apps do you use every day?**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wksxws/developerswhat_mac_apps_do_you_use_every_day_and/) \-- looking for hidden gems too, not just the obvious ones. 202 votes, 260 comments.
4. [**Any Mac app you bought just because it looks and feels so good?**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wquiou/any_mac_app_you_bought_just_because_it_looks_and/) 143 votes, 237 comments.
5. [**Productivity hacks of** **r/MacApps** **users**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w7ehps/productivity_hacks_of_macapps_users/) \-- features you use a lot that maybe aren't well known. 119 votes, 167 comments.
6. [**There were 1700 menu bar apps, but around 100 of them vanished**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whvs9o/there_were_1700_menu_bar_apps_but_around_100_of/) \-- [MacMenuBar.com](http://MacMenuBar.com) had to remove around 100 apps that were abandoned or disappeared. 95 votes, 53 comments.
7. [**What app went from "why would I need that?" to "I'm not going back"?**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whcppm/what_app_went_from_why_would_i_need_that_to_im/) 85 votes, 143 comments.
8. [**Raycast alternatives: Tinycast or Vicinae?**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wizhun/raycast_alternatives_tinycast_or_vicinae/) 78 votes, 138 comments.
9. [**Steve Jobs development advice in the vibe clone age**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfi95q/steve_jobs_development_advice_and_how_to_pull/) \-- a WWDC 1997 clip about starting with the customer experience and working back to the technology. 61 votes, 32 comments.
10. [**Raycast 2 went cross-platform. If you left it, what did you switch to?**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfy0mb/raycast_2_went_crossplatform_if_you_left_it_on/) 58 votes, 130 comments.

# News & Announcements

* [**Homebrew 7.0 is out and includes a GUI**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfjbir/homebrew_70_is_out_and_it_includes_a_gui/) \-- 671 votes, 162 comments.
* [**CleanShot update**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w4fivw/cleanshot_just_got_a_big_update_new_video_editor/) \-- new video editor and studio mode. 485 votes, 143 comments.
* [**Raycast deleting posts with negative feedback about its new pricing**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfi93v/raycast_is_deleting_posts_with_negative_feedback/) \-- OP lists complaints about Raycast 2 (pricing, memory use, moving away from native) with examples of removed posts. 426 votes, 159 comments. Related: [No BYOK in Raycast V2 for free users](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w5f1xf/no_byok_in_raycast_v2_for_free/) 28v/22c.
* [**Setapp has been completely enshittified**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wk1y9n/setapp_has_been_completely_enshittified/) \-- OP says Setapp is now filled with apps that cost extra on top of the $15/month subscription. 314 votes, 76 comments.
* [**Alfred 6 is coming this autumn**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wd3jar/alfred_6_is_coming_this_autumn_sign_up/) \-- in beta now, and a free upgrade. 206 votes, 82 comments.
* [**Apple makes it easier for Mac developers to drop Intel support**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w50iq9/apple_makes_it_easier_for_mac_developers_to_drop/) \-- universal Mac App Store apps that require macOS 13+ can now ship arm64-only updates. Optional for now. 142 votes, 37 comments.
* [**Audacity v4**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w7vec5/audacity_just_updated_to_v4_but_annoyingly_there/) \-- v4 installs as a separate app, and v3 is hard to uninstall because the two share files. 71 votes, 44 comments.
* **macOS 27 and menu bar managers** \-- threads about menu bar managers on macOS 27: [Any good menu bar managers for macOS 27?](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wtk806/any_good_menu_bar_managers_for_macos_27_golden/) 43v/83c, [Do any menubar manager apps work in macOS 27.0?](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whcnai/do_any_menubar_manager_apps_work_in_macos_270/) 25v/84c, [macOS 27 menu bar spacing

issue](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wnoarm/macos_27_menu_bar_spacing_issue/) 25v/43c.
* [**Accessibility permission renamed to "Device control and Data access"**](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wgqqhs/accessibility_permission_renamed_to_device/) \-- the old settings URL still opens the right pane, so existing apps don't break. 38 votes, 34 comments.

