I’ll admit it, I was pretty skeptical of the AI craze when ChatGPT first made it’s debut but over time, I’ve come to discover how incredibly useful it is and how its supercharged my productivity like nothing else.

On macOS, the right AI app can speed up writing, design, coding, research, and even managing your day.

But not all AI tools are equal: some are web-only, some are native Mac apps that take advantage of Apple Silicon chips, and some are lightweight utilities that plug into the apps you already use.

That’s why we’ve rounded-up the best AI software for Macs to help you get the most out of macOS in 2025.

Enjoy, and let me know if there’s anything you think we have missed!

1. Notta – Best for AI Dictation on Mac

Price: Free plan available, Pro from $8.25/month

If you record meetings, interviews, or lectures, Notta is one of the best voice recognition software for Macs. It’s easily, the smartest and fastest tools I’ve used to turn audio into text on a Mac. It supports live transcription and lets you search transcripts instantly. The macOS app syncs with iOS, so you can pick up where you left off on your iPhone or iPad.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Accurate live transcription
• Works well across Apple devices
• Exports to TXT, DOCX, and SRT
• Great for podcasters, students, and journalists

Downsides:

• Free plan limited to 120 minutes/month
• Collaboration and advanced features need a Pro plan

More Info: Notta review

2. Google Gemini + Google Workspace – Best MS Office & Copilot Alternative

Price: Included with Google Workspace subscription (starts at $6/month for Business Starter)

What happens if you combine one of the most powerful AIs around (Gemini) with one of the best alternatives to Office for Mac (Workspace) ?

Google Gemini is Google’s next-generation AI, integrated across Google Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail. It helps generate text, summarize documents, create smart replies, and assist with data insights – all directly inside tools you already use.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Integration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail
• AI-assisted drafting, summarization, and data analysis
• Collaborative features ideal for teams
• Cloud-based, works on Mac, Windows, iPad, and mobile

Downsides:

• Requires Google Workspace subscription
• Some advanced AI features may need Google account verification or Workspace plan upgrades

More Info: How To Use Gemini in Workspace

3. Adobe Express – Best for AI-Powered Design

Price: Free plan available; Premium $9.99/month

Adobe Express combines the power of Adobe’s creative suite with Adobe’s Firefly AI-driven design tools to make it one of the best AI art generation software for Macs. It helps you quickly create graphics, social media posts, flyers, and short videos with templates and AI-powered features like background removal and text-to-image generation.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Easy-to-use templates for quick designs
• AI tools for image generation and smart edits
• Syncs with Adobe Creative Cloud apps
• Works across Mac, web, and mobile

Downsides:

• Premium features locked behind subscription
• Less powerful than Photoshop or Illustrator for advanced editing

More Info: Adobe Express Review

4. Otter.ai – Best for Note Taking

Price: Free tier available; Premium $13/month or $99/year

Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription and note-taking app that converts speech to text in real time. It’s perfect for meetings, lectures, interviews, and brainstorming sessions, allowing you to capture ideas without typing.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Real-time transcription with speaker identification
• Integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
• Searchable transcripts for easy reference
• Collaborative features for sharing notes with teams

Downsides:

• Free tier has limits on transcription minutes
• Accuracy depends on audio quality and clarity

More Info: Otter.ai

5. ChatGPT Mac App – Best for Conversational AI

Price: Free with OpenAI account; ChatGPT Plus $20/month for GPT-4 access

The official ChatGPT app for Mac brings OpenAI’s AI ground-breaking assistant directly to your desktop. It provides quick access to GPT-5 for writing help, brainstorming, coding assistance, and general productivity without needing a browser.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Native Mac desktop app with system-wide access
• Fast, distraction-free interface
• Syncs history across Mac, iPhone, and iPad
• Supports voice input and code formatting

Downsides:

• Free GPT-5 access limited and requires a Plus subscription
• No offline mode – internet required

