Best Mac Apps for Developers to Consider in 2024

Mac is a highly favored platform for supporting all the necessary OS X developer tools, making it indispensable for developers creating apps for iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, or Apple Watches.

With the Apple App Store boasting a staggering 2.23 million iPhone apps and the numbers continually rising, there’s a growing demand for iOS programmers.

Developers are often in search of applications and software that can maximize their productivity and provide better results.

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Given the plethora of Mac solutions available today, selecting the right one can be quite daunting. If you find yourself grappling with this decision, then this article is tailor-made for you. Following extensive forums and doing thorough research, we’ve curated this list of the top Mac applications that can significantly boost your development workflow and productivity.

List of Best Mac Apps for Developers in 2024

Xcode

Xcode is Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) primarily designed for developing software applications for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It’s an essential tool for developers who want to create apps for Apple’s ecosystem.

It is available for free on the Mac App Store, and it’s the go-to tool for iOS and macOS app development. It offers a comprehensive set of features and resources to help developers create high-quality applications for Apple’s platforms.

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Xcode Features

Syntax highlighting, code completion, and code folding.
Visual UI design with Auto Layout support.
Test on iOS and watchOS simulators.
Integrated debugger with LLDB.
Git and Subversion integration.
Unit and UI testing.
Instruments for profiling.
App Store deployment and code signing.

Pros

Powerful IDE with a wide range of features for developing apps for Apple’s platforms.
Includes a powerful debugger and simulator for testing apps.
Has a large community of developers and resources available online.
Free to use.

Cons

Can be complex to learn, especially for new developers.
Can be slow at times, especially for large projects.
Not as customizable as some other IDEs.
Limited platform support (only available for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS).

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular and highly versatile code editor developed by Microsoft. It’s known for its lightweight yet feature-rich nature, extensive extension marketplace, and cross-platform compatibility. A highly customizable and popular code editor developed by Microsoft, known for its extensive extensions and support for various programming languages.

It is a versatile and widely adopted code editor that can be adapted to various programming tasks, from web development to data science. Its rich feature set, extension support, and active community make it a robust choice for developers across different domains.

Visual Studio Code Features

Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
A vast marketplace of extensions for customizing and extending functionality.
Includes a built-in terminal for command-line operations.
Seamlessly integrates with Git for version control.
Provides intelligent code completion and suggestions.
Highly customizable with themes, settings, and keyboard shortcuts.
Backed by an active developer community.
VS Code is free to use and open source.

Pros

Lightweight and fast
Cross-platform
Extensive plugin ecosystem
Configurable
Free and open-source
Built-in Git support
Debugging tools
Integration with other tools

Cons

Not as powerful as some IDEs
Can be overwhelming for new users
Can be buggy
Can be difficult to learn
Not as integrated as some IDEs
Can be slow with large projects

Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a popular code editor known for its speed, simplicity, and extensive customization options. It’s widely used by developers for various programming tasks. A lightweight, fast, and feature-rich code editor with a devoted user base and a wide range of plugins and themes.

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Sublime Text’s combination of speed, simplicity, and powerful features has made it a popular choice among developers for a wide range of programming tasks. Its extensive customization options and active community support further enhance its appeal.

Sublime Text Features

Known for its fast startup and responsiveness.
Supports numerous programming languages.
Allows easy installation of plugins and extensions.
Highly customizable with themes and settings.
Supports multiple cursors for simultaneous editing.
Powerful search and replace functionality.
Features a clean and minimalistic user interface.
Supported by an active user community.

Pros

Fast and lightweight
Flexible and customizable
Supports a wide range of programming languages
Has a large community
Free to use for personal use

Cons

Not as feature-rich as some IDEs
Can be difficult to learn
No built-in debugger

PyCharm

PyCharm is an integrated development environment (IDE) specifically designed for Python development. Developed by JetBrains, PyCharm provides a wide range of features and tools tailored to the Python programming language.

Its focus on Python development and its wide range of Python-specific tools and features make it a top choice for Python developers, whether they are working on web applications, data science projects, or other Python-related tasks.