# Also Worth a Look (Runner-ups)

[InputConfig](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wsz0t8/os_inputconfig_a_free_opensource_app_that_turns/) *(Free, open source,* ***turns a game controller into a keyboard and mouse***\*)\* 149v/50c, [Boxvy](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wefe1r/what_if_browser_tabs_didnt_need_to_be_tabs_i/) *(Free,* ***turns websites into desktop widgets, floating bubbles or menu bar items***\*)\* 146v/73c, [Arc PDF](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wc1sfq/i_made_an_116_mb_pdf_app_that_reads_annotates/) *(Free,* ***11.6 MB PDF reader, annotator, editor and OCR***\*)\* 144v/96c, [OpenClip](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w7z6aj/os_i_built_openclip_a_free_opensource_popclip/) *(Free, open source,* ***PopClip alternative with 100+ extensions***\*)\* 144v/171c, [Caxton](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wchqz7/caxton_a_native_mac_editor_for_multigigabyte_text/) *(Lifetime,* ***editor for multi-gigabyte text files and CSVs***\*)\* 128v/72c, [Griply](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wt9lfk/griply_for_mac_projects_twoway_calendar_sync_and/) *(Lifetime,* ***goals and tasks app, now with projects and two-way calendar sync***\*)\* 125v/249c, [ActionClip V2](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w77tqq/update_heres_new_actionclip_v2_after_225/) *(Lifetime,* ***text-selection action menu with 225 extensions***\*)\* 121v/215c, [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wonmfk/search_a_free_and_open_source_browser_for_mac/) *(Free, open source,* ***lightweight WebKit browser***\*)\* 119v/54c, [flowy 2.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wkphd5/flowy_20_release_100_free_lifetime_licenses/) *(Lifetime,* ***screen recorder and video editor***\*)\* 117v/366c, [Floodtide](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wtg79u/floodtide_macupdater_alternative_back_on_1312/) *(Lifetime,* ***MacUpdater alternative***\*)\* 116v/137c, [OmniWM](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wr1r02/os_omniwm_fastest_nirihyprland_free_tiling_window/) *(Free, open source,* ***Niri/Hyprland-style tiling window manager***\*)\* 115v/60c, [Look](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wnyeeg/os_look_the_free_open_source_launcher_is_now_in/) *(Free, open source,* ***launcher, now in official Homebrew***\*)\* 113v/30c, [Tungsten Edge](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wn5mh0/os_tungsten_edge_a_perwindow_taskbar_for_macos/) *(Lifetime, open source,* ***per-window taskbar***\*)\* 108v/113c, [AppSift](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wcv8kz/appsift_a_free_mac_app_for_searching_comparing/) *(Free,* ***search, compare and price-track App Store apps***\*)\* 104v/57c, [docktor](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w68rpd/docktor_update_new_widgets_rebuilt_settings/) *(Free,* ***widgets in the empty space on either side of the Dock***\*)\* 103v/37c, [ChopShop](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wh51zy/chopshop_a_small_native_av_editor_for_mac_and_ios/) *(Lifetime,* ***small A/V editor for quick cuts and stitching***\*)\* 101v/57c, [MetalSharp](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wqob9w/metalsharp_lets_you_play_windows_games_on_macos/) *(Free,* ***run Windows games on Apple silicon***\*)\* 98v/109c, [No Rush](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w73wtq/free_no_rush_ambient_places_for_macos_each_on_its/) *(Free,* ***ambient places with their own local time and weather***\*)\* 98v/73c, [Lede](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w7d0b8/i_had_the_code_already_so_heres_a_free_markdown/) *(Free,* ***Markdown editor from the developer of Verso and Skein***\*)\* 96v/57c,

