The most popular Mac apps, by real installs
Not a list of favorites. These are the 50 Mac apps people actually installed the most in the last 30 days, counted from Homebrew.
Aktualisiert 8. November 2026
On November 8, 2026, the top three are LibreOffice, Docker Desktop and Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Alle 50 anzeigen, or how it's ranked.
Most "best Mac apps" lists are somebody's taste. That's fine, but it's not the question "what do people really use?". So here is a list with no opinions in the order: the Mac apps installed most often through Homebrew, the free package manager a lot of Mac people use to set up a new Mac.
It leans toward people who are comfortable with a terminal, so developer tools rank higher than they would in the Mac App Store. Apps that only ship through the App Store, like Final Cut Pro or Things, can't appear at all. Keep that in mind and it's a surprisingly honest picture.
- Source: Homebrew's public install analytics (formulae.brew.sh), which count installs by people who leave Homebrew's anonymous analytics on. App names and descriptions come from each Homebrew cask.
- Read on: November 8, 2026. The 30 days run from October 9, 2026 to November 8, 2026. MacPip reads it again every week.
- Ranked by: installs in the last 30 days. Nobody can pay for a place, and MacPip apps get no boost.
- Included: Casks that install a Mac app (an .app bundle). Command line tools, fonts and drivers are left out, and so are deprecated and disabled casks.
If you only add one free app from this list, make it Stats. It puts CPU, memory, network and battery in the menu bar, it's open source, and you stop wondering why the fan just turned on.
At a glance
The list
Select a column heading to sort. Apps marked Not on MacPip are shown for the ranking only and link to their own pages. Makers are named only where GitHub, the Mac App Store, MacPip or the maker's own website says who they are.
| App | Links | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LLibreOffice Not on MacPipFree cross-platform office suite, fresh version | Installs, 30 days: 56,542 | Installs, 365 days: 409,736 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 2 |  Docker Desktop Not on MacPipApp to build and share containerised applications and microservices | Installs, 30 days: 36,171 | Installs, 365 days: 528,164 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 3 |  Microsoft Visual Studio Code Not on MacPipOpen-source code editor | Installs, 30 days: 34,295 | Installs, 365 days: 479,148 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 4 |  Blender Not on MacPip3D creation suite | Installs, 30 days: 33,810 | Installs, 365 days: 108,699 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 5 | GGhostty Not on MacPipTerminal emulator that uses platform-native UI and GPU acceleration von GhosttyMITZig | Installs, 30 days: 29,800 | Installs, 365 days: 385,677 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 6 |  Google Chrome Not on MacPipWeb browser | Installs, 30 days: 23,362 | Installs, 365 days: 433,006 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 7 |  OrbStack Not on MacPipReplacement for Docker Desktop | Installs, 30 days: 20,496 | Installs, 365 days: 196,746 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 8 |  Obsidian Not on MacPipKnowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files von Obsidian.md | Installs, 30 days: 20,102 | Installs, 365 days: 207,750 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 9 |  Claude Not on MacPipAnthropic's official Claude AI desktop app | Installs, 30 days: 19,281 | Installs, 365 days: 225,732 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 10 |  iTerm2 Not on MacPipTerminal emulator as alternative to Apple's Terminal app von George NachmanGPL-2.0Swift | Installs, 30 days: 17,749 | Installs, 365 days: 302,938 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 11 |  Android Studio Not on MacPipTools for building Android applications | Installs, 30 days: 14,140 | Installs, 365 days: 128,127 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 12 |  ChatGPT Not on MacPipOpenAI's official ChatGPT desktop app | Installs, 30 days: 12,814 | Installs, 365 days: 94,001 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 13 |  Mozilla Firefox Not on MacPipWeb browser | Installs, 30 days: 12,734 | Installs, 365 days: 182,564 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 14 |  OpenCode Not on MacPipAI coding agent desktop client | Installs, 30 days: 12,009 | Installs, 365 days: 95,183 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 15 |  Stats Not on MacPipSystem monitor for the menu bar von Serhiy MytrovtsiyMITSwiftv3.0.26, Nov 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 11,921 | Installs, 365 days: 146,443 | GitHubHomebrew |
