Free Mac Apps - Updated 2025
I’ve previously mentioned my use of free apps where possible now I’m retired, and looking to save money on bought or subscription Apps, I’ve recently found two more that do just that.
I’ve used the Nektony ‘App Cleaner and Uninstaller’ App to remove unwanted programs or trial editions of Apps for several years, it always worked well and seemed to do a good job of removing virtually all files associated with an App. I went to use it recently on a trial App I’d downloaded and decided I didn’t really need, and it came up with a ‘Subscription Expired, Please Renew’, I’d stopped ‘automatically renew’ last year and renewal now was $14.95 per year or $34.95 as a one time purchase.
Looking to save money I searched for alternatives and found Pearcleaner for free, so downloaded and installed it. I selected the App I wanted uninstalled and it seemed to do exactly the same as App Cleaner and Uninstaller - the removed file sizes looked to be the same and a check using EasyFind (free) showed no traces of the App or it’s additional files on my drive.
My second ‘find’ recently, was ON1 Effects Free 2023. Produced by ON1 who are known for their RAW photo editing alternative to Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop subscription Apps.
Yes, it’s an older version of their paid for ON1 FX App but it’s still a very useable App for free that offers a wide range of effects and options for your photos, from a very subtle change and improvement, to an almost unrecognisable version of your photo.
I don’t intend to give a review of it here, that would take too long, just download it to see for yourself (and if you decide it’s not for you, use Pearcleaner to remove it!). The App offers almost unlimited options for your photos, one of my favorites is Filters>Channel Mixer>Warming Polarizer - See the example below.
Before
After
