lose focus, and how your mood changes through the day.
Focuzed uses AI to plan your day around your real energy, not just your time. Instead of guessing what to do next, the app guides you through your day step by step, so you work smarter, not harder.
Each morning, Focuzed helps you analyze your energy and says your peak time and slump time. It uses energy-based time boxing to match each task with the right time of day, when your focus is sharpest. If you wear an Apple Watch or Oura Ring, the app even adjusts your schedule based on how rested or tired you feel.
For people who struggle with ADHD or focus issues, Focuzed keeps things simple. You can switch tasks with one tap, avoiding overwhelm and decision fatigue.
It also connects with your favorite tools: Notion, ClickUp, Trello, and Asana, so you don’t have to rebuild your system. The built-in Eisenhower Matrix sorts your tasks by urgency and importance, helping you focus only on what moves you forward.
Platforms: Mac, iOS, Android, and Web.
Pricing: Starts at $9/month, including unlimited tasks, focus analytics, and smart scheduling features. Also has a lifetime deal at $99 (60-day money-back guarantee)
2. Raycast
Raycast acts like Spotlight on your Mac, but goes further. It gives you quick access to apps, files, window arrangements, clipboard history, and more, all with keyboard shortcuts.
With Raycast you don’t leave your keyboard to switch tasks. You type a few keys, and you’re there.
For developers, Raycast connects to tools like GitHub, opens projects fast in editors like VS Code, and lets you run simple scripts with one shortcut. No more mouse clicks.
The free version has strong features. If you upgrade to Pro, you get extra tools: AI commands, cloud sync across Macs, and unlimited paste history.
Raycast is for Mac users who want speed and control. If you use many apps, many windows, and repeat many tasks, Raycast can save you time.
Platforms: macOS and (and a Windows beta version exists).
Pricing: Free tier available. Pro plan begins around $8/month (billed annually) for extra features.
3. Things3
Things 3 is a task manager built just for Apple users. It offers a one-time cost instead of monthly fees.
The app helps you create tasks by typing in plain words like “Dinner with Dad tomorrow 7 pm”. It then sets the date and reminder for you.
You can group tasks into projects, add tags, set deadlines, and view your important items in the “Today” list. This keeps your day clean and clear instead of messy.
All your tasks stay in sync across your devices. You don’t need to rebuild your lists when you switch devices. Unlike many task apps that make you pay every month, Things 3 has one-time payments for each platform. Once you buy it, the app is yours.
If you’re tired of apps that confuse you with too many features, or you use Apple gear only and want something clean and reliable, Things 3 is a strong choice.
Platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Apple Watch
Pricing: One-time purchase (varies by platform)
4. Todoist
Todoist is one of the most trusted and easy-to-use task managers. It helps you capture tasks fast, organize them clearly, and stay on top of everything you need to do.
You can type something natural like “Every Monday at 9 am: Weekly Review,” and Todoist instantly understands what you mean.
It also follows the GTD (Getting Things Done) method — you can group tasks into projects, use tags and filters, and see what’s urgent or due soon.
Tasks sync instantly, so you never lose track, no matter what device you use. It also connects with popular apps and automation tools to make your workflow smoother.
Todoist is for people who want a simple, reliable way to manage work and personal life in one place. It’s clean, fast, and designed to help you focus on finishing tasks, not just listing them.
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web, Browser & Email extensions
Pricing: Free version available. Pro plan starts at $5/month, with more projects, filters, and reminders.
5. Notion
.png)
Notion is a workspace app that mixes notes, tables, wikis, and project tools in one place.
You can build your own system for school, work, or team tasks. You might drag a database here, embed a file there, and make dashboard views, so everything is on one screen.
The smart AI in Notion helps you write drafts, pull out tasks from notes, and make long text into short summaries.
If you want one place to hold notes, tasks, and ideas and let an AI help you turn them into action, Notion is a solid choice.
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web.
Pricing: Notion has a Free tier and paid plans at around $10/month when billed yearly.
.png)
6. 1Password
1Password stores your passwords, 2FA (two-factor) codes, payment info, and secure notes in an encrypted vault. It works on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, web, and with browser extensions.
On the Mac version, you can use Universal Autofill so you fill logins, codes, and apps with one shortcut.
Typing or copying passwords is slow and risky. 1Password 8 makes logging in fast and safe. Instead of chasing passwords, you can get to work. Its design is clean and made for modern devices, so it feels like part of your workflow, not a distraction.
Platforms: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web, Browser extensions
Pricing: Individual plans begin around USD $2.39/month (when billed annually) for personal use cases. It has different pricing for different categorizes.
