My Default Apps

Must Have Open Source Mac Windows Android Web Browser Extension $ Paid

Notion : Primarily for my swipe file, then for notes I need on multi-device access.
Obsidian : Local, private notes app. For long writing (even for writing these blogs). I have a setup in this where it automatically publishes on my /personal.
Raycast : First (#1 on my list, Just Goated). If you use a desktop (Windows or Mac), just download this one app from the whole list. Trust me, you’ll f’ing love it. It’ll 10x your speed and the way you use your computer. It makes you use your mouse less and less. To the extent that a few of my friends always find me weird/super impressed by the way I use my laptop, all thanks to Raycast. I waited for it to release on Windows, and since the day it released, I’ve been using it. It was also the very first app I installed on my Mac.
Freewrite : Built by Farza. A free, open source, distraction-free dump writing app. It’s super minimal by choice, based on a principle called freewriting . Love using it as a journal and morning dump before work, then directly sending to Claude/AI for reviewing & chatting.
Brave : Web browser.
YouTube Premium $ : Yeah, I know there are so many alternatives (Brave, PipePipe/ReVanced, etc.). But for ₹89/month, it’s one of the best. It’s the only subscription I have & paid thing in the whole list. For the time I spend on YouTube, it’s 100% worth it.

Fold : Best finance manager (in India). To an extent, just for using this app, I switched to the bank which they support. Love their design & philosophies. Goated, but still I have not used it to an extent to give the must-have badge.
Mindful : Hands down the best blocker on Android. Once set, you cannot bypass it using any trick. I’ve tried a ton of apps, I always found a way to bypass… and this can’t. It’s open source, free & has a lot of features.
Blocker Hero : Similar to Mindful, but it has a friend feature, where only if your trusted friend approves can you access certain things.
PipePipe : If you don’t want to pay for YT Premium, check this out.
Phravia : After AI, I use a lot of dictation apps. For Android this is the best. (For Mac I’m currently testing Fluidvoice).

uBlock Origin : (Goated adblocker). No explanation needed, you should install it on your browser. It’s not only for ad blocks, it’s also a privacy tool. You can even use scripts, like my favorite which strips away the whole Shorts thing from YT, not even on search results.
Hotkeys for Search : With a shortcut, you can search any selected text.
SponsorBlock for YouTube : If you use YT a lot, it’s a must-have.
Unhook : Must have if you use YT a lot.
SocialFocus : Unhook, but for whole social media. Makes it less distractive.

Bitwarden : Yeah it’s a Password manager, but it’s free, open source, and works across all devices.
Ente Auth : Open source, free, beautifully designed 2FA auth. Recently found it & I’m loving it.
Proton VPN : Best free VPN.

Got recommendations for tools or apps? Drop me a note!