You have a Mac and want to be productive. But every good app quickly costs 30 to 50 euros per year. Before you know it, you’re paying hundreds of euros in software subscriptions. Setapp offers a solution: one subscription for access to more than 260 premium Mac apps. Sounds like a no-brainer, but is it really?
Who’s behind Setapp?
Setapp was founded in 2017 by Oleksandr Kosovan through his company MacPaw Way Ltd, based in Limassol, Cyprus. If you know CleanMyMac – one of the most popular Mac maintenance tools – then you already know MacPaw’s work. The idea behind Setapp was simple: create a ‘Netflix for apps’. Kosovan saw that Mac users were increasingly paying for expensive upgrades and struggling to discover good new apps. Why not bundle all premium apps for one fixed price?
The concept took off. Setapp grew to over 1 million users and won the ‘Consumer Product of the Year’ award at Product Hunt. Today, the service offers access to more than 260 apps, from productivity tools to creative software. It remains an independent company without known acquisitions or external investments. MacPaw has proven they know how to make software for Mac users – and Setapp is proof of that.
Who is Setapp for?
Setapp is made for people who use many different apps on their Mac. Think of freelancers who need tools for project management, invoicing, time tracking, and creativity. Developers who want to optimize their workflow with database tools, code editors, and Git clients. And creative professionals who work with photos, videos, and design.
But it’s not for everyone. Do you only use a Mac for email and browsing? Then Setapp is too expensive. Do you only need one specific app? Then just buy it separately. And do you work on Windows? Then you can’t join at all – Setapp only works within the Apple ecosystem. It’s really a service for power users who regularly try out new tools and use multiple apps at once.
What can Setapp do?
Setapp works through a central app on your Mac where you can browse and install all available software. Once installed, the apps work just like normal Mac applications. Here are the key features:
- Access to 260+ premium apps – From CleanMyMac and Ulysses to smaller gems you’d never discover otherwise. All apps are fully functional, no demos or limited versions.
- No ads or in-app purchases – What you see is what you get. No annoying upsells or limited features within apps.
- Automatic updates – All apps are automatically updated. You never have to manually check if there’s a new version.
- Available on macOS, iOS and Web – With the Mac + iOS plan you can also use apps on your iPhone and iPad. Some apps also have a web version.
- AI-powered search function – Type what you want to do and Setapp suggests the right apps. Handy when you don’t know exactly which tool you need.
- Easy management via one dashboard – Installing and removing is done with one click. And when you remove an app, no junk files are left behind on your system.
What I personally appreciate most is how easy it is to try out new apps. Normally you think twice before spending 40 euros on software that might not work out. With Setapp, you just install it, test it for a few days, and if it’s not right, you remove it again. No financial risk.
What does Setapp cost?
Setapp has no free plan, but does have a 7-day free trial. After that, you choose from three subscriptions:
The Mac plan costs $ 9.99 per month or $ 8.99 per month with annual payment ($ 107.88 per year). This gives you access to all Mac apps in the collection.
The Mac + iOS plan costs $ 12.49 per month or $ 11.24 per month with annual payment ($ 134.88 per year). This adds access to iOS apps, so you can also use apps on your iPhone and iPad.
The Power User plan costs $ 14.99 per month or $ 13.49 per month with annual payment ($ 161.88 per year). This plan is designed for users who want to use apps on multiple devices and need additional team features.
My experience: if you use two or three apps from the collection that already have a subscription themselves, you’ll already break even on the costs. Ulysses alone costs $ 40 per year, CleanMyMac $ 39.95. Add a clipboard manager to that and you’re already above the cost of Setapp. So the question isn’t whether it’s cheap, but whether you use enough apps to justify it.
What should you watch out for?
Setapp sounds great, but there are a few things you need to know before you start. First: as soon as you stop paying, all apps stop working. You’re renting the software, not buying it. For some people that feels uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to owning software permanently.
The iOS app selection is a lot less impressive than the Mac collection. I added the iOS apps myself this year and I’m still wondering if it’s worth the extra cost. The most valuable apps are simply on the Mac. Also, you have to install iOS apps through your Mac, which is inconvenient if you’re on the go with just your iPhone.
Apps can also disappear from the collection. Developers decide for themselves whether they stay with Setapp. If an app you use daily suddenly disappears, you still have to get a separate subscription. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened often in the years I’ve been using it, but the risk exists.
