Applite

User-friendly GUI macOS application for Homebrew Casks

Table of Contents

• Applite
  • Table of Contents
  • Key Features
  • About
  • Security and Privileges
  • Screenshots
  • Download
  • Contact
  • Contributing
  • Packages used
  • License
  • Alternatives

Key Features

• Install, update, and uninstall apps with a single click
• Clean and simple UI designed for non-technical users
• Free and open source
• Works with existing brew installation
• Supports system proxy (HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5)
• Handpicked gallery of awesome apps
• On-demand privilege elevation which requests admin access only when needed
• Native macOS security - follows Apple's authorization best practices

About

Applite is a free and open-source macOS application that streamlines the installation and management of third-party apps using Homebrew. The app is built using Swift and SwiftUI.

Applite aims to be more of an app store for third-party apps than a full-blown homebrew GUI wrapper. The main goal of the application is to bring the convenience of Homebrew casks to the non-technical user. So the UI was designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind.

Security and Privileges

Applite implements modern macOS privilege elevation that follows Apple's security guidelines:

• Smart Detection: Automatically determines when admin privileges are actually needed
• Native Authorization: Uses macOS Security framework with standard system prompts
• Least Privilege: Only requests admin access for operations that truly require it
• No Credential Storage: Leverages macOS native authorization - never stores passwords
• User Transparency: Clear explanations for why admin access is needed

Most app installations and removals work without admin privileges. Administrator access is only requested for:

• Installing system dependencies or Command Line Tools
• Removing system files during Homebrew uninstallation
• Installing apps that use package installers (PKG files)

For non-admin users, the system prompts for administrator credentials when needed, supporting standard enterprise delegation patterns.

FAQ on the official website.

Screenshots

Download

Download DMG

or

$ brew install --cask applite

Minimum OS version: macOS 13+

Contact

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: milan@aerolite.dev

Or join the Official Discord Server.

Contributing

The project is open to contributions. See the Contribution Guidelines for more information.

Packages used

• Homebrew
• Sparkle - app updates
• Ifrit, Kusia - fuzzy search
• Kingfisher - web image downloading and caching
• ButtonKit, Thomas Durand
• DebouncedOnChange, Łukasz Rutkowski
• SwiftUI-Shimmer, Vikram Kriplaney
• CircularProgressSwiftUI, Arnav Motwani
• Appcasks (App Fair project) - app icons

License

Applite is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for more details.

Alternatives

• Cork (paid)
• Brewer X (paid)
• BrewMate (electron based)
• Brewlet (menu bar app)
• App Fair (looks discontinued)
• Cakebrew (discontinued)