My 10 Favorite Cross-Platform Apps

Here are my favorite apps that have both a macOS and an iOS/iPadOS version.

 Drafts

I use Drafts for a great number of tasks. I collect quotes there until I am ready to process them into my collection. Whenever i need to convert HTML into markdown, it's as simple as pasting it into Drafts. On iOS it serves as quick entry into Obsidian. On macOS it holds templates I convert into reoccurring projects in my task manager.

Obsidian 

Obsidian is my second brain. It contains notes relating to my job, my writing and everything in between. I do most of my note creating on my Mac, but I use it often on my phone for reference. The mobile app is getting better and better but it still isn't quite there yet, thus my reliance on Drafts for data entry.

Scrap Paper 

Scrap Paper is a floating notes app for macOS that synchronizes with iOS. It can be summoned with a keyboard shortcut and the window stays on top of other windows. You can manually run a sync if the automatic sync isn't fast enough. Whenever I need to manipulate text I do it in Scrap Paper because it's always there in the menu bar waiting for me.

Things 3 

Things 3 is the award winning, highly regarded task manager from Culture Code that can be used for simple lists on one end of the spectrum and complex projects on the other end. Every day starts and ends for me reviewing Things 3 on whatever device I happen to be on.

PastePal 

I go back and forth between using Raycast and PastePal for my clipboard management needs. PastePal has the advantage of being cross platform and iOS synced so that things I copy on my work computer are available to me on my home computer and phone, a feature Raycast does not have.

Anylist

My choice for several lifestyle categories is Anylist. it's my grocery shopping list, my recipe management app and my packing list compiler. Not only are there macOS and iOS versions, there is also a web interface where I can get to my info from anywhere.

Edge 

I know some of you are pressing the downvote button right now while shaking your head but hear me out. I started using Edge when I was on a PC at work and a Mac at home. I stuck with it because I work in a Microsoft 365 environment. Its syncing between computers and devices is rock solid. It has the extensions I need and it has a unique feature called collections which is very handy when I don't want to bookmark a page but want to reference later. It also has profiles and workspaces that neatly separate my person stuff from my work stuff. Don't hate. I have reasons.

Sequel 

Keeping track of upcoming TV shows can be a job and I'm just as liable to hear a good suggestion at work as I am home. I keep track of my unified watch list in  the feature rich app, Sequel, which also tracks books, audiobooks, movies and video games.

Play 

Play is a four platform threat because your App Store purchase also gives you access to the Apple TV app. Play is a watch-it-later app for YouTube that also allows for subscribing to cahnnels and extensive filtering and tagging. It has multiple ways to add videos to your playlist on iOS and macOS.

Day One  

I've been using Day One for over ten years and I have 18,000 entries in the journaling app. Using IFTTT integrations I have included almost my entire Twitter history, blog posts, scale readings, GPS tracks, and thousands of photos. I can add to it on the fly from my phone and do derious curation at night or the weekend on my Mac.

Like most members of the Apple ecosystem, I use iOS and macOS depending on the environment. I also use an iPad from time to time. A universal app, according to most definitions is an app you pay for one time and then can use on any Apple platform. Some apps have a separate price per platform. For the purpose of this review, I have included both types.