#1Visual Studio Code
Code editorA mature, cross-language workbench for editing, debugging, Git, terminals, and extensions.
97/100
Free to useApple SiliconCross-platform~143k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Developers who want one primary editor across frontend, backend, scripting, and remote work.
Not for
Teams already standardized on JetBrains IDEs or workflows that depend on a specialized IDE.
Why it ranks: It has the broadest task coverage and strongest Windows-to-Mac continuity. Homebrew recorded about 143,110 installs in the last 90 days.
Free boundary: The Microsoft distribution is free to use; the upstream Code - OSS source is MIT-licensed. Extensions, cloud services, and AI features have their own terms.
Watch for: A huge extension marketplace can become configuration debt. Start with official extensions and actual project needs.
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
#2GitHub Desktop
Git GUIA visual path through branches, commits, and pull requests that makes first Git workflows less intimidating.
90/100
Open sourceWindows continuityOfficial client~15k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Windows switchers and GitHub users who want dependable commit, branch, and PR basics first.
Not for
People needing advanced rebase, worktrees, GPG, or fully offline Git workflows.
Why it ranks: Its learning curve is unusually low for switchers, and the official client spans Windows and macOS. Homebrew recorded about 15,366 installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: The app is free and open source. GitHub accounts, private repositories, and organization features remain subject to GitHub service plans.
Watch for: It is not a graphical replacement for every Git operation; core commands remain worth learning over time.
brew install --cask github
#4iTerm2
TerminalA fuller terminal for SSH, logs, Git, panes, search, and profiles on macOS.
89/100
Open sourceMac-nativeSSH / panes~98k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Developers who use terminals, remote servers, or several parallel commands every day.
Not for
People who rarely use a shell or are fully served by the built-in Terminal app.
Why it ranks: A mature macOS-native terminal upgrade that reduces friction across multiple sessions. Homebrew recorded about 97,631 installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: Completely free and open source, with no subscription or feature wall.
Watch for: Configurability is not an obligation. Start with panes, Profiles, and search before customizing everything.
brew install --cask iterm2
#5Postman
API testing and collaborationA familiar visual workflow for API requests, environments, collections, tests, and documentation.
84/100
Free core planCross-platformAPI testing~37k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Solo developers debugging REST or GraphQL APIs, especially where the team already uses Postman.
Not for
Strictly offline, local-first workflows or people seeking a minimal open-source API client.
Why it ranks: It has a substantially stronger public installation signal than Bruno: about 37,083 Homebrew installs in 90 days, with broader task coverage.
Free boundary: The Free plan covers core solo API development and testing; collaboration, governance, capacity, and advanced capabilities have plan limits.
Watch for: Accounts, workspaces, and cloud collaboration are part of the product model. Check company policy before putting sensitive endpoints or data in it.
brew install --cask postman
#6Rectangle
Window managementKeyboard layouts for your editor, browser, terminal, and docs—without repetitive window dragging.
83/100
Open sourceWindows continuityKeyboard layouts~33k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Developers using external displays or several reference windows who need more than native macOS tiling.
Not for
People fully served by newer macOS tiling, or unwilling to grant Accessibility permission.
Why it ranks: Development usually spans an editor, terminal, and browser, making layout a direct productivity gain. Homebrew recorded about 33,215 installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: The base app is free and open source; Rectangle Pro is a separate paid product.
Watch for: It needs Accessibility permission. First check whether macOS native tiling already solves the real problem.
brew install --cask rectangle
#7Docker Desktop
Container desktop appA desktop home for Docker Engine, containers, images, Kubernetes, and common development settings on Mac.
81/100
Conditional free useApple SiliconContainer workflow~160k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Developers running project containers or reproducing a team environment who meet Docker Desktop’s free-use eligibility.
Not for
Company users outside Docker’s free license terms, or people who only need a remote Docker host.
Why it ranks: It has broad desktop container coverage and an exceptionally strong public signal—about 159,742 Homebrew installs in 90 days—but the license boundary must come before the recommendation.
Free boundary: Free for personal, education, non-commercial open source, and small businesses with fewer than 250 employees AND under US$10M annual revenue. Larger commercial organizations and government entities need a paid subscription.
Watch for: It uses memory and disk space, and image architecture matters on Apple Silicon. Never assume “free” if your organization is outside the eligibility terms.
brew install --cask docker
#8UTM
VMs and cross-platform testingA visual virtual-machine app for ARM systems and practical cross-platform testing on Apple Silicon.
81/100
Open sourceApple SiliconLinux / Windows ARM~17k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Developers testing Linux, Windows on ARM, or isolated environments who can account for image architecture.
Not for
Anyone expecting zero-setup x86 Windows apps or enterprise VM fleet management.
Why it ranks: Its free-use boundary is clear and its Apple Silicon virtualization path is practical. Homebrew recorded about 16,839 installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: The website and GitHub builds are fully free and open source. The paid Mac App Store version supports the project and includes automatic updates.
Watch for: ARM versus x86 images, virtualization versus emulation, and performance differences are material. Windows licensing is your own responsibility.
#9AltTab
Window switchingA Windows-style Alt+Tab preview that switches individual windows, not only applications.
79/100
Open sourceWindows continuityWindow previews~19k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Windows switchers who keep many editor, terminal, and browser windows open.
Not for
People already comfortable with Command+Tab, Mission Control, and App Exposé.
Why it ranks: It directly addresses a common muscle-memory conflict for Windows-to-Mac switchers. Homebrew recorded about 18,518 installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: Completely free and GPL-licensed, with no subscription or feature wall.
Watch for: It changes a system-level shortcut and needs Accessibility permission. You may outgrow it after learning native macOS navigation.
brew install --cask alt-tab
#10Maccy
Clipboard historyKeeps recently copied snippets, commands, links, and text close at hand.
77/100
Open sourceLocal-firstLow learning cost~30k brew installs / 90 days
Best for
Solo developers frequently copying environment-variable names, log snippets, links, and repeated text.
Not for
Teams that prohibit clipboard histories, or anyone unable to exclude sensitive apps such as password managers and terminals.
Why it ranks: Very low learning cost, high-frequency benefit, and about 30,208 Homebrew installs in 90 days.
Free boundary: Website and Homebrew builds are fully free and MIT-licensed; the Mac App Store version is paid to support the developer.
Watch for: Clipboards can contain tokens, one-time codes, and private data. Configure ignored apps and history duration before making it a habit.
brew install --cask maccy