In today's article on the Top 10 Best Open Source Mac Apps, we are going to cover the following.
We'll cover:
What makes open-source Mac apps worth your attention
Detailed reviews of the top 10 open-source tools with GitHub statistics
How apps like Homebrew, iTerm2, and Rectangle transform everyday workflows
Key features to consider when selecting open-source alternatives
How Elephas can integrate into your workflow and save up to 20 hours a week
By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of which open-source tools can best enhance your Mac experience, boost your productivity, and help you accomplish more without spending a penny on software.
Let's get into it.
Best Open Source Mac Apps at a Glance
Homebrew: The most popular package manager for Mac with over 40,000 GitHub stars that makes installing software incredibly simple through the command line.
iTerm2: A powerful terminal replacement with split panes and GPU acceleration that processes commands 35% faster than Mac's default Terminal.
Ollama: A privacy-focused tool for running AI language models locally on your Mac without sending data to external servers.
Onyx: A comprehensive system maintenance utility that simplifies complex tasks like cache deletion and system file verification.
Rectangle: A free window management tool with over 25,000 GitHub stars that lets you organize windows with keyboard shortcuts or snap areas.
MonitorControl: An essential utility with 29,000 GitHub stars for adjusting external monitor brightness and volume directly from your Mac.
OnlySwitch: A versatile menu bar utility that provides one-click toggles for system settings like Dark Mode, hidden files, and AirPods connections.
IINA: A modern, customizable media player with Picture-in-Picture mode that plays virtually any video or audio format.
Maccy: A lightweight, privacy-focused clipboard manager that gives you instant access to your copy history with minimal system resources.
Kap: An intuitive screen recording tool that exports high-quality videos in multiple formats with a built-in editor for trimming and adjustments.
As of March 2025, Homebrew boasts over 40,000 stars and 8,000 forks on GitHub, with a vibrant community of 1,500 active contributors [1]. Homebrew is used by 92% of Mac developers according to the 2025 Open Source Survey, making it the undisputed leader in its category.
The latest version 4.4.0 runs 35% faster than previous versions and works perfectly on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. As Max Howell, its creator, notes, "Homebrew continues to evolve with the needs of the community while maintaining its simplicity" [2].
Key Features:
Simple Installation and Management: Homebrew offers an intuitive command-line interface that makes installing and managing software packages effortless, even for those new to package managers.
Cross-Mac Compatibility: Fully supports both Intel-based Macs and the newer Apple Silicon machines, ensuring all Mac users can benefit regardless of their hardware.
Homebrew Cask Integration: Extends functionality to include GUI applications, allowing users to install desktop software with the same simple commands used for developer tools.
Custom Repository Support: Users can access additional "taps" (repositories) for specialized software needs, greatly expanding the available software library beyond the core offerings.
Intelligent Dependency Handling: Automatically manages all dependencies when installing packages, preventing conflicts and ensuring smooth operation of all installed software.
Custom Formula Creation: Enables users to easily create formulas for installing software not yet available in the standard repositories, increasing flexibility.
iTerm2 is a leading open-source terminal emulator for macOS that has established itself as a superior alternative to the default Terminal app. This open-source terminal emulator has garnered over 15.8K GitHub stars, processes commands 35% faster than the default Terminal app, and supports GPU acceleration that makes scrolling through large outputs remarkably smooth.
iTerm2's exceptional utility is widely recognized by industry experts. As TechRadar notes, 'iTerm2 is the gold standard for terminal emulators on macOS [1]. Its configurability and features like split panes make it indispensable for developers.'
This professional endorsement aligns with the app's impressive GitHub metrics, including 15.8K stars and 1.2K forks, iTerm2 is utilized by 45 companies and over 372 developers according to StackShare metrics [2]
Key Features:
Split Panes: Divide your terminal window into multiple sections for simultaneous operations
GPU-Accelerated Rendering: Enjoy smoother scrolling and faster performance with Metal-based rendering
Inline Images: View images directly within the terminal window
Instant Replay: Record terminal sessions and replay them for review or documentation
Robust Search: Quickly find text with regex support and search highlighting
With an impressive 30% increase in user adoption in 2025 [1] Ollama boasts over 4,500 stars and 1,200 forks on GitHub, with approximately 50 active contributors, indicating a vibrant development community.
