Mac computers are popular among business and educational consumers. However, the apps warrant a price tag ranging from a few dollars to 100$ per app in most cases. Having to choose software to make your computing life more manageable isn’t always a straightforward task. MacPaw has created an excellent solution to this dilemma.
Think of “Setapp” as the Netflix for Mac apps. It’s a subscription-based service for Mac users that offers access to hundreds of premium apps for a low monthly price. Let’s explore the Setapp subscription service and see if it fits your needs.
How Setapp Works
SetApp acts as a sort of control panel of all the apps. The dashboard offers app recommendations based on your usage and new arrivals to the platform. From there, you can check out apps (with screenshots and their details), apps installed on your Mac, and browse the entire library (as one list or in sub-sections).
To get started, signup for the Setapp account and install the app. The 7-day trial period gives you access to all its apps without limitations. Thereafter, you buy a yearly Setapp subscription to continue using the apps. There are no extra charges, no paid updates, no in-app purchases.
There are too many apps on the platform to mention in this article. I’ll give you some insight into the categories of apps that you’ll find useful. Here are some of my recommendations:
- Maintenance: Apps for optimization and improving the performance of your Mac. For Example, iStat Menus, Spotless, CleanMyMac X, and ChronoSync Express.
- Productivity: Include productivity apps to manage tasks, files, timers, and notes. For Example, Noteplan, PDF Search, Paste, Mindnode, Timing, HazeOver, SnippetsLab, Mosaic, BetterTouchTool, and Forklift.
- Mac Hacks: Useful tools and tweaks for macOS to improve productivity. Eg., Renamer, Paste, Tripmode, Bartender, CleanShot X, Unite, Default Folder X, and Swish.
- Developer Tools: Designed for coders. For example, Sip, Simon, SQLPro, Espresso, TablePlus, Proxyman, Gitfox, VirtualHostX, Dash, and Sizzy.
- Task Management: Overlaps with productivity section. Include apps for outlines, task managers, calendars, and more. For example, 2Do, TaskPaper, Aeon Timeline, BusyCal, BusyContacts, SheetPlanner, and Diagrams.
- Writing and Blogging: Apps for writers and bloggers. Include Ulysses, Marked, TextSoap, PDFPen, and MarsEdit.
- Education: Apps for brainstorming, e-reading, math computation, and more. Include Wokabulary, Numi, Studies, MarginNote, MathKey, PocketCAS, and Presentify.
- LifeStyle: Apps based on news, email, instant messaging, YouTube, etc. For example, Canary Mail, Session, Boom3D, Chronicle, Downie, News Explorer, Luminar, Beamer, Meeter, and Mimir.
- Creativity: Apps for creative users like photo or video editing, screen recording, and more. They include Photobulk, Uplet, Capto, Tayasui Sketches, Emulsion, Typeface, Gluemotion, and Sketch Export for Xcode.
Is the Setapp Subscription Worth For You?
If you’re a Mac user who devotes considerable time to creativity for various professions, then a Setapp subscription is a no-brainer investment. While the library has some apps that may not pertain to your specific needs, you only require a few of them to receive enough value to outweigh the monthly cost.
Check out the complete list of apps supported by Setapp and see if they fit your needs. And if it does, buy the one-year Setapp subscription for only $69.