While writing my full Setapp review, I noticed one question kept coming up: Is Setapp safe?
That wasn’t something I thought much about at first.
I joined Setapp in 2020 because buying Mac apps individually was getting expensive. I did the math, and Setapp saved me money.
I trusted it because a close friend, who’s super picky about privacy and software quality, recommended it. He’s still using the Mac + iOS plan today.
But once readers started raising concerns about safety, data tracking, and privacy, I decided to dig deeper. I reviewed their privacy policy and checked what other real users said, especially regarding cancellation and long-term trust.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
- Is Setapp secure?
- Does it collect personal data?
- What happens when you cancel?
Here’s everything I found, plus my honest take after 5 years of use.
TL;DR: Setapp is safe, but here’s what you should know before subscribing.
Who Runs Setapp (and Why It Matters)
Setapp is created by MacPaw, the team behind CleanMyMac, a tool trusted by millions of Mac users. Founded in 2008 and based in Ukraine, MacPaw is a well-known brand in the Mac ecosystem.
Setapp isn’t some unknown startup. It’s backed by a company that has been building Mac software for 17 years.
App Security
Every App is Hand-Picked
Setapp doesn’t let just any app into its library. Each one goes through a human approval process. They reject:
- Ad-supported apps
- In-app purchase traps
- Anything that violates privacy guidelines
Here you can check their documentation on how they make this right.
Updates Are Regular (Sometimes Delayed)
Apps on Setapp are updated frequently, but sometimes not instantly. Setapp runs compatibility checks before updates roll out, which can take a day or two longer than the direct version.
For me, the stability tradeoff is worth it.
Follows Global Security Standards
Setapp is compliant with:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- ISO 27001:2022
- SOC 2 (Service Organization Control)
You can verify this at their trust center.
How Setapp Handles Your Privacy
What Setapp Doesn’t Do
- It doesn’t access your files
- It doesn’t track what you do inside apps
- It doesn’t sell your data
What does it track?
Setapp collects anonymous app usage data to calculate developer payouts and improve the platform.
You can opt out of this after you cancel your subscription under your account settings.
My Experience (After 5 Years)
I installed 21+ apps from Setapp, used them daily, and never once got a malware alert or saw strange background activity. CleanMyMac, Craft, Paste, and ClearVPN all ran smoothly.
Support was fast when I sent out the email. No gotchas, no runaround.
Common Questions
Related Post
- Setapp Review 2025: Is It Worth Subscribing?
- 21 Best Mac Apps on Setapp That Replaced $700+ in Tools
- Setapp vs Mac App Store: Which Gives Better Value?
🧲 Want to see the top apps I use from Setapp daily? Check this post next →