More Info: ChatGPT For Mac review

6. Descript – Best for Audio & Video Editing with AI

Price: Free plan available, Pro from $12/month

Descript combines transcription with powerful editing. You can edit a podcast or video simply by editing its transcript. It also includes overdub voice cloning and AI-based audio clean-up.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Edit videos by changing the text transcript
• Built-in AI audio clean-up
• Overdub lets you fix mistakes without re-recording
• Direct export to Final Cut Pro and Logic

Downsides:

• Steeper learning curve than Notta
• Heavy features are locked behind paid plans

More Info: Descript

7. MacGPT – Best for Enhanced macOS ChatGPT Integration

Price: Free with optional Pro upgrade ($29 one-time)

MacGPT brings ChatGPT straight to your menu bar. You can summon it with a global hotkey, paste text, and get answers without leaving your Mac desktop.

Why You’ll Love It:

• One-click ChatGPT access on macOS
• Global shortcuts and clipboard integration
• Can use your own API key for privacy
• Faster and lighter than using ChatGPT in a browser

Downsides:

• Not an official OpenAI app
• Features depend on the ChatGPT API

More Info: MacGPT

8. Ulysses + AI Shortcuts – Best for Creative Writers

Price: $5.99/month or $49.99/year

Ulysses is a polished creative writing app for Macs. While it’s not an AI app itself, it integrates with AI helpers through Shortcuts or external services. This makes it a clean, distraction-free word processing software where AI supports your writing rather than taking over.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Sleek, Mac-native interface
• Excellent sync across Mac, iPad, and iPhone
• AI integrations available for idea generation
• Great export options (Word, PDF, ePub)

Downsides:

• AI features require setup with third-party tools
• Subscription required

More Info: Ulysees

9. Alfred + ChatGPT – Best for Mac Automation

Price: Free, Powerpack one-time license from £34

Alfred is a productivity launcher for macOS. With ChatGPT integration, you can generate text, summarize files, and run AI-powered searches directly from your keyboard.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Lightning-fast search and automation
• Add ChatGPT for summaries and quick prompts
• Highly customizable
• One-time purchase for most features

Downsides:

• Requires manual setup for integrating AI
• Might overwhelm casual users

More Info: Alfred

10. Keyboard Maestro + Local AI – Best for Advanced Automation

Price: $36 one-time license

Keyboard Maestro automates nearly anything on macOS. Pair it with local AI models to create private, offline automations like renaming files, summarizing text, or generating content.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Extremely powerful automation engine
• Works with offline/local AI models
• One-time purchase, no subscription

Downsides:

• Steep learning curve
• Geared towards advanced users

More Info: Keyboard Maestro

11. Pixelmator Pro – Best AI Image Editor for Mac

Price: $49.99 one-time purchase

Pixelmator Pro is one of the best Photoshop alternatives for Macs packed with AI features like ML Super Resolution, background removal, and style transfer. It’s fully optimized for Apple Silicon.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Lightning-fast on Apple Silicon Macs
• One-time payment, no subscription
• Smart AI tools for photographers and designers
• Gorgeous Mac-native interface

Downsides:

• Not as feature-rich as Photoshop
• Updates add new features slowly

12. Runway – Best for AI Video Editing

Price: Free trial, paid plans from $15/month

Runway brings generative AI to video editing on a Mac. It doesn’t just edit video, it even creates it for you. You can remove objects, generate new backgrounds, or even create video clips from text prompts.

Why You’ll Love It:

• State-of-the-art generative video tools
• Easy to experiment with effects
• Great foe creative professionals

Downsides:

• Subscription can get expensive
• Not all tools run locally

More Info: Runway

13. GitHub Copilot – Best AI Coding Assistant

Price: $10/month for individuals

GitHub Copilot lives inside VS Code and suggests code as you type. It’s trained on billions of lines of code and saves time by writing boilerplate for you.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Huge time-saver for repetitive coding
• Context-aware suggestions
• Works great on macOS in VS Code

Downsides:

• Subscription required
• Must review code carefully for errors

More Info: GitHub Copilot

14. LM Studio – Best for Privacy & Offline Use

Price: Free (open-source options available)

LM Studio is a local LLM app that lets you run AI models directly on your Mac – no internet needed. Thanks to Apple Silicon chip, local LLMs are faster than ever and LM Studio is one of the best.

