10 Essential Free macOS Apps for Web Developers
If you’re a web developer like me, you know how crucial it is to have the right applications to boost your productivity. Without them, developing a single website could become a time-consuming task. Luckily, there are numerous applications available for web development across different platforms.
In this article, I want to highlight some of the best OS X Applications that every web developer should have in their toolbox. And the best part? They’re all completely free! So, let’s dive in and explore these amazing tools.
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100 Essential Free Mac Apps
The Mac is a powerful machine with an impressive operating system. If you’re a Mac lover like me, you’ll find this list of 100 free Mac apps interesting and helpful. Click here to read more.
1. VirtualHostX
When I first started working on VirtualHostX, it was originally a plugin called “Web Sharing.” This handy plugin allowed you to easily toggle the built-in Apache Server on and off in your Mac’s System Preferences. It was super useful for hosting a local environment for your websites.
Over time, VirtualHostX has grown and transformed into something much more impressive. Now, it’s a powerful application that helps you seamlessly manage your localhost environment. With its modern and user-friendly interface, you can do a whole lot more. For example, you can easily create and share a public URL to access your localhost site, and even secure it with a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt. Plus, you can take advantage of the built-in backup feature to keep your work safe.
2. Keka
When I download files, they often come in compressed formats like zip, rar, or tar. These formats allow multiple files to be delivered together. But here’s the thing: the Mac’s built-in feature for extracting these formats is pretty limited.
That’s why I use Keka. It’s an awesome, free, open-source application made specifically for OS X. With Keka, you can easily compress and extract files without any hassle. It supports all the formats I mentioned earlier, like zip, rar, and tar. But it doesn’t stop there! Keka also supports other compression formats, including 7z, Gzip, Tar, DMG, and ISO. And it’s so good at what it does that it can even handle more uncommon formats like RAR, EXE, CAB, and PAX.
With Keka, you’ve got some nifty features at your fingertips. You can slap on some password protection, chop up your files into digestible chunks, have the original file vanish upon compression or extraction, and pick the compression method that suits you best. Plus, it plays nice with the OS X Notification Center, so you’ll get a little tap on the shoulder when things go right or wrong.
Now, let’s talk about squeezing those files. Keka makes it a cinch, and you’ve got two options. The first is to snag the Services context menu by downloading it and giving it a home on your computer.
Hey there! I’m here to let you know about two easy ways to compress your files using Keka.
The first option is to use Keka’s handy “Compress” button. Just select the files you want to compress, right-click on them, and choose the “Compress” option from the context menu. Keka will then work its magic and create a compressed file for you.
The second option is even simpler. You can just drag and drop your files onto the Keka application window. It’s as easy as that! Keka will automatically compress the files using the default settings.
So whether you prefer the click of a button or the smooth drag and drop method, Keka has you covered. It’s time to make file compression a breeze!
3. Sequel Pro
Did you know that MySQL is one of the most popular open-source databases used all over the world? It’s true! Many websites, including well-known platforms like WordPress, rely on MySQL to store their valuable data. If you’re using an OS X computer and need a top-notch tool for managing your MySQL databases, look no further than Sequel Pro.
Sequel Pro is a fantastic native application that’s tailor-made for OS X. It’s built with Cocoa, which means it has a sleek and user-friendly interface that sets it apart from other similar programs. With Sequel Pro, you can effortlessly create, remove, export, import, and filter your databases. Need to create MySQL users? No problem. Want to execute a MySQL query? Sequel Pro has got you covered.
4. Koala
Let me introduce you to Koala! It’s a nifty tool that takes care of all your compiling needs. Whether you’re working with LESS, Sass, Compass, or CoffeeScript, Koala will transform your code into a format that any browser can understand.
If you’re a fan of these hip technologies, then you definitely need to have Koala on your Mac. It’s like having a personal assistant that streamlines your workflow and makes your life easier.
5. Experience the iPhone on Your Computer
If you want to check how your websites look on a mobile device, you have a couple of options. You can either use an actual phone or tablet, or you can try using an emulator like iPhone Simulator. But before you can use iPhone Simulator, you need to install Xcode from the AppStore.