[VisiGrid](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wt8z5x/os_visigrid_open_source_excel_alternative_built/) *(Free, open source,* ***Excel alternative***\*)\* 92v/51c, [Dynamic Menu Bar](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wjr5ye/dynamic_menu_bar_10_a_menu_bar_that_takes_its/) *(from $6.99 one-time,* ***menu bar that takes its color from your screen***\*)\* 92v/108c, [Parall](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1woey7b/parallapp_run_multiple_instances_of_mac_apps/) *(Lifetime,* ***run multiple instances of an app with separate accounts***\*)\* 90v/60c, [StepGrab 1.5](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wna1lk/stepgrab_15_record_a_task_on_your_mac_get_a/) *(Lifetime,* ***record a task and get a written guide***\*)\* 88v/44c, [StemKit](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wjygkh/stemkit_split_any_youtube_song_into_stems/) *(Free,* ***split YouTube songs into stems locally***\*)\* 84v/60c, [Netutilus](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wblgmr/network_utility_with_20_tools_in_one_app_12_of/) *(Free -> $9.99 one-time,* ***20 network tools with history and monitoring***\*)\* 84v/101c, [Keyty](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w4g1qx/os_keyty_native_macos_keystroke_and_mouse/) *(Free, open source,* ***keystroke and mouse visualizer***\*)\* 84v/40c, [Resurf](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wrk1fn/resurf_update_areas_mcp_handoff_and_native_app/) *(Lifetime,* ***save design references, articles and ideas in one place***\*)\* 77v/36c, [Parchley](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1waijor/os_parchley_completely_offline_and_native_pdf_to/) *(Free, open source,* ***offline PDF to Markdown converter***\*)\* 73v/34c, [Bulletin](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1waofdo/my_take_on_freeform_infinite_canvas_powerful/) *(Lifetime,* ***infinite canvas with functional blocks***\*)\* 72v/89c, [Neon Vision Editor](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w5wkrg/os_neon_vision_editor_v156_major_updates_to_the/) *(Free, open source,* ***native code and text editor***\*)\* 70v/59c, [Lumae](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wlga0f/lumae_the_ai_agent_video_editor_for_screen/) *(Free,* ***video editor for screen recordings and screenshots***\*)\* 65v/54c, [Wallper](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wq3dqn/i_built_a_mac_app_with_animated_vinyl_realtime/) *(Lifetime,* ***live wallpapers with music sync***\*)\* 63v/36c, [FrameDrop](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whv46o/framedrop_search_11_million_openly_licensed/) *(Lifetime,* ***search 11 million openly licensed images***\*)\* 62v/55c, [Splice](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1we3cjf/splice_emojis_and_gifs_anywhere_on_your_mac/) *(Lifetime,* ***inline emoji and GIF insertion***\*)\* 62v/89c, [Stash Anything](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wt9sep/update_i_got_sick_of_saving_things_i_could_never/) *(Free or $9.99 lifetime,* ***save and find things later***\*)\* 61v/102c, [HealthAtlas](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w8ssjf/os_healthatlas_a_privacyfirst_apple_health_export/) *(Free, open source,* ***Apple Health export analyzer***\*)\* 60v/73c, [Edgy](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w6yvil/edgy_ambient_edge_lighting_for_macos/) *(Lifetime,* ***makes the edges of your screen glow***\*)\* 59v/67c, [DockDuck](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w8jw0r/dockduck_i_spent_a_year_building_the_file_manager/) *(Lifetime,* ***dual-pane file manager***\*)\* 58v/173c, [Vibe 1.14](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wu6mhj/os_vibe_fast_waveformfocused_music_file_player/) *(Free, open source,* ***waveform-focused music player***\*)\* 56v/47c, [Mac Sai](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wnlghf/os_mac_sai_a_free_and_open_source_mac_cleaner_and/) *(Free, open source,* ***Mac cleaner***\*)\* 53v/43c, [Petrichor 1.7](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w6nate/os_petrichor_offline_music_player_for_macos/) *(Free, open source,* ***offline music player***\*)\* 53v/35c,

