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Most downloaded Mac apps in 2025: Trendy app overview

9 min read
Key Takeaways
  • Productivity apps dominate Mac downloads in 2025
    Top apps like Notion, Raycast, Craft, and Magnet help users organize tasks, visualize projects, and manage multiple windows efficiently, showing a clear demand for streamlined workflows.
  • AI tools enhance efficiency and creativity
    Apps like ChatGPT Desktop, Claude, and Eney automate tasks, generate content, and handle data, making Macs more powerful for content creators, researchers, and professionals.
  • Mac maintenance and optimization remain essential
    Utilities like  CleanMyMac, iStat Menus, and AppCleaner help keep Macs fast, organized, and clutter-free, improving overall performance and workflow.
  • Most downloaded apps reflect user needs, not just popularity
    Users prioritize frictionless, intuitive, and time-saving tools that reduce distractions, support focused work, and integrate smoothly into daily routines.
  • Try high-quality apps without juggling multiple subscriptions
    Many of these essential Mac apps are available on Setapp, which lets you explore 250+ trusted tools with a 7-day free trial and discover what works best for your workflow.

The popular Mac software that tops the chart in 2025 shows a clear pattern: a growing demand for AI tools, productivity apps, and creative software that define the modern Mac workflow.

If you’re looking for the most downloaded Mac apps in 2025, you really want to know what Mac users value these days. Well, the most used Mac apps are about utility, trends, and what tools people actually rely on to work smarter, faster, and productively. 

I’ll show you the most essential tools for Mac workflows and explain why these downloads resonate in 2025 and how they are helping Mac users.

The top downloaded Mac apps in 2025 and what they’re used for

Let’s check out the apps themselves. This list shows present trends and also serves as a roadmap of must-have Mac utilities in 2025 for your toolkit.

Productivity & workflow tools

Why work harder when you can work smarter while saving time and energy without compromising the output quality? 

So, here are the Mac productivity apps trending now:

  • Notion: In my experience, Notion lets you do multiple things: content planning, task management, personal life management, and streamlining business workflows.
  • Raycast: If you’re like me (a power user), Spotlight launcher on Mac might be a little boring. The reason? It lacks customization and visual flair. Raycast, on the other hand, gives the speed, customization, and productivity that any power user may crave. 
  • Craft: Try Craft to visualize your documents, including project plans, ideas, and more. You can also save and share your notes as PDF, Markdown, Print Export, Email, or TextBundle.

Reading journal in Craft, a document management app that is available on Setapp

  • Magnet: From my perspective, Magnet is still loved for snapping windows, a small thing that declutters your screen and boosts daily focus. The app just snaps your windows into neat little tiles, so you don’t have to fuss around switching between them. Everything’s lined up perfectly, making it easier to stay focused and get things done.

AI assistants & smart tools

AI assistants and smart tools enhance your Mac’s built-in capabilities, helping you automate tasks, organize information, and boost creativity and efficiency.

Here are some useful options to explore:

  • ChatGPT Desktop: Best for content creators, researchers, and consultants who use Macs. ChatGPT Desktop can simplify a lot of tasks, from idea generation to debugging code. You can quickly write actionable social media content, summarize long PDFs, generate blogs, analyze spreadsheets, and much more. In fact, this is one of the most downloaded Mac apps for freelancers in 2025.

chatgpt mac desktop app

  • Claude (browser-based): Like ChatGPT, browser-based Claude is also excellent at automated code analysis, handling large databases, and integration with development tools.
  • Eney: My latest find, Eney, is a super chill, Mac-native AI assistant for Mac users. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that generate text responses, Eney is designed to act. Simply enter your task, like recording a Zoom call, summarizing a PDF, or converting files to various formats, and it will not give you instructions but will perform it in seconds. So, it’s the best AI assistant for Mac if you’re looking for a local AI tool for Mac.

Eney AI app on Mac dektop

Tip

If you're interested in trying Eney, just join the waitlist to get an exclusive invite. I’ve been using the app for a while now, and honestly, it’s a hidden gem among Mac apps in 2025.

Mac utilities that keep gaining downloads

As AI tools multiply, people want their Mac to stay clean, fast, and organized. So, here are the must-have Mac utilities in 2025:

  • CleanMyMac: The CleanMyMac app is an all-in-one Mac care app that declutters, organizes, and optimizes your Mac. The results? Free up space, manage apps, speed up your Mac, and make it function like a brand-new device.

The My Clutter tab of CleanMyMac, a Mac optimization tool that is available on Setapp

  • iStat Menus: With iStat Menus, you get all vital stats about your Mac in one place, like CPU load, memory load, disk usage/space, disk activity, temperature monitor, fan sensors, battery life and cycles, and more.

The menu bar stats of iStat Menus, the Mac system monitoring app, which is available on Setapp

  • AppCleaner: This app lets you uninstall unwanted apps and efficiently reclaim your valuable disk space. Simply launch AppCleaner, drag and drop the unwanted program into it, and AppCleaner will do the rest.

You might also like the best note-taking apps for Mac in 2025

Why look at the most downloaded Mac apps in 2025

Because it’s useful and resonates with people, the same goes true for the most downloaded Mac apps in 2025. The apps that help Mac users focus, stay organized, and automate repetitive tasks obviously get more downloads. On top of that, people actually keep using and recommending them. 

So, by looking at what people are using on Mac in 2025, you can find solutions or tools to work smarter and be productive at work. 

Another interesting part is that there are apps for everyone: 

What does this tell us about Mac users in 2025?

In 2025, Mac users clearly value tools that make life easier, not more complicated. They prefer frictionless apps with clean interfaces and fast performance, as well as focus-enhancing tools that reduce context switching.

 Essentially, people want apps that keep workflows smooth, help them stay in the zone, and minimize distractions.

Should you use what everyone else is using?

Just because an app is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for you. This list is a great way to see what popular Mac software is this year, tools people rely on, and why they help reduce digital clutter. 

Most of the apps from the article are available on Setapp, where you can try them all (and 250+ more) with a 7-day free trial. It’s a convenient way to explore only high-quality tools that actually get the job done, without juggling multiple subscriptions.

FAQs

How is the list of the most downloaded Mac apps in 2025 determined?

The list of most downloaded Mac apps in 2025 is mainly determined based on the number of downloads from the macOS App Store and stats from popular review sites.

Do popular Mac apps work on all macOS versions?

Popular Mac apps generally work on the latest macOS versions because developers update them for compatibility. However, not all apps support all macOS versions, especially older or very new macOS releases. Compatibility varies based on the app’s development, requirements, and changes in the macOS version.

Are the most downloaded Mac apps always the best choice?

No, it’s not necessarily true. Although the most downloaded Mac apps reflect usefulness and credibility, the best choice varies depending on individual needs.

Are these Mac apps free or paid?

Most of these Mac apps offer a free trial so that you can explore their features. Some of them are available for free via a Setapp subscription.

How do I know which Mac apps are safe to download?

All apps on the macOS App Store are safe to download because they are reviewed and verified by Apple. If you’re downloading from third-party sources, make sure you download only from reliable sources and check whether they are notarized by Apple (like Setapp).

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