[Free] Music MCP: a menu bar app that gives your AI agent Apple Music
https://redd.it/1wzaab4
@macappsbackup

[OS] ThermalAtlas: focused temperature monitoring for Apple Silicon Macs for macOS
https://redd.it/1wyzk13
@macappsbackup

ModusPad: a Launchpad-style grid with profiles that switch by Focus, display or schedule (Lifetime, 50% off for r/macapps)

https://redd.it/1wz48pf
@macappsbackup

ClickClack 5.1 – Live Typing Replays, Replay Sharing, Ghost Practice & Ghost Racing

https://redd.it/1wz1ult
@macappsbackup

[Update] BattOpt v1.2.7 - Now supports macOS 27 battery charge limit. Prevent occasional charging to 100%.

https://redd.it/1wzqd7c
@macappsbackup

Window managers for macOS

Hi there, I'm a developer of a few apps. But I am a kb nerd, so WMs have been something i've been using for a while, and I feel like r/macapps also has a lot of kb users, so they might benefit.

Do note that I haven't used rectangle or snappy or those fancy one off window, window managers because to me, I've preferred the auto snapping, and also free and open source ones. Open source is mandatory because it's accessing sensitive APIs.

So here's a list of the ones i've tried, and their "issues" that i've encountered, though do note, the bugs mentioned may or may not have been fixed, so it's worth giving them a try

First, WMs I've installed and tried but don't use / never managed to daily drive:

1. Aerospace - the tiling layout was very weird, too many default workspaces, and it was basically unusable unless you went through the entire file, configuring it, which is too big. it needs separations. It's nice to have a lot to configure, but it's too big to manage and go through. However, this was my experience whereas others have loved aerospace and I will tell you to give it a try, because of how highly many people speak of it.
2. Amethyst - I forgot why I didn't go with this.. I remember installing it.. but I deleted it soon after.

Now these are WMs I've used and I recommend:

[BobrWM](https://github.com/bobrwm/bobrwm/) \- the WM i'm currently daily driving, and have contributed a bit of code to, but not a lot, am not an owner or anything. a WM that works with native workspaces, yes the ones that macos / mission control use.

Pros:

* uses native workspaces (without requiring SIP disabled)
* support for BSP and Monocle layouts,
* low resource usage,
* insanely fast (due to zig + swift)
* supports querying (so you can customise your sketchybar config)
* supports a lot of keyboard shortcuts
* works with multiple displays very well.

Cons:

* fairly new so a small list of features are missing
* not a lot of documentation, so you'll have to read through the sample config file, which honestly isn't too bad.
* uses zon (zig object notation) for the config which isn't exactly common, but is very similar to json.

[Rift](https://acsandmann.github.io/rift-docs/) \- The WM that I used for ages, and is really good..

Pros:

* no need to disable SIP
* has a lot of things you can configure (toml config format)
* supports even subscription so if you're using sketchybar, you don't have to poll the WM, though you can also opt in to do that
* has SKHD (run shell commands from hotkeys) built into it
* is mature so supports a lot of features
* has animations
* supports display specific gaps (something bobrwm doesn't have)

Cons:

* doesn't integrate with native workspaces (which is pretty common)
* was a bit wonky with external / multi display when I tried it

[Yabai](https://github.com/asmvik/yabai) \- the WM that got me into WMs. Is incredibly mature, fast, low resource usage, and works with native workspaces

Pros:

* has pretty much every feature that you could want in a WM because of how mature it is
* works with native workspaces
* has animations, querying etc. etc.
* (there are number wise few "pros" in this list because it supports pretty much everything)
* Amazing documentation for building a WM.
* Yabai was one the first WMs for macos and they've documented the internal macos APIs after reverse engineering them

Cons:

* From when I tried it, the native workspaces with SIP enabled is a bit wonky. if you have SIP disabled, then it's an insanely good WM.
* I haven't used it in a while, so it's worth giving it a try, especially the native workspaces integration that they have.

https://redd.it/1wzrzj8
@macappsbackup

One PS5 controller, two Macs: my ControllerKeys setup

https://redd.it/1wzsg0l
@macappsbackup

Monthly Roundup September 2026 -- Top Mac Apps & Threads

A monthly roundup pulling the highest-voted apps and threads from r/MacApps over the past month (not my picks, this is 100% based on upvotes & comments) -- for anyone who doesn't check the sub every day. All credit to original posters; click through for full details.

