What are the 10 most valuable apps in Setapp (according to real users)?
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Key Takeaways
- Setapp apps are genuinely useful, not filler: Top-rated tools like CleanMyMac, Ulysses, CleanShot X, Paste, and BetterTouchTool are used daily for writing, organizing, cleaning, and customizing your Mac.
- Setapp replaces multiple paid subscriptions: Instead of paying $40–$100+ per app, Setapp bundles 250+ premium tools in a flat monthly fee. Even 2–3 apps already make it worth it.
- Great for freelancers, students, and power users: Writers, developers, and productivity fans benefit most. Whether you need pro screenshots, distraction-free writing, or system monitoring — Setapp has it.
- Apps are safe, full-featured, and offline-ready: All apps are Apple-notarized, ad-free, and fully unlocked. No lite versions. Most work offline, like standalone purchases.
- Try the best Mac tools risk-free: Explore all apps with a 7-day free trial. No restrictions, no hidden costs. If you keep even two, it pays for itself.
Setapp sounds almost too good to be true: 250+ Mac, iOS, and web apps at a flat monthly fee, with no ads, upsells, or feature limits. So, I had the same question many Mac users do: “How many of these apps will I actually use?”
That’s why I’ve decided to focus on the top apps to give you an idea of Setapp's app quality.
I’ve dug through user forums, Reddit threads, and review platforms to find the 10 most valuable Setapp apps. The selection is also backed by app usage trends and real-world utility, not just marketing claims.
Here’s a quick preview of the top Setapp apps, from utilities to email clients:
Setapp app | What it is/does |
Mac cleanup and optimization | |
Superb writing app for creativity | |
A smart clipboard manager | |
Versatile note-taking/document creation | |
Comprehensive system monitoring | |
Powerful screenshot and screen recording | |
Unmatched customization for the touchpad and keyboard | |
Cool menu bar organization | |
Smart, unified email client with AI assistant | |
Reliable video downloader for all popular sites |
What makes an app “valuable” inside Setapp?
For Setapp, “value” doesn’t mean the most expensive app or the biggest name. It means an app that:
- Solves real user problems
- People use frequently
- Replaces individual subscriptions
- Feels essential when you start using it.
After combing through various user forums, I found that even people who cancel their Setapp subscription often purchase several individual apps they swear by.
10 most valuable Setapp apps in 2025
Now, let’s look at what apps come with Setapp based on real-user reviews and app usage.
1.CleanMyMac: The no.1 macOS cleanup tool
While we know Macs for running smoothly, they still require a bit of cleanup from time to time. CleanMyMac gives users multiple functionalities for cleaning up their Mac and optimizing performance. I regularly use it to uninstall apps, remove leftover files, scan for malware, and optimize system resources. It helps ensure my Mac stays in top shape.
- Standalone price: $46.40 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: AppCleaner, Malwarebytes, Onyx, DaisyDisk
"We use it across our team of 6 and it’s a great way for those that aren’t MPUs to run regular cleans on their Macs." – Richallum on talk.macpowerusers.com
2. Ulysses: A distraction-free platform for serious writing
Ulysses is one of the best Setapp tools, and it’s quite popular among writers, bloggers, journalists, and students. It’s a minimalist, Markdown-based writing app that superbly balances form and function, and it even won an Apple Design Award. When you need to focus, it gives you a blank canvas, keeping its other features away. You can then export your work into a PDF or publish directly on platforms like WordPress and Medium. Plus, it syncs between your devices as there’s an iOS app.
- Standalone price: $39.99 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Scrivener, MS Word, Bear, and basic text editors.
"I use it for everything. Notes, assignments, life, work, creative. I seriously wish more people would do the same and know about it.” – Reddit user on r/ulyssesapp
3. Paste: The clipboard manager you never knew you needed
Paste is one of the apps that, once you start using it, there’s no looking back. Essentially, it helps make your work easier and faster by remembering everything you copy, based on your settings. You get a visual preview, smart search, an ignore-list for sensitive apps (like your password manager), and iCloud sync for working across Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It saves developers, writers, researchers, and regular Mac users from lost snippets and repetitive copying.
- Standalone price: $29.99 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Alfred, RayCast, Maccy, Pastebot
"The gold standard of macOS & iOS clipboard apps. Paste is an amazing app that is intuitive and just works. I highly, highly recommend it!” – Benjamin Harrison on ProductHunt.
4. BetterTouchTool: Power-user customization without limits
BetterTouchTool (BTT) is one of Setapp’s must-have apps if you like customizing your Mac for a faster or more intuitive workflow. It lets you tweak every gesture, shortcut, and interaction on your device without manually scripting or editing preferences. You can customize all your input devices with BTT, from the trackpad to the Touch Bar, and even Siri. It will save you lots of time with its efficiency and control.
- Standalone price: $24 lifetime license (with upgrades) or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Spectacle, Rectangle, Swish, Keyboard Maestro
"I don’t think there’s anything that comes even close to BetterTouchTool. Been using it for over 5 years and can’t imagine using my Mac without it.” – Reddit u/BinaryBlitz10 on r/macapps.
5. CleanShot X: Screenshots and screen recording, but professional-grade
CleanShot X is easily one of the most practical and well-loved apps on Setapp, with 12k+ ratings and a 99% score. You may wonder why you’d need a screenshot tool if you’ve never installed one, but CleanShot X makes the built-in Mac tool look like a toy. You can use it to take a simple screenshot, capture a scrolling webpage, record a video with annotations, create GIFs, and more. It also comes with cloud sync, which allows you to upload and share your high-resolution images. The app is fast, convenient, and adds a pro touch to your work.
- Standalone price: $96 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Snappy, Lightshot, Shottr, Xnip
"If your biggest need is to annotate screenshots with notes, highlights, and arrows, CleanShotX is the best, by a mile, both in terms of features and design.” – Reddit u/Cidar on r/macapps.
Need to edit videos? Check out the best AI video editing software.
6. iStat Menus: Real-time system monitoring from your menu bar
iStatMenus is the kind of tool that runs quietly in the background but becomes essential the moment something feels “off” with your Mac. The app lets you monitor your CPU, GPU, and RAM performance, along with several other aspects like disk usage, temperatures, fan speeds, and charging cycles. It’s lightweight and fully customizable, and is a crucial addition if you regularly push your Mac’s limits. It offers peace of mind and quick diagnostics whenever you notice performance dips.
- Standalone price: $13.91 single-purchase, with limits or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Activity Monitor, Stats, Sensei, MenuMeters
"It’s friggin amazing how I can see my network status and memory usage in my menubar, and all the rest in 1 more click.” – Gerben Hoogendam on Setapp.
7. Craft: Beautifully organizes your notes, documents, and ideas
Craft is the go