Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

8 apps

Some apps bill monthly without offering anything unique. These open-source options cover the parts of the same job people actually use, at no cost.

01 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

Rectangle Pro

An enhanced macOS window manager offering cursor-based movement, keyboard shortcuts and snap areas, with one key combo throwing a window to any of sixteen preset sizes and positions.

Rectangle Pro
Access & use

Free

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02 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

Maccy

A lightweight clipboard manager for macOS. It keeps copied text, images and files, brings the history up with a shortcut to search and paste again, and pins frequently used entries. The native implementation stays small, which suits people who reuse earlier clipboard content.

Access & use

Free

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03 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

wifi-lens

A native, open-source network diagnostics app for macOS with Wi-Fi analysis built in. It surveys nearby wireless networks, signal strength and channel usage, assesses connection quality and helps diagnose Bluetooth and network issues. It suits troubleshooting Wi-Fi interference and tuning home or office networks.

Access & use

Free

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04 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

stats

A macOS system monitor that lives in the menu bar. It shows CPU, memory, disk, network, GPU, fan speed and temperature in real time, with history graphs on click and a choice of which readings to display. It suits people who want to keep an eye on load without opening Activity Monitor.

Access & use

Free

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05 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

localsend

An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop. It sends files, text and clipboard content to nearby devices on the same local network, with builds for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS, without a server or an account. It suits moving files between a Mac and an Android phone, or between machines on different systems.

Access & use

Free

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06 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

KeepingYouAwake

A small utility that stops the Mac from sleeping. One click in the menu bar keeps it awake during downloads, builds, presentations or long tasks, with an optional duration and automatic release on low battery. It suits temporarily preventing sleep without changing the system power settings.

Access & use

Free

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07 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

alt-tab-macos

Brings Windows-style Alt-Tab to macOS. A shortcut opens a switcher with thumbnails of every window, allowing repeated switching while the modifier is held and grouping by app or window, close to how Windows behaves. It suits people arriving from Windows who find Command-Tab switching apps only too coarse.

Access & use

Free

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08 / Open-source stand-ins for pricey subscriptions

Swish

A gesture enhancer for the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse that lets you remap swipe directions, distances and multi-finger actions, and combine them with modifier keys for more control.

Swish
Access & use

Free

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