.png)
7. Fantastical
Fantastical is a calendar and task app that understands plain English. For instance, you can type “Lunch with Sam next Thursday at 1 pm,” and it turns that into an event.
The app shows your schedule in day, week, month, and year views. It handles time zones, gives you clean calendar sets, and supports tasks and events in one place.
If your calendar is a mess, you lose time by rescheduling, missing events, or juggling time zones. Fantastical reduces that friction by making event creation fast and flexible. It uses natural-language parsing and offers smart views, so you spend less time setting things up and more time doing them.
It is best for Mac users (and now Windows too) who live by their schedule, manage many events, switch time zones, or simply want more control than the default calendar app offers.
Platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Apple Watch, Windows.
Pricing: There is a Free version with basic features. Premium (called Flexibits Premium, which includes Fantastical + other apps) is around US $4.75/month (billed annually) for full features.
8. Rize
Rize is a time-tracking app that works quietly in the background. It watches what you do on your Mac or PC and figures out how you spend your time.
It’s super helpful for freelancers, consultants, or anyone who bills clients, because it shows real data on what you worked on and when.
Rize’s smart AI sorts your time into categories like focus time, meetings, or breaks—all without you starting and stopping timers.
It also shows patterns of distractions and helps you see where you waste time or lose focus.
Platforms: macOS and Windows.
Pricing: Free plan available with very limited data. Paid plans start around US $12.99/month for full tracking and insights (monthly billing is higher).
9. Otter.ai
Otter.ai records and writes down what is said in calls and meetings. It turns voice into text in real time and makes it easy to search through later.
Otter works with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. You can also upload audio or video files, and it will transcribe them for you.
This tool matters because taking notes by hand is slow and easy to mess up. With Otter, you don’t miss decisions. It tags speakers, puts timestamps, and highlights key points so you can focus on the talk instead of scribbling.
It’s best for people who spend lots of time in meetings, interviews or workshops and want accurate, shareable records without having to take all the notes themselves.
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans (Pro) start at about US$8.33/month per user when billed annually.
10. Omnifocus
OmniFocus is a to-do app made for Mac and Apple devices. It gives you strong tools when you have many tasks and many projects.
You can build deep lists, set up project levels, tag things, pick when tasks begin, or defer when you’re not ready to do them. You can sort views, make filters, and see custom lists (called “Perspectives”) so you focus on what matters right now.
If you’re juggling many roles, many projects, and want a system to catch every detail while keeping your mind calm, OmniFocus is built for that.
Platforms: You’ll find OmniFocus on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and the Web. It syncs across your Apple gear.
Pricing: Standard license is around $74.99, Pro is around $149.99 (Mac version).
11. Session
Session is a smart focus timer that helps you concentrate and block distractions.
It uses the Pomodoro style: you work for a set period, then take a break. Then you repeat. But Session adds flexibility: you can choose how long you work and rest based on how you feel.
When you start a session, you can block apps or websites that usually distract you. You set your intention, start working, and let Session keep you on track.
If you’re someone who struggles with staying focused, this app gives structure and support.
Platforms: macOS, iOS (iPad)
Pricing: Free plan available. Pro plan starts at $4.99/month (or about $39.99/year).
.png)
Wrapping Up: Finding Your Best Mac Productivity Stack
These 11 tools are more than apps. They’re the small helpers that turn busy days into focused ones. Each one solves a problem that keeps you from doing your best work, from managing time to cutting distractions.
The secret is to build your setup step by step. Start with one tool that fixes your biggest struggle. Use it every day until it feels natural. Then add another that fills a new gap.
No system works for everyone, but the right mix will feel effortless. When your tools fit your habits, workflows are easier, focus lasts longer, and results come faster.
Your best setup isn’t out there waiting; you build it, one smart choice at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes a productivity app good on Mac?
A good productivity app on Mac works smoothly, lets you add tasks or notes fast, syncs across your devices, and fits the way you work rather than forcing you into someone else’s workflow.
- Can one app really handle tasks, notes, calendar, and focus?
Yes, there are apps built to do all that. But the best choice depends on your daily habits. If you switch a lot between tasks and notes, an all-in-one app works.
- How much should I expect to pay for a top productivity app for Mac?
Many great apps offer a free plan or trial. Paid versions often start around US$5-15/month. Some offer a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.
- How long does it take to see real results from using a productivity app?
You can see improvements almost right away if you stick with the tool for at least a week. Real habits take about 3-4 weeks.
Made with Bullet