| 16 |  Vorssaint Not on MacPipMenu bar toolkit with keep-awake, system monitor and volume mixer von vorssaint @vorssaintGPL-3.0Swiftv3.4.3, Oct 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 11,269 | Installs, 365 days: 42,510 | GitHubHomebrew |
| 17 |  VLC media player Not on MacPipMultimedia player | Installs, 30 days: 10,794 | Installs, 365 days: 123,104 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 18 | BBetterDisplay Not on MacPipDisplay management tool von waydabber | Installs, 30 days: 9,852 | Installs, 365 days: 94,811 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 19 | GGodot Engine Not on MacPip2D and 3D game engine von Godot Engine | Installs, 30 days: 9,530 | Installs, 365 days: 45,065 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 20 |  UTM Not on MacPipVirtual machines UI using QEMU von UTM @UTMappApache-2.0Swiftv5.0.8, Oct 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 9,413 | Installs, 365 days: 70,187 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 21 | DDBeaver Community Edition Not on MacPipUniversal database tool and SQL client | Installs, 30 days: 9,371 | Installs, 365 days: 128,870 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 22 |  Ollama Not on MacPipGet up and running with large language models locally von Ollama @ollama | Installs, 30 days: 8,979 | Installs, 365 days: 91,726 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 23 |  Rectangle Not on MacPipMove and resize windows using keyboard shortcuts or snap areas von Ryan HansonSwiftv2.0.4, Oct 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 8,932 | Installs, 365 days: 116,454 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 24 | ZZed Not on MacPipMultiplayer code editor von Zed Industries | Installs, 30 days: 8,847 | Installs, 365 days: 112,475 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 25 | PPostman Not on MacPipCollaboration platform for API development | Installs, 30 days: 8,205 | Installs, 365 days: 134,096 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 26 |  Maccy Not on MacPipClipboard manager von Alex Rodionov @p0dejeMITSwift2.8.0, Oct 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 8,164 | Installs, 365 days: 110,868 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 27 | RRaycast Not on MacPipControl your tools with a few keystrokes | Installs, 30 days: 7,519 | Installs, 365 days: 115,989 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 28 | OOBS Not on MacPipOpen-source software for live streaming and screen recording | Installs, 30 days: 7,463 | Installs, 365 days: 52,367 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 29 |  Hammerspoon Not on MacPipDesktop automation application von Hammerspoon TeamMITObjective-C1.1.1, Feb 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 7,416 | Installs, 365 days: 57,272 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 30 |  Spotify Not on MacPipMusic streaming service | Installs, 30 days: 7,347 | Installs, 365 days: 94,391 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 31 |  Brave Not on MacPipWeb browser focusing on privacy | Installs, 30 days: 7,286 | Installs, 365 days: 91,235 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 32 |  Cursor Not on MacPipWrite, edit, and chat about your code with AI | Installs, 30 days: 7,146 | Installs, 365 days: 114,813 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 33 |  LocalSend Not on MacPipOpen-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop von LocalSend | Installs, 30 days: 7,057 | Installs, 365 days: 68,642 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 34 |  IINA Not on MacPipFree and open-source media player von IINA @iina_appGPL-3.0Swiftv1.5.1, Nov 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 6,902 | Installs, 365 days: 72,359 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 35 |  Discord Not on MacPipVoice and text chat software | Installs, 30 days: 6,848 | Installs, 365 days: 93,749 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 36 |  Slack Not on MacPipTeam communication and collaboration software | Installs, 30 days: 6,842 | Installs, 365 days: 83,918 | WebsiteApp StoreHomebrew |