Why You’ll Love It:

• No cloud, no data leaks
• Works offline
• Great for developers and privacy-conscious users

Downsides:

• Smaller models, less powerful than GPT-5
• More technical setup required

15. Readwise & Raycast Summaries – Best for Research

Price: Readwise $7.99/month, Raycast free with Pro from $8/month

Readwise collects your highlights and lets AI summarize them. Raycast is a Mac launcher with AI extensions that can summarize text instantly.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Saves hours on reading and research
• Quick summaries from your menu bar
• Integrates well with macOS

Downsides:

• Summaries can be hit-or-miss
• Pro features locked behind subscriptions

More Info: Readwise and Raycast

16. Sogni AI – Best For Offline AI Art Generation

Price: Free to use; pay-as-you-go for rendering when using the Supernet (no monthly subscription required)

Sogni AI is a creative-AI platform that lets you generate images on a Mac, animations, and high-definition visuals using local device processing or via a decentralized GPU network (“Supernet”). It’s built for artists, creators, and developers who want control over style, ownership, and speed.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Unlimited, private image generation on Mac or iOS with local & Supernet rendering options
• Advanced tools: ControlNet, style blending, image-to-image and text-to-image, animations, and guide/reference images
• Offline/local model support: run Stable Diffusion-style models on Mac or iOS; also import custom Core ML models
• Community & compute sharing: you can also contribute idle computing power (as a Worker) to the Supernet and earn tokens, helping with rendering scale and speed

Downsides:

• Demanding on device: requires recent version of macOS (at least Sonoma 14.0+) & decent hardware (Apple silicon + ~16 GB RAM minimum) for best performance locally
• Some tasks (especially GPU Supernet renders) may incur costs or delays depending on network load
• Model quality and style vary – results depend heavily on prompt structure, reference images, and the model chosen

More Info: Sogni AI

17. SuperWhisper – Best for Voice-to-Text Productivity

Price: Free tier available; Pro plan approx US $8.49/month, US $84.99/year, or lifetime option (≈US $249.99)

SuperWhisper is an AI-powered voice-to-text/dictation app for macOS (and iPhone) built to offer accurate, fast transcription, both locally and via cloud/local AI models. It works in any app where you can type or paste text, so you can “just talk” instead of typing emails, notes, messages, or documents.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Works offline (especially well on Apple Silicon Macs) for privacy and speed
• Supports 100+ languages with translation into English
• Ability to use your own AI API keys in Pro plan, giving more control
• Transcribe audio & video files, use both cloud & local models, priority support in Pro plan

Downsides:

• Pro features require subscription or payment (monthly/yearly/lifetime)
• Best performance (especially offline) demands more recent hardware (at least an Apple Silicon Mac) and lots of RAM
• While the free tier is good, there are limits on recording duration or access to larger models/languages unless you upgrade

More Info: SuperWhisper

18. Elephas – Best for Building a “Super Brain” & Writing Everywhere

Price: Free version available; Paid plans to unlock more usage, AI engine options, and workflow automation.

Elephas is a Mac-focused knowledge assistant that combines AI writing, summarisation, snippets/prompts, and a searchable “Super Brain” built from your own data (notes, files, meetings, etc.). It works across apps on your Mac, letting you run several AI tasks without changing the way you already work.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Integrates with your own data: Apple Notes, Notion, Zoom transcripts, files & meetings for a personalized knowledge base.
• Supports local/offline models or using your own API keys (OpenAI, Claude etc.) for privacy and flexibility.
• Super Command / snippets: perform writing-tasks, summaries, rewrites, tone shifts, directly in any app.
• Helpful for research: chat with documents, pull quotes, generate outlines, summarise long reads.