[Slidr](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w5u15l/the_most_satisfying_way_to_change_volume_on_a_mac/) *($4.99 one-time,* ***finer volume and brightness steps***\*)\* 53v/49c, [Glyph](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whsaed/os_glyph_markdown_notes_app_that_gives_you/) *($15 early access, open source,* ***Markdown notes***\*)\* 52v/113c, [Shoo!](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wh4ts8/i_built_a_mac_app_locker_that_actually_kills_the/) *($17.99 one-time,* ***app locker that quits the app instead of covering it***\*)\* 52v/23c, [Spatial Slideshow](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wsdd7s/os_spatial_slideshow_a_free_mac_app_using_apples/) *(Free, open source,* ***3D photo slideshows***\*)\* 51v/23c, [Trace 2.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wo9mrw/trace_20_native_mac_storage_analyzer_uninstaller/) *(Lifetime,* ***storage analyzer and uninstaller***\*)\* 50v/41c, [Nodoo](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wmu3i2/i_built_a_simple_task_manager_inspired_by_things/) *(Free,* ***Things-style task manager with collaboration***\*)\* 50v/68c, [NetFluss 2.6](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfch2w/os_netfluss_26_see_your_network_traffic_bandwidth/) *(Free, open source,* ***menu bar network monitor and DNS switcher***\*)\* 50v/24c, [Folder Preview Pro 3.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wbb0yl/folder_preview_pro_30_is_live_with_doubleclicking/) *(Lifetime,* ***Quick Look for folders***\*)\* 50v/42c, [Stay Steady](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wubz0d/stay_steady_a_free_budgeting_app_for_mac_iphone/) *(Free,* ***budgeting app that reads European bank statements on your device***\*)\* 46v/41c, [ScreenCharms](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whxf9a/i_built_screencharms_that_lets_you_hang_your_own/) *(Lifetime,* ***hang custom charms from your screen***\*)\* 46v/82c, [Spectati](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w5g87i/spectati_one_app_for_plex_jellyfin_and_more/) *(Lifetime,* ***one client for Plex, Jellyfin and more***\*)\* 46v/141c, [Gloss 2.1](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wr0v18/gloss_intelligent_text_expansion/) *(Lifetime,* ***text expansion***\*)\* 45v/51c, [rift](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wlwq42/os_rift_a_fast_tiling_and_scrolling_window/) *(Free, open source,* ***tiling and scrolling window manager***\*)\* 44v/21c, [Copyr](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wse51t/copyr_a_mac_file_copier_that_skips_bad_files/) *(free for personal use,* ***file copier that skips bad files and verifies copies***\*)\* 44v/66c, [Photo Transfer via USB](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wmp1kf/photo_transfer_via_usb_transfer_iphoneipad_photos/) *(Lifetime,* ***iPhone photos into folders by trip or date***\*)\* 44v/41c, [DiskPress](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wi30hh/diskpress_your_mac_needs_more_space_not_fewer/) *(Lifetime,* ***automatic compression and deduplication***\*)\* 44v/76c, [SpaceJump](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whxunn/i_kept_getting_lost_between_my_macos_spaces/) *(Lifetime,* ***navigate macOS Spaces***\*)\* 44v/57c, [CoolDock](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfbhxk/cooldock_your_smart_second_dock_of_widgets/) *(Lifetime,* ***second dock of widgets***\*)\* 44v/48c, [Verso](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wqblrv/verso_six_months_later_the_mac_word_processor_i/) *(Lifetime,* ***word processor***\*)\* 42v/29c, [WattMate](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wbp6ee/i_made_a_mac_battery_app_that_tells_you_how_many/) *(Lifetime,* ***battery app that shows how many minutes you'd get back by quitting an app***\*)\* 42v/61c, [Silkwave Clarity](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wt2mhp/silkwave_clarity_realtime_speech_isolation_for/) *(Free,* ***speech isolation for system audio***\*)\* 41v/37c, [Jott.it](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w5lscp/jottit_the_localfirst_bullet_journal_app_built_on/) *(Lifetime,* ***bullet journal on text files***\*)\* 41v/31c,

[Charya](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wqvdho/charya_your_mac_learns_your_routine_and_sets/) *(Free,* ***learns your routine and sets up your Mac***\*)\* 40v/38c, [visualOS](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wlc9xo/visualos_a_milanote_alternative_with_nested/) *(free in browser, one-time for Mac,* ***Milanote alternative***\*)\* 39v/46c, [ProcessSpy](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wfxx4r/processspy_advanced_process_monitor_for_mac/) *(Lifetime,* ***process monitor***\*)\* 39v/44c, [Acres](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1whumfx/i_built_acres_a_canvas_for_notes_that_stay_plain/) *(Lifetime,* ***canvas of plain Markdown notes***\*)\* 37v/69c, [Cats Lock 2.0](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wu5a05/cats_lock_20_keyboard_lock_for_cat_people/) *(Lifetime,* ***keyboard lock for when your cat walks on it***\*)\* 36v/51c, [Minstrel](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w4se51/introducing_minstrel_a_better_place_to_write/) *(Lifetime,* ***writing app for fiction***\*)\* 32v/152c, [TypeSeer](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1w9qtz3/typeseer_autocomplete_for_your_mac_that_runs/) *(Lifetime,* ***offline autocomplete***\*)\* 30v/105c, [PeakHour 6](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wic5ic/peakhour_6_realtime_internet_monitoring_in_your/) *(Lifetime,* ***menu bar internet monitoring***\*)\* 25v/123c, [Morphjet](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wiso4i/i_built_a_mac_file_converter_that_runs_2748/) *(Lifetime,* ***offline file converter***\*)\* 23v/395c

More apps with 10+ votes are in the pinned comment below. (Edit: Yikes I just realized I can't pin comments)

# Past Roundups

* [August 2026](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1wm9y0n/monthly_roundup_top_mac_apps_threads_august_2026/)

\[Disclaimer: AI assisted\]

If I missed something or you have a favorite alternative to one of these picks, drop it below and I'll fold notable ones into next month's roundup. Hope this was helpful (again) & enjoy!