And finally: if you only need one or two specific apps, Setapp is simply too expensive. Then you’re better off buying those apps separately or getting a subscription. Setapp only pays off if you regularly try out new tools or actively use at least three to four apps from the collection.
Setapp reviews
I looked at a number of Setapp reviews to see what other users think of it. Here are the two most comprehensive video reviews I came across:
1. Saas Report
Saas Report is completely convinced of Setapp after three years of use. What initially sounded like a gimmick (“the Netflix for apps”) turns out to be one of the best tech decisions he ever made for his MacBook. He discovered Setapp when he bought his first MacBook and after multiple YouTube videos he decided to try it – a decision he hasn’t regretted for a moment.
The review gives a comprehensive overview of his favorite apps within Setapp, including Ulysses for writing, CleanMyMac for maintenance, and Paste as a clipboard manager. He especially emphasizes the value for money: Ulysses alone ($ 40/year), CleanMyMac ($ 39.95/year) and Paste ($ 30/year) together cost more than a full year of Setapp. The reviewer focuses mainly on freelancers, small business owners and productivity enthusiasts who use many different tools.
Pros
- Huge cost savings – some apps alone cover the subscription costs
- Discovery of new tools you’d never try otherwise, like TextSniper
- Simple installation and removal without clutter on your system
- Access to more than 240 high-quality apps for one price
Cons
- Not suitable for people who only use a few basic apps
- Subscription model doesn’t suit everyone who prefers to buy software permanently
2. Dave Swift
Dave Swift has a funny annual routine: every year on February 25th he considers canceling his Setapp subscription because it’s “yet another software subscription.” And every year he immediately realizes afterwards that so many apps he uses daily are part of Setapp, and that replacing them would be much more expensive. This video is therefore a reminder to his future self – and to viewers – that Setapp is absolutely worth it.
Dave explains in detail how Setapp works as a kind of Apple Arcade for Mac apps, where you can freely experiment without worrying about extra costs. He demonstrates how easy it is to install and completely remove apps. His must-have apps are Ulysses ($ 40/year), Paste ($ 30/year), SIP ($ 20/year), and CleanShot (normally $ 120/year for the cloud version). These four apps alone already cost more than a full year of Setapp, and he uses dozens of other apps from the collection.
Pros
- Perfect playground for “app addicts” – experimenting without financial consequences
- Completely remove apps without leaving traces on your Mac
- Paste and CleanShot are real workflow transformers with powerful features
- Created by MacPaw, a legitimate Mac developer with well-known apps
Cons
- iOS apps only work through your Mac, not standalone on iPhone or iPad
- CleanShot cloud storage via Setapp is limited to 10GB (paid version is unlimited)
Setapp alternatives
Setapp is not the only way to get Mac software. Here are a few alternatives you can consider:
- BundleHunt – Choose this if you prefer to pay once for specific apps instead of an ongoing subscription. BundleHunt regularly offers bundles with discounts, but you don’t get automatic updates like with Setapp.
- Apple One – Choose this if you’re more interested in entertainment and storage than in productivity tools. Apple One bundles services like Apple Music, TV+ and iCloud, but doesn’t provide access to third-party productivity apps.
- AppSumo – Choose this if you’re looking for lifetime deals for specific tools. AppSumo sells one-time licenses for software, often with significant discounts. The downside is that you don’t have access to a large collection like with Setapp.
Each alternative has its own advantages. It depends on how you work and how many different apps you need. For me, Setapp works because I regularly try out new tools and don’t want to be stuck with separate subscriptions for each app.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Setapp:
Can I continue using the apps if I cancel my subscription?
No, once your subscription expires, the installed apps lose their functionality. You’re renting the software, not buying it. If you stop paying, you can no longer open the apps.
Are the apps on Setapp the full versions?
Yes, all apps are the full premium versions, including all features and without ads. You get exactly the same functionality as if you bought the app separately or took a direct subscription with the developer.
Does Setapp work on Windows?
No, Setapp is exclusively designed for the Apple ecosystem. You need a Mac for the desktop apps, and optionally an iPhone or iPad for the iOS apps. Windows users cannot use Setapp.
Conclusion
Setapp is a smart solution for Mac users who regularly need different apps. If you use three or more apps from the collection that themselves already have a subscription, you easily get your money’s worth. The ability to try new tools risk-free is valuable, and installation and management are simple. But it’s not for everyone. Do you only use a few basic apps? Then it’s too expensive. Do you want to own software permanently? Then the subscription model doesn’t suit you. For me it works, but every year I still hesitate whether to renew. That says enough.