PyCharm Features

Designed specifically for Python development.
Offers intelligent code completion and suggestions.
Simplifies code navigation with “Go to Definition” and more.
Provides tools for improving code structure and readability.
Includes a built-in debugger for Python code.
Seamless integration with Git, Mercurial, and Subversion.
Supports database interactions with SQL and code completion.
Offers both free and paid editions.

Pros

Powerful and versatile
Easy to use
Configurable
Has a large community
Free for community edition

Cons

Can be resource-intensive
Can be complex
Not as customizable as some other IDEs

Postman

Postman is a popular collaboration platform for designing, building, and testing application programming interfaces (APIs). It provides a range of features and tools for developers and teams working with APIs. A popular API development environment that simplifies the process of developing APIs and testing endpoints.

Overall, Postman is a powerful tool for developers and teams to streamline API development, testing, and collaboration, making it an essential part of modern software development workflows.

Postman Features

Create and run REST, SOAP, and GraphQL queries
Supports various authentication methods like No auth, Basic Auth, OAuth, and Bearer Token
Create multiple team workspaces for collaborating on API collections, environments, and flows
Allows you to suggest changes by adding comments and tagging team members using @mention
Choose to monitor team workspaces to get notified whenever a team member makes changes
Integrates with popular tools like Dropbox, Slack, Azure DevOps, Github, Gitlab, and Bitbucket

Pros

Easy to use
Feature-rich
Collaborative
Extensive documentation
Free

Cons

Not as powerful as some other API testing tools
Can be slow for large projects
Not as customizable as some other API testing tools

Homebrew

Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS and Linux operating systems. It simplifies the process of installing, updating, and managing software packages and libraries on your computer. A package manager for macOS that makes it easy to install and manage software packages and libraries.

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It is a powerful and flexible package manager that simplifies the installation and management of software packages on macOS and Linux systems. It is particularly useful for developers and system administrators who want an efficient way to maintain their software stack.

Homebrew Features

Install, update, and manage software packages.
Automatically handles package dependencies.
Create custom formulas for unique packages.
Active community for updates and bug fixes.
Install macOS applications and binaries.
Easily remove packages and clean up old versions.
Often used for setting up development environments.

Pros

Easy to use
Wide range of packages
Up-to-date packages
Secure
Free

Cons

Not as powerful as some other package managers
Can be difficult to troubleshoot
Not as customizable as some other package managers

SourceTree

SourceTree is a free and popular graphical user interface (GUI) client for managing Git and Mercurial repositories. It simplifies the process of working with version control systems by providing an intuitive and visual interface for common Git and Mercurial tasks.

It is especially useful for developers who prefer a visual interface for version control operations, whether they are working with Git or Mercurial. It simplifies complex tasks and provides a user-friendly experience for managing repositories.

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SourceTree Features

Has a clean and intuitive UI that is easy to navigate
You can execute complex Git commands with just a few clicks
Supports popular Git and Mercurial hosting platforms like Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab
Get a visual representation of a project’s commit history and branch structure
Organize your commit history by combining, deleting, or reordering commits
Search through your local Git logs with a robust search functionality

Pros

Visual interface
Branch management
Pull requests
Diff viewer
Issue tracking
Free

Cons

Not as powerful as some other Git clients
Can be slow for large repositories
Not as customizable as some other Git clients

ClickUp

ClickUp is a popular project management and productivity tool that is designed to help teams and individuals organize tasks, collaborate, and manage work efficiently. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities.

It is a versatile tool suitable for various industries and team sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. Its customizable nature and extensive feature set make it a powerful solution for project and task management, collaboration, and productivity enhancement.

ClickUp Features

Effortlessly navigate through ClickUp’s user-friendly interface.
Access ClickUp on the web, desktop, and mobile platforms for seamless task management.
Tailor your task details and visualize progress by customizing fields, views, and dashboards.
Receive timely notifications to stay on track with deadlines.
Estimate task durations and monitor actual work hours efficiently.
Integrate with over 100 tools like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Figma.
Utilize ready-made templates for backlog and sprint management, bug tracking, and agile scrum.