What were your favorite apps from September?

https://redd.it/1wzts9p
@macappsbackup

[Update] Deskeen 2.3 is out! (Final 2.x). Added Video Editing & System-wide tools. free upgrade to 3.0 for all buyers!

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

Share some free and open source apps you use

Here are some amazing FOSS apps that I use:

* LaunchNext: A launcher app layout that I am used to. It supports finger gestures and performs well. Replaces LaunchOS for me.

* LocalSend: Share files between my MacBook and my Android phone. KDE is buggy for me, and Blip is closed source with constant network activity in the background that I found iffy.

* IINA: Beautiful Mac video player with a bunch of extensions and good color accuracy.

* OpenDisk: Disk analyzer. Replaces DaisyDisk for me.

* CotEditor: Plain text editor with syntax highlighting.

* Thaw: Menu bar manager. It is a little buggy on macOS 27, but it works and is under constant updates.

* Vorssaint: A Swiss Army knife utility app. Probably the hottest Mac app right now. Replaces CleanShot X, Boring Notch (FOSS), Maccy (FOSS), and pearcleaner (FOSS). It is not as good as those individual apps, but good enough for me.

https://redd.it/1wzw4t3
@macappsbackup

[OS] I forgot a midterm, so I built a workspace where notes, tasks and calendar are unified. Local use free, $2.99 / month for sync

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

Margin vs Bear: Markdown notes in a database or in a folder
https://gomargin.app/blog/margin-vs-bear

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

Lattix is one year old : A window manager that launches apps and restores window layouts across multiple spaces and monitors in one click!! [Biggest update yet]

https://redd.it/1x001mj
@macappsbackup

What is similar to Scrivener but with Markdown and AI helps for proofreading and perhaps transcription?

I still have Scrivener – I used it week by week for about 10 years. it's still good, but when you'r e very used to Markdown and having AI editing helps for when you need them, you want more. The pure Markdown writing apps like Ulysses and iaWriter have stood apart from any engagement with AI – perhaps wisely – but there will be developers who have met this need. What are you building, or using, that's like my description?

https://redd.it/1x029di
@macappsbackup

Safari Extension that allows you to underline and highlight any text you want within the website, it's one extension from 22 extension available on this app
https://redd.it/1x0311h
@macappsbackup

Weekly app round-up?

Hello, first post here. As a relatively new Reddit user, I was wondering if there would be a way to get a weekly list of all apps discussed in the previous seven days, whether it's a weekly email, a summary post, or something else entirely.

Personally, I struggle with too much information at once due to lifelong health issues, and a bigger collection of apps to check out makes it quite painful and overwhelming for me to consume such information. Very likely, also for other people who share similar conditions as mine, should they be users of this space.

Thank you.

https://redd.it/1x02f8e
@macappsbackup

Media Renamer Pro 1.3.8: one Mac app that renames your photos, movies, TV, music, audiobooks and ROMs from the metadata inside the files

Disclosure: I made this. Solo dev.

PROBLEM

Media folders fill up with names like IMG_4471.HEIC, Track 03.mp3 and Show.Name.S03E07.1080p.mkv. Media Renamer Pro reads what is already inside the files (EXIF dates, music and video tags, audiobook tags), adds online lookups when you want them, and shows you every new name in a preview before anything changes. Hit apply and the whole batch is renamed. Hit undo and it all goes back. It works on local folders, external drives and SMB/NAS shares.

WHAT IS NEW IN 1.3.8

This is the biggest accuracy update so far, tuned on tens of thousands of real files on my own NAS.

Tag review. When the tags inside a file disagree with its filename, you see both side by side and pick the winner: keep the filename, use the tags, edit the name, or skip. Works for movies, TV, music and audiobooks.

Safer names. Lookups add to a name and never take anything away. Your words, punctuation, years and bracket notes stay put.

MKV tags are read, and tags inside video files fill in TV and movie names the filename cannot provide.

Multi-episode files come out in the standard S03E01-E02 form.

