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Having the right tools can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency in today’s fast-paced digital world. Setapp is a subscription-based platform that grants users access to a curated collection of high-quality Mac and iOS software applications. This comprehensive Setapp review will explore its features, benefits, potential drawbacks, and overall value to help you decide if it’s worth the subscription fee.

What is Setapp?
Setapp is a subscription-based service launched by MacPaw, offering over 250 premium Mac and iOS apps for a single monthly fee of $9.99. (Click here to try it for 7 days!) For students and teachers, you can get up to 50% off the regular pricing!
The service simplifies software management by providing a single platform for accessing, installing, and updating a wide variety of applications, all without additional purchases or in-app costs. Even a few apps can provide substantial value and justify the monthly fee.
If you are a Mac user looking for third-party applications for various purposes, subscribing to Setapp is a beneficial investment.
Setapp’s mission is to change the way people discover and use software. By offering a wide range of apps in a single subscription, Setapp ensures that users have access to the tools they need without having to worry about individual app purchases or updates. This model is particularly beneficial for users who rely on multiple applications for their daily tasks.
Setapp simplifies app discovery by providing a curated collection of apps, making it easier for users to find new and useful software.
Ready To Enjoy 250+ Apps for Mac and iPhone in One Subscription?
Features of Setapp
Setapp offers a diverse range of applications with 245+ apps across various categories:
Productivity Tools
Setapp includes numerous productivity software and apps designed to help you stay organized and efficient. Notable examples include:
Productivity tools in Setapp can also help with workflow automation, making it easier to automate tasks and streamline your work.

Ulysses: A powerful writing app ideal for authors, bloggers, and students.
Ulysses offers a clean and distraction-free interface, making it easier to focus on writing. It supports Markdown, which is perfect for those who prefer a simplified writing format. The app also includes a robust organizational system, allowing users to manage their writing projects efficiently. With features like goal setting, version history, and seamless syncing across devices, Ulysses stands out as an essential tool for anyone serious about their writing. Additionally, the app integrates with publishing platforms, enabling users to export their work directly to WordPress or Medium. This makes it not only a productivity app but also a versatile tool for content.

2Do: A flexible task manager that helps you keep track of your to-do lists and projects.
2Do is a powerhouse productivity app tailored for both casual and power users, offering an intuitive interface to create detailed to-do lists, set priorities, and organize tasks into projects. It supports multiple task views like lists, tags, and focus lists, and features a robust reminder system with recurring tasks and attachments, ensuring you never miss a deadline. Seamlessly syncing across devices, 2Do integrates with other productivity software, making it a must-have for Mac users who rely on to-do lists to enhance productivity.

Timing: An automatic time tracking app that monitors your activities and helps you understand how you spend your time.
Timing is a powerful productivity app that revolutionizes time management by automatically recording your activities, offering a comprehensive overview of how you allocate time across tasks and applications. This feature is particularly beneficial for freelancers, small businesses, and professionals who need efficient time use. The app categorizes activities into projects and tasks, presenting detailed reports and insights to help identify patterns and optimize work habits. Its intuitive interface and integration with other productivity software make it a seamless addition to any workflow, supporting multiple devices to ensure consistent time tracking across Mac and iOS apps. Timing empowers Mac users to make informed decisions about time allocation, helping to save money by focusing on essential tasks. Whether you’re a creative juggling multiple projects or someone looking to boost personal productivity, Timing offers the tools you need to enhance your efficiency and is an essential part of the Setapp library.

Creative Tools
For creatives, Setapp offers a selection of premium apps to enhance your projects:

Luminar Neo: A photo editing app with advanced features for professional photographers and hobbyists alike.
Luminar is a top-tier photo editing app that elevates photography for both professionals and hobbyists. Known for its AI-powered tools, Luminar streamlines complex editing tasks, offering impressive results effortlessly. Key features include AI Sky Enhancer and AI Skin Enhancer, making photo editing efficient and accessible. The app’s customizable workspace allows users to tailor the editing environment, ensuring a focus on creativity. With non-destructive editing, users can experiment without losing the original image. Luminar also offers a variety of filters and presets, supports layer-based editing, and integrates seamlessly with other apps. It’s a must-have for Mac users in the Setapp library, offering powerful editing capabilities and creative freedom.

Capto: A versatile screen recording and editing app,
Capto is an essential tool for anyone aiming to produce professional-quality tutorials, presentations, and how-to videos. With its user-friendly interface, Capto makes it easy to capture your screen with precision, whether you’re recording a software tutorial or a live presentation. It offers options to record the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area, ensuring you capture exactly what you need. Capto’s powerful editing suite enhances recordings with annotations, voiceovers, and video effects, allowing you to trim, cut, and merge clips seamlessly. The app supports a wide range of export options, enabling you to share your videos directly to platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or your website. Additionally, Capto offers robust file management features, organizing recordings into folders, tagging for easy searching, and cloud storage for access from any device. For Mac users needing a comprehensive screen recording solution, Capto is versatile and indispensable, catering to both novices and professionals.

