30 May 2025 3 min read Apps

5 Best Mac Apps Under $5

I recently published an article on the best free Mac apps you should use in 2025. I could not include some of my favorite Mac apps on that list, as they are not free. Since these apps are too good to ignore, I bring you this article. You can get these apps for the price of a cup of coffee, so let’s get going, shall we?

1. Folder Preview

macOS has a built-in Quick Look function that lets you preview any file with a press of your space bar. I adore this feature. But when you use this feature on a folder, you get nothing.

That’s where our first app on this list - Folder Preview can help you. As its name suggests, Folder Preview gives you a peek at the folder’s content when you hit the space bar. It can even show the content of a zip file without extracting it.

Get Folder Preview

2. Monocle

If you are like me and work with multiple windows open on your desktop, Monocle is an app you should consider. The app helps you focus by blurring everything other than the active app window.

You can set the blur opacity, add grain, and adjust the fade time. You can also choose between light and dark themes or set it to match your system theme automatically. The app costs only $4 and is my go-to app for improving focus.

Get Monocle

3. Klack

Klack is the third app on our list, and it’s the perfect app for users who want to add some fun to their writing. The app simulates the typing sound of mechanical keyboards, and it’s so fun to use.

There are six different switches you can choose from - my favorite being the Cream switch option. You can also add mouse click sound effects and a ding sound whenever you hit the return key.

I have assigned a keyboard shortcut to turn on the sound, so I only use it when I am writing a script or an article. If you write a lot, this will be $4 well spent.

Get Klack

4. Antinote

Antinote is a note-taking companion app that has saved me more time than any other Mac app. You can read our review of Antinote by opening the linked article. The app serves as a multifunctional scratchpad, allowing users to quickly jot down notes, perform calculations, manage tasks, and more.

When you hit the assigned keyboard shortcut, the app overlays seamlessly over any application, facilitating swift note-taking without disrupting your workflow. It’s my favorite app of 2025, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Get Antinote from Developer / Get Antinote on SetApp

5. Default Browser

The final app on the list is Default Browser. Changing the default browser on Mac is a multi-step process. You go to System Settings → Desktop & Dock Settings, find the default browser settings, and change it.

With the Default Browser app installed, you can change your Mac’s default browser via a handy Menu Bar shortcut. Simply click the app’s menu bar icon and click to select the browser you want to set as default. The app costs only $0.99 and is an instant buy in my books.

Get Default Browser

Top affordable Mac Apps to install in 2025

That ends our list of the best affordable Mac apps you should buy in 2025. Before you go, click here to read our guide on the best paid Mac apps and their free alternatives. Also, drop the names of affordable free apps you want us to test in the comments below.