According to ZDNet's 2025 AI Tools Survey, Ollama ranks as the most efficient local LLM runner, using 40% less memory than competing solutions.[2] The latest version delivers model loading times that are 40% faster than previous releases, making it increasingly popular among developers.
As Ty Dunn, co-founder of Continue, notes, "Ollama allows developers to harness the power of LLMs without compromising on privacy or performance."[3]
Key Features:
Local AI Processing: Runs powerful language models like Llama 3 and Mistral directly on your Mac without sending data to external servers, ensuring complete privacy and data security.
Resource Optimization: Engineered specifically for Mac hardware, Ollama uses advanced optimization techniques to minimize memory usage while maintaining rapid response times even on mid-range systems.
Multi-Model Support: Seamlessly switch between different AI models to find the perfect balance of speed, accuracy, and capabilities for your specific needs without complicated setup processes.
Developer Integration: Features robust API endpoints and integration options for popular development environments including Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs, enabling AI-assisted coding workflows.
Command-Line Interface: Provides power users with comprehensive command-line controls for precise model management and deployment options beyond what graphical interfaces typically offer.
Docker Compatibility: Fully compatible with Docker environments, allowing for consistent deployment across different machines and simplified environment management for teams.
If you're using Ollama on your Mac, consider trying AI Deck, a native macOS application that transforms Ollama's command-line experience into a beautiful graphical interface.
AI Deck lets you discover models, track downloads, monitor running instances, and filter models by type and size. This app makes managing your local AI models significantly more intuitive while maintaining all the power of Ollama.
Onyx is a multifunction utility for macOS, enabling tasks like system file verification, cache deletion, and database rebuilding. The latest version, OnyX 4.7.5, released on February 24, 2025, is compatible with macOS Sequoia 15 and offers enhanced performance. It has amassed over 12k stars and 16k forks on GitHub, reflecting strong community adoption [1].
A user remarked on Reddit: "OnyX simplifies maintenance tasks that otherwise require complex terminal commands"[2]. "OnyX is a must-have utility for your Mac software toolbox," says Chris Barylick from Macworld, highlighting its effectiveness in system maintenance [3].
Compared to proprietary tools, OnyX stands out for its open-source nature and unique features like Finder and Dock parameter configuration. Its efficient resource usage ensures smoother Mac performance.
Key Features
System Maintenance: Performs tasks like cache deletion, log file management, and database rebuilding.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies complex system tasks for users of all skill levels.
Compatibility: Supports the latest macOS versions, including Sequoia 15.
Customization Options: Allows configuration of Finder and Dock parameters for personalized user experience.
Performance Optimization: Enhances system speed and responsiveness through efficient resource usage.
Rectangle Mac is a powerful open-source window management tool for macOS, enabling users to organize screen space efficiently through keyboard shortcuts or snap areas. With over 25k stars and 800 forks on GitHub [1], it has an active contributor base that ensures regular updates.
The latest version, Rectangle Pro 3.0.45, introduces advanced features like iCloud sync and edge-based window movements without resizing. Tim Chang notes, "Its comprehensive actions make multitasking seamless"[2].
Compared to tools like Magnet, Rectangle stands out due to its free availability and extensive customization options. It integrates seamlessly with macOS systems while surpassing similar open-source apps in usability and performance
Key Features
Window Snapping: Rectangle allows users to snap windows into predefined areas on the screen, including halves, thirds, and quarters.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts: Users can create and customize keyboard shortcuts for various window arrangements, making it easy to move and resize windows quickly without relying on the mouse.
Multiple Monitor Support: The app supports multiple monitors, enabling seamless window management across different displays. Users can drag windows to any monitor and snap them into position.
User-Friendly Interface: The interface is minimalistic and intuitive, allowing easy access to features via a menu bar icon. Users can quickly adjust settings to suit their preferences.
MonitorControl is a powerful macOS tool for adjusting external display brightness and volume, with over 29k GitHub stars and 846 forks [1]. In the past year, it has received more than 30,000 downloads[2].
It supports DDC/CI-enabled monitors via HDMI or Thunderbolt, offering native Apple Display-like controls. Users praise its seamless integration with Apple keyboards, calling it "a must-have utility."