MindNode: A mind mapping tool that helps you visualize your ideas and organize your thoughts.
MindNode is a versatile mind mapping app that helps users enhance creativity and streamline thought processes. Ideal for brainstorming, project planning, or organizing ideas, it offers a user-friendly interface with customization options for themes, colors, and styles. MindNode integrates with other productivity apps for easy data import and export, supporting collaboration and larger projects. It syncs across devices, ensuring your mind maps are always current on Mac, iPhone, or iPad. The app’s presentation mode turns maps into interactive displays, perfect for educators and professionals, while its focus mode allows concentration on specific sections. Part of the Setapp library, MindNode is essential for boosting productivity and creativity.

Maintenance and Utility Apps
Setapp also includes apps to keep your Mac running smoothly. These tools are essential for managing active devices, addressing issues like unexpected logouts and difficulties in re-registering already registered devices. Additionally, these apps contribute to system optimization, ensuring your Mac operates efficiently:

CleanMyMac: A comprehensive maintenance tool that cleans, optimizes, and protects your Mac.
CleanMyMac is not just a basic cleaning tool; it’s an all-in-one solution designed to keep your Mac in peak condition. This powerful app goes beyond simple file cleanup by offering a range of features that enhance your Mac’s performance and security. Its Smart Scan feature quickly identifies and removes junk files, freeing up valuable disk space and improving system speed. Additionally, CleanMyMac X includes a malware removal tool that detects and eliminates threats, safeguarding your Mac from potential security breaches.
The app’s optimization tools help manage startup items and background processes, ensuring your Mac runs smoothly and efficiently. With its intuitive interface, CleanMyMac makes it easy for users to perform maintenance tasks without any technical expertise. For Mac users who want to prolong their device’s lifespan and ensure optimal performance, CleanMyMac X is an indispensable tool in the Setapp library. Whether you’re looking to enhance speed, secure your data, or simply maintain a clutter-free system, CleanMyMac X provides the comprehensive solutions you need.

Gemini: An app that finds and removes duplicate files, freeing up valuable disk space.
Gemini is a must-have utility app for Mac users looking to optimize their storage and maintain an organized file system. This app excels in identifying duplicate files, photos, and even similar files that clutter your device. With its intelligent scanning algorithms, Gemini quickly locates redundant files, allowing you to reclaim precious disk space with just a few clicks. The app’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to review and delete duplicates, providing a visual representation of the files and their locations. Additionally, Gemini offers a safe cleanup feature, ensuring that you never accidentally delete important files. For those who value a tidy and efficient Mac, Gemini is an essential tool in the Setapp library, helping users save money on unnecessary storage upgrades while keeping their devices running smoothly.

iStat Menus: A system monitoring app that provides detailed information about your Mac’s performance.
iStat Menus is an essential tool for Mac users who want to keep a close eye on their system’s performance and health. This powerful app offers real-time monitoring of various system metrics, including CPU usage, memory usage, network activity, and disk performance. With its customizable menu bar widgets, iStat Menus provides instant access to critical data, allowing you to identify potential issues before they become major problems. The app’s detailed graphs and historical data tracking enable users to analyze trends and make informed decisions about system optimization. Whether you’re a power user looking to maximize performance or simply want to ensure your Mac is running smoothly, iStat Menus is a must-have addition to your Setapp library.

Cleanshot X: Cleanshot X is the ultimate screen recording app for Mac users
This app is my favorite. I use it all the time. It offers a seamless way to capture and create high-quality screenshots and GIFs. This app is perfect for professionals who need to produce polished visual content, educators creating tutorials, or anyone who wants to enhance their digital communication. With its intuitive interface and powerful editing tools, Cleanshot X stands out as a must-have tool in the Setapp library. Whether you’re annotating images, capturing scrolling content, or sharing your work instantly, Cleanshot X provides the flexibility and precision you need. Don’t miss out on this essential app—read my Cleanshot X review to discover its full potential and see why it’s a favorite among Mac users.

