what apps should run in background?

kraenjay wrote:

Are there any essential apps that should be running in the background, please?

The term, ALLOW TO RUN IN THE BACKGROUND seems optional.

Some apps do not look vital, like Google updater.

Thank you.

Turn off anything you do not want and compare your results.

see your Settings

Customize your Mac with System Settings - Apple Support

Funny that you should mention google... its applications are notorious for hogging resources in the background. Chrome installs "keystone" daemons that waste resources like there is no tomorrow, and cause other applications, especially video ones, to fail.

If you can, just don't install these things at all; but if you, at least curtail the abuse of system resources while in the background.

When I need to use sites that are "made for Chrome" I use Edge, or Brave.