New Mac App Subscription Service 'Setapp' Offers 60 Mac Apps for $9.99 Per Month

[MacRumors]

Following a beta testing period of more than a month, Mac app subscription service Setapp today officially launched to the public, making a collection of Mac apps available to users for a low monthly fee.

Priced at $9.99 per month, Setapp is designed to be an alternative to the Mac App Store. Through the Setapp service, more than 60 apps across a wide range of categories are available to customers. Access to apps is unlimited and includes all updates and in-app purchase content.

Setapp offers many popular Mac titles like RapidWeaver, CleanMyMac, Ulysses, Blogo, CodeRunner, Pixa, Focused, iMazing, Marked, Screens, Pagico, iStat Menus, and more.The team behind Setapp hopes that once the concept catches on with developers, the service will be able to offer somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 apps.

"If you want to get the most out of your Mac, you need great software and if you're like most Mac users, you're probably always on the lookout for new stuff that helps you get more done during your day without wasting too much time or money," said Oleksandr Kosovan, founder and CEO of MacPaw and its Setapp division. "Setapp is the ultimate 'unstore' option that gives you unlimited access to lots of great software without the anxiety of non-refundable, expensive purchases."

To use Setapp, customers install the Setapp app, which creates a folder in Finder on the Mac. The folder includes a library of apps, which users can install and use as long as a Setapp subscription is active.

Using one of the Setapp apps does require a subscription, so access is revoked if a subscription is canceled. An online connection is required for updates, but all software can be used offline.

For developers, Setapp aims to provide a steady stream of revenue. The company offers 70 percent of the total revenue generated by their apps, which is based on which applications customers use during a billing cycle. Two-thirds of the remaining 30 percent is also given to developers as part of a partner fee based on the value of each subscriber brought to the platform.

Setapp can be downloaded from the Setapp website for free starting today.

Article Link: New Mac App Subscription Service 'Setapp' Offers 60 Mac Apps for $9.99 Per Month

 

[windowpain]

A good idea I think, at a reasonable price.

Not for me as I usually buy the apps I like, but I would probably try them all out should I subscribe. Probably a few hidden (and not so hidden) gems in there.

 

[Macneck]

It doesn't sound bad, but I fear that in a few years time we'll have to pay monthly fees even for breathing. Well, at least most of us are disgustingly rich! ......

 

[slingshott]

Seems like a lot of money considering most apps will go unused. Maybe once the library grows it'll make more sense.

 

[CristianM]

Wouldn't it make more sense to buy the apps you want for a year's worth of this subscription and own them forever? I get it for platforms like Spotify that have millions of songs available and they have you covered with pretty much everything but this is just 60 apps and they'll never get the likes of Adobe or Microsoft to sign up.

 

[StevieD100]

So, how many $9.99/Month subscriptions do you have?
How many are really worth it?
How many can you do without?

My reason for asking is that everything seems to be $9.99/month subscription these days. There is only so many of them that you can afford.
TBH, I have not found one that I can justify apart from Adobe CS (Photoshop + Lightroom only)

 

[arnoz]

The subscription economy model is going too far.

 

[CristianM]

So, how many $9.99/Month subscriptions do you have?
How many are really worth it?
How many can you do without?

My reason for asking is that everything seems to be $9.99/month subscription these days. There is only so many of them that you can afford.
TBH, I have not found one that I can justify apart from Adobe CS (Photoshop + Lightroom only)

Same for me, only Spotify and Adobe.

 

[RuffyYoshi]

I tried the beta and it's pretty sweet, but I personally prefer to buy licenses for individual apps I'll use for sure, which I did. So I just use their website to see what new apps they add to their arsenal to see if any could come in handy.

 

[Juicy Box]

It doesn't sound bad, but I fear that in a few years time we'll have to pay monthly fees even for breathing.

This seems to be the way things are going. Subs for every aspect of life.

Seems like a lot of money considering most apps will go unused. Maybe once the library grows it'll make more sense.

This is true. This could be a good deal for people that use or would use these apps, but that $10 a month will add up.

 

[FasterQuieter]

Wouldn't it make more sense to buy the apps you want for a year's worth of this subscription and own them forever? I get it for platforms like Spotify that have millions of songs available and they have you covered with pretty much everything but this is just 60 apps and they'll never get the likes of Adobe or Microsoft to sign up.

I think this is definitely the problem with the current line up of apps. I am on the beta and am only using one of the apps regularly. I could buy that for $40 at any time. I'll give them one month paid to see if there are any good additions, but if not I'll just cancel and buy that one app. Other than that I think the service is great. If most apps were in it, it would be the perfect way to get software.