Hi all! This month's list is a doozy since it's Techtember, and there were so many good apps and threads. I spent a few days and countless hours putting it together, so I really hope it's helpful. I also intentionally waited a few days into October, so September posts could cycle out of Best and the late-September ones had a chance to pick up upvotes. Last month's roundup is here: August 2026

# Top New App Discoveries

1. **Purge** (Free, open source) \-- open-source Mac cleaner for caches, logs and files apps leave behind. Now also uninstalls apps and finds their leftovers, like Pearcleaner and AppCleaner. Over 25k downloads. 647 votes, 212 comments. → Alternatives: Mac Sai 53v/43c, Trace 2.0 50v/41c, Pearcleaner/AppCleaner alternatives thread 23v/69c
2. **FeelMyMac** (Lifetime) \-- adds haptic textures to cursor movement and scrolling on a compatible trackpad, so you feel a surface as you move. Six materials to pick from, like felt and fine grit. 478 votes, 248 comments.
3. **Tinycast** (Free, open source) \-- lightweight native launcher, posted as a Raycast alternative. 344 votes, 182 comments. → Alternatives: Look 113v/30c, CueStart 7v/38c, Tinycast vs Vicinae thread 78v/138c, what people switched to from Raycast 58v/130c
4. **Tracer** (Lifetime) \-- screenshot tool on the App Store, now on version 1.2.1. 341 votes, 863 comments. → Alternatives: CleanShot update 485v/143c, free CleanShot alternatives thread 33v/126c
5. **Thaw 2.0.1** (Free, open source) \-- menu bar manager. The whole app was overhauled in this update. 326 votes, 82 comments. → Alternatives: ExtraBar 4v/32c, menu bar managers on macOS 27 thread 43v/83c
6. **Glance** (Free, open source) \-- Face ID for the Mac. Unlocks and authenticates when it recognizes your face, so you don't need to reach for Touch ID. 314 votes, 202 comments.
7. **DockFix 5** (Lifetime)

\-- replaces the macOS Dock with one you control: colors, size, position, custom icons, widgets, window previews and themes made by other users. 262 votes, 191 comments. → Alternatives: CoolDock 44v/48c, ExtraDock 9v/23c, docktor 103v/37c
8. **Droppy 16** (Lifetime) \-- notch app with a file shelf, clipboard manager, screenshots, live activities and file sharing. 16 adds an extension SDK and a free iPhone app. 248 votes, 178 comments. → Alternatives: DynamicLake 26v/22c
9. **CaskHub** (Free, open source) \-- native app store for Homebrew casks. 1k GitHub stars and 40k downloads five weeks after its first post. 245 votes, 118 comments. → Alternatives: Homebrew 7.0, which now has its own GUI 671v/162c
10. **FileWorks** (Free) \-- dual-pane file manager with queued copy jobs, from the developer of Start. 240 votes, 125 comments. → Alternatives: Trellis (#22) 150v/111c, DockDuck 58v/173c, Cosmil 2.3 20v/20c
11. **Nodes 2.0** (Lifetime) \-- note-taking app based on Markdown, built with SwiftUI and TextKit 2. Works without plugins or setup, fully local, with on-device AI. 231 votes, 182 comments. → Alternatives: Lede 96v/57c, Glyph 52v/113c, Acres 37v/69c
12. **macUSB** (Free, open source) \-- bootable USB creator for macOS, Linux and Windows installers. Can also download older macOS installers straight from Apple. 206 votes, 91 comments.
13. **VPNonly** (Lifetime) \-- pick which apps use the VPN, and the rest of your Mac stays on your normal connection. Works with any WireGuard provider and Nord. 202 votes, 107 comments.
14. **Muro 5.0** (Free, source available) \-- live wallpapers for your desktop, lock screen and now screen saver. Low CPU and RAM use. 184 votes, 125 comments. → Alternatives: Wallper 63v/36c, Backdrop 2.7 32v/32c, Atheria 23v/64c
15. **Lap** (Free, open source) \-- local-first photo manager for very large libraries. Works on