When I was switched from Windows to Mac, I frustrated by the lack of basic features I had gotten used to. However, after months of testing, I discovered several apps that were a perfect fit for those gaps, and now my Mac functions precisely as I want it to.
1– AltTab
I find that using Command + Tab to move between apps on macOS is far more comfortable than using the Dock because it allows me to keep my hands on the keyboard. However, you’ve undoubtedly seen how much more limited Apple’s approach is if you’ve ever used the Windows equivalent by hitting Alt + Tab.
For starters, macOS merely displays the app icons without providing a sneak peek at what’s going on within each one. The inability to select which window I want to switch to when I have two different windows of the same application open is another big irritation.
By creating an app switcher that is quite similar to the one on Windows but offers much more customization possibilities, AltTab resolves all of these problems on macOS. You
Download: AltTab (Free)
2– Maccy
The absence of an integrated clipboard manager is among the most annoying features of both macOS and iOS. Thankfully, you can access this feature on your Mac by using Maccy. It may be accessed from the menu bar or by using Command + Shift + C, which brings up a pop-up window with a history of all the recent copies you’ve made.
In addition to handling text, Maccy can also handle files, showing the file locations of any duplicated items. With Maccy, you can search through your entire clipboard history by just typing what you’re looking for. You can even pin commonly used things for easy access.
The best thing is that Maccy doesn’t send any data to external servers because it runs purely on-device.
Download: Maccy (Free)
3 – iStat Menus
To monitor important system metrics like CPU and GPU use, RAM usage, and even system temperatures, I like to use Task Manager on Windows. Although it’s not as strong, Activity Monitor on a Mac lets you see similar data.
That’s why I use iStat Menus. It gives me a comprehensive breakdown of all the components, including the CPU, GPU, memory, battery life, and even the temperature of each one.
I love iStat Menus because it lets me see which apps are consuming the most resources and shows all of the information on the menu bar. It’s perfect for a quick look when I don’t want to open another program merely to monitor my system.
The app may feel a bit bloated at times due to extra features like weather data and calendar integration that don’t exactly fit its main purpose. You have the option to disable those features, albeit I wish they weren’t enabled by default.
Download: iStat Menus ($11.99, free trial available)
4 – Background Music
I’m constantly perplexed when I use my Mac and discover that it doesn’t have this fundamental capability because Windows has long enabled users to change the volume of individual apps. Since I frequently listen to music while gaming, the fact that macOS only allows you to adjust the system volume might be annoying.
Background music can help with that. This useful program gives you the opportunity to control the volume of each macOS application separately. From the menu bar, you can effortlessly change the volume for various apps and even manage the balance between your left and right speakers.
The program even activates an auto-pause feature for your music-streaming app and allows you to choose the audio output device. This implies that when it hears sounds from another app, your music will cease automatically.
Download: Background Music (Free)
5 – CrossOver
Although Mac gaming is undoubtedly inferior to Windows gaming, if a game isn’t compatible with macOS, it doesn’t mean you have no other options. CrossOver, which lets you install and play Windows games on your Mac, is a fantastic option.
The finest aspect? CrossOver makes the most of your Mac’s hardware, as opposed to using a virtual machine to access Windows. As a result, you can improve overall performance without having to commit a percentage of your system resources to it.
Despite CrossOver’s excellent performance, it’s vital to remember that game compatibility might occasionally be inconsistent. The majority of single-player games without intrusive DRM function effectively. Multiplayer games like Valorant, however, are a different matter. You won’t be able to play these games on your Mac since they frequently have strong anti-cheat measures that CrossOver can’t get over.
Nevertheless, CrossOver might be a fantastic method to add more titles to your macOS library if you prefer single-player games.
Download: CrossOver ($24, free trial available)
The fact that I have to install so many apps in order to access fundamental functionalities that have been available on Windows PCs for years is really annoying. However, I find it difficult to transition to Windows because macOS has its own perks. Thankfully, I can customize the experience to suit my needs thanks to these third-party apps.