10 of the Best macOS and iOS Apps of 2018

[uncle.zed]

I just looked through and there are about 600 web apps supported. You really don't use any of those? Amazon, Gmail, Dropbox, Google Suite, iCloud, Messenger... are you hanging out on Hotmail and ordering online from Target while storing all your files on a backup thumb drive?

hah!
amazon - nope, gmail - nope, dropbox - no, google suite -no, icloud - yes but its integrated in mac... messenger - not really, maby occasionaly.
email - private domain / server / via mail app
order online - multiple e-shops, dont live in US
file storage - synology NAS.

.. so for me from this list it is a nope.
people do different things really.

 

[flygbuss]

Oh and I forgot CCC.
Use it to back up my raid 0 drives and if you need to swap systems it's perfect.

 

[citysnaps]

Which Curio version do you have? I could not understand if it worths to invest into the pro version... can you share any pics of actual use?

I'm currently using Curio 11.4.4; haven't updated to 12 yet - haven't found a need yet. I've been using Curio for around 10 years. I initially purchased the "Pro" version. Back then I used it for photo book/magazine rough mockups (sometimes called book dummies) before doing the detailed final design in Adobe inDesign.

From that long ago, I don't remember if purchased the Pro version because I thought it would be more useful, or if I got a great EDU price on the Pro version. The regular Standard version at $100 would have met my needs. If you plan on developing and using stencils, the Pro version would make sense. $100 is a good deal for the utility the app provides. And its rock-solid.

Since then I've used Curio for managing a ton information for a complex construction project; ie drawings, bids/quotes, invoices, receipts, progress, insurance, photos, etc that's been on-going for the last couple years.

Curio is a solid application that's well-supported and with frequent updates. I don't impress easily, but Curio is definitely a top-shelf application, and, has the feel of being designed purposely for a Mac.

 

[Techwatcher]

The Mac App Store is dead. Js bro

More focus is being placed onto the iOS App Store, which is very telling.

 

[Tech198]

NightOwl on MacOS looks good

 

[JAdmiral]

I wanted the NightOwl one but...Google Analytics?

I feel it's either going to further tax my resources, be another big brother app from Google, or both.

 

[usarioclave]

Not on Mac App Store, but imho one of the best Mac app ever ist Better Touch Tool.

BTT is a great utility. I've put it on all my macs, and is the best hotkey launcher + extras bar none.

I'd add iStatMenus to that best utility list as well, along with Little Snitch.

 

[Baletin]

I'm currently using Curio 11.4.4; haven't updated to 12 yet - haven't found a need yet. I've been using Curio for around 10 years. I initially purchased the "Pro" version. Back then I used it for photo book/magazine rough mockups (sometimes called book dummies) before doing the detailed final design in Adobe inDesign.

From that long ago, I don't remember if purchased the Pro version because I thought it would be more useful, or if I got a great EDU price on the Pro version. The regular Standard version at $100 would have met my needs. If you plan on developing and using stencils, the Pro version would make sense. $100 is a good deal for the utility the app provides. And its rock-solid.

Since then I've used Curio for managing a ton information for a complex construction project; ie drawings, bids/quotes, invoices, receipts, progress, insurance, photos, etc that's been on-going for the last couple years.

Curio is a solid application that's well-supported and with frequent updates. I don't impress easily, but Curio is definitely a top-shelf application, and, has the feel of being designed purposely for a Mac.

Thanks for the reply. Does it have endless cardboard? I mean will it expand automatically if I put anything near the border of the working area like in Mydea app?

 

[Skeptical.me]

Not on Mac App Store, but imho one of the best Mac app ever ist Better Touch Tool.

Absolutely, very versatile. It's perfect for the Magic Track Pad 2.

 

[rafark]

The Mac App Store is dead. Js bro

it's never been alive.

 

[MacBH928]

Is there an app like photoshop but cheaper, like a dumb down version for iOS? Maybe like Photoshop elements?

ClipMenu is a copy/paste app, better than the above suggestion, I used to use CopyPaste, should still be available.
Menumeters is a system resource utility, it can display Network/Disks/CPU/Memory usage.

ClipMenu is great but the developer has abandoned it and not updated in ions

 

[PlanetExp]

If you do any kind of design work, you really need to get this app--having all the visual clutter of the various menu bar items cleared away (but still available) makes more difference than you might think

I have the entire menu hidden for that very reason. Comes with macOS built in too!

 

[JosephAW]

The built-in calculator app has a backspace gesture. Simply swipe across the entered numbers in either direction to remove them one at a time.

I'm aware of the gesture but Apple's app falls short in other areas.
In CalRight you visually can see your math history so if you make a mistake you can see it several calculations ago.
Also I add numbers very fast and CalcRight can keep up. Try pressing "1+1+1..." very fast and you'll see it won't keep up, CalcRight will. Download their free version and you'll see how much better it will do this task.
This problem has been around since iOS 7 and I had to look for a solution since then, I download many calculator apps and many were okay and finally used another app "Calulator Pro iOS 7" but it got nixed and found this app worked after 32 bit support was dropped.

