Utilities · 12 tools

Desktop apps for designers and developers

Apps that live on the desktop rather than in a tab: launchers, fast terminals, capture tools, clipboard managers and the small menu-bar apps that make a working day shorter.

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raycast.com

RaycastDesktop appsAn extendable Mac launcher that runs commands and search, standing in for Spotlight.

ghostty.org

GhosttyDesktop appsA GPU-accelerated terminal emulator built for speed, aimed at command-line developers.

warp.dev

WarpDesktop appsA terminal written in Rust that groups command output into blocks and adds AI assistance.

cleanshot.com

CleanShot XDesktop appsCaptures screenshots and records your screen in one Mac desktop utility.

granola.ai

GranolaDesktop appsAn AI notepad that writes up meeting summaries without sending a bot into the call.

localsend.org

LocalSendDesktop appsTransfers files securely between nearby devices over a local Wi-Fi network.

rioterm.com

CanarioDesktop appsA terminal that arranges your command-line sessions into separate panes.

cooldock.app

CoolDockDesktop appsA secondary desktop dock that hosts monitoring widgets alongside your apps.

supaste.com

SupasteDesktop appsA Mac app that manages your clipboard and keeps a history of past screenshots.

runey.app

RuneyDesktop appsHelps freelancers send invoices and keep track of their clients in one app.

revone.app

RevoneDesktop appsPulls payment metrics from across your tools into one revenue dashboard.

zen-browser.app

Zen BrowserDesktop appsA Firefox fork that adds vertical tabs and a pared-back, focus-oriented interface.

Frequently asked questions about Desktop apps for designers and developers

What are the best desktop apps for designers and developers in 2026?

Designeer lists 12 desktop apps for design and development, each with a live preview, including Raycast, Ghostty and CleanShot X. They cover launchers, terminals, screen capture and clipboard managers.

What are the best Mac apps for developers?

Raycast is a popular launcher and productivity app, Warp and Ghostty are modern terminals, and CleanShot X is a favorite for screenshots and screen recording. Many of these desktop apps have free tiers.

Are there free, open-source desktop tools in this list?

Yes. Ghostty is an open-source terminal and LocalSend is a free, open-source tool for sending files across devices. Several other developer desktop apps offer free plans alongside paid upgrades.