The best productivity apps for Mac in 2026
Twelve small, focused Mac productivity apps worth installing in 2026: launchers, window managers, clipboard, screenshots, menu bar, focus and the notch.
The notch, made alive.
Peeq turns your MacBook’s notch into a quiet home for the few things you actually use.
Now playingNeon BloomThe Drift · Long Light
1:24−2:10
Now playingNeon BloomThe Drift · Long Light
1:24−2:10
ScreenshotDrag to share
Screenshot
CopyCopiedSaveMarkupDelete
KayiPhone · Mobile
Remind MeMessage
KayAre we still on for tonight?
KayMessages · Just now
Are we still on for dinner tonight?
Yes, see you there!Running a bit late
Reply…
SentYes, see you there!
Ana RuizMail · Just now
Final cover files
Here are the exports for launch day.
Open
Timer
24:58Focus · 25 min
Timer doneFocus · 25 min
Drop here
AirDropSend to nearby devices
File TrayHold it in the notch
File Tray
PDFBrief.pdf
Cover.png
Drag a file out to drop it anywhereAirDrop allClear
AirDropSent to Kay’s iPhone
ClipboardEarlierClear
- Dinner at 8 — table for two?2 min agoCopyCopied
- #5E8FD614 min agoCopy
01 — Music
Your music, right up there.
- Album art and a live level beside the notch
- Play, pause, skip and scrub
- Up Next for Apple Music
- Pull the player out to float it
Now playingNeon BloomThe Drift · Long Light
1:24−2:10
Up Next
- Golden HourSunfield
- Night SwimMarlowe
- AfterglowThe Drift
Neon BloomThe Drift
02 — Calls
Calls that don’t interrupt.
- Accept and Decline
- Remind Me or reply with a Message
- Call time beside the notch
- Missed calls wait in Activity
KayiPhone · Mobile
Remind MeMessage
KayiPhone · Mobile
Remind MeMessage
0:02
ActivityEarlierClear All
- Missed callKay · iPhone
- KayCall me back when you’re free
03 — Notifications
Read it. Reply right there.
- Banners drop out of the notch
- Reply to Messages and WhatsApp
- Reply suggestions made on your Mac
- Everything else waits in Activity
KayAre we still on for tonight?
KayAre we still on for tonight?
KayMessages · Just now
Are we still on for dinner tonight?
Yes, see you there!Running a bit late
Reply…
SentYes, see you there!
Ana RuizMail · Just now
Final cover files
Here are the exports for launch day.
Open
ActivityEarlierClear All
- KayAre we still on for tonight?
- Screenshot capturedTap to preview
04 — Timer
Focus, quietly counted.
- Slide to set, or tap a preset
- Pause, reset or add a minute
- A ring ticks beside the notch
- A pill when time’s up
10:00Slide to set
051015202530354045505560
5 min10 min15 min25 minStart
10:00Slide to set
051015202530354045505560
5 min10 min15 min25 minStart
Timer
24:58Focus · 25 min
24:58
Timer doneFocus · 25 min
05 — Screenshots
Snap it. Sort it in a second.
- A preview you can drag to share
- Copy, Save, Markup or Delete
- Screen recording with a live clock
- A pill when the recording’s saved
ScreenshotDrag to share
ScreenshotDrag to share
Screenshot
CopyCopiedSaveMarkupDelete
0:12
Screen recordingSaved to Desktop
06 — File tray
Drop it in the notch.
- Drag a file up to the notch
- Keep it in the File Tray
- A count beside the notch
- AirDrop in one move
Drop here
AirDropSend to nearby devices
File TrayHold it in the notch
Drop here
AirDropSend to nearby devices
File TrayHold it in the notch
File Tray
PDFBrief.pdf
Cover.png
Drag a file out to drop it anywhereAirDrop allClear
2
AirDropSent to Kay’s iPhone
Fewer features. A better notch.
And the small things
Little things, handled.
-
Clipboard history
Everything you copied today.
-
Volume
A slim level, right by the notch.
-
Downloads
Progress you can glance at.
-
Battery
Plugged in. Running low.
-
Screen recording
A live clock while you record.
-
Notch Home
Click the notch. It’s all there.
Performance
Works light on your Mac.
- 0.3% CPU at idle
- 37MB Memory
- 0/s Wake-ups
- 15MB App size
Blog
From the notch.
Menu bar icons hidden behind the MacBook notch? Here’s the fix
macOS silently hides menu bar icons that don't fit beside the notch. Five ways to get them back, from a free app to a one-line Terminal setting.
NotchNook alternatives for Mac: simpler, free and open-source options
Looking for a NotchNook alternative? Here are the main notch apps for Mac in 2026, what each is best at, and which one to pick if you want less.
What is peeq?
peeq is a free Mac app that turns the notch on your MacBook into a small, living space. Music, calls, notifications, timers, screenshots and files show up in the notch and go back in when you’re done. Think of it as a Dynamic Island for your Mac.
Which Macs does peeq work on?
peeq needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later and is made for a MacBook with a notch (MacBook Pro 14″ and 16″ from 2021, MacBook Air from M2). External displays aren’t supported yet. Reply suggestions also need macOS 26 and Apple Intelligence.
How do I get peeq?
peeq is in a private beta. Get early access and we’ll email you a build when your spot opens. We’re inviting testers in small batches.
Is peeq free?
Yes. The beta is free for testers. There’s no account, no trial and no ads.
