5 Apps That macOS Has Recently Killed

When Apple updates macOS, they sometimes add features or built-in apps that make certain third-party Mac apps unnecessary. These updates can be useful for users but often hit app developers hard. Users get free, built-in options, but developers may lose sales as people shift away from paid alternatives.

Here’s a look at some of the apps that macOS updates have made obsolete recently.

Magnet

Magnet has been a favorite tool for many Mac users (myself included) when it comes to organizing windows on the screen. It lets you quickly “snap” windows into different sections of your display – whether you want a half-and-half split, a third, or even quarters. It’s great for multitasking, especially with its handy shortcut keys that make it super fast to organize your screen.

But with macOS Sequoia, Apple has rolled out its own window tiling and snapping feature. Now, you can drag windows to the edges of your screen, and they’ll automatically tile – kind of like what Magnet does. I’ve tried it out myself, and while it’s decent, it’s not quite as smooth as Magnet.

That said, I think most Mac users will probably get by with Apple’s built-in option, especially if they’re not keen on paying the $4.99 for Magnet. However, for those who prefer more customization and smoother performance, Magnet remains a solid choice.

1Password

Next, the obvious one: 1Password. This is a well-loved password manager that securely stores your login information, credit card details, and other sensitive data, all behind a master password. It’s known for its ease of use and compatibility across different platforms.

Now, macOS has long had its own password management system called Keychain, but it was pretty basic for a while. Recently, though, Apple revamped it and rebranded it as “Passwords,” bringing a lot more functionality and a much-improved interface. The new Passwords app is built right into macOS, syncs seamlessly across devices with iCloud, and offers features like autofill, password sharing, and security alerts.

In my opinion, the new Passwords app is a solid improvement and could work well for users who want simple password management without needing a separate app. However, for those who rely on advanced features, team sharing, or multi-platform support, 1Password still has the edge. So, it’s a good alternative but maybe not a complete replacement just yet.

Grammarly

Grammarly is a popular writing tool that helps improve your writing by catching grammar mistakes, suggesting better wording, and even enhancing your tone. It’s widely used by writers, professionals, and students to polish their text and ensure it’s error-free.

But with Apple’s recent announcement of Apple Intelligence in macOS, we’re now seeing features that do almost everything Grammarly does – and maybe even more. Since it’s built right into the operating system, whether you’re in Notes or composing an email, it not only helps catch English mistakes and proofreads your text but also lets you rewrite content in different tones, like a friendlier or more professional style. It can even create summarized versions of your writing, among other features.

However, it’s important to note that not all Macs support Apple Intelligence. According to Apple’s official page, this feature is available on Mac models with M1 or later chips, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.

Honestly, in this case, Apple has pretty much left Grammarly in the dust. With these new capabilities integrated directly into macOS, I think it’s fair to say that Grammarly’s days on the Mac might be numbered.

Soulver

Soulver is a notepad calculator app that allows users to perform calculations using natural language. It combines the functionality of a text editor and a calculator, enabling you to write out problems as you would on paper, with instant answers appearing alongside your text. This makes it ideal for quick calculations, unit conversions, and exploring various scenarios without the complexity of a spreadsheet.

However, with the recent enhancements in macOS’s Notes app, many of Soulver’s features are now integrated into the native Notes app. The Notes app has introduced functionalities like inline calculations, unit conversions, and even solving mathematical expressions, allowing users to perform similar tasks without the need for third-party applications.

Otter.ai

Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription service that converts spoken language into written text in real-time. It’s widely used for transcribing meetings, lectures, and interviews, offering features like speaker identification and the ability to share and edit transcripts collaboratively.

Also, the Notes app on macOS has introduced similar capabilities. Users can now record audio directly within a note, and the app will transcribe the recording into text. This feature allows for easy integration of audio and text, making it convenient for capturing and reviewing spoken content without needing third-party applications.

In my opinion, while the Notes app’s new transcription feature is a welcome addition for casual users, it doesn’t yet match the advanced functionalities of Otter.ai. Otter.ai offers superior transcription accuracy, speaker identification, and collaborative tools that are essential for professional use. Therefore, for those who require comprehensive transcription services, Otter.ai remains the preferred choice.

Apps macOS Might Potentially Replace in the Future

macOS is all about boosting productivity and making sure all your Apple devices play nicely together. While Apple hasn’t announced anything specific yet, it’s possible that future macOS updates could introduce features that make some third-party apps unnecessary.

Here are a few apps that macOS might potentially replace down the line.

Text-Expanding Apps

Text-expanding apps are designed to enhance typing efficiency by allowing users to create shortcuts for frequently used phrases, sentences, or blocks of text.

For instance, typing a brief abbreviation can automatically expand into a full email signature or a commonly used response, significantly speeding up repetitive tasks and reducing the likelihood of errors.

Apple has integrated similar functionality directly into macOS through its Text Replacement feature, accessible via System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Text Replacement…

While this built-in tool offers basic text expansion capabilities, it currently lacks the advanced features found in dedicated third-party applications. However, if Apple decides to enhance this feature in future updates, it could potentially pose a threat to existing text-expanding apps such as TextExpander, aText, and Alfred.

Annotation Apps

Annotation apps like Skitch and Snagit allow users to mark up documents, images, and screenshots with comments, highlights, shapes, and drawings. These tools are invaluable for tasks such as reviewing documents, providing feedback, creating tutorials, and emphasizing specific content during presentations.

Apple has integrated similar functionality directly into macOS, accessible in apps like Preview or when taking a screenshot. This built-in feature offers basic annotation capabilities, including text addition, drawing, highlighting, and shape insertion.

While it covers fundamental needs, it’s still a space to watch out for should Apple decide to add more features to it.

Conclusion

With each macOS update, Apple is adding more built-in tools that can handle a lot of the basics, making some third-party apps feel less essential. For most people, these built-in options get the job done without needing extra downloads.

But if you’re someone who relies on specific features or wants more customization, apps like Magnet, 1Password, and Otter.ai still bring a lot to the table. In the end, it all comes down to what works best for you—whether that’s sticking with Apple’s simpler built-in tools or going for the extra features of specialized apps.

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