Where to find good Mac apps
Checked October 30, 2026
Short answer
Use the Mac App Store for reviewed apps, but know that many good Mac apps are only on their makers' sites. For those, try Mac directories such as MacUpdate, MacNative and Indie App Catalog, GitHub lists such as awesome-mac, editors such as MacStories, or a Setapp subscription. MacPip is our own directory: small and new, but each checked app shows a dated report.
Pick by what you want
Checked on October 30, 2026. Counts are from each site's own pages.
| Where | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Mac App Store | Reviewed, sandboxed apps with easy updates | Not all good apps are there |
| MacUpdate | A large archive, running since 1997, with 30,000+ apps by its count | No launch moment. Pages are busy |
| Indie App Catalog | Depth, with 2,507 apps from indie makers | Covers all Apple platforms |
| MacNative | Hand-picked native Mac apps, 220 listed | Some rows say Promoted |
| MacMenuBar | Menu bar apps only | Narrow on purpose |
| awesome-mac | A long, free, community-run list on GitHub | A list, with little detail on each app |
| Setapp | A subscription that includes many apps | Curated and paid. Makers apply or get invited |
| MacStories | In-depth reviews by editors | Covers fewer apps |
| Homebrew | Installing developer tools by command | Not for browsing |
| MacPip (our site) | New apps, with a dated check report | 11 apps today, 0 of them checked |
How to judge an app once you find it
- Is it still maintained? Look for a recent update and support for your macOS version.
- What will it really cost? Look for one-time or subscription pricing, and what happens to your data if you stop paying.
- Is it native? Native apps often feel more at home on a Mac, but plenty of good apps are not. Decide whether that matters to you.
- Can you try it? A free trial tells you more than any list.
- Is it signed and notarized? Here is how to check.
Be careful with "best of" lists
Many lists are written by companies selling one of the apps, or are paid for. Check who wrote the list, whether it says what was tested, and whether any row is sponsored. On MacPip, paid rows always say Sponsored, and they are kept out of the list order. Our rules explain how.