I have a note saved in Obsidian with every app I install on a new Mac. Unfortunately many of these are paid apps:
AltTab: switch windows instead of apps (useful for apps with multiple windows open)
Bartender 4: let’s you hide icons on your menubar
BetterMouse: lots of control over mouse. Ability to inverse scroll on mouse only and leave natural on touchpad. The right click pan scrolling is great too.
DisplayLink Manager: let’s you use more than one external monitor on non-pro machines if you have a compatible dock.
Fantastical: great calendar app if you manage multiple calendars and need to send your availability to people external of your company.
Greenshot: I take a ton of screenshots
iStat Menus: puts cpu, memory, network, etc graphs on your menu bar.
Jump Desktop: best RDP client I’ve found.
Obsidian: not Mac specific, but an amazing note taking client.
Raycast: expands your cmd+space with many plugins available. Probably my most used app.
Rectangle Pro: Better window management including snapping windows to sides of screens.
iTerm2: Much better terminal app than the stock one.
I have a note saved in Obsidian with every app I install on a new Mac. Unfortunately many of these are paid apps: