1 December 2023

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

By Ronald Smith

As a web developer, I can confidently say that macOS is the operating system of choice for many of us. Aside from its efficiency and reliable hardware, macOS offers a vast array of developer tools that can significantly enhance our productivity and save us valuable time.

In this article, I’ll share with you a selection of the best developer tools available for macOS. Whether you’re a database administrator or an API manager, you’ll find a wide range of tools that cater to your needs. So, let’s dive in and explore.

Why I Made the Switch from Windows to macOS

If you’re a developer considering a shift from Windows to macOS, keep reading. I’ll give you some compelling reasons why I made the switch and why you might want to consider it too. Read on to find out more.

1. Tower – Elevate your Version Control

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! I’m here to talk to you about Tower, a super handy Git client for macOS. It takes all the complexity of Git and turns it into something easy and efficient. With Tower, you get a sleek and comprehensive interface that gives you the full power of Git, without any of the headaches.

What’s great about Tower is that it simplifies Git in a way that anyone can understand. You don’t need to be a computer whiz to use it. Plus, there are all sorts of cool features that make your life easier. For example, you can do things like drag and drop files to perform actions, and if you make a mistake, you can quickly undo it without any trouble.

Here are some of Tower’s notable features:
  • Undo anything – from reverting commits and older versions, to recovering deleted commits or undoing local changes.
  • Multiple windows – Keep several projects open at the same time to stay organized and efficient.
  • Stay up-to-date – Tower automatically downloads changes from remote servers in the background, so you’re always working with the latest version.

Completing complex tasks can be a breeze when you use the drag and drop feature. It allows you to quickly and effortlessly finish many different tasks. Take, for example, organizing files or rearranging elements on a webpage. With a simple click, you can pick up an item and drop it into a new location. This intuitive method saves time and effort.

Now, let’s move on to TablePlus, an amazing tool for managing databases. With TablePlus, you can easily work with complex data tables and make changes without any hassle. It offers a user-friendly interface that lets you navigate through your databases effortlessly. Whether you need to modify data, run queries, or import/export files, TablePlus has got you covered. It’s a powerful tool that simplifies database management, making it accessible for anyone. So why not give it a try? You’ll be amazed at how much time and effort you can save with this handy tool.

So there you have it – two amazing tools that can make your life easier and more efficient. From organizing files to managing databases, drag and drop and TablePlus offer intuitive features that save time and effort. So go ahead and give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! Have you heard about TablePlus? It’s a super cool macOS database application that has an amazing modern interface, an easy-to-use GUI, and it supports all the popular databases. I mean, we’re talking PostgreSQL, Amazon Redshift, MariaDB (MySQL), Cockroach DB, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, Redis, Apache Cassandra, MongoDB, and Vertica. Phew, that’s a lot!

And let me tell you, TablePlus takes your database security very seriously. They’ve got all these awesome features in place to make sure your data is protected. We’re talking multi-step authentication, TLS encryption, and native libssh. So you can rest easy knowing your database is in safe hands.

Now, let’s talk about some of the cool things TablePlus can do:
  • With this native app, you can quickly and easily query, edit, and manage your databases. No more complex and confusing commands!
  • You can personalize the appearance and parameters to your own liking. Make TablePlus your own!
  • The user-friendly GUI offers a simple and organized spreadsheet-like editor. It’s like having a neat and tidy workspace to browse, query, and edit your data and database structure. No more getting lost in a sea of messy tables!

Imagine having a powerful tool at your disposal that not only simplifies but also optimizes your coding experience. Well, look no further because I have just the thing for you! Allow me to introduce a smart query editor that will revolutionize the way you work with SQL. With its user-friendly interface, this editor incorporates the best practices to enhance your productivity. Trust me, you’ll never want to go back to your old ways.

But that’s not all! Let’s move on to our next contender – Postman. This incredible tool is a game-changer when it comes to testing and debugging APIs. Gone are the days of manually sending requests and meticulously inspecting responses. With Postman, you can effortlessly streamline these processes, making your life a whole lot easier. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to efficiency!

So there you have it. Two exceptional tools that are about to make your coding journey a whole lot smoother. Brace yourself for a newfound sense of productivity and take your skills to the next level. Get ready to conquer the world of coding like never before!

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Have you heard of Postman? It’s a really popular program that developers use to test different APIs or send POST and GET requests to a server. It’s pretty cool because it has a user-friendly graphical interface. That means it’s easy to use! You can even customize things like cookies, HTTP headers, and form parameters. That way, you can check how any API or regular website is working.

Let me tell you about some of the notable features of Postman:
  • You can integrate test suites into a CI/CD service using Newman. Newman is a really handy command line tool that lets you run tests easily from the command line. It makes things even more convenient!
  • Postman is an easy-to-use REST client. You don’t have to be a tech expert to understand and use it.
  • It supports different types of APIs like REST and SOAP. So no matter what kind of API you’re working with, Postman has got you covered.
  • Another cool thing about Postman is that it can generate code snippets for you. This means you can easily send a request from another application. It saves you time and effort!

4. FlexiHub

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

FlexiHub is a really handy app for iOS developers like me. It allows me to share my iPhone or iPad over the network, so I can connect to them remotely without having to plug them into my computer every time. This is super useful when I’m testing and fixing issues in my iOS apps.

Here are some key things that make FlexiHub stand out:

– It has a comprehensive technology that lets me remotely access different types of devices.

– It automatically detects the type of device that’s connected to my computer.

– I can access all my USB or serial port devices remotely.