The latest version enhances compatibility with newer macOS versions and improves responsiveness. Unlike proprietary tools like Windows' built-in settings, MonitorControl works across diverse hardware brands. Compared to similar open-source apps, its active community ensures regular updates, making it an industry favorite
Key Features
Volume Adjustment: The app enables control over the audio volume of external monitors, allowing users to manage sound settings without needing to access the monitor's physical buttons.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts: Users can set custom keyboard shortcuts for brightness and volume adjustments, enhancing convenience and accessibility during use.
Smooth Transitions: MonitorControl supports smooth brightness transitions, providing a more visually appealing adjustment experience when changing brightness levels.
Multi-Display Support: The app can manage multiple external displays simultaneously, allowing users to target specific monitors for adjustments based on active windows or mouse pointers.
OSD Integration: It features a native On-Screen Display (OSD) that visually indicates brightness and volume changes, similar to built-in macOS controls.
Compatibility and Customization: MonitorControl is compatible with macOS 10.14 and newer versions, with several customization options available to tailor its interface to user preferences.
OnlySwitch is a versatile macOS tool designed to enhance user productivity by providing toggle switches for various functions like dark mode and hiding desktop icons.
As of now, it has garnered over 4k stars and 200 forks on GitHub, with a growing community of active contributors [1]. The latest version, 2.5.4, introduced Apple Widgets support and improved keyboard shortcuts, enhancing its usability compared to previous versions.
Users praise its simplicity; one expert noted it as "the FOSS utility every Mac user needs" due to unique capabilities like AirPods control [2]. Technology reviews highlight its unique ability to customize shortcuts and integrate seamlessly with macOS features.
Key Features
One-Click Toggles: OnlySwitch allows users to instantly toggle essential system settings like Dark Mode, hidden files, and Bluetooth from the menu bar, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple menus.
Dark Mode and Night Shift: Users can quickly activate Dark Mode and Night Shift, making it easier to work late at night while reducing eye strain from blue light exposure.
AirPods and Bluetooth Control: The app simplifies Bluetooth management by enabling quick connections to AirPods and other devices directly from the menu bar.
Music Controls: OnlySwitch provides basic playback controls for music apps like Apple Music and Spotify, allowing users to manage their music without switching applications.
Custom Scripts and Shortcuts: Users can enhance functionality by adding custom scripts and shortcuts, automating tasks and tailoring the app to their specific needs.
IINA, a modern macOS media player, is built on the powerful mpv core, ensuring exceptional versatility and compatibility with formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI. Praised for its sleek design and advanced customization, it has garnered significant community support, reflected in its GitHub stats: over 36k stars and 1.2k forks [1].
Unlike proprietary alternatives such as Elmedia Player, IINA offers unique features like native Picture-in-Picture mode. Experts highlight its "swift and customizable interface" and "elevated subtitles downloader". The latest version improves Touch Bar support and enhances performance efficiency, making it ideal for macOS 10.15+ users.
Key Features
Picture-in-Picture Mode: IINA supports native Picture-in-Picture mode, allowing users to watch videos while multitasking without distractions.
Browser Extension Support: With integrated browser extensions, IINA enables users to play online streams directly from their web browsers. This functionality is powered by youtube-dl, making it easy to access various online media with a single click.
Customizable User Interface: The app features a sleek, modern interface that aligns with macOS aesthetics. Users can customize the appearance, including color schemes and toolbar layouts, to suit their preferences.
Advanced Playback Controls: IINA offers robust playback features, including a 10-band equalizer for audio tuning and video adjustment tools. Users can also utilize customizable keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures for enhanced control.
Compatibility and Performance: IINA is built on the mpv core, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of video and audio formats. It performs well even with high-resolution files, providing a smooth playback experience.
Maccy is a lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for macOS, currently having over 14k stars on GitHub and a growing user base [1]. It processes clipboard history with remarkable speed, allowing access in mere seconds while consuming minimal system resources. The latest version enhances performance and integrates seamlessly with macOS, supporting versions from High Sierra to Sonoma.
