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What are macOS developer tools?
What are the best developer tools for Mac?
What is the shortcut for developer tools on a Mac?
This blog provides Mac developers with a curated list of 10 essential tools to boost productivity significantly in 2025. It addresses common coding, testing, and deployment challenges within Apple's ecosystem, helping streamline workflows and save time. Discover practical solutions and a setup guide to build better apps and enhance your development process starting today.
Tight deadlines can slow any Mac developer down, especially when juggling code, tests, and app deployment. But the right setup can make a big difference.
In this article, you'll find 10 smart tools designed to help you work faster and avoid common project bottlenecks. These picks focus on what matters most: writing clean code, testing efficiently, and delivering solid apps. You’ll also get a simple setup guide to help you start using them right away. Whether fine-tuning your process or starting fresh, this blog can save you time and effort.
Every suggestion here supports real work in 2025, and each one has been selected with Mac OS developer tools in mind.
Let’s take a look at what can help you build better today.
The right developer tools can make or break your productivity. In 2025, the demand for efficient, user-friendly software development solutions is higher than ever, especially for macOS, which powers development for iOS, iPad, and other Apple ecosystems. These tools are designed to simplify repetitive tasks, enhance debugging, and provide intuitive interfaces, enabling developers to focus on writing high-quality code. Furthermore, they cater to diverse needs, from solo developers to large teams, ensuring seamless collaboration and consistent performance across projects.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 developer tools that stand out for their features, ease of use, and ability to streamline the development workflow.
Xcode is Apple’s flagship Integrated Development Environment (IDE), essential for building macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps. As a native macOS app, it integrates seamlessly with Apple hardware, offering a robust platform for software developers. Its Xcode command line tools enable developers to compile code, manage dependencies, and automate tasks directly from the command line.
Key Features:
Supports Swift and Objective-C with syntax highlighting and code completion.
Includes Interface Builder for designing user interfaces.
Simulators for testing apps on virtual iOS devices and iPads.
Built-in Git integration and XCTest for debugging.
Xcode command line tools for tasks like installing dependencies or signing apps.
Why It’s Great: Xcode’s all-in-one environment reduces the need for additional tools. Developers can write code, design interfaces, and test apps without leaving the app. The Xcode command line tools are particularly powerful, allowing automation of repetitive tasks like building and archiving projects.
Limitations: Large projects may slow down, and the app requires significant storage (~40GB).
Pricing: Free via the Mac App Store.
Example: Imagine you’re building an iOS app. With Xcode, you can set breakpoints to debug issues, use the Simulator to test on an iPhone 16 Pro, and run Xcode command line tools to automate build scripts, all within a single application.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a lightweight, open-source code editor favorite among developers for its flexibility and extensive extension ecosystem. It supports multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and HTML, making it ideal for web and backend development.
Key Features:
IntelliSense for auto completion and code snippets.
Built-in Git integration and debugging tools.
Thousands of extensions to customize the development environment.
User-friendly interface with customizable themes.
Why It’s Great: VS Code’s intuitive interface allows developers to tailor their workspace. For instance, adding the “Live Server” extension enables real-time previewing of HTML changes, streamlining web development.
Limitations: Advanced setups require manual configuration, which may intimidate beginners.
Pricing: Free.
Homebrew is a must-have for macOS developers. It simplifies the installation and management of software and dependencies via the command line. It’s a powerful tool for ensuring your development environment has the latest tools, such as Git or Node.js.
Key Features:
Installs software with a single command line command (brew install <package>).
Manages dependencies automatically.
Updates tools to their latest versions effortlessly.
Why It’s Great: Homebrew saves time by automating software installation. For example, running brew install python sets up Python and its dependencies in seconds, compared to manual downloads.
Limitations: Requires familiarity with the command line interface.
Pricing: Free.
Example: To install Git, simply run brew install git in the Terminal, and Homebrew handles the rest, ensuring you have the latest version for version control.
iTerm2 is a great tool for developers who live in the command line. It enhances the default macOS Terminal with advanced features like split panes, paste history, and customizable profiles, making it ideal for multitasking.
Key Features:
Split panes for running multiple command line sessions.
Menu bar integration for quick access to profiles.
Scripting support for automating tasks.
Why It’s Great: iTerm2 boosts command line efficiency. For instance, you can run a build script in one pane while monitoring logs in another, all within the same window.
Limitations: It may overwhelm users new to terminal emulators.
Pricing: Free.
Postman is a leading tool for developing, testing, and documenting APIs. It supports REST, SOAP, and GraphQL. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to developers working with API endpoints.
Key Features:
Automated testing of api endpoints.
Team workspaces for collaboration.
Integration with GitHub and other platforms.
