In a world where imagination knows no bounds, content creators are the architects of inspiration. And they rely on a multitude of apps and services to get the job done.
The ones listed below are apps I have used, or am currently using, to create my content, and I wanted to share them with you today.
So, grab your MacBook, flex those creative muscles, and let’s explore the wonderful world of Mac apps for content creators!
1. Craft Docs
Everyone needs a good note-taking app. Whether you are writing a video script or planning your next killer article, a note-taking app is key. It helps you organize your ideas, and plan your next project.
There are dozens to choose from, but if you are looking for something new, Craft is an excellent place to start (and end) that journey.
Over a million people put their trust in this award-winning app, and it’s easy to see why. It’s also used by Amazon, Meta, Uber, and SkyScanner to help manage company documents.
Craft lets you combine text, images, videos and tables to create the perfect notebook experience. Text toggles, Markdown, blocks, and back-linking are also included.
There’s even a new AI assistant that is designed to help you summarize text, generate new content, or translate text into another language. It can also proofread your work and give you ideas for future projects. The AI is context aware, so it only uses the data you have in Craft to generate what you need from it.
Craft has a free plan that has some limitations on sharing, storage, and the content you create, but the Pro Plan has what most people will want. It is $60 per year, but it’s also included with a Setapp subscription.
➡️ Try Craft Pro today! (free for 7 days)
2. Canva
I’m a big fan of Canva. I have been using it for years, and I’m continually impressed by its evolution and growing list of features.
It started as an easy tool for creating social media graphics, but has expanded greatly over the years and now lets you create documents, presentations, websites, videos, and even online whiteboards.
The templates are what suck you in, but the icons, images, and apps are what keep you coming back for more. Canva is also highly collaborative, and it makes it super simple to share your work with others.
The free plan lets you experience a lot of what Canva has to offer, but the $120 annual Pro Plan (free for students and educators) is where you really start to see the power of this fantastic design tool.
➡️ Try Canva today!
3. Sip Color Picker
I used to think that color pickers were a dime a dozen. In many ways they are, but a GREAT color picker is much harder to find. That’s why I use Sip.
Tools like Canva have a built-in color picker, but it only works in that tab. As soon as you navigate to a different tab, or try to capture a color from another app, you lose that ability.
Sip works everywhere. It also allows you to collect, organize, and edit colors. You can even share colors with other people and automatically paste color codes into other tools like Chrome, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and more.
Another interesting feature is the contrast checker. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) lay out clear options for developers who are designing content for the web.
Sip’s contrast checker will compare two colors (a background color and a font color) and give you a score to tell you if there is enough contrast between them for a user with visual impairments.
A color dock can be pinned to the side of your screen for easy access to all your favorite palettes, while the Snapshots lets you wind back the clock and restore any information you accidentally deleted or edited.
Sip is $20 for a year of updates. That might sound like a lot for a color picker app, but it’s easy to see the value you get with this handy utility.
➡️ Try Sip today! (free for 7 days)
4. Mockuuups Studio
If you have ever wanted to take a screenshot and create a mockup on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then Mockuuups Studio is for you.
This handy app has over 3,400 device mockups that you can use to showcase an app, website, or feature from an operating system. It’s perfect for designers, marketers, and writers.
You can upload a screenshot of the app or website that you want to frame, or use the URL import feature to paste a link to a website that you want to feature. Then, choose the device you want it to appear on.
The editor lets you customize a device frame to your exact specifications. You can pick the color of the device, the background, overlays, shadows and more.
The best thing about this app is the speed at which you can generate a mockup. You don’t have to go looking online for device frames, you don’t have to use Photoshop to tweak everything, and you don’t need any design experience to make something look good.
Files are exported as a PNG, and you can pick the size of image that you would like to generate. There are also plugins for Figma and Sketch if you are already working with those tools.
Mockuuups Studio is used by Spotify, The Verge, and Microsoft, so you will be among good company if you decide to give this one a try.
The Pro plan is $144 a year ($12 per month), but a Setapp subscription gives you access to Mockuuups Studio and hundreds of other great Mac apps for just $9.99 a month.
➡️ Try Mockuuups Studio today! (free for 7 days)
5. Descript
If you work with audio or video as your primary medium, then Descript is well worth a look. It’s a powerful audio and video editing app that offers a range of features to enhance the editing and collaborative process.
One of its main features is multi-track editing, which allows users to edit audio and video files on multiple tracks. This makes it easy to rearrange, trim, and fine-tune content with precision. However, the real magic lies with the AI tools.
Descript lets you edit a video or podcast the same way you edit a Word doc. All you have to do is add or delete words. You don’t have to wrestle with timelines and additional media because Descript takes care of that for you.
Are you noticing too many “umms” and “ahhhs” in your recording? Use the “Remove Filler Words” feature to seamlessly delete them.
Descript offers a range of sound design tools, including noise reduction, equalization, and various audio effects. You can enhance audio quality, remove background noise, and add effects to create a professional-sounding production.
When it comes to publishing and integrations, Descript lets you export your audio and video files in a variety of formats. It also integrates with other tools, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
Ultimately, Descript aims to provide a comprehensive editing experience with advanced features, streamlined collaboration, and simplified workflows for both audio and video content creators.
6. Typing Mind
AI probably isn’t good enough to complete your project on its own, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t handy to have as a guide on the side. That’s where Typing Mind comes in.
Typing Mind describes itself as a better user interface for ChatGPT. You don’t have to log in every time you use it, and the answers you get are faster than the web version. Best of all, is the ability to access it as a Mac app.
It’s handy for research, checking grammar, getting ideas for outlines, or for rephrasing words and sentences.
Typing Mind has some interesting features. For instance, you can upload a PDF and have the AI assistant answer questions about it. You can also choose a character like a “Tech Writer” or a “Life Hacker” to help focus the AI on the types of answers you are looking for.
Your chats can be organized into folders for easy reference, and you can pick the language that you would like the assistant to reply in with the translation options. There’s also a dark mode, and the ability to use your OpenAI API key if you have one.
The Setapp version only supports GPT 3.5, so there is no free access to GPT 4 yet. However, I find that this version meets a lot of my needs, and it’s super handy to have it as a Mac app when I need it.
➡️ Try Typing Mind today! (free for 7 days)
7. Buffer
When you’re ready to share your content with the world, social media is a great place to get the word out about your latest project. However, there are a lot of social media apps, and taking the time to post to each one can be onerous and time-consuming.
That’s why I like Buffer. It’s a social media management tool that lets you schedule and publish content across multiple social media platforms. Buffer is designed to simplify the process of managing social media posts by providing tools for content creation, scheduling, and analytics.
With Buffer, you can connect social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, and then manage them all from a centralized dashboard.
You can create and schedule posts in advance so you can maintain a consistent posting schedule without having to manually publish each post. Buffer also provides features like post analytics to track engagement, reach, and other metrics for individual posts.
In addition to scheduling and publishing, Buffer also has features for content curation, collaboration, and team management, making it a comprehensive tool for social media management for individuals, businesses, and teams.
The free account is very generous and allows you to connect up to three social media accounts. For more accounts and more tools, paid plans start at $6 per month.