 

[Paul Dawkins]

It's not long before stupid people will make this a norm. I will somehow survive without it.
[doublepost=1485350971][/doublepost]

I think this is definitely the problem with the current line up of apps. I am on the beta and am only using one of the apps regularly. I could buy that for $40 at any time. I'll give them one month paid to see if there are any good additions, but if not I'll just cancel and buy that one app. Other than that I think the service is great. If most apps were in it, it would be the perfect way to get software.

It's a slippery slope. There is absolutely nothing great about it.

 

[indiekiduk]

Apple will shut this down in no time, they already have the capability via gatekeeper. Then as with all great ideas they'll steal it

 

[citysnaps]

No thanks.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Seems like a lot of money considering most apps will go unused. Maybe once the library grows it'll make more sense.

Agreed. I looked at the list and didnt want any of the current offerings. For me these subscription software bundles never are worth the cost -- it's kinda like cable tv bundles, pay more for the one channel you want plus 20 others you don't.

 

[Swordylove]

*spots 'CleanMyMac'*
*completely loses all interest*

 

[Kosovan]

Agreed. I looked at the list and didnt want any of the current offerings. For me these subscription software bundles never are worth the cost -- it's kinda like cable tv bundles, pay more for the one channel you want plus 20 others you don't.

What Apps would you like to see in Setapp to justify the Value? Please also note that all in-app purchases and future upgrades of the software are also included in this price.

 

[Stella]

So, how many $9.99/Month subscriptions do you have?
How many are really worth it?
How many can you do without?

My reason for asking is that everything seems to be $9.99/month subscription these days. There is only so many of them that you can afford.
TBH, I have not found one that I can justify apart from Adobe CS (Photoshop + Lightroom only)

Subscription fees can mount up very fast. I have 1password and a development tool subscription

I'd rather pay out right. Though, the development tool subscription I have - it actually works out cheaper than purchase price for each product, based upon a yearly upgrade for each.

This seems interesting - if they get to 300 - may be worth looking at.

 

[RightMACatU]

Rent Setapp
Rent Office
Rent VPN software
Rent "insert other apps here"
Rent your music
Rent additional space on icloud
Rent additional space on Protonmail
Rent your iPhone
What's next, rent a dongle for your MacBookPro?

 

[WannaGoMac]

What Apps would you like to see in Setapp to justify the Value? Please also note that all in-app purchases and future upgrades of the software are also included in this price.

Something a lot of people use on Macs which often requires a yearly upgrade for the new OS such as VM software from VMWare or Parallels (which you wont ever get them to agree to your price level).

 

[LJGlik]

I can't remember the last app I paid for. Not to say I don't buy apps from time to time, but $9.99/month???

 

[Paul Dawkins]

What Apps would you like to see in Setapp to justify the Value? Please also note that all in-app purchases and future upgrades of the software are also included in this price.

The problem with this idea is this - the OPERATING SYSTEM already has everything ordinary people might need. Email, web browser, media players, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, Garage Band, Calendar and so on.

Even if one needs an app someday for few things it's absolutely insane to pay for months and years just because you might need something one day.

This model is not sustainable either and then what? paying for bug fixes? It's a slippery slope.

 

[threesixty360]

What people fail to understand is that when you buy software you are kind of buying a product that sits on a moving platform. And as that platform moves new work has to be done to keep it working. OS updates happen almost monthly nowadays compared to years ago when windows to a few years to go from 1st release to services pack 1.

So buying a fixed product in the software world doesn't exist anymore and therefore it's kind of hard to charge a one time fee for what is in reality and ever changing code base. You either charge up front for all the future hours you might have to put into the app, charge a fixed price and hope new users coming on board pay for the man hours needed in the future, or just charge a subscription.

I think subscription reflects how software is made nowadays. It kind of makes sense.

 

[clukas]

Not 100% sure about the long term value. $9.99 per month = $119.88 p.a. Lets say average lifespan of a Macbook pro is 5 years and you'll use some of the software for the entire lifespan thats $599.40 for apps you don't get to keep when you stop paying. For that you could probably just buy the apps you want & pay for the upgrades and save money.

 

[slingshott]

Rent Setapp
Rent Office
Rent VPN software
Rent "insert other apps here"
Rent your music
Rent additional space on icloud
Rent additional space on Protonmail
Rent your iPhone
What's next, rent a dongle for your MacBookPro?

It's a great business model. Get you hooked and 'it's only 10 bucks a month, I can't cancel now'. I bet a significant percentage of subscribers to online services forget they even signed up.