| 37 | ddraw.io Desktop Not on MacPipOnline diagram software von draw.io @drawio | Installs, 30 days: 6,661 | Installs, 365 days: 52,417 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 38 | 11Password Not on MacPipPassword manager that keeps all passwords secure behind one password | Installs, 30 days: 6,542 | Installs, 365 days: 61,620 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 39 |  LM Studio Not on MacPipDiscover, download, and run local LLMs | Installs, 30 days: 6,162 | Installs, 365 days: 58,513 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 40 |  T3 Code Not on MacPipMinimal GUI for AI code agents von Ping.gg @pingdotgg | Installs, 30 days: 5,959 | Installs, 365 days: 18,061 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 41 |  Zoom Not on MacPipVideo communication and virtual meeting platform | Installs, 30 days: 5,816 | Installs, 365 days: 64,931 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 42 | OOpenMTP Not on MacPipAndroid file transfer von Ganesh Rathinavel Medayil @ganeshrvel | Installs, 30 days: 5,669 | Installs, 365 days: 29,039 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 43 | HHomebrew Not on MacPipHomebrew's official GUI von Homebrew @MacHomebrewAGPL-3.0Swiftv0.6.0, Oct 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 5,379 | Installs, 365 days: 12,464 | GitHubHomebrew |
| 44 |  Warp Not on MacPipRust-based terminal | Installs, 30 days: 5,364 | Installs, 365 days: 132,749 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 45 | CCC Switch Not on MacPipConfiguration manager for AI coding agents von Jason Young @Jason_Young1231 | Installs, 30 days: 5,356 | Installs, 365 days: 117,282 | GitHubHomebrew |
| 46 |  SwiftBar Not on MacPipMenu bar customization tool von SwiftBarMITSwiftv2.1.1, Aug 2026 | Installs, 30 days: 4,922 | Installs, 365 days: 32,038 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 47 |  Bitwarden Not on MacPipDesktop password and login vault von Bitwarden @bitwarden | Installs, 30 days: 4,913 | Installs, 365 days: 57,112 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 48 | BBruno Not on MacPipOpen source IDE for exploring and testing APIs von Bruno Software Inc | Installs, 30 days: 4,880 | Installs, 365 days: 71,879 | WebsiteGitHubHomebrew |
| 49 |  Microsoft Edge Not on MacPipMulti-platform web browser | Installs, 30 days: 4,877 | Installs, 365 days: 53,286 | WebsiteHomebrew |
| 50 |  Unity Hub Not on MacPipManagement tool for Unity | Installs, 30 days: 4,829 | Installs, 365 days: 25,917 | WebsiteHomebrew |
The makers behind this list
The people and teams who build these apps, as they name themselves on GitHub or MacPip. Say thanks, star a repo, or follow them.
- GhosttyGhostty, a team
- Obsidian.mdObsidian, a team
- George NachmaniTerm2
- Serhiy MytrovtsiyStats
- vorssaintVorssaint
- waydabberBetterDisplay
- Godot EngineGodot Engine, a team
- UTMUTM, a team
- OllamaOllama, a team
- Ryan HansonRectangle
- Zed IndustriesZed, a team
- Alex RodionovMaccy
- Hammerspoon TeamHammerspoon, a team
- LocalSendLocalSend, a team
- IINAIINA, a team
- draw.iodraw.io Desktop, a team
- Ping.ggT3 Code, a team
- Ganesh Rathinavel MedayilOpenMTP
- HomebrewHomebrew, a team
- Jason YoungCC Switch
- SwiftBarSwiftBar, a team
- BitwardenBitwarden, a team
- Bruno Software IncBruno, a team
Related lists
- The most popular Homebrew casks
- Trending Mac apps this month
- The most popular AI apps for Mac
- The most starred open source Mac apps auf GitHub
- Best free Mac apps
- Native Mac apps, not Electron
- All Mac app rankings
Die Daten holen
Download this list as CSV or read it as Markdown. Free to use: please cite it as MacPip, "The most popular Mac apps, by real installs", https://macpip.com/rankings/most-popular-mac-apps, read November 8, 2026.
Fragen
What is the most popular Mac app right now?
By installs through Homebrew in the 30 days to November 8, 2026, it is LibreOffice, with 56,542 installs. Then Docker Desktop and Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
Where do these numbers come from?
From Homebrew's public analytics. Homebrew counts each install by people who leave its anonymous analytics switched on, and publishes the totals for 30, 90 and 365 days. 2,527,744 cask installs were counted in the last 30 days.
Why is my favorite app missing?
Apps sold only in the Mac App Store are not in Homebrew, so they cannot show up here. Apps installed by downloading them from the maker's site are not counted either. This is one honest slice of Mac use, not all of it.
How often is this list updated?
Every week. MacPip reads Homebrew's numbers again when the copy it has is 7 days old, and the date at the top of the page is the day the numbers were read.