 

[mechatak]

My most important apps on the Mac

- Apptivate
- Bartender 3
- Things
- Alfred
- Magnet
- Bear
- Fantastical 2
- Cardhop
- TextExpander
- Spark

 

[Juicy Box]

Alto looks like a Ski Safari rip off?

Besides the going down a hill part of the game, they are very different.

The mechanics, themes, music, and vibes of the games couldn't be more different.

I have both Ski Safaris and both Altos on tvOS. I haven't played the Ski Safaris in years, but I always go back to the Alto games.

 

[now i see it]

Someone needs to make a Share app on steroids like the now discontinued Transmit. Without Transmit (which I have installed on my phone) I'd likely give up the prison of iOS.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I have just one Mac only app that has been added to my "must have" list. Scapple lets you jot down thoughts very quickly and make connections. A super quick mind mapping sort of app. I use it for a variety of things such as quick planning of projects and initial thoughts for giving a lecture. Would be nice if it had an iOS version, but not at this time. Free trial at https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scapple/overview (trust me...I don't work with them).

For iOS, I'm really enjoying Oilist. Turns photos into oil paintings. But wow...it sucks battery like crazy, and heats up my iPhone. Output is really impressive though.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Is there an app like photoshop but cheaper, like a dumb down version for iOS? Maybe like Photoshop elements?

There's Pixelmator (Universal) and Affinity Photo (for iPad).

 

[CarpalMac]

One of my most used and useful apps is MyFitnessPal which helps me track my exercise and diet. Great app, the free version does everything that I need.

I register unique email address for every site / company I use. It goes to a catch-all account but as examples I have used tesco@{domain}.com, amazon@{domain}.com, apple@{domain}.com etc..

That way I:
a) Know where my data has been leaked, and by whom
b) Can blackhole that address so it isn't used in the future and my mailbox doesn't get full of chaff.

Some of the worst offenders, responsible for my receiving the highest number of phishing emails have been: LinkedIn, LastFM, Tumblr, and, MyFitnessPal. Just something to bear in mind.

 

[citysnaps]

Thanks for the reply. Does it have endless cardboard? I mean will it expand automatically if I put anything near the border of the working area like in Mydea app?

It does. You can automatically expand by points, screens, or printer pages through a dropdown. Just drag an object near a page edge and the page dimensions expand automatically. If you delete objects at the page edges you can then reclaim that space by clicking the Shrink to Minimum button.

See the pic below:

 

[ventmore]

I'm aware of the gesture but Apple's app falls short in other areas.
In CalRight you visually can see your math history so if you make a mistake you can see it several calculations ago.
Also I add numbers very fast and CalcRight can keep up. Try pressing "1+1+1..." very fast and you'll see it won't keep up, CalcRight will. Download their free version and you'll see how much better it will do this task.
This problem has been around since iOS 7 and I had to look for a solution since then, I download many calculator apps and many were okay and finally used another app "Calulator Pro iOS 7" but it got nixed and found this app worked after 32 bit support was dropped.

All fair points, though I believe the issue of it not being able to keep up was an (animation?) bug that has since been fixed......I certainly can’t reproduce it anymore, but maybe my fingers just don’t move fast enough.

I definitely wasn’t suggesting you ditch your third party app......more just pointing out that the built-in app had the backspace gesture you’d mentioned in case you, or others weren’t aware of it.

 

[Baletin]

It does. You can automatically expand by points, screens, or printer pages through a dropdown. Just drag an object near a page edge and the page dimensions expand automatically. If you delete objects at the page edges you can then reclaim that space by clicking the Shrink to Minimum button.

See the pic below:


View attachment 812362

thanks a lot, last question - how the "collector" of the maps looks like? I could not find any pic with catalogue... Which I found is Curio mindmap app which has very beautiful catalogue but too pricy

 

[lec0rsaire]

Is there an app like photoshop but cheaper, like a dumb down version for iOS? Maybe like Photoshop elements?

GIMP is free and open-source.
Pixelmator/Pixelmator Pro is ok.
Affinity is very popular.

Still I swear by Photoshop. IMO Photoshop is like Office, Heinz ketchup, Windex and Coke. For some products nothing but the real thing will ever be good enough. I find the $10 photography plan with Lightroom to be a really reasonable price for always being on the latest version without compromises.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

Comic Zeal!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comic-zeal-comic-book-reader/id363990983?mt=8

By far, my most used & most improved app on iPad! I’ve been enjoying it for over 8 years & gifted it to probably a half dozen people...

It’s amazing how substantially better this is than the myriad 1st party apps by Marvel, DC, & the like.

Enjoy & happy holidays! =)

 

[campyguy]

+1 on Magnet, but I like Spectacle better for it's twin "Make Larger/Smaller" and "Next/Previous Third" windowing commands - I have both of them running to take advantage of both of them.

Adding Arq Backup (get the lifetime license!) and Yoink to this thread, on both iOS and my Mac.

For anyone on the fence about Curio, Zengobi is running a 20% discount on both full and upgrade pricing until 12/28.