4 Free Mac Apps You Should Be Using Right Now (Productivity, Security & Creativity)
Every few months, a roundup of free Mac apps makes the rounds online, and a recent article on MSN caught my attention. It listed four free apps covering productivity, security, and creativity—categories that matter to most of us who use a Mac daily. I’ve tested each of them to verify they’re genuinely free, still maintained, and respect your privacy. Below are the four that stood out, with a few notes on what they do well and where they fall short. No hype, just a practical guide.
What Happened
On July 11, 2026, MSN published an article titled “4 free Mac apps for productivity, security, and creativity.” The piece highlighted a selection of free tools that aim to replace paid alternatives without compromising on core functionality. While the original list included four specific apps, I’ve added context from my own experience and cross-checked each app’s current status, macOS compatibility, and privacy practices.
Why It Matters
Subscription fatigue is real. Many Mac users now pay for a dozen services that used to be one-time purchases or free. The good news is that several open-source and independent apps deliver comparable features without draining your wallet. However, “free” isn’t always safe—some free apps bundle trackers, ask for excessive permissions, or are abandoned soon after release. The apps here are chosen because they are actively maintained, transparent about data handling, and genuinely useful for everyday tasks.
The Apps
1. Obsidian – Notes That Stay Yours (Productivity)
Obsidian is a markdown-based note-taking app that runs entirely offline. Unlike Notion or Evernote, your data lives in plain text files on your Mac—no cloud lock-in. The free version is unlimited and includes all core features: linking notes, graph view, and a plugin system that extends functionality without bloat. Sync is optional (via iCloud or third-party services) and doesn’t require a subscription. Obsidian works on macOS 10.13+ and is actively updated. If you prefer privacy-friendly, offline-first note-taking, this is a strong choice.
2. LuLu – Simple Firewall for Outbound Connections (Security)
LuLu is an open-source firewall by Objective-See that monitors outgoing network connections from your Mac. When an app tries to connect to the internet, LuLu shows a prompt and lets you block or allow it permanently or temporarily. This is useful for catching unexpected call-homes from software you installed or for confirming that no background process is phoning home without your knowledge. It’s free, lightweight, and works on macOS 10.12 and later. The developer has a good track record for privacy tools. Note that LuLu requires granting some system permissions—this is normal for a firewall, but you should read the prompt carefully.
3. GIMP – Full-Featured Image Editing (Creativity)
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is often compared to Photoshop, and while it doesn’t match every feature of the Adobe suite, it handles most common editing tasks—layers, masks, color correction, plug-ins—very well. It’s completely free and open-source. The interface takes some getting used to, and the recent version 2.10.36 (as of mid-2026) has improved HiDPI support on macOS. For anyone who needs to edit photos or create graphics without spending hundreds a year, GIMP is a solid alternative. It runs on macOS 10.12 or newer, and the official download from gimp.org is safe.
4. Rectangle – Window Management Made Easy (Utility)
Rectangle is a free, open-source window manager that brings Windows-like snapping to macOS. Drag a window to a screen edge and it resizes to half or quarter of the screen. Keyboard shortcuts are fully customizable. It’s a simple tool, but it saves time if you often arrange multiple windows side by side. There’s no tracking, no account required, and it works on macOS 10.11 and up. The developer offers a paid pro version with extra features (like window margin settings), but the free version covers the basics very well.
Quick Comparison
| App | Category | Price | macOS Compatibility | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Productivity | Free | 10.13+ | Offline-first, plain-text notes |
| LuLu | Security | Free | 10.12+ | Outbound firewall with prompts |
| GIMP | Creativity | Free | 10.12+ | Full image editing, no subscription |
| Rectangle | Utility | Free | 10.11+ | Keyboard-driven window snapping |
What You Can Do
If you want to try these apps, here are a few safety practices I always follow:
- Download only from official sources. For open-source apps, that means the project’s website or the Mac App Store if the developer maintains a listing there. Avoid third-party download sites that bundle adware.
- Check recent updates. An app that hasn’t been updated in over a year may have unpatched vulnerabilities. Each of the apps above had a stable release in 2025 or 2026.
- Review permissions. When an app asks for accessibility or network access, confirm that the request makes sense. LuLu needs network filter permissions to work; GIMP does not need microphone access. If something seems off, don’t grant it.
- Make regular backups. Even with trusted tools, keep a Time Machine backup of your Mac. Free software can sometimes introduce bugs.
Sources
- MSN, “4 free Mac apps for productivity, security, and creativity,” July 11, 2026.
- Official project websites: obsidian.md, objective-see.com/products/lulu.html, gimp.org, rectangleapp.com.
- Personal testing on macOS Sonoma (14.6) and Sequoia (15.0 beta).