Downsides:

• Free version has limitations on how many AI tasks / number of uses before upgrading.
• Best performance (especially offline/local AI) requires newer Mac hardware and sufficient system resources.
• Mobile version / keyboard has fewer features than the Mac desktop “Super Brain” / workflow automations.

More Info: Elephas

19. Notion AI – Best for Integrated AI Writing, Research & Team Collaboration

Price: Business plan $20/user/month (annual billing); Free tier gives limited AI trials.

Notion AI blends generative AI tools directly into your workspace: docs, databases, and meetings. It helps with writing, summarization, Q&A, meeting notes, and searching across your content – all without leaving Notion. It’s a great tool to use when you want AI that lives where your projects already are.

Why You’ll Love It:

• AI features built-into Notion: summarisation, autofill of databases, meeting note transcription & action items
• Research Mode & Enterprise Search: Pull info from your workspace (and connected tools) for more powerful document creation and insight gathering
• Full collaboration features: shared workspaces, private teamspaces, page history, guest collaborators – all in the same environment
• Cross-platform: Web, Mac, iOS, Windows, synchronized across devices

Downsides:

• Full AI features only available on Business plan or Enterprise – Free or Plus users only get limited trials.
• File upload limits (5 MB per file on Free tier) and shorter page-history (e.g. 7 days) under lower plans can be restrictive for serious use.
• Heavy AI use may trigger fair-use limits or temporary throttling.

More Info: Notion AI

20. DiffusionBee – Best for Offline AI Art Creation

Price: Free; no subscription required

DiffusionBee brings the power of Stable Diffusion locally to your Mac. Generate images from text prompts, modify existing images, upscale, in-paint/out-paint, and more – all without ever sending your data to the cloud. Perfect for creators who want full control over their art and privacy.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Runs 100% offline on your Mac – high privacy & no cloud dependency
• Lots of Tools: text-to-image, image-to-image, generative fill, out-painting, upscalers, custom model training, variants, even video-tools
• Optimized for Apple Silicon (great performance) but also works on Intel Macs (though slower)
• Free to use; no paywalls or subscriptions to unlock basic tools

Downsides:

• Older/less powerful Macs (especially Intel without a strong GPU) can be very slow for complex renders or high resolution
• User interface is functional but less polished than some cloud-based or premium AI art platforms
• Local models require disk space, and heavy usage may tax your hardware (RAM, GPU)

More Info: DiffusionBee

21. Grammarly – Best for All-Round Writing

Price: Free basic version; Grammarly Pro starts at US $12/month per member when billed annually (≈ $30/month with monthly billing)

Grammarly is a comprehensive AI-powered writing assistant that checks grammar, spelling, clarity, tone, style, and plagiarism. It integrates across browsers, desktop apps, word processors, email, and more. With its new AI agents and generative tools, Grammarly helps you not just correct your writing, but also craft, refine, and adapt it for different audiences and goals.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Real-time grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions across many platforms (browser, desktop, Word, email etc.)
• Tone detection, clarity improvements, vocabulary enhancements, and full-sentence rewriting
• Plagiarism detection ensures originality; AI agents (now in “Docs”) assist with summarization, citation finding, and reader feedback
• Collaboration features: style guides, brand tones, team usage analytics (for multi-user plans)

Downsides:

• Pro features require a paid subscription; free plan is limited
• Some AI prompt limits depending on plan (e.g. Free vs Pro)
• Occasionally suggestions may not match tone or context perfectly – you’ll still need to review edits manually

More Info: Grammarly

22. Apple Intelligence – Best for Apple Device Assistance

Price: Included with macOS Tahoe / macOS Sequoia on supported devices; no extra subscription required for basic features (some advanced capabilities may roll out later).

