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Free alternatives to paid Mac utilities

Free and open-source replacements for the paid utilities many Mac users install first.

Replacing all 7 paid apps saves up to $140 USD a year and $575 USD in one-time purchases

Last verified

Each paid app, its best free pick and what switching saves
Paid appBest free pickYou stop paying
CleanMyMacPearcleanerSituationalLicense: Source-available$40 a year
BartenderIceSituationalLicense: Open source$25 once
AlfredRaycastTop pickLicense: Free tier$45 once
MagnetRectangleTop pickLicense: Open source$5 once
Parallels DesktopUTMStrongLicense: Open source$100 a year
Final Cut ProDaVinci ResolveTop pickLicense: Free tier$300 once
Logic ProArdourStrongLicense: Open source$200 once
Total for all 7 apps$140 USD a year+ $575 USD once

Savings are list prices for each app on its own plan, checked on the dates shown on each app’s page. Apps sold in the same subscription are counted once in the total, and a bundle can cost less than the sum.

  1. Instead of CleanMyMac

    All 2 alternatives to CleanMyMac

    Swap for Pearcleaner or AppCleaner to remove apps and their leftovers.

    Pearcleaner

    Best for open-source app removal with extra Mac tools

    License: Source-available
    • macOS
    Status: Slow

    Saves $40 USD a year vs CleanMyMac ($58 CAD)

    Also good: AppCleaner.

  2. Instead of Bartender

    All 2 alternatives to Bartender

    Swap for Ice to hide and rearrange menu bar icons.

    Ice

    Best for a free, open-source Bartender replacement

    License: Open source
    • macOS
    Status: Active

    Saves $25 USD one-time vs Bartender (≈$36 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Hidden Bar.

  3. Instead of Alfred

    All 2 alternatives to Alfred

    Swap the Powerpack for Raycast's free plan.

    Raycast

    Best for a free launcher with extensions on a Mac

    License: Free tier
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    Status: Verified

    Saves $45 USD one-time vs Alfred (≈$64 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Microsoft PowerToys.

  4. Instead of Magnet

    All 3 alternatives to Magnet

    Swap for Rectangle, open source with keyboard shortcuts for every layout.

    Rectangle

    Best for a free Magnet replacement on a Mac

    License: Open source
    • macOS
    Status: Active

    Saves $5 USD one-time vs Magnet (≈$7 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Loop, Microsoft PowerToys.

  5. Instead of Parallels Desktop

    All 4 alternatives to Parallels Desktop

    Swap for UTM, or VMware Fusion Pro, which is now free.

    UTM

    Best for free, open-source VMs on Apple silicon

    License: Open source
    • macOS
    • iOS
    Status: Active

    Saves $100 USD a year vs Parallels Desktop ($130 CAD)

    Also good: VMware Fusion Pro, VirtualBox, QEMU.

  6. Instead of Final Cut Pro

    All 4 alternatives to Final Cut Pro

    Swap for the free edition of DaVinci Resolve.

    DaVinci Resolve

    Best for pro-level editing and color on any desktop

    License: Free tier
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Verified
    • DRP: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • MP4: opens and saves, partial fidelity. The free version exports up to UHD at 60 fps; free Linux builds lack H.264 and H.265 support
    • MOV: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • XML: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Final Cut Pro 7 XML carries cuts, transitions and basic effects, not Premiere effects
    • FCPXML: opens and saves, partial fidelity. Timelines and basic effects move across; Final Cut Pro effects do not

    Saves $300 USD one-time vs Final Cut Pro (≈$428 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: Kdenlive, Shotcut, iMovie.

  7. Instead of Logic Pro

    All 4 alternatives to Logic Pro

    Swap for Ardour to record and mix, or GarageBand, which comes with every Mac.

    Ardour

    Best for open-source recording and mixing

    License: Open source
    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    Status: Active
    • WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • MP3: opens and saves, partial fidelity. MP3 export depends on the encoder available in your build
    • FLAC: opens and saves, full fidelity
    • PTX: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports audio regions and tracks from Pro Tools sessions; plug-ins and automation do not carry over
    • MID: opens and saves, full fidelity

    Saves $200 USD one-time vs Logic Pro (≈$285 CAD, estimated)

    Also good: GarageBand, Waveform Free, LMMS.