Benefits of Using Setapp
When considering a subscription service like Setapp, it’s important to weigh the benefits it offers and how it can help you save money. Setapp users benefit from access to multiple premium apps at a lower monthly cost compared to purchasing individual applications. Additionally, Setapp simplifies software management by providing a centralized platform for all your app needs.
Setapp provides a range of advantages that make it a compelling choice for Mac and iOS users who need reliable, high-quality applications. Here are some of the key benefits of using Setapp:
Cost-Effectiveness
Setapp offers significant cost savings through a monthly subscription compared to purchasing individual apps. For a single subscription fee, users gain access to a suite of high-quality applications, which would be far more expensive if bought separately. This makes Setapp an attractive option for users who need multiple apps but want to avoid the high costs associated with purchasing them individually.
Convenience
With Setapp, managing your software becomes hassle-free. The platform handles all updates and licenses, allowing you to focus on using the apps rather than maintaining them. This is especially beneficial for users who may not have the time or technical expertise to manage multiple software licenses and updates.
High-Quality Apps
Setapp apps are carefully curated to ensure reliability and quality. This selection process provides users with confidence in the tools they are using, knowing they are top-notch and well-supported. Setapp’s team regularly updates the app library, adding new apps and removing outdated or less useful ones to ensure users always have access to the best tools available. Setapp offers a curated collection of high-quality apps, ensuring that every app meets stringent standards before being included.
User Experience for Mac Users
Users generally praise Setapp for its value and convenience, especially because it offers so many apps. Testimonials often highlight the ease of use and the variety of applications available. Many users have reported significant improvements in productivity and efficiency since subscribing to Setapp. For instance, a freelancer might find that using Setapp’s combination of writing, task management, and time tracking apps allows them to streamline their workflow and meet deadlines more effectively. User testimonials highlight the positive experiences of Setapp users, emphasizing the platform’s benefits.
Potential Drawbacks
While Setapp offers numerous benefits, it’s also important to consider potential drawbacks before committing to a subscription. Understanding the limitations and challenges associated with Setapp can help you make a more informed decision. One such limitation is the limited app selection, which might not include every app a user needs. Here are some potential drawbacks of using Setapp:
Limitations of Setapp
While Setapp offers a wide range of applications, it may not include every app you might need. Users should be aware that with a Setapp account, they do not retain access to the apps once their subscription ends or the account is closed. Some specialized software may still require separate purchases. For example, if you need a specific app for a niche task, you might not find it in Setapp’s library.
Subscription Pricing
Although Setapp provides great value, the subscription cost can add up over time. Users should consider their app usage patterns to determine if the ongoing subscription is justified. It’s important to evaluate whether the cost of the subscription is offset by the convenience and access to multiple apps.
Is Setapp Worth It?
Setapp offers excellent value for Mac users who need access to a variety of high-quality applications. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to discover more mobile apps that can further aid in productivity and creativity. It is particularly beneficial for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs who rely on a suite of tools to enhance their productivity. However, it’s essential to weigh the subscription cost against your specific needs and app usage. Before subscribing, consider your app usage patterns to ensure it aligns with your needs.
For example, a graphic designer might find Setapp invaluable for its range of creative tools, while a business professional might benefit from the productivity and utility apps. By considering your specific requirements and how often you use different types of software, you can determine whether Setapp is a cost-effective solution for you.
Personally, I save more than almost $60 in subscriptions every month using Setapp. (Try Setapp for 7 days for free!)
How to Get Started with Setapp
Getting started with Setapp is simple:
- Visit the Setapp website.
- Sign up for a subscription. (As our reader, you can try Setapp for up to 7 days, for FREE!) If you’re a student or teacher, you can enjoy up to 50% off the regular pricing!
- Download and install the Setapp application.
- Browse and install the apps you need.
Setapp’s installation process is straightforward, and the user interface is designed to make finding and installing apps as easy as possible. Once you’ve signed up and installed the Setapp application, you can start exploring the extensive library of apps and begin installing the ones that meet your needs.
FAQs about Setapp

What is Setapp?

Setapp is a subscription-based platform that grants users access to a handpicked selection of premium Mac and iOS apps for a monthly fee.
How much does Setapp cost?
Setapp costs $9.99 per month, with discounts available for annual subscriptions and educational users. But as our reader, you can try it for 7 days for FREE.
What apps are included in Setapp?

Setapp includes over 250+ applications (and growing) across various categories, including productivity, creativity, maintenance, and utilities. Examples include Ulysses, CleanMyMac X, and Luminar.
Is Setapp worth the subscription fee?
Setapp offers significant value for users who need access to multiple high-quality apps. It is cost-effective and convenient, making it a worthwhile investment for many users.
Can I try Setapp before subscribing?
Yes, it offers a 7-day free trial, but as our readers, you can try Setapp for up to 7 days for FREE. This should give you enough time to explore the available apps and decide if the service meets your needs.
How do I cancel my Setapp subscription?
You can cancel your Setapp subscription at any time through your account settings on the Setapp website.
Does Setapp have a discount?
Currently not, but if you’re a teacher or student, you can enjoy up to 50% off the regular subscription pricing!
Conclusion
Setapp is a powerful and convenient subscription service that offers significant value to Mac and iOS users. With its wide range of high-quality applications and user-friendly interface, it simplifies software management and enhances productivity. If you’re looking for a comprehensive app solution, Setapp is definitely worth considering.