Apple Intelligence is Apple’s integrated AI system built into macOS (also iOS, iPadOS, etc.) that adds smart, privacy-focused tools for writing, translation, image generation, and more – right in your system apps. It works on-device where possible, using your Mac’s AI capabilities to enhance functionality without sending everything to the cloud.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Writing Tools (rewrite, summarize, proofread) built into Mail, Notes, Pages, Safari, Messages, etc.
• Visual Intelligence: ability to understand what’s on screen – identify objects, translate text from images, etc.
• Live Translation: in Messages, FaceTime, calls; breaking down language barriers using Apple Intelligence features.
• System-wide smart actions: enhanced Siri, shortcuts that call AI models, notifications summaries, writing tone & clarity suggestions.

Downsides:

• Only available on supported Macs (mainly Apple silicon models; older Intel Macs may have limited support or no support)
• Some features are region or language-locked (initial launch mostly in English and in select locales)
• More advanced features may come later and could require stronger hardware or more system resources

More Info: Apple Intelligence

23. Bolt AI – Best for Multi‑Model AI Support

Price: Free tier available; Pro plans start at $9/month for 10M tokens, scaling up to $200/month for 120M tokens

Bolt AI is a native macOS application that seamlessly integrates with your favorite Mac apps, providing instant access to AI assistants powered by OpenAI’s GPT technology. It allows you to leverage AI capabilities directly within your workflow for enhanced productivity and creativity.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Native macOS App: Optimized for performance, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
• Multi‑Model Support: Switch between top AI services and local models, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Ollama, Perplexity, and Google Gemini, all from a single application
• Custom AI Assistants: Create tailored AI assistants to suit specific tasks or roles, enhancing your workflow
• Prompt Library: Access a library of prompts to get the most out of your AI assistance
• Secure and Private: Operates locally on your device, ensuring your data remains private. Your OpenAI API key is securely stored in the Apple Keychain, adhering to industry-standard encryption methods

Downsides:

• Subscription Required for Full Features: While a free tier is available, advanced features and higher token limits require a paid subscription
• Learning Curve: New users may need time to familiarize themselves with the various AI models and customization options

More Info: Bolt AI

23. Alter AI – Best AI For Offline macOS Integration

Price: Free tier available; Pro plans start at $15/month for 10M tokens, scaling up to $200/month for 120M tokens.

Alter is a native macOS AI assistant designed to supercharge your productivity by integrating deeply with macOS. Unlike browser-based tools, Alter operates locally, offering privacy-first features and context-aware actions across all your applications. Whether you’re drafting emails, summarizing meetings, or automating tasks, Alter acts as your intelligent co-pilot, understanding your workflow and providing real-time assistance.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Deep macOS Integration: Alter understands your screen and app context, enabling it to perform actions like summarizing documents, drafting messages, or controlling apps without switching windows.
• Voice-First Activation: Activate dictation or issue commands using natural language, allowing for hands-free operation and efficient multitasking.
• Local Model Support: Run AI models locally for enhanced privacy and speed, with support for tools like Ollama and LM Studio.
• Meeting Intelligence: Record meetings from any platform – Zoom, Teams, Meet, or in-person – and receive instant summaries, action items, and searchable transcripts.
• Automation Across 2,000+ Apps: Connect and automate tasks with services like Slack, Notion, Gmail, and more, streamlining repetitive jobs.

Downsides:

• Pro Features Require Subscription: While a free tier is available, advanced features and higher token limits require a paid subscription.
• Learning Curve: New users may need time to familiarize themselves with the various AI models and customization options.

More Info: Alter AI

FAQs

Are desktop AI apps better than web apps?

It depends. Desktop apps offer better OS integration, hotkeys, and sometimes offline modes. Web apps usually give access to the latest, largest models.

Can I run AI models offline on my Mac?

Yes – with local LLM wrappers and Apple Silicon-optimized models. Expect more technical setup and smaller models.

Should I be worried about privacy?

Use apps that let you supply your own API key or run models locally if privacy is essential. Read each vendor’s data policy.

Which apps support Apple Silicon natively?

Pixelmator Pro, many modern Mac apps, and some local LLM tools now ship Apple Silicon binaries. Always check the app page before buying.