Game libraries keep disc numbers and system files, and installed game folders are left alone.

COMPARISON

FileBot is the name everyone knows. It is built around movies and TV, it is a cross-platform app, and it costs $8 a year or $80 for a lifetime license. A Better Finder Rename is $29.95 and renames from patterns you set up yourself.

Media Renamer Pro is different in four ways. It is a native Mac app, not a port. It handles your whole library in one window: photos, movies, TV, music, audiobooks, game ROMs and general files. It checks its own work, so when a lookup or a tag disagrees with the filename it shows you both and lets you decide instead of guessing. And the same purchase runs on your iPhone and iPad, which neither of the others offers.

PRICING

$4.99. Once. That is less than one year of FileBot and about a sixth of A Better Finder Rename, for seven media types, full preview, tag review, one-click undo, NAS support and three platforms. No subscription, no account, no ads, and every update so far has been free.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/media-renamer-pro-batch-file/id6761764615

Happy to answer questions, and feature ideas are welcome. A lot of this update came straight from user feedback.

https://redd.it/1x014ff
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FanFic to Audio: a free Mac app for turning fanfiction into audiobooks



https://preview.redd.it/gjvca23ul3uh1.png?width=2318&format=png&auto=webp&s=f88554f4587ba6026e92e5a1206e44a5a64a2de3

Hi [r/macapps](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/)! I’m **Dr. Matt Booth**, an educational technology systems administrator and CS/IT lecturer. I built **FanFic to Audio**, a free, open-source Mac app that downloads fanfiction as EPUB and converts it into audiobooks.

**Problem:** I wanted to download stories and create audiobooks in one app, including processing multiple books and combining stories whose series order isn’t configured on the original website.

The app lets you:

* Download stories as EPUB or open existing EPUBs.
* Add multiple books to an audiobook queue and move them up or down.
* Save narration settings for each book and resume interrupted conversions.
* Combine separate EPUBs into an ordered series.
* Narrate with macOS voices or your own OpenAI or ElevenLabs API key.
* Export a single MP3, individual chapter MP3s, or an M4B with chapters and cover art.

**Comparison:** [FanFicFare](https://github.com/JimmXinu/FanFicFare) handles story downloads and EPUB updates, while [NaturalReader](https://www.naturalreaders.com/software.html) focuses on general text-to-speech reading and conversion. FanFic to Audio brings FanFicFare’s downloader into a native Mac interface with bulk audiobook queues, series combining, and chapter-aware exports.

The download engine is **FanFicFare**, created by **Jim Miller (JimmXinu) and the FanFicFare contributors**. They deserve the credit for its website support and EPUB downloading. My app is independently maintained.

**Pricing:** The app is **$0**, with no app subscription. Local macOS narration requires no paid AI account. Optional OpenAI and ElevenLabs narration uses your own API keys, with charges billed separately by those providers.

**Developer transparency — Tier 2:** Here are my public identity, professional background, developer portfolio, contact details, and policies:

* **Website:** [mattbooth.me](https://mattbooth.me/), including a **Privacy Policy & Terms of Service** button.
* **LinkedIn:** [Dr. Matt Booth](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpbooth).
* **Developer portfolio:** [My GitHub projects](https://github.com/thatosxguy?tab=repositories).
* **Contact:** [admin@strixmcs.com](mailto:admin@strixmcs.com).
* **Privacy Policy & Terms of Service:** [Separate public policies repository](https://github.com/thatosxguy/policies).

The app has no application analytics or developer-operated backend. Local narration runs on your Mac. Choosing AI narration sends the selected text to that provider; saved API keys are stored in macOS Keychain.

**Requirements:** Apple silicon, macOS 14 or later, and a separate FFmpeg installation. Version 1.3.0 is **ad hoc signed and not notarized**; please read the [installation guide](https://github.com/thatosxguy/FanFictoAudio/blob/main/docs/installation.md) before opening it.

[**Download v1.3.0**](https://github.com/thatosxguy/FanFictoAudio/releases/tag/v1.3.0) · [**Source code and documentation**](https://github.com/thatosxguy/FanFictoAudio)

I’d welcome feedback on the workflow, supported websites, and audiobook exports.

**Posting note:** I’ve followed the **Tier 2 Transparency Path** requirements for posting to the main feed by including my real identity, LinkedIn, developer portfolio, public contact details, and a website linking to my Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

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