Now, finding the iPhone Simulator within the Xcode application can be a bit tricky. Luckily, there’s a simple way to access it directly from your Applications folder. Just run the following command:
ln -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Applications/Simulator.app ~/Applications
6. Icons8
If you’re in need of a wide variety of icons, look no further than Icons8. With Icons8, you’ll have access to over 2800 collections of icons, all conveniently located in a single menu bar. Simply search for the icon you need, then easily add it to any application you’re using, such as Photoshop, Xcode, or Finder.
7. Browsing the Web
When it comes to viewing the websites we create, we obviously need a Browser. But as a developer, you might need to take it a step further by testing your website on different versions of Browsers, including the ones that are still being developed like Nightly Builds and Beta versions.
In addition to the standard Browsers, you may also want to consider using Firefox Nightly, Firefox Aurora, Chrome Canary, Chromium, and Opera Next.
Devdocs: Your Ultimate Coding Companion
Do you ever feel overwhelmed trying to remember all the different code and syntax from various programming languages? Trust me, I’ve been there. But fear not, because I’ve found the perfect solution for you – Devdocs.
Devdocs is like having a personal coding encyclopedia at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can access a vast collection of documentation for HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, Sass, LESS, and so much more. It’s a developer’s dream come true!
One of the best features of Devdocs is its powerful search functionality. No more wasting time scouring the web for that one elusive line of code. Devdocs lets you quickly find whatever you need – codes, syntax, functions, and even useful code snippets – all in one convenient place.
So why struggle to memorize everything when you can have Devdocs as your trusty coding companion? Install Dash now and take your coding experience to the next level!
9. Automator: Mastering the Art of Automation
Did you know that on your trusty Mac, you have a secret weapon in your arsenal? It’s called Automator, and it’s been patiently waiting for you to discover its hidden powers. This magical application has already been pre-installed with OS X, just waiting for you to unleash its secrets.
With Automator, you hold the power to streamline your web development workflow. Say goodbye to repetitive tasks and experience newfound efficiency. Picture this: imagine having the ability to automatically rename files in batch, change file extensions effortlessly, or effortlessly create thumbnail images. Sounds pretty amazing, right? Well, Automator can do all that and more.
With its intuitive interface and user-friendly design, Automator allows you to create custom workflows to automate a variety of tasks. Whether you want to crop multiple images at once, resize images to fit a specific dimension, or convert file formats in a flash, Automator has got your back.
But that’s not all! Automator also offers a plethora of pre-designed actions that are ready to go right out of the box. These ready-made solutions make it easy for you to dive right into the world of automation without any prior coding knowledge. From organizing files to resizing images, Automator has you covered.
So, why spend precious time on repetitive tasks when you can let Automator do the heavy lifting? With just a few clicks, you can create your own personalized shortcuts, supercharging your productivity. It’s like having your very own personal assistant, ready to take on the tedious jobs so you can focus on what really matters.
With Automator as your trusty sidekick, you can bid farewell to manual labor and embrace the joys of automation. So go ahead, let your creativity flow and discover the endless possibilities that await you with Automator. Your web development journey will never be the same again!
10. Poedit
Poedit is a super handy tool for website developers like me. It’s an editor specifically designed for .po files, which are extremely important for making websites accessible in different languages. Imagine you have a website and you want people from all over the world to be able to use it. Poedit helps you achieve that by allowing you to translate the website’s user interface into multiple languages.
Let’s say you’re developing a website or creating awesome WordPress themes and plugins for people all around the globe. In that case, you definitely need to have Poedit in your toolbox. It’s an absolute must-have!
Hooray for SourceTree & Github!
When you’re making a website, no matter if it’s big or small, it’s super important to have a way to keep track of all the changes and revisions you make to your code. That’s where a special tool called a control version system comes in handy.
Nowadays, the most popular control version system is called Git. And lucky for you, there are two awesome applications for macOS that make using Git even easier and more convenient. They’re called SourceTree and Github, and the best part is, they’re both totally free to use!
