Mac Open Web

A collection of open and indie Mac, iOS, and web apps that help promote the open web. Updated 19 September 2023

Submit any new links and issues on this project at GitHub.

RSS Readers & Discovery

Programming & Development

  • BBEdit

    Image for: BBEdit
    by Bare Bones

    A text editor that doesn’t suck®.

  • CodeKit

    Image for: CodeKit
    by Bryan Jones

    Dozens of modern web development tools in one easy-to-use app. Get to work without grunting, gulping, or 47 trips to Stack Overflow.

  • CotEditor

    Image for: CotEditor
    by CotEditor Project

    A light-weight, neat, yet powerful text editor.

  • Cyberduck

    Image for: Cyberduck
    by iterate GmbH

    An open file transfer and cloud storage browser for the Mac since 2003.

  • DropDMG

    Image for: DropDMG
    by C-Command

    Create professional disk images to deliver your app outside the Mac App Store.

  • Fork

    Image for: Fork
    by Danil Pristupov

    A fast and friendly git client for Mac and Windows.

  • Forklift

    Image for: Forklift
    by Binary Nights

    Powerful, fast FTP client for the Mac.

  • GitFinder

    Image for: GitFinder
    by ZigZag

    A fast and lightweight Git client for Mac with Finder integration.

  • GitUp

    Image for: GitUp
    by GitUp

    A powerful GUI front-end interface for your git repos.

  • Glitch

    Image for: Glitch
    by Glitch

    Glitch is the friendly community where everyone can discover and create the best stuff on the web.

  • iTerm

    Image for: iTerm
    by George Nachman

    iTerm is a powerful replacement for the default Terminal on macOS.

  • MAMP

    Image for: MAMP
    by MAMP GmbH

    Free, local server environment that can be installed with just a few clicks.

  • Nova

    Image for: Nova
    by Panic

    Powerful and beautiful, native code editor for macOS.

  • osagitfilter

    Image for: osagitfilter
    by Doekman

    Filter to put OSA languages (AppleScript, JavaScript) into git, as if they where plain text files.

  • Postgres.app

    Image for: Postgres.app
    by Jakob Egger and Chris Pastl

    The easiest way to get started with PostgreSQL on the Mac.

  • Postico

    Image for: Postico
    by Egger Apps

    A Modern PostgreSQL Client for the Mac.

  • Prompt

    Image for: Prompt
    by Panic

    An elegant and powerful SSH client for iOS.

  • Proxyman

    Image for: Proxyman
    by Proxyman

    Modern. Native. Web Debugging Proxy. Capture HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket with ease.

  • Script Debugger

    Image for: Script Debugger
    by Late Night Software

    The full power of applescript automation. Experience applescript made easy.

  • Sequel Ace

    Image for: Sequel Ace
    by Sequel Ace Devs

    A MySQL/MariaDB management GUI, forked from Sequel Pro.

  • SubEthaEdit

    Image for: SubEthaEdit
    by Dominik Wagner & Contributors

    General purpose plain text editor for macOS. Widely known for its live collaboration feature.

  • Sublime Text & Sublime Merge

    Image for: Sublime Text & Sublime Merge
    by Sublime

    A cross-platform, highly extensible text editor + a Git client, too.

  • Table Tool

    Image for: Table Tool
    by Sandro Peham, Andreas Aigner, and Jakob Egger

    A simple CSV editor for the Mac.

  • TextMate

    Image for: TextMate
    by Macromates

    Powerful and customizable text editor with support for a huge list of programming languages and developed as open source.

  • Transmit

    Image for: Transmit
    by Panic

    Upload, download, and manage files on tons of servers with an easy, familiar, and powerful UI.

Design

Productivity

  • Alfred

    Image for: Alfred
    by Running with Crayons

    Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom actions to control your Mac.

  • FastScripts

    Image for: FastScripts
    by Red Sweater

    Instant access to your scripts, by keyboard shortcut or menubar.

  • Firefox

    Image for: Firefox
    by Mozilla

    Open-source web browser backed by the Mozilla Foundation, fighting for the open web.

  • Hazel

    Image for: Hazel
    by Noodlesoft

    Automated organization for your Mac.

  • Keyboard Maestro

    Image for: Keyboard Maestro
    by Stairways Software

    Automate applications or websites, text or images, simple or complex, on command or scheduled. You can automate virtually anything.

  • LaunchBar

    Image for: LaunchBar
    by Objective Development Software

    Start with a single keyboard shortcut to access and control every aspect of your digital life.

