# 50 Best Mac Apps to Install with Homebrew

Updated January 2026 • 12 min read

One of the best things about Homebrew is **Homebrew Cask** — the ability to install GUI applications with a single terminal command. No more hunting for download links or dragging apps to your Applications folder.

Here are the **50 best Mac apps** you can install via Homebrew, organized by category.

### How to Install Casks

To install any app from this list, use: `brew install --cask app-name`

Or use [Taphouse](/content/site-root.html) to browse and install visually!

## Developer Tools

#### Visual Studio Code

visual-studio-code

The most popular code editor. Lightweight, extensible, and free.

#### iTerm2

iterm2

The best terminal emulator for macOS. Split panes, search, and more.

#### Docker Desktop

docker

Run containers on your Mac. Essential for modern development.

#### Sublime Text

sublime-text

Fast, lightweight text editor beloved by many developers.

#### Postman

postman

API development and testing made easy.

#### TablePlus

tableplus

Modern, native database management GUI.

#### Insomnia

insomnia

Open-source API client. Great Postman alternative.

#### GitHub Desktop

github

Simple Git GUI from GitHub.

#### Install all developer tools:

```
brew install --cask visual-studio-code iterm2 docker sublime-text postman tableplus insomnia github
```

## Productivity

#### Raycast

raycast

Supercharged Spotlight replacement. Extensions, snippets, and more.

#### Alfred

alfred

Powerful launcher and automation tool.

#### Rectangle

rectangle

Free window management with keyboard shortcuts.

#### Notion

notion

All-in-one workspace for notes, docs, and databases.

#### Obsidian

obsidian

Powerful knowledge base with markdown files.

#### 1Password

1password

Premium password manager.

#### Bitwarden

bitwarden

Open-source password manager.

#### Todoist

todoist

Beautiful task management app.

## Browsers

#### Google Chrome

google-chrome

The world's most popular browser.

#### Firefox

firefox

Privacy-focused browser from Mozilla.

#### Arc

arc

The browser for power users. Spaces, profiles, and more.

#### Brave

brave-browser

Privacy browser with built-in ad blocking.

## Communication

#### Slack

slack

Team communication and collaboration.

#### Discord
ndiscord

Voice, video, and text chat.

#### Zoom

zoom

Video conferencing and meetings.

#### Telegram

telegram

Fast, secure messaging app.

#### WhatsApp

whatsapp

Popular messaging app for Mac.

#### Microsoft Teams

microsoft-teams

Enterprise team collaboration.

## Media & Design

#### Figma

figma

Collaborative design tool.

#### Spotify
n
spotify

Music streaming with massive library.

#### VLC

vlc

Plays any media file. Period.

#### IINA

iina

Modern, native macOS media player.

#### HandBrake

handbrake

Free video transcoder.

#### ImageOptim

imageoptim

Compress images without losing quality.

## System Utilities

#### AppCleaner

appcleaner

Completely uninstall apps and their leftovers.

#### The Unarchiver
nthe-unarchiver

Open any archive format.

#### Stats

stats

System monitor in your menu bar.

#### Karabiner Elements

karabiner-elements

Powerful keyboard customization.

#### MonitorControl

monitorcontrol

Control external monitor brightness.

#### Hidden Bar

hiddenbar

Hide menu bar icons.

#### AltTab
nalt-tab

Windows-style alt-tab for macOS.

#### Mos

mos

Smooth scrolling for external mice.

## Cloud & Sync

#### Dropbox

dropbox

Cloud storage and file sync.

#### Google Drive
ngoogle-drive

Google's cloud storage solution.

#### Syncthing
nsyncthing

Open-source continuous file sync.

#### Transmit
ntransmit

Premium FTP/SFTP client.

## Security & Privacy

#### Mullvad VPN
nmullvad-vpn

Privacy-focused VPN service.

#### Little Snitch
nlittle-snitch

Network monitoring and firewall.

#### ProtonVPN
nprotonvpn

Secure VPN from the makers of ProtonMail.

#### GPG Suite
gpg-suite

Email encryption and key management.

### Easier Way to Browse and Install

Instead of memorizing cask names, use Taphouse to visually browse all 8,000+ casks and install with a click.

[Download Taphouse Free](/content/download/index.html)

## Quick Install Script

Here's a script to install the most popular casks in one go:

```
#!/bin/bash
# Essential Mac apps via Homebrew

# Browsers
brew install --cask google-chrome firefox arc

# Productivity
brew install --cask raycast rectangle notion obsidian

# Development
brew install --cask visual-studio-code iterm2 docker tableplus

# Communication
brew install --cask slack discord zoom

# Media
brew install --cask spotify vlc figma

# Utilities
brew install --cask appcleaner the-unarchiver stats rectangle

# Password manager
brew install --cask bitwarden

echo "Done! All apps installed."
```

Save this as `install-apps.sh`, run `chmod +x install-apps.sh`, then `./install-apps.sh`.

## Keeping Apps Updated

One of the best things about installing apps via Homebrew: updates are easy.

```
# See which casks have updates
brew outdated --cask

# Update all casks
brew upgrade --cask

# Update a specific cask
brew upgrade --cask visual-studio-code
```

Or let [Taphouse](/content/site-root.html) show you outdated apps and update them with one click.

## Summary

Homebrew Cask is the fastest way to set up a new Mac or keep your apps organized. Instead of visiting dozens of websites and clicking through installers, a few terminal commands (or clicks in Taphouse) get you up and running.

Start with the essentials, then explore the 8,000+ casks available. Happy brewing!