What apps have you replaced with native macOS alternatives?

I’ve been trying to gradually replace some of the apps I use daily with more native macOS alternatives.

Not that web apps are bad, but I’ve noticed I personally work better with tools that feel more “at home” on macOS — faster to launch, better keyboard shortcuts, less overhead.

For example, I’ve made a few switches recently:

\- Moved away from Obsidian after running into some rendering inconsistencies that started to bother me over time(switching to bear)

\- Using Safari instead of Chrome/Edge for better performance and system integration

\- Recently tried Zed instead of VSCode — not fully native, but surprisingly fast and lightweight

Still trying to reduce reliance on heavier or browser-based tools where it makes sense.

Curious what others here have replaced — especially for writing, research, or productivity workflows.

https://redd.it/1slaftp
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File Arbor — Rule-based file organizer | Free + $24.99 USD Lifetime | macOS & Windows

https://redd.it/1sleqpw
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A Mac app inspired by the feel of classic rhythm games, but for piano

https://redd.it/1sloyt0
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FileMate – simple metadata viewer & editor for macOS

**Problem**

I often need to view and edit file metadata (EXIF, audio tags, etc.). I used to rely on “Any File Info,” but it hasn’t been updated in years and stopped working on Apple Silicon.

macOS “Get Info” is fine for basic info, but it hides most metadata and isn’t great for editing.

**Comparison**

Compared to “Any File Info” and macOS “Get Info”:

* FileMate works on Apple Silicon and is actively maintained
* Shows more detailed metadata (EXIF, audio/video, PDFs)
* Lets you edit common tags and export images without sensitive data (like GPS)

**Pricing**

Free

Mac App Store: [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/filemate-file-metadata-editor/id6761747283?mt=12](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/filemate-file-metadata-editor/id6761747283?mt=12)

Landing page: [https://filemate.homielab.com/](https://filemate.homielab.com/)

https://redd.it/1slvjqs
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Ejectify 2 now available: No more Disk Not Ejected Properly notifications (+ intro discount)

https://redd.it/1sm2zun
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DataSweeper: find out why your Mac is full in 60 seconds. Pay once, use forever.

https://redd.it/1sm7ftg
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Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager.
https://redd.it/1smct7q
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Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager.

https://redd.it/1smddee
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How to gain Post Approval in r/MacApps with "Read the Rules"
https://redd.it/1smg62t
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todoglow update: what shipped in the last two months

https://i.redd.it/niwdtz5w6evg1.gif

Two months ago I shared todoglow here (v1.1). It's at v1.8 now. Short follow-up on what shipped.

Problem
Most todo apps are planners. todoglow is for what happens after planning: take one main task, break it into subtasks, focus on one at a time, and measure how long each one actually took. Subtasks turn over fast in that loop, so every action (add, reorder, start, finish) runs on the keyboard.

Comparison: Things and Todoist organize what needs doing (projects, tags, scheduling). todoglow is what you open once you're actually working: one active todo, a floating focus bar that stays in view, active-time tracking per todo (not wall-clock). It runs alongside a planner rather than replacing one. Keyboard-first, MCP-compatible so Claude Code / Cursor can push todos when they finish a task.

What shipped since

Stats dashboard (⌘U): daily ECG-style pulse, weekly generative glyph that's different every week, monthly ASCII bars, all-time contribution matrix. ← → to switch periods.
Receipt view (⌘Y → ⌘2): open archive, switch to receipt card view. Monthly summary exportable as image.

https://preview.redd.it/dl0k3gh07evg1.jpg?width=1240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ab10de6dd773a03f6e98e0eedee65db4f7a7924

Focus timer: select a todo, press T for 10 / 25 / 52 min. CRT-style grid fills as time passes, and a macOS notification fires when it's done.
Apple Reminders escape hatch: type rem buy milk tomorrow and it drops into Reminders.
International keyboards (QWERTZ, AZERTY) and launch modes (main / focus bar / hidden).
Bulk paste for multi-line imports. ⇧⌘C copies all todos as a markdown checklist.

Shortcuts shown for QWERTY. Set your layout in Settings (QWERTY, QWERTZ, or AZERTY) to match in-app labels.

Pricing
$9.99 this week with code MACAPPS (reg. $14.99 lifetime). Expires Apr 23.
devglow.app/todoglow · 14-day free trial, no card required. macOS 14+.

About me
Blog: aesopflow.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/4esop

Dev here. Most of this list came from feedback on the last thread. If something still doesn't work for you, let me know.

https://redd.it/1smdixk
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