Software Treats

63 great Mac programs that won’t cost you a bundle

Illustrations by John Ueland

There’s a lot of free and low-cost software available to Mac users these days. The challenge is sifting through that vast selection to find the prized few worthy of a permanent place on your hard drive.

So to help you out, we’ve scoured the Web and come up with 42 great Mac programs that don’t cost a pretty penny—in fact, many of them are free. We also asked some of our favorite writers and Mac luminaries to choose 21 past software gems that they still can’t live without.

Come see all the goodies we’ve found.

Software Treats

63 great Mac programs that won’t cost you a bundle

Take control of your system

No matter how many productivity tools you instal, the core system configuration will always be your Mac’s heart and soul. Here are a dozen utitilities that will help you take, and keep, control of your system.
Connect with the world

Applications that allow real-time messaging and file transfers are common these days. But there are still several gems that have slipped under the radar. Here are six communication tools that will keep you in touch, everywhere you go.
Get creative

You’ve taken the pictures and done your editing. Now it’s time to put your work into action. These tools will help you get your original artwork and designs ready for prime time.
Look, listen, and learn

Audio and video is booming all over the Web, with embedded media files bringing rich content to the user with minimal interaction. These tools will help you get the most of your multimedia experience, and maybe even learn something along the way.
Organize your life and work faster

With the flood of media sources on the Internet, staying on top of your assets isn’t so easy anymore. The tools and utilities will help you stay ahead of the curve and be more productive in the process. Plus our final batch of Gem Favorites comes from Senior Editor Rob Griffiths.