These three seem to be the most popular on Skyrim Nexus, but I can't really decide between them. I've read their descriptions but they seem pretty similar to each other in that they all add new spells, and I think that's pretty much it (although one or two of them also edit perks). So I was wondering if anyone could give some more input about what they think of each one, any quirks they have or benefits/drawbacks you find in each one, that might help me decide.

Also, I was considering using the Balanced Magic mod, but is it necessary if I use one of these other magic mods?

Anyway, these are the three I'm considering: Midas Magic, Apocalypse Spell Package, and Phenderix Magic Evolved.

Thanks!

I don't use any of those mods. I use http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/8451 by AliTheLord. Makes magic perks a bit more effective and interesting and scales spells as the player levels. One of the coolest features of this mod, for me, is that it offers a choice of starting spells. Having a conjured wolf at level 1 was great. This made me feel as though my character was not so much of a blank slate as in vanilla. I felt as though my character already knew a little bit about magic, which makes a lot of roleplaying sense to me. And it is soon to get a new update.

I don't think there is a right answer. I use what is good for my character at the time. I did use Midas and something else when I was playing a pure mage . I used a bunch of necromancer mods when I was playing a necromancer. I'm not using any now because my vampire hunter is mostly anti magic. So I would say looks through the spells and ask yourself will these improve my character. Or if you have mods that gives spells to NPCs ask yourself do you want NPCs to have these spells. A spell that rains swords from the sky sounds fun until a NPC uses it on you.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9286 seems to have some interesting changes to magic, but it also effects all other skills but also in an interesting way.