Sherlocked, Not Replaced: Mac Apps That Hold Their Ground After WWDC 2025

Every year, Apple’s WWDC brings a mix of excitement, applause, and… a touch of anxiety — especially for indie developers. And WWDC 2025 was no different.

Apple unveiled some truly impressive updates this time around — from Apple Intelligence, the company’s powerful on-device AI system, to new built-in features across macOS 16 and iOS 26. But with all the innovation came a familiar pattern: Apple once again Sherlocked a number of popular third-party apps.

For the uninitiated, “Sherlocked” is a term that describes what happens when Apple builds features into its OS that directly replicate the functionality of existing third-party apps — often rendering those apps less relevant, if not obsolete.

So, is it time to uninstall your favorite tools and just go all-in with Apple’s built-ins?

Not so fast.

What got sherlocked at WWDC 2025?

Here’s a quick look at some standout areas where Apple introduced native features that suspiciously resemble beloved indie tools:

Apple Feature	The App It (Kind of) Copied
AI Writing Suggestions (Mail, Notes, Pages)	Grammarly, Notion AI
Smart Call Recording & Transcription (iOS 26)	Otter, TapeACall
Journal App Enhancements (with AI-generated reflections)	Day One
Screenshot Tools with Markup & Cleanup (macOS 16)	CleanShot X, Shottr
Password Manager with 2FA & Autofill (Apple Passwords app)	1Password, Bitwarden
Window Tiling & Snapping (macOS 16 multitasking)	Magnet, Rectangle
Smart Photo Cleanup (Photos app)	Gemini 2, CleanMyMac’s Space Lens
Clipboard History via Spotlight	Alfred, Raycast, LaunchBar
Flight Tracking in Live Activities	Flighty, App in the Air
Package Tracking in Wallet	Deliveries, Parcel, Shop
Quick Text Snippets & Automations (Shortcuts + Spotlight)	TextExpander
Local Audio Capture in Shortcuts	Cleft, Riverside
Xcode AI Code Suggestions	Copilot, TabNine, Kite

While these features are certainly welcome for everyday users, they also raise a question for power users and productivity pros: Are Apple’s “good enough” tools actually enough?

Still sweet: third-party apps that go further

At TheSweetBits, we’ve always believed in discovering tools that bring more depth, customization, and delight to your Mac experience. And while Apple has done a solid job integrating basic versions of popular features, many third-party tools are still worth holding onto — if not upgrading to.

Here’s why:

1. CleanShot X vs. macOS Screenshot Tool

Apple’s screenshot tool is now more capable, with better markup and quick sharing. But CleanShot X? It’s in a different league.

• Scrollable screenshots
• Instant cloud sharing
• Built-in screen recorder and webcam overlay
• Annotations that actually feel pro-level

Why it still wins: Ideal for content creators, educators, and remote teams.

2. Day One vs. Apple Journal App

Apple’s Journal app added AI-powered reflections, mood logging, and suggested journaling prompts. But Day One has been doing all that — and more — for years.

• Multiple journals
• Custom templates
• PDF export and printing
• End-to-end encryption across platforms

Why it still wins: More polished, flexible, and built for real journaling habits.

3. Otter AI vs. Apple Transcripts

Apple’s call recording and transcription are neat additions. But what about:

• Speaker detection?
• Team collaboration?
• Real-time captions and meeting summaries?
• Otter AI is still far ahead.

Why it still wins: For professionals and teams who rely on detailed, shareable transcripts.

4. Grammarly vs. Apple Writing Tools

Sure, Apple Intelligence can suggest edits in Mail and Notes, but it lacks:

• Cross-platform support
• Context-aware tone suggestions
• AI rephrasing, shortening, or expanding

Why it still wins: Grammarly adapts to how you write, not just your typos.

5. 1Password vs. iCloud Keychain

Apple now offers password autofill and even 2FA — great! But if you need:

• Secure sharing
• Password auditing
• Cross-platform syncing (especially with Windows or Android)
• Team management
• 1Password is still unmatched.

Why it still wins: Security without compromise, beyond Apple’s walled garden.

TextExpander vs. Apple’s Quick Snippets

Apple’s new text expansion via Spotlight and Shortcuts is handy for simple inserts. But when it comes to real productivity, TextExpander still plays in a whole different league.

• Dynamic snippets with fill-in fields, optional sections, and dropdown menus
• Team sharing and collaboration features
• Real-time sync across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Chrome
• Built-in statistics and snippet usage tracking
• Auto-corrections, templates, and rich formatting support

Why it still wins: Perfect for teams, support reps, writers, and anyone who types a lot — TextExpander doesn’t just save keystrokes, it scales communication.

One-size-fits-all? Not quite.

Apple’s updates in macOS 16 and iOS 26 are fantastic for the average user. But if you’re someone who:

• Needs deeper customization
• Works cross-platform
• Values advanced workflows
• Prefers premium support and updates

Then third-party apps still matter — a lot.

In many cases, Apple takes inspiration from the best apps out there. But it rarely outdoes them in flexibility or power. That’s where the indie developer spirit shines: creating apps with personality, purpose, and professional-grade features.

What’s next for developers?

WWDC 2025 wasn’t just about new features — it was a loud reminder to developers: If you build something great, Apple might just build it, too.

But that doesn’t mean the story ends there.

Standing out in the post-sherlock world

If you’re an indie dev or small team, here’s how to stay competitive:

• Go deeper, not broader. Apple’s features tend to be shallow but polished. Build rich features power users love.
• Double down on cross-platform. Apple stays within its ecosystem — your edge is freedom across macOS, Windows, Android, and the web.
• Build with Apple — not just beside it. Use new frameworks like App Intents, Swift Assistants, and Apple Intelligence integrations to offer something Apple can’t (or won’t).
• Tell your story. Users love knowing who’s behind the tools they use. Indie passion is a feature, not a footnote.

“When Apple copies you, it means you’re doing something right. When users stay with you, it means you’re doing something better.”

Keep innovating with community & feedback

If there’s one advantage indie devs have, it’s speed and closeness to users. Iterate fast. Listen more. And keep building what people actually want — not just what’s easy to ship at scale.

Final thoughts: the real sweet spot

Apple may “Sherlock” apps, but it rarely kills them. In fact, it often validates their importance.

If Apple’s new features work for you — great. But if you want to go further, the sweet picks are still out there. And we’ll keep finding them for you.

👉 Check out our Sweetness Directory for apps that push your Mac beyond the defaults.

Got a favorite app that’s still better than Apple’s version? Or building something new in the Apple Intelligence era? Let’s talk. We’d love to feature it.

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