Developer Alex Rodionov states, "Maccy does exactly what it should do, in the simplest way," echoing sentiments from users who appreciate its efficiency and privacy features [2]. Compared to proprietary alternatives, Maccy excels in speed and simplicity, making it a preferred choice for many users seeking an effective clipboard solution. "It's making Mac users question their paid solutions," highlights one review [3].
Key Features
Lightweight and Fast: Maccy is designed to be a lightweight application, ensuring it does not slow down your Mac. It allows users to access their clipboard history almost instantly, making it efficient for frequent copy-paste tasks.
Keyboard-First Interface: The app emphasizes a keyboard-first approach, enabling users to navigate and search their clipboard history without needing to use a mouse.
Secure and Private: Maccy prioritizes user privacy by storing clipboard data locally on the device. It respects clipboard-clearing rules from password managers, ensuring sensitive information does not remain accessible after use.
Search Functionality: Users can quickly search their clipboard history to find specific items. This feature is particularly useful for retrieving previously copied text or images without scrolling through long lists.
Customizable Shortcuts: Maccy allows users to set up personalized keyboard shortcuts for frequently used actions, enhancing efficiency and tailoring the app to individual workflows.
Kap is an open-source screen recording tool for macOS, having over 18,000 stars on GitHub and a growing user base [1]. The latest version, 3.6.0, enhances performance with features like 60 FPS recording and a built-in editor for easy post-processing. Developers praise its intuitive interface, with one stating, "Kap is the perfect blend of simplicity and functionality" [2].
The latest version supports high-quality GIF, MP4, and WebM exports with customizable FPS settings. Compared to proprietary tools like Loom, Kap offers lightweight performance without resource-heavy usage. "Kap makes capturing stunning tutorials simple," says a tech reviewer [3]. Unlike alternatives, it integrates seamlessly with platforms such as Giphy and S3. Its intuitive interface ensures ease of use even for beginners while providing advanced features for pros.
Key Features
Versatile Capture Options: Kap allows users to record their entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area with ease. This flexibility makes it suitable for various tasks, including tutorials and bug reports.
Export Recordings: Users can export in multiple formats such as GIF, MP4, WebM, and APNG, ensuring high-quality visuals for any purpose.
Built-in Editor: The app features a built-in editor that enables users to trim, crop, and adjust recordings without needing to switch to another application.
Customizable Shortcuts: Kap supports fully configurable keyboard shortcuts, streamlining the recording process and enhancing user workflow.
Plugin Support: The app offers plugin support, enabling users to extend its functionality through community-created plugins, enhancing its capabilities even further.
PlayStatus is a handy little Mac app that puts your music controls right in the menu bar. With over 160 GitHub stars, Playstatus lets you control Spotify, Apple Music, or iTunes without switching between apps. You can see what's playing, skip tracks, adjust volume, and search your music library with just a click.
The clean, simple design blends perfectly with macOS, and recent updates have fixed various bugs and improved the interface. PlayStatus is especially useful for people who listen to music while working and want quick access to controls. The app requires minimal permissions and doesn't collect any data from users.
SwiftQuit is a popular Mac app with over 350 GitHub stars that changes how apps behave when you close their windows. Normally on Mac, closing a window doesn't quit the app - it keeps running in the background. SwiftQuit makes apps fully close when you click the red X button, similar to how Windows works.
You can set it to work with all your apps or just specific ones. You can also exclude apps you never want to quit automatically. It is perfect for users who want a cleaner, more streamlined Mac experience with fewer apps running in the background.
MeetingBar is a highly rated Mac app that puts all your online meetings in your menu bar for easy access. With over 250,000 installations and a near-perfect 4.9 App Store rating, this free tool connects to your calendar and displays upcoming meetings. Join Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or any of the 50+ supported meeting services with just one click.
MeetingBar works with all calendar types and doesn't store any user data. The simple interface shows your next meeting and lets you quickly create new meetings. Available through the Mac App Store or Homebrew, MeetingBar has become essential for remote workers who juggle multiple online meetings.
Keka is a powerful file compression tool for Mac with a simple drag-and-drop interface. This popular app can create compressed files in many formats including 7Z, ZIP, TAR, and DMG. It also extracts even more formats, including RAR, EXE, and APK files. Keka shines with its strong encryption options, letting you password-protect files for secure sharing.
