The Best Apps For...

There’s plenty of choice on the App Store, but if you want to know the best app for a certain task, we’ve got the pick of the bunch right here

- Kenny Hemphill

Whether you’ve just bought your first Mac or are looking for an app for a specific task, deciding which one to invest your time and money in can be tricky. Apple has tried to help with the App Store, showcasing apps, and publishing user reviews. But, of course, not all apps for the Mac are on the Mac App Store and user reviews aren’t always, well, helpful. So, here, we present our guide to the best apps in 13 categories for Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Budgeting...

We all need to manage our money, but no one likes doing it, so let an app take the strain.

There’s no shortage of personal finance apps available for the Mac and iOS. They vary widely in quality, however. And it often seems like the best budgeting apps are either not Mac compatible or not available outside of the US.

Also, the advent of open banking in the UK means there are a growing number of apps that can move your money around automatically, for example by rounding up the cost of a coffee to the nearest pound and putting the remainder in your savings account each time you buy another cup. Some of these new-breed apps, though, are tied to specific banks, like Monzo.

For those yet to embrace the banking revolution, there is one budgeting tool available for Mac, iPhone and iPad that stands out from the crowd: YNAB or You Need a Budget.

Money matters