If you're using a Mac with Apple’s powerful M1 or M2 chip, you already know how smooth and fast your machine can be. But to truly unlock its full potential, you need the right apps — ones that enhance productivity, streamline your workflow, and make everyday tasks easier and faster.
Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this list of Top 10 must-have Mac apps for M1 & M2 will help you work smarter, not harder. Let's dive in!
1. Notion– All-in-One Workspace
Best for:
Notes, task management, wikis, collaboration
Why you need it: Notion is perfect for organizing your life and work. From to-do lists and calendars to complex project tracking, it keeps everything in one place.
✅ Optimized for M1 & M2
✅ Free personal plan available
2. Magnet – Window Management Made Simple
Best for:
Multitasking
Why you need it: Magnet helps you arrange windows side by side with simple drag-and-drop shortcuts. It's perfect for increasing screen efficiency, especially when working with multiple apps.
✅ Lightweight
✅ One-time purchase, no subscription
3. Alfred – Supercharged Productivity Launcher
Best for:
Keyboard productivity, quick searches
Why you need it:
Think of Alfred as Spotlight on steroids. It allows you to launch apps, search files, and run system commands at lightning speed.
✅ Customizable workflows
✅ Native M1/M2 support
4. Bear – Clean and Elegant Writing App
Best for:
Writers, bloggers, students
Why you need it:
Bear offers a distraction-free writing environment with powerful markdown support. Perfect for focused writing on any topic.
✅ Syncs across Apple devices
✅ Beautiful and simple UI
5. 1Password – Secure Password Management
Best for: Security & privacy
Why you need it:
Keep all your passwords secure and accessible with one master password. Auto-fill features save you time and protect your data.
✅ Supports Touch ID on Mac
✅ Compatible with M1 & M2
6. Things 3 – Powerful To-Do & Task Manager
Best for:
Personal task management
Why you need it:
With a sleek design and intuitive layout, Things 3 helps you organize your day and hit your goals with ease.
✅ Award-winning UI
✅ Seamless performance on M1/M2
7. Spark – Smart Email Client
Best for:
Managing multiple email accounts
Why you need it:
Spark organizes your inbox, highlights important messages, and helps you write better emails faster with templates and AI suggestions.
✅ Unified inbox
✅ M1 & M2 chip optimization
8. CleanMyMac X – Keep Your Mac Fast & Healthy
Best for:
System cleanup & optimization
Why you need it:
This app scans and removes junk files, malware, and unnecessary system clutter to keep your Mac running like new.
✅ One-click cleanup
✅ Fully optimized for Apple Silicon
9. Todoist – Task Management Across Devices
Best for:
Cross-platform productivity
Why you need it: Todoist lets you organize and prioritize tasks across platforms with features like recurring tasks, labels, and productivity tracking.
✅ Cloud syncing
✅ Fast on M1 & M2 devices
10. Setapp – All-in-One App Subscription
Best for:
Getting access to multiple premium apps
Why you need it: Setapp is like Netflix for Mac apps. For a monthly fee, you get access to 200+ apps including productivity, development, writing, and utility tools.
✅ Great value for money
✅ M1/M2 compatible apps included
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🚀 Final Thoughts
Upgrading to an M1 or M2 Mac is only the beginning. These top 10 must-have Mac apps will maximize your productivity, help you manage your time, and improve your digital workspace dramatically. Whether you're a power user or just getting started, these tools are essential for working faster and smarter on macOS in 2025.