Third-Party Tools Which Do Better Than Some Of MacOS’ Default Apps.
I’m a big fan of some of the default Mac OS apps, but like everything else on the Internet, there are tools and software applications that can do macOS tasks better, faster, and more efficiently. We would be extremely overlooked if we did not point them out to you.
Compared to some of the malware that Windows packs into its operating system, the macOS counterparts are really good. My wife recently bought a new Windows laptop and we did a great job removing Avira antivirus from it. On a Mac, these problems do not occur.
The default Mac apps for things like Mail, Calendar, Notes, and more are fast and up to the task for most people. But someone, somewhere, will always find the missing feature that he urgently needs.
If so, you should consider several alternatives. However, you cannot delete the default apps, so just drop them in a folder and forget about them if you don’t intend to use them.
Change mail to Mozilla Thunderbird
Replace Mail with Mozilla Thunderbird
I haven’t used an email client for years, preferring the portability and flexibility of email on the Internet. But if you still prefer to have email downloaded to your computer, you should use Mozilla Thunderbird.
Thunderbird gives you all the features of Mail, plus support for reading RSS feeds and instant messaging over Jabber (XMPP). You can also set up mailing lists and events, and encrypt your messages.
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Change calendar to ItsyCal
Replace Calendar with ItsyCal
I briefly mentioned ItsyCal in a recent article so as not to add words by rephrasing it all over again. I refer you to another article. But since I started using ItsyCal, I’ve never had to use Apple’s default calendar.
Just add your events to Google Calendar on the web and ItsyCal syncs with Google Calendar and displays all your events and appointments in a handy little lightweight widget next to the clock.
Replace books with Kindle
Replace books with Kindle
All of the iBooks have gotten a little paint job recently, but in my opinion, Apple completely made a dog’s lunch out of it all. Now you can’t hide iCloud books and the whole interface is just awful.
This is good news for Amazon because anyone who feels like me and hates the new Apple Books could switch to the Amazon macOS Kindle app instead. The Kindle app is more relaxing to the eyes, has a more minimal design, and easily syncs with the Kindle app on iOS devices.
It’s really annoying if you’ve bought a lot of ePUB books from Apple that aren’t compatible with the Kindle
Change FaceTime to Skype
Replace FaceTime with Skype
FaceTime gets the job done and really comes in handy if your iPhone is in a different room – you can instead answer calls on your Mac using FaceTime. But in terms of features, FaceTime is a bit boring. This is why I am looking for the best video conferencing app elsewhere.
Until recently, I would not hesitate to recommend Zoom as an alternative. But then there was a sensation: the company was running a secret web server on users’ Macs without their permission. This means that I am back to Skype. Kiss the holy ring, skype.
Change Safari to Mozilla Firefox
Replace Safari with Mozilla Firefox
I suppose this is more a matter of personal preference as there are many dedicated Safari fans out there. I prefer Mozilla Firefox due to its large selection of extensions and in general I find Firefox to be faster and more privacy-oriented than Safari.
But listen, if Safari keeps your boat afloat more, then stick with it. My wife loves Safari.
Replace WhatsApp Messages
Replace messages with WhatsApp
I have never understood the appeal of messaging other than sending free SMS messages to other Mac and iOS devices. I prefer a more cross-platform solution in which I can send messages to everyone, regardless of their computer and phone operating system.
For my paranoid friends wearing tin foil hats, this solution is Signal, which I have mentioned many times. For the rest, who indignantly declare: “I have nothing to hide!” , it’s best to use WhatsApp, which has a desktop version. Signal also has a desktop version.
Replace LibreOffice Pages
Replace Pages with LibreOffice
Apple’s suite of office apps, led by Pages, is something I never really knew much about. Perhaps I was too used to Microsoft Office, or perhaps by the time I got my first Mac, I was too mesmerized using LibreOffice.
For the staggering total cost of free use, LibreOffice gives you almost everything that Apple’s office suite does. Plus, it’s lighter and faster.
You can also open Microsoft Office and Apple Office documents with LibreOffice and save them in the same formats.
Replace Quicktime with VLC Player
Replace Quicktime with VLC Player
I’m actually a big fan of QuickTime, but its big Achilles’ heel is that it doesn’t play all types of media. AVI and MKV files are two examples. This makes QuickTime very limited to use.
So I am forced to also run VLC Player on Mac, which can take over when QuickTime stumbles. VLC is the progenitor of launching multimedia files where other applications cannot.
Those I didn’t bother suggesting replacements for
- iTunes – starting with macOS Catalina (coming in the next couple of months) iTunes as it stands will officially cease to exist for the Mac.
- Image Capture – For scanning documents, Image Capture works surprisingly well. You can also access your scanner through the preview or through the Printers & Scanners option in System Preferences. So no need to reinvent the wheel here.
- Photos – Not too long ago I would have argued for using Google Picasa, but since Google killed it, the Apple Photos app is no worse.
- Notes – You can use Evernote or Microsoft OneNote, but they are paid. Plus, Apple has really improved its Notes app.
- Reminders – It used to be very easy, but with iOS 13, Reminders is now an absolute monster with pop-up reminders when you send a message to a specific person.
- Time Machine – I honestly don’t know anything better than Time Machine in the backup department.
- Promotions and Voice Memos – Who Honestly Uses Them?
I haven’t bothered to suggest alternatives to
- iTunes – starting with MacOS Catalina (coming out in the next two months), iTunes in its current form It will officially no longer exist for Mac
- Image Capture – For scanning documents, Image Capture works surprisingly well. You can also access the scanner via Preview or via the Printers and Scanners option in System Preferences . So there’s no need to reinvent the wheel here.
- Pictures – Not long ago, I would have been defending using Google Picasa But since this is now killed by Google, Apple’s photos app is just as good.
- Notes – You can use Evernote (Opens in a new tab)”> Evernote or Microsoft OneNote , but it’s not Free. Additionally, Apple has already improved its Notes app.
- Reminders – This was previously pretty overdressed but with iOS 13, reminders are now an absolute beast with reminders that send a message to a specific person.
- Time Machine – honestly I don’t know anything that Best Time Machine in Backup section .
- Stock and Voice Memos – Who is genuinely using them?
Obviously, “best†is a very subjective term, so what I think is the best may not match your opinion. But hopefully this article has introduced you to some other options.
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