  • MailMate

    Image for: MailMate
    by Benny Kjær Nielsen

    An advanced IMAP client for the Mac, with Markdown editing, keyboard navigation, encryption, and robust search.

  • MenuBar Timer

    Image for: MenuBar Timer
    by Kais K.

    MenuBar Timer is your go-to timer app for macOS, conveniently accessible right from your menu bar.

  • Mimestream

    Image for: Mimestream
    by Neil Jhaveri

    A native macOS email client for Gmail.

  • PopClip

    Image for: PopClip
    by Pilotmoon Software

    Perform quick actions with text snippets on the Mac. Extensible to interact with a bunch of web and native apps.

  • Postbox

    Image for: Postbox
    by Postbox

    Simple, powerful, and transparent email app.

  • Raycast

    Image for: Raycast
    by Raycast

    Launcher with a focus on integration with APIs and web services.

  • SpamSieve

    Image for: SpamSieve
    by C-Command

    Add powerful spam filtering to your Mac e-mail client. Rescue good messages caught by server filters.

Blogging

Text & Writing

  • Archimedes

    Image for: Archimedes
    by Furnace Creek Software

    Markdown and LaTeX editor optimized for technical writing. Available for Mac and iPad.

  • Bear

    Image for: Bear
    by Shiny Frog

    A beautiful, flexible writing app for crafting notes and prose.

  • Byword

    Image for: Byword
    by Metaclassy

    Markdown app for writing in plain text efficiently. Available for Mac, iPhone & iPad.

  • Citationsy

    Image for: Citationsy
    by Cenk Özbakır

    Citationsy is a reference collection and bibliography creation tool for people who value simplicity, privacy, and speed.

  • FSNotes

    Image for: FSNotes
    by Oleksandr Hlushchenko

    Open-source robust notes manager that supports markdown. For Mac & iOS.

  • iA Writer

    Image for: iA Writer
    by iA

    Markdown writing app that removes distractions, giving you a calm, focused writing space.

  • Mellel

    Image for: Mellel
    by Mellel

    A word processor specifically designed for academics, technical writers, scholars, and students.

  • MenuBar Notez

    Image for: MenuBar Notez
    by Kais K.

    A simple menu bar note taking app at your finger tips!

  • Notenik

    Image for: Notenik
    by Herb Bowie

    An open source note-taking app with sync support, user definable fields, Wiki-style note linking, and more.

  • Noteship

    Image for: Noteship
    by Noteship Blog

    Personal notes and knowledge base app focused on privacy and data-longevity; saves locally as simple files (HTML) and folders.

  • nvALT

    Image for: nvALT
    by Brett Terpstra

    A fork of the original Notational Velocity with additional features and interface modifications.

  • Scrivener

    Image for: Scrivener
    by Literature & Latte

    A go-to app for writers of all kinds.

  • Obsidian

    Image for: Obsidian
    by Obsdian

    Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

  • Tot

    Image for: Tot
    by Iconfactory

    An elegant, simple way to collect and edit text on your Mac, iPhone & iPad.

  • Ulysses

    Image for: Ulysses
    by Ulysses GmbH & Co

    A pleasant, focused writing experience with flexible exporting options.

Read Later & Bookmarking

Audio/Video

  • Audacity

    Image for: Audacity
    by Muse Group

    A venerable, open-source audio recording and editing app for macOS. Looks a bit old-fashioned but can do all the simple things easily.

  • Audio Hijack

    Image for: Audio Hijack
    by Rogue Amoeba

    Wildly useful app to route audio from and to any device your computer knows about.

  • Davinci Resolve

    Image for: Davinci Resolve
    by Blackmagic Design

    A free and extensible alternative to Final Cut or Premiere that can do everything you need in a video editor.

  • PowerDirector

    Image for: PowerDirector
    by CyberLink

    An easy-to-use video editor with many presets for common edits or embellishments.

  • Ferrite Recording Studio

    Image for: Ferrite Recording Studio
    by Wooji Juice

    Professional audio recording & multi-track editing for the iPhone & iPad.

  • Reaper

    Image for: Reaper
    by cockos inc.

    A powerful, extensible audio recording and editing app for macOS. It offers a well-conceived alternative workflow to ProTools or other professional grade tools.

  • RiversideFM

    Image for: RiversideFM
    by Riverside

    All-in-one app/site geared toward content creation for podcasts, vidcasts, etc. The iOS apps are especially easy to use.

  • Shotcut

    Image for: Shotcut
    by Meltytech

    An open-source, cross-platform video editor with many, if not all, of the tools you'll find in the commercial products. A helpful and friendly community powers an active forum if you need help.

Podcasting