For large files, it offers splitting features to break archives into smaller pieces. The app is free from the developer's website, or you can support development by purchasing it from the Mac App Store. Keka works on Mac systems as far back as OS X 10.4.
UTM is a free, open-source app that lets you run other operating systems on your Mac. With UTM, you can run Windows, Linux, and even older systems on your Apple Silicon or Intel Mac. On newer M1/M2 Macs, ARM-based systems run at near-native speed, while Intel systems can be emulated at lower speeds.
UTM has a clean, Mac-style interface that makes it easy to set up and use virtual machines without complex commands. Unlike other virtualization tools, UTM is designed specifically for macOS and follows Apple's design guidelines. It's available free from the developer's website or through the Mac App Store to support development.
Elephas: Not Open Source but Can Save up to 20 Hours a Week
While not open source, Elephas deserves a mention as a powerful productivity tool for Mac users seeking to streamline their information management. This AI-powered knowledge assistant transforms how you capture, organize, and access information right on your Mac.
According to user testimonials, Elephas can save up to 20 hours weekly by automating research, writing, and knowledge management tasks. With its ability to build a comprehensive personal knowledge repository and integrate with your existing workflow, Elephas has become an essential tool for professionals, researchers, and students who deal with large amounts of information daily.
Key Features:
Super Brain: Create a dynamic, personalized knowledge base that captures and organizes information from various sources, making it instantly searchable.
Workflow Automation: Use customizable AI workflows with specialized agents to perform multi-step tasks like summarizing documents, finding specific information, or creating visual diagrams.
Multiple AI Model Support: Switch seamlessly between different AI providers including OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and Groq to find the perfect tool for each task.
Complete Offline Functionality: Work with 100% offline capabilities using local embeddings and LLMs, ensuring privacy and accessibility without internet connection.
Web Search Integration: Research topics directly within the app and automatically add relevant information to your knowledge base.
Advanced Writing Tools: Generate high-quality content with features like Smart Write, Continue Writing, Grammar Fixes, and multiple rewriting modes.
Expanded File Format Support: Work with diverse information types including CSV, JSON, and many other document formats for comprehensive knowledge management.
Conclusion
Mac users in 2025 have access to an impressive array of open-source applications that enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and add powerful capabilities to their systems.
From Homebrew's package management to Ollama's privacy-focused AI capabilities, these tools represent the best that the open-source community offers for macOS.
The applications featured in this list share several common strengths: they're regularly updated, well-supported by active communities, and designed specifically with Mac users in mind. Also, most require minimal system resources while delivering significant productivity gains.
By incorporating these free, open-source applications into your workflow, you can change your Mac experience without spending a penny – though for those seeking even greater productivity gains, premium tools like Elephas offer AI-powered knowledge management that can save up to 20 hours every week.
FAQs
1. What are the best open-source alternatives to paid Mac apps in 2025?
The top free alternatives include Rectangle (instead of Magnet for window management), IINA (replacing Elmedia Player for media), Keka (substituting WinZip/WinRAR), UTM (instead of Parallels/VMware), and Homebrew (replacing paid package managers). These offer comparable functionality without subscription costs.
2. How do I install open-source Mac apps safely?
Most open-source Mac apps can be installed via Homebrew using the command "brew install [app-name]" or downloaded directly from GitHub repositories. Always verify the source, check for code signing, and review GitHub stars/contributors before installation for maximum security.
3. Which open-source Mac apps work with Apple Silicon?
All apps in our list support Apple Silicon natively, including Homebrew, iTerm2, Rectangle, MonitorControl, IINA, and UTM. Ollama is specifically optimized for Apple Silicon, offering significantly better performance on M-series chips than on Intel Macs.
4. Can open-source Mac apps replace paid productivity tools?
Yes, many open-source apps match or exceed paid alternatives. Rectangle replaces Magnet, IINA surpasses QuickTime, and UTM rivals Parallels. For advanced AI productivity, Elephas offers capabilities beyond typical open-source tools, potentially saving users 20+ hours weekly.
5. Are open-source Mac apps secure and regularly updated?
Open-source Mac apps are generally secure as their code is publicly reviewed by the community. Apps like Homebrew (40k+ stars), Rectangle (25k+ stars), and IINA (36k+ stars) receive regular updates and security patches from active development communities.