Pros

All-in-one
Flexible
Easy to use
Collaborative
Affordable

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Not as powerful as some other project management tools
Lack of integrations

Slack

Slack is a popular messaging and collaboration platform that facilitates communication and teamwork within organizations. Team communication and collaboration, are especially important for remote or distributed development teams. Slack is used in big enterprises due to the availability of numerous integrations. These integrations make Slack a go-to app for developers.

It is a great choice for teams that need a simple, easy-to-use, and collaborative chat application. It is secure and affordable, and it offers a free plan for individuals and small teams. However, it can be overwhelming for some users, and it is not as powerful as some other collaboration tools.

Overall, Slack is designed to enhance team communication and productivity, making it a valuable tool for businesses and organizations of all sizes.

Slack Features

Organize conversations by topic or project.
Send private messages to individuals or groups.
Receive real-time alerts for mentions and messages.
Connect with third-party apps and services.
Robust search function for finding past messages and files.
Personalize Slack with custom settings and integrations.
Create automated processes and notifications.
Hold virtual meetings and collaborate via calls.

Pros

Simple and easy to use
Collaborative
Extensible
Secure
Free

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Not as powerful as some other collaboration tools
Can be distracting

iTerm2

iTerm2 is a popular terminal emulator for macOS, known for its advanced features and customization options. iTerm2 is a free and open-source terminal emulator for macOS, licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later. It was derived from and has mostly supplanted the earlier “iTerm” application.

Overall, iTerm2 is a feature-rich terminal emulator that caters to both casual and power users, offering a highly customizable and efficient terminal experience on macOS.

iTerm2 Features

Easily split your terminal window into multiple panes for multitasking.
Powerful search functionality with support for regular expressions and highlighting.
Intelligent auto-completion suggestions as you type.
Built-in support for various shells like Bash.
Ability to automate tasks with AppleScript and shell integration.
Save and restore your terminal sessions.
Full mouse support for selecting and interacting with text.
Securely store and autofill passwords.

Pros

Powerful
Customizable
Extensible
Free

Cons

Can be complex
Not as user-friendly as some other terminal emulators
Can be resource-intensive

FAQs

What is the best app for developers on Mac?

Xcode is one of the best MAC apps for developers. It has a code editorial manager, underpins different programming languages, and allows developers a bring together work processes for UI configuration, testing, coding, and troubleshooting. Moreover, it processes Xcode Swift, IDE, and C/C /Objective-C compilers.

What are the best Mac apps for developers in 2024?

The best Mac apps for developers can vary depending on individual needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to explore a variety of tools to find the ones that work best for your specific development tasks and projects.

Are there any essential development tools for Mac users in 2024?

Essential tools often include code editors or integrated development environments (IDEs), version control systems like Git, package managers like Homebrew, and tools for testing and debugging.

What code editor or IDE should I use for a programming language?

The choice of code editor or IDE depends on the programming language you’re using. Some popular options include Visual Studio Code (VSCode), Xcode (for Apple ecosystem development), IntelliJ IDEA (for Java), PyCharm (for Python), and WebStorm (for web development).

Are there any essential utilities or productivity apps for developers on Mac?

Yes, many productivity and utility apps can enhance your development workflow. Examples include iTerm2 for terminal work, Postman for API testing, and Slack for team communication.

How can I stay up-to-date with the latest Mac apps for developers in 2024?

To stay current, you can regularly check technology blogs, developer forums, and websites that provide software recommendations. Additionally, consider joining developer communities and attending conferences to learn about new tools and best practices.

Are there Mac apps tailored to specific development niches in 2024?

Depending on your specific development niche (e.g., mobile app development, web development, data science), there may be specialized tools and apps available. Research within your niche’s community to find the most relevant apps for your work.

Final words

If you want to become a successful iOS developer, you have to follow the right path and tools. Using the industry’s best applications can give you a quick start to becoming a developer.

The apps we shared in this article are the most used ones. But definitely, there are many Mac apps in the market today that can benefit iOS developers. If you find the applications useful, please share it with your colleague developers.

Best Mac Apps for Developers in 2024