You can also add what are called workflows that allow you to do all kinds of amazing, time-saving things.

Beyond just searching for apps and files, you can do quick math without having to open a calculator you can search the web without first having to open your browser you can check definitions without opening a dictionary you can check your clipboard history control your music view your contacts and so much more. However, if you dig a little deeper, it’s functionality seems almost limitless. At its core, it can search your Mac and launch apps, which is still my main use case. So, back to Alfred, it’s like Spotlight on steroids. Insignificant? No way! As you’ll find as we continue to dive into additional tools, all of these opportunities to save 10, 15, or 30 seconds here and there really add up over the course of a day, let alone a week, month, or year, and can prove to be significant optimizations to your productive capacity. On the surface, that may sound insignificant or unnecessary. If you search for an application, you can then open that app immediately without either having to reach for your mouse, moving to the dock, and clicking the app icon, or (worse) opening a Finder window, going to Applications, then opening the app you want. It searches your Mac for whatever you type. See that little search field pop up? That’s Spotlight.

Not sure what that is? Type command-space bar.

Alfred replaces the built in Spotlight function on your Mac. In all of my experimenting, I’ve landed on a pretty solid list of the best Mac utility apps for organization and productivity that I can’t live without - the kind of tools that make people say, “How’d you do that?” Some are probably obvious, but hopefully you come away with 1 or 2 new ideas of how to optimize your productivity.Įvery list MUST start with Alfred. Some may argue that I’d be more productive if I just quit trying new stuff and focused on cranking out work with the tools I already know, but I’m a firm believer that a little extra time experimenting upfront can pay huge dividends in the long run. In an attempt to be productive, I spend a lot of time optimizing my workflow with organizational tools, apps, and utilities.

Best free mac utility program