BestFreeTemplates started as a private bookmark folder — just a handful of links I shared with other designers who wanted to get on with their work instead of chasing down installers. That folder is now a catalog of 636 Mac programs and games, all laid out the way I like to see them when I’m choosing fresh tools for a machine.
What sort of things do you list?
I cover free Mac software that works as soon as you unpack it. The catalog is split into browsable sections: Adobe for templates, brushes and extensions; Games for the kind of quick-to-launch titles that don’t need a console; VST Plugins for audio work; Mac Apps for day-to-day utilities; Office for templates and productivity helpers; Video Downloaders and Screen Recorders for capturing work; plus a general macOS section for system tweaks. Every listing is real, current software that you can grab without handing over credit card details.
Who is the site for?
It’s built for visual people — designers, illustrators, editors, anyone who keeps a Mac humming along for creative work. If you’d rather scan a tidy card than read a ten-minute review full of stock photos, you’re in the right place. I also keep it friendly for people who just want a solid free tool without an account, a subscription, or a sales pitch.
What you won’t find here
No paid listings, no affiliate-only picks, no bundled installers that quietly drop extra icons onto your desktop. I don’t carry cracked software, abandonware that phones home, or anything that asks for permissions it doesn’t need. You also won’t see news posts, rumour round-ups, or advertisements. It’s a catalog, not a magazine.
How to read a program page
Each item gets a clean card with the facts I reach for first:
- Version — so you know exactly which build you’re getting.
- File size — useful on patchy Wi‑Fi or a laptop with tight storage.
- Compatibility — the minimum macOS version and whether it runs natively on Apple silicon or Intel.
- Install notes — a short, plain‑English line about where to drag the app or how to run the installer.
Where it matters, I also keep older builds listed. If you’re holding onto a Mac that can’t go past Catalina or Mojave, those links will stay up as long as the developers keep them live.
Who runs the site and why?
My name is Olivia Grant. I’m a designer based in Brisbane, and I spent years building templates for agencies — the kind of work where you learn to tell at a glance whether something will feel right in your hands. I brought that same eye to curating Mac apps and games. BestFreeTemplates exists because I was tired of wading through search results full of paid ads and out-of-date “freeware” round-ups. I wanted one place that showed me the essentials — version number, size, compatibility — and stayed out of the way. Now I run it so other people can skip that hunt.
If you ever need to reach me, drop a line at [email protected]. I read every message, though I can’t always reply the same afternoon.
Favourites, notifications, and comments
You can browse the whole catalog without an account. No pop‑ups, no nag screens. If you’d like a little more from the site, a free account gives you three simple extras:
- Favourites. Hit the star on any program card and it’ll land on your personal list. Quick to skim before you wipe a machine or set up a new one.
- Update notifications. When a developer pushes a new build for a program you’ve saved, the site shows you a small notice. No email, no push alerts — just a quiet flag inside your account so you can grab the latest version when it suits you.
- Comments. You can leave a note under any listing. Every comment is moderated before it appears publicly, so the discussion stays tidy. You’ll see your own comment marked “awaiting moderation” until I’ve had a chance to review it.
There’s no newsletter, no marketing emails, and no advertising. Just a clean, visual list of Mac tools that I’ve checked myself, organised so you can decide quickly and get back to work.