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title, date, modified, description, categories
| title | date | modified | description | categories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What software do I use? | 2025-10-24 | 2026-01-31 | Showing the software I use on a typical day |
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Since switching to Mac nearly two years ago, I'm honestly surprised I've never compiled a list of my favourite Mac apps I use on a daily basis. So, here you go!
Zen Browser
Download Zen - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux
To-do: add new image
Zen Browser is a fork of Firefox that recreates the UI and functionality of the Arc browser from BCNY. Unlike Arc, Zen is open-source and won't be discontinued out of nowhere in favour of an AI browser...
I've been using Firefox and Firefox-based for years, as it's pretty fast & supports older MV2 extensions like the full uBlock Origin.
VSCodium
Download VSCodium - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux
To-do: add new image
{{< note title="Update - January 31, 2026" >}} I recently switched back to VSCodium after using Zed for roughly 7 months. Zed's auto complete and extension system just do not cut it for me. {{< /note >}}
VSCodium is a freely-licensed version of Visual Studio Code that removes Microsoft's built-in telemetry, AI features and existing marketplace.
Affinity
Get Affinity - Available on macOS, Windows & soon iPadOS
{{< note >}} Canva launched a new version of Affinity on October 30th, 2025.
It combines the features of Designer, Photo and Publisher into one free application. Login is required and optional AI features are available with a subscription. {{< /note >}}
I use Affinity for designing stuff like logos and the cover images for this website.
I'm not a graphic designer, but it's something I hope to learn in the future.
Ableton Live 12 Suite
Get Ableton Live 12 Suite - Available on macOS & Windows
To-do: add new image
I have used a "LEGITIMATELY OBTAINED" copy of Ableton Live as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for all of my music since 2021.
I have no shame in obtaining my DAW and plugins through other means, they're quite expensive.
I use primarily the Serum 2 synthesiser, various Waves plugins, a few FabFilter plugins and some Kilohearts plugins on my tracks.
If anyone's interested, a typical vocal chain of mine currently includes (in no particular order):
- Ableton's built in Gate effect
- FabFilter Pro Q3/Q4
- FabFilter DS
- FabFilter Saturn 2
- Waves Tune Real-Time from Waves
- CLA-76 and/or CLA-2A from Waves
- Slate Digital Fresh Air
- Manny Marroquin Distortion from Waves
I find both FL Studio and Logic Pro to be too complicated.
Mail (Apple)
Learn more - Available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and visionOS
To-do: add new image
There's not much to say about this one. Apple's Mail app on desktop does the job for me and so does the mobile version.
I've never felt the need for any of those paid apps like Notion Mail or Superhuman.
It also supports the Custom Email Domain feature with iCloud+, which I for this website's domain and a few others.
KeePassXC
Get KeePassXC - Available on macOS, Windows & Linux, with an official browser extension and other third-party KeePass apps available
Using KeePassXC, I moved all of my passwords and passkeys to a KDBX database, rather than relying on iCloud or Firefox Sync to store my passwords.
Databases are encrypted and require a password + key file to unlock.
I sync those two files between multiple devices using Syncthing between my laptop, phone and PC.