Why It’s Great: Postman simplifies API workflows. Developers can quickly search for endpoints, test requests, and export data in various formats, speeding up backend development.
Limitations: The free plan limits team size to three members.
Pricing: Free plan; paid plans start at $15/month.
Docker enables developers to create consistent development environments using containerization. It’s a powerful tool for backend developers working on microservices or cross-platform apps.
Key Features:
Builds and runs apps in isolated containers.
Integrates with CI/CD pipelines.
Access to Docker Hub for pre-built images.
Why It’s Great: Docker ensures your app runs identically across development, testing, and production environments, reducing “it works on my machine” issues.
Limitations: Requires learning containerization concepts.
Pricing: Free for personal use.
GitHub Copilot is an AI-driven tool integrating real-time code snippets and suggestions with editors like VS Code. It supports multiple programming languages, accelerating coding tasks.
Key Features:
Generates boilerplate code and suggests optimizations.
Auto completion for faster coding.
Learns from your coding patterns.
Why It’s Great: Copilot saves time by automating repetitive coding tasks, such as writing loops or API calls, allowing developers to focus on logic.
Limitations: Requires an internet connection and may not always provide perfect suggestions.
Pricing: ~$10/month.
SourceTree is a free Git client with a user-friendly interface for managing repositories, branching, and merging. It’s ideal for developers who prefer a visual approach to command-line Git commands.
Key Features:
Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
Visualizes commit history and branches.
Supports advanced Git operations like rebase.
Why It’s Great: SourceTree simplifies version control, making it accessible to developers unfamiliar with command line tools.
Limitations: Can be slow with large repositories.
Pricing: Free.
Sublime Text is a fast, lightweight text editor for code and markup. It's known for its speed and plugin ecosystem, making it one of the best Mac apps for quick edits and complex projects.
Key Features:
Syntax highlighting and multiple cursor editing.
Distraction-free mode.
Extensive plugin support via Package Control.
Why It’s Great: Sublime Text’s performance makes it ideal for editing large files or quickly changing HTML or Python code.
Limitations: Lacks built-in debugging or collaboration features.
Pricing: $99 one-time purchase.
Appium is an open-source tool for automating the testing of mobile apps across iOS and Android. It supports multiple programming languages, making it versatile for software developers.
Key Features:
Test apps on real iOS devices without modifying code.
Supports automation scripts in languages like Java and Python.
Cross-platform compatibility.
Why It’s Great: Appium streamlines mobile app testing, ensuring apps perform well across devices.
Limitations: Complex setup and steep learning curve.
Pricing: Free.
| Tool | Key Use Case | Pricing | Supports Command Line | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcode | iOS/macOS Development | Free | Yes (xcode command line tools) | 4.1/5 |
| VS Code | General Coding | Free | Yes | Not listed |
| Homebrew | Package Management | Free | Yes (command line tools) | 4.1/5 |
| iTerm2 | Terminal Emulation | Free | Yes (command line interface) | 4.8/5 |
| Postman | API Development | Free/$15+ | Yes | 4.6/5 |
| Docker | Containerization | Free/Paid | Yes (command line tools) | Not listed |
| GitHub Copilot | AI Coding Assistance | ~$10/month | No | Not listed |
| SourceTree | Git Management | Free | Limited | 4.2/5 |
| Sublime Text | Text Editing | $99 | Yes | 4.5/5 |
| Appium | Mobile Testing | Free | Yes (command line tools) | 4.2/5 |
iOS Developers: Combine Xcode with Appium for development and testing, and use Xcode command line tools for automation.
Web Developers: Leverage VS Code, Postman, and Homebrew for a flexible development environment.
Backend Developers: Use Docker, Postman, and iTerm2 to manage services and api endpoints.
Budget-Conscious Developers: Stick to free Mac apps like Xcode, VS Code, and Homebrew.
Collaborative Teams: Integrate SourceTree and GitHub Copilot to enhance teamwork and coding speed.
While the top 10 cover most needs, consider these additional tools for specific use cases:
Sequel Pro: Free MySQL database management with a clean interface.
Tower: Advanced Git client for $69/year.
Bitbucket: Free code collaboration platform for small teams.
In 2025, these Mac OS developer tools empower software developers to create innovative apps efficiently and precisely. From Xcode’s comprehensive development environment to GitHub Copilot’s AI-driven code completion, each tool addresses specific needs, enhancing performance and collaboration. By integrating command line tools, intuitive interfaces, and advanced features, developers can build robust software for Apple platforms and beyond. Use the provided setup guide to install these tools and tailor your workflow.
For further resources, explore official documentation or connect with other developers on platforms like GitHub to share tips and code snippets. Start optimizing your development workflow today!
