Open-Source Apps

Created by Nelson de Benito

365 apps ( Last updated: 12 hours ago )

Mac is often associated with polished, paid software, but the open-source ecosystem on macOS is more mature than may expect. There are projects with years of active development, interfaces that respect the system's design language, and features you won't find in the App Store. LibreOffice, VLC, Bitwarden, and HandBrake are among the most well-known, but there are dozens of equally solid tools for productivity, development, multimedia, and privacy. Free, auditable, and without lock-ins.

1. balenaEtcher

Flash bootable USB and SD drives on Mac with safeguards hiding internal disks. Supports ISO, IMG, DMG, and more; completely free and open source...

5.0

77.5 k downloads

2. Tor Browser

Onion routing keeps your browsing anonymous, blocking ISP tracking and region locks. Connect via a simple control panel and use a hardened, portable Firefox—open-source...

5.0

227.5 k downloads

3. Citra

Play Nintendo 3DS games on Mac at full speed with crisper 3D and dual-screen control. Open-source, keyboard/gamepad support, mouse touch, fullscreen toggle, community-driven...

3.5

156.4 k downloads

4. Brave Browser

Built-in ad and tracker blocking makes this free, open-source Chromium browser a solid privacy pick. Clean tabs, flexible search, and cross-device sync keep browsing fast...

4.3

121.8 k downloads

5. LibreOffice

Free, open-source office suite for Mac with full Microsoft Office compatibility. Edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, manage databases, plus a handy recent files history...

5.0

232.7 k downloads

6. OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Install macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur on older Macs from 2007 onward. This open-source tool skips firmware hacks and supports in-place reinstalls...

4.6

42.6 k downloads

7. qBittorrent

Built-in torrent search lets you find and download files without hopping between websites. This open-source BitTorrent client also supports RSS filters, UPnP, and torrent creation...

5.0

174.7 k downloads

8. Signal

End-to-end encrypted, open-source messaging for Mac that syncs with your phone. Send photos, videos, and files, verify identities, and stay updated without checking your phone...

4.5

36.7 k downloads

9. VLC Media Player

Plays virtually any video or audio format on Mac, from MKV to MP3, plus DVDs and streams. Open-source with customizable subtitles, skins, and command-line control...

4.2

2.2 M downloads

10. Transmission

Open‑source BitTorrent client with a minimal, lightweight design. Manage torrents easily on macOS with magnet links, file selection, and upload/download speed limits...

3.0

94.3 k downloads