Let’s talk about Setapp vs App Store today.
I’ve paid for Setapp since 2020. Not sponsored. Just curious.
Before that? I bought apps one by one from the App Store.
But I got tired of spending more just to stay productive.
So I tried Setapp after my best friend’s recommendation.
Five years later, I’ve saved $714.45 — and haven’t looked back.
In this post, I’ll break down the real difference between Setapp and the App Store.
👉 Already curious? Here’s my full Setapp review.
What is Setapp?
Setapp is like Netflix for Mac apps + iOS apps.
One subscription. 250+ premium tools. Always updated.
No ads. No upsells. Just open, search, and install.
I started with Downie. Ended up using 21 apps — including CleanMyMac, Craft, Diarly, and more.
It’s now my favorite apps that I don’t want to give up.
👉 Want a peek at the tools I use daily? Check out my full Setapp stack here.
Setapp vs App Store (Quick Comparison)
Here’s a fast breakdown of how Setapp stacks up against the App Store:
Feature | Setapp | Mac App Store |
|---|---|---|
Pricing | $9.99/month or yearly plans | Pay per app (can add up fast) |
App Access | 250+ premium tools included | One-time or subscription apps |
Updates | Automatic + included | Depends on developer, update cost. |
Trial Period | 7-day full access | Varies, not always available |
Experience | Clean, ad-free, no-upsells | Some clutter, mixed reviews, ads |
Best For | Power users & productivity geeks | Light/ casual users |
👉 Still unsure? The next section breaks down how much I saved by switching.
Pricing Comparison (Who Wins?)
Let’s talk about the cost.
Who doesn’t like to use good-quality apps with the best deal without being pushed by ads?
Here’s a breakdown of how much I would’ve paid if I bought these apps individually from the App Store:
App Name | App Store Price | Setapp | Better Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
MindNode Classic | $24.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual cost |
Craft | $95.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual cost |
CleanShot X | $29.00/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Paste | $29.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual fee |
CleanMyMac X | $29.95/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual fee |
Bartender | $64.80/one-time | ✅ Yes | Keep your menubar clean, no repurchases |
Canary Mail | $36.00/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual cost |
Downie | $19.99/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Folx | $19.95/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Permute | $14.99/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Elmedia Player Pro | $19.99/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Text Sniper | $7.99/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
AirBuddy | $14.03/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Xnapper | $14.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual cost |
Sip | $21.60/seat | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
SnippetsLab | Free | ✅ Yes | What’s better than it’s free! |
Squash | $29.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual fee |
Diarly | $20.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual fee |
iStat Menus | 12.95/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
ClearVPN | $44.99/year | ✅ Yes | Saved a full annual cost |
Mosaic | $39.03/one-time | ✅ Yes | No upgrade fees and license renewals |
Total Savings (Estimation) | – | 21 apps | $700+ in real value saved |
All of this, I get for $9.99/month — or cheaper with the yearly plan.
And the best part? I didn’t even plan to use most of these at first.
But once I had access, I started exploring… and ended up upgrading my workflow without paying extra.
👉 Want to try it yourself? Grab the free 7-day trial here.
App Quality & Variety: Who Wins?
This is where Setapp proves its value.
It’s not just about the number of apps — it’s the overall experience as a whole.
Setapp doesn’t have the sheer number of apps the Mac App Store does, but that’s a good thing.
Even the App Store has everything, and that includes a lot of broken, abandoned, ad-filled apps, too.
Setapp is curated. Every app is handpicked, tested, reviewed, clean, and fully unlocked.
No ads, no upsell, and no weird behavior on my MacBook Pro.
It is suitable for a person like me to stick with the Setapp subscription.
After 5 years on Setapp, I’ve found more useful apps through their platform than I ever did browsing the App Store.
App | Why I Use It (Just on Setapp) |
|---|---|
CleanMyMac X | I use it bi-weekly to keep my Mac running smoothly. |
Diarly | Created my journaling habit in 2023 |
Paste | I copy/paste at least 50x/day, this changed the way I work |
iStat Menus | Fancy and better system monitor than I’ve tried |
MindNode | Great for organizing messy ideas and brainstorming – a bird’s-eye view. |
Craft | I use it to build notes, plan, and store visual documentation |
Downie | An easy way to download a video |
Folx | Reliable download manager, no ads, clean UI |
Permute | Convert media fast |
(and 12 more) | Tools for screenshots, window manager, color picking, and more… |
Most of these apps aren’t just “included” — they’re better than what I used to buy separately on the App Store, most importantly, they get reviews and regular updates on minor or major changes.
On the App Store, I’ve bought apps that broke after one macOS update or got abandoned entirely.
Sometimes, support does not reach. Outdated version, and pay again to update or renew the license.
I’ve spent years downloading random apps that either broke, nagged me for upgrades, or just wasted space. Setapp fixed that. It’s like having a personal app curator.
👉 Want the full breakdown of the apps I use? See all 21 Setapp apps here.
Which One’s More Convenient?
Let’s be real — both are pretty seamless. But they’re built differently.
With Setapp, everything feels unified. One dashboard. One search bar. One-click installs. That’s it.
Apps install instantly. No jumping between websites. No activation codes. Just install and go.
App Store? It’s smooth too — especially with iCloud syncing purchases. But not every app you bought years ago will still be supported. And some apps quietly switch to subscription models.
I’ve also found that updates on Setapp are more predictable. On the App Store, some apps stop getting love. Or they vanish completely.
What I like most about Setapp?
Save time. Save my operation cost. Regular updates without having me to do it on decent apps that I use daily and occasionally.
Who Should Use Setapp (and Who Shouldn’t)?
Setapp isn’t for everyone.
If you only need one or two apps a year, and you already know which one, the App Store might be enough.
But if you:
- Like testing new tools
- Use more than 4–5 premium apps monthly
- Want premium tools without the premium price
- Prefer one simple system to manage it all
Then, Setapp is 100% worth it.
I didn’t plan to use 21 apps at first. But my personal needs and work push me to explore more best apps that help my workflow.
At the end of the day, it just solved my problem.
👉 If that sounds like you, grab the 7-day free trial and see for yourself.
Which One Would I Pick?
If you’re someone who just needs one or two apps, the App Store is totally fine.
But if you’re like me, someone who loves exploring new tools, optimizing workflows, and cutting down on cost and decision fatigue, Setapp is a no-brainer.
I’m not saying Setapp is the best subscription on the planet. But after 5 years of using it, I can say it’s solid, reliable, low-cost, and surprisingly generous in value.
It’s not hype. For me, it’s an investment and a smarter way to use Mac apps.