– I can even have permanent remote access to my connected devices.

– FlexiHub uses data compression to reduce traffic and speed up data transfer.

– It also has access control, so I can restrict who can access my connected devices.

And now, let’s move on to another great Mac app for developers: Homebrew.

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! Have you heard of Homebrew? It’s this really cool tool that makes it super easy to install all kinds of helpful stuff on your Mac. With Homebrew, you can install packages, programs, and utilities right from the terminal. It’s like magic!

Here’s what makes Homebrew so awesome:
  • You can install software packages and handle multiple dependencies all with a single command. It’s so straightforward and saves you tons of time and effort.
  • Homebrew supports almost all common software packages out there. No matter what you need, it’s got you covered.
  • The developers of Homebrew are super smart and know their stuff. They built this thing in Ruby, which means it’s fast and reliable. Plus, the syntax is super simple and easy to understand.

Now let’s talk about Xcode:

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Xcode is like a special toolkit that Apple developers use to make cool apps for iPads, iPhones, and Macs. It’s got all the tools you need to build, test, and polish your app before sending it off to the App Store.

Here are some really neat things about Xcode:

– It has a super easy-to-use interface designer, so you can make your app look just how you want it.

– It helps you figure out how your app is using memory and resources, so you can make it run even better.

– It’s great for finishing your code for you, so you can write it faster.

And by the way, have you heard of Navicat Premium? It’s another cool developer tool to check out!

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! Have you heard of Navicat Premium for macOS? It’s an incredibly powerful tool for managing databases. With just one application, you can connect to multiple databases like MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.

Here are some awesome features:
  • ER data modelling
  • Create and delete databases, tables, indexes, and users
  • Supports Unicode
  • Provides HTTP and SSH Tunnel capabilities
  • Includes an SQL Minifier
  • Easy database backup and recovery

Next up, let’s talk about CodeKit!

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! Let me tell you about CodeKit, a super cool app that’ll make web development a breeze and help you create amazing websites. With CodeKit, you can compile any programming language, optimize images, and even set up a LiveReload connection that works on any browser or device. Oh, and did I mention it can also check your JavaScript syntax and do a whole lot more?

Here are some awesome features you’ll love:
  • CodeKit supports tabs, spaces, and line numbers, just like your favorite IDE. It’s all about making your coding experience comfortable and familiar.
  • You can adjust the font size and spaces to suit your preferences. Your code, your rules!
  • With CodeKit, you can save your code without having to refresh the page. Thanks to AJAX, it’s quick and easy.
  • Every time you save your code, CodeKit ensures a cache-proof code release. Say goodbye to outdated versions!

Let’s move on to Dash, another fantastic tool:

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Dash is like a friendly guide for programmers, giving you easy access to all the information you need. It’s kind of like a superhero for coders, gathering up the rules and instructions for HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, Sass, LESS, and other programming languages. With Dash, you can keep all your code snippets organized and search for any API documentation you need in the blink of an eye.

One of the coolest things about Dash is that you can even use it when you’re offline. It has over 200 sets of API documentation stored inside, just waiting for you to explore.

Here are some standout features of Dash:

– It organizes all the methods in a convenient table of contents. So you can easily find what you’re looking for without getting lost in a sea of words.

– You can create different search profiles to switch between sets of documents effortlessly. It’s like having a magic wand to summon the information you need, whenever you need it.

– And here’s a real time-saver: Dash lets you collect and save snippets of code that you use over and over again. So you never have to waste time typing the same thing twice.

– Plus, Dash has a handy Snippet Manager built right in. It’s like having a personal assistant that helps you stay organized and efficient.

But wait, there’s more! Let’s talk about iTerm2.

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

iTerm2 is a really handy tool that can make a big difference in how you work. It’s an open-source Terminal emulator that helps you stay organized and productive. And the best part? It’s easy to customize to fit your unique needs.

With iTerm2, you have the power to do things like adjust window transparency, use the full-screen mode, and get real-time alerts with the Growl system. Plus, you can even create custom hotkeys to save time and speed up your development process.

This app is especially great for experienced web developers who spend a lot of time in the Terminal. It’s perfect for managing multiple tabs, automating repetitive commands, and even finding specific things using regular expressions.

Let’s take a look at some of its notable features:

– iTerm2 is highly configurable, meaning you can customize it to your heart’s content. There are tons of options available, so you can make it work just the way you want.

– It’s also multilingual, so you can use it with ease no matter what language you speak. It even supports Unicode combining marks and other advanced Unicode features.

– One cool feature is the ability to divide a tab into multiple panes. Each pane can show a different session, making it easy to switch between tasks and stay organized.

If that’s not enough, here’s a bonus for you: Transmit. Transmit is another great tool that can help you with your workflow. It’s designed specifically for transferring files over the internet, making it super easy to upload and download files from servers.

So, if you’re looking for a Terminal emulator that’s powerful, customizable, and packed with features, give iTerm2 a try. It’s a game-changer for web developers like you.

10 Essential macOS Apps for Web Developers

Hey there! Have you heard about Transmit? It’s a really cool app for macOS that helps you manage and organize big files across multiple servers in the clouds. It’s perfect for people like me and you who have websites to maintain, lots of photos to upload, or backups to do.

Here are some of its awesome features:
  • Transfers that are lightning-fast.
  • An interface that’s super easy to use and understand.
  • Connects seamlessly with Panic Sync and Finder, so you’re always in control.
  • Plus, it even has a built-in batch renaming feature, which is just super handy.