Apple’s default Mac apps are fine. But they are limited in a number of ways. The Mac ecosystem is full of useful apps that can help you through your graduation years. Let’s start the list with our top pick from the bunch – Obsidian.
1. Obsidian
The note-taking game has changed in the last couple of years. We are no longer limited to simple note-taking apps like OneNote or Evernote. Obsidian is a modular productive tool. You can create a vault and start adding notes to it. It all sounds familiar. Here’s where Obsidian differs from the competition. You can link one note to another in the app. The app will automatically create a mind map based on linking. This is resourceful for students out there. You can create a vault for Physics and start linking other notes to the main subject. The use cases are endless here. Obsidian recently released an iOS app. The paid plans start at $4 per month that allows you to sync content on cross-platform apps. Download Obsidian for Mac
2. TickTick
TickTick is the must-have Mac app for students. It takes care of the task management needs and handles habit tracking, Pomodoro, and basic project management. TickTick is a cross-platform solution with native apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. TickTick’s theming options are worth talking about. They are not limited to dark and white themes only. The software has various themes built-in based on popular cities around the world. They are better looking and the implementation is also spot on with a matching app icon. You can manage projects with kanban boards in the Mac app. However, a similar function is missing from the mobile apps. TickTick pricing starts at $1.49 per month. Download TickTick for Mac
3. Notion
Notion has made a name for itself among the power users out there. It’s the perfect software for students looking to get everything organized from class notes, exam schedules, project management, and note-taking in one place. Notion is a joy to use with built-in templates. There are dedicated templates designed for students out there. Pick one based on your preference and start creating Notion pages like a pro. You can create a dedicated resume Notion page and share it with recruiters to make the perfect first impression. Notion is free for personal use. Download the app from the link below and start creating a workspace from scratch. Download Notion for Mac
4. Filmora
Not everyone needs a pro-level video editor with all the bells and whistles. Besides, the learning curve with popular names like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro is steep. If you want a simple yet powerful video editor with rich functions for Mac, look no further and go with Filmora. It supports the M1 chip and comes loaded with useful features in a familiar UI. One of the notable add-ons is the live portrait effect in video backgrounds. Filmora’s AI-based video portrait works like a charm. It helps you blur out the messy background from the video without any manual effort. Other goodies include stickers support, motion tracking, audio enhancement tools, video effects, a bunch of import/export options, and more. Filmora is available on both Windows and Mac. The pricing starts at $51.99 per year. You can get it for a lifetime with a one-time fee of $79.99. Download Filmora for Mac
5. 1Password
1Password is another essential tool for students. It helps you remember all the confidential information like bank accounts, login ID, passwords, and more. With multiple vaults supported in 1Password, you can create many vaults for different sections such as Social, Finance, Entertainment, Family, and more. 1Password is available everywhere. You can use the app on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and popular browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Google Chrome. Other features include TOTP (Time-based one-time password), password generator, Watchtower to warn you about repetitive passwords, and more. The subscription starts at $2.99 per month. Download 1Password for Mac
6. Cleanshot X
The default screen capture and screen recording tools are fine. But you can take the whole screen capture experience to the next level with Cleanshot X. Cleanshot X helps you take better screenshots with annotations. You can also place a timer to take a screenshot. Our favorite function is the ability to record a screen with your live thumbnail on either corner. You can also capture a part of the video and turn it into a gif. The software is priced at $29 as a one-time purchase. It’s an ideal option for students if your workflow involves taking many screenshots on Mac. Download Cleanshot X for Mac
7. PDFpen
PDFpen is a full-featured PDF editor for Mac that rivals any other while remaining easy to use. You can sign documents, delete or move pages, merge multiple documents, and remove sensitive information in no time. Using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, PDFpen converts any PDF into text for proofreading and editing — perfect for reducing the burden of paperwork in college days. PDFpen is available on all the Apple platforms including Mac, iPad, and iPhone. You can start editing a document on one platform and continue the action on another device. PDFpen supports iCloud and Dropbox to save and sync PDF files. PDFpen costs $79.99 as a one-time purchase. Download PDFpen for Mac
Start Your College Journey with Mac
Although the M1 Mac supports iPhone apps, the end experience isn’t that smooth. As for now, we would recommend sticking with apps designed for keeping Mac in mind. Among them, you can use these apps and improve your productivity. Do you have any other specific Mac apps useful for students? Share them with our readers in the comments sections below. Next up: After a while, your Mac will fill up with cache and junk files. Read the post below to learn about the top five Mac cleaner apps to remove junk files.
