If you're running an M-series MacBook or Mac mini in 2026, you already know the hardware is absurd. But are you getting the most out of it software-wise?
I've spent the last year curating my Mac setup specifically around apps that are native to Apple Silicon — no Rosetta, no Electron bloat, just fast, lean tools that feel like they belong on the platform.
Here are 7 that I think every developer should at least try.
1. Warp — The Terminal That Actually Feels Modern
Warp is a Rust-based terminal that runs natively on Apple Silicon, and you can feel the difference the moment you open it. Command output renders instantly, the AI command search is built in, and the block-based interface makes it easy to scroll through and share terminal output. If you're still using the default Terminal.app, this is a free upgrade that will genuinely change your workflow.
2. Raycast — The Launcher That Replaces 5 Other Apps
Raycast is what Spotlight should have been. It launches apps, runs scripts, manages clipboard history, controls windows, and integrates with basically every tool you use — GitHub, Linear, Notion, Slack, you name it. It's native Swift, so it opens in milliseconds on M-series chips. The extension ecosystem is massive and growing. Once you start using it, Spotlight feels like a toy.
3. CleanShot X — Screenshots and Screen Recording Done Right
If you share screenshots in Slack, PRs, or docs (and who doesn't), CleanShot X is a massive upgrade over the built-in screenshot tool. Annotation, scrolling capture, screen recording with GIF export, OCR text grab — it does everything. It's a native macOS app that launches instantly and stays out of your way until you need it. One-time purchase, no subscription.
4. TokenBar — Know What Your AI Workflow Actually Costs
This one's a tiny menu bar utility that tracks your LLM token usage in real time across providers — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, whatever you're hitting. If you're using Cursor, Copilot, or running agents that burn through API calls, TokenBar gives you a live count right in your menu bar so you're never surprised by the bill. Native Swift, uses almost no resources, and it's $5 lifetime. The kind of tool you install once and wonder how you lived without.
5. Monk Mode — Block Feeds Without Blocking Apps
Most "focus" apps block entire websites or apps. Monk Mode is smarter — it blocks the feed inside apps like Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, and LinkedIn while still letting you use search, DMs, and direct links. So you can still look up a Stack Overflow answer or respond to a DM without falling into a 45-minute scroll hole. Native macOS, runs as a menu bar app, $15 lifetime. I run it basically all day when I'm shipping code.
6. Bear — Markdown Notes That Don't Fight You
Bear is the notes app I keep coming back to. It's fast, beautiful, and does markdown natively without making you think about it. The nested tagging system is brilliant for organizing dev notes, meeting notes, and quick code snippets. It syncs via iCloud, which means no account to create and no data leaving Apple's ecosystem. The Apple Silicon build is buttery smooth — I've never seen it lag, even with thousands of notes.
7. Fantastical — The Calendar That Actually Understands Natural Language
Fantastical has been around forever, but the native Apple Silicon version is noticeably faster than the old Intel build. The natural language parsing is what sets it apart — type "standup every weekday at 9:30am" and it just works. The menu bar widget gives you a quick glance at your day without opening a full app. If you juggle meetings and deep work blocks (and you should), this makes calendar management almost painless.
The Common Thread
Every app on this list is native macOS, built for Apple Silicon, and either free or reasonably priced. No Electron wrappers eating 500MB of RAM. No web apps pretending to be desktop apps.
The M-series chips are incredible — might as well use software that actually takes advantage of them.
What's in your Apple Silicon toolkit? Drop your favorites in the comments 👇
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