Category

The best Developer Tools apps for Mac

The best developer tools for Mac are quick, native and quietly powerful. This shelf holds Ghostty's rebuilt terminal, Zed's blisteringly quick Rust editor, OrbStack for Docker and Linux without the drag, TablePlus for databases, the Fork Git client, Proxyman for inspecting traffic and Yaak's local-first API client.

Fork preview
Fork A Git client that stays out of your way. $59.99 One-Time
Ghostty preview
Ghostty The terminal, rebuilt properly for the Mac. Free
OrbStack preview
OrbStack Docker and Linux on Mac, without the drag. Free
Proxyman preview
Proxyman See every request your apps are making. Free
TablePlus preview
TablePlus Every database, one native Mac window. Free
Yaak preview
Yaak The API client that keeps your data local. Free
Zed preview
Zed A blisteringly quick editor built in Rust. Free

Frequently asked

What are the best developer tools for Mac?

Ghostty is a rebuilt, properly native terminal, Zed is a blisteringly quick Rust-based editor, and OrbStack runs Docker and Linux without the usual drag. TablePlus, Fork, Proxyman and Yaak cover databases, Git, network inspection and API testing.

Is there a free option for Git or terminal work?

Ghostty is free and open source, and Zed's core editor is free too, with an optional $10-a-month Pro plan for AI features.

Which tool is best for databases?

TablePlus opens every database in one native Mac window, free for two tabs or a one-time $99 licence for unlimited use.

Is there a native Docker alternative for Mac?

OrbStack replaces Docker Desktop with a much lighter, native Mac app, free for personal use and $8 per user a month for teams.

Do these tools work on Apple Silicon?

Yes. Every app in Mac Dept. is chosen for feeling native to the Mac, and the entries here are modern, actively maintained builds that run natively on Apple Silicon.