If you’re a Mac user always on the hunt for helpful tools, This is E returns on YouTube with a roundup packed with free apps that can quietly make a big difference in your day-to-day routine. This is E describes them as “cool little apps that quietly add a ton of value to everyday life” — and after checking them out, it’s hard to disagree.
Here’s a closer look at some of the standout free apps and how they can improve your workflow.
- Command X: Ever wish Mac Finder had a proper “cut” function for files? Command X fixes that. With it, you can “cut” files using command C and move them with command + option + V, making file management feel a lot more intuitive. It lives in your menu bar and even plays a satisfying cut sound. The creator calls it an “absolute no-brainer of an app”, and it’s easy to see why.
- Umbra: Want your desktop wallpaper to match your Mac’s light or dark mode automatically? Umbra handles that with ease. It lets you create and switch between dark and light versions of your wallpaper based on your system appearance, and even dims the wallpaper in dark mode to reduce distractions. A nice touch for keeping your setup clean and cohesive.
- Blip: Think of Blip as AirDrop — but better, and across platforms. You can transfer files between Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android devices by simply dragging and dropping. You can also send files remotely via email invites. It notifies the recipient and lets them pick which device to receive on. Bonus: it supports pausing and resuming transfers, and in some tests, it was actually faster than AirDrop.
- Launchy: If you’re tired of cluttered docks or slow app switching, Launchy is a game-changer. It’s a lightweight app launcher triggered by a shortcut (default: command + option) and pops up a customizable wheel at your mouse pointer. It’s fast, clean, and makes multitasking a breeze.
- Why Note: Created by the video’s host, this app is a minimalist text editor that’s perfect for jotting things down quickly. You can find and replace text, clear formatting, and get work done faster than with Mac’s built-in Text Edit. It’s built for speed and simplicity.
- Pure Paste: Hate when copied text brings weird formatting with it? Pure Paste solves that. Instead of using complicated shortcuts, you just hit command V and paste without formatting by default. It sits quietly in your menu bar and just works — ideal for people who paste content constantly.
- Image Optim: Need to shrink image file sizes without losing quality? Just drag your images into Image Optim. It removes metadata and compresses files quickly, turning massive 40MB PNGs into tiny 4MB ones in seconds. Super handy for web uploads and newsletters.
- Gifski: Want to turn a video clip into a high-quality GIF? Gifski helps you do just that. You can tweak frame rate, quality, resolution, speed, and even looping options. Great for making snappy visuals for social posts, product demos, or email campaigns.
- Usage: This one’s a lightweight system monitor that gives you easy-to-understand stats about your Mac’s memory, CPU usage, and battery life. No complex charts — just clean, useful info at a glance. The speaker uses it during heavy exports and to keep tabs on storage and performance.
The video also mentions a few extras like Folder Preview (which costs $2) and Usage Pro (a paid upgrade). There’s also a shout-out to the Plot Node Pin — a sponsored wearable device, not a Mac app, but worth noting if you’re into that space.
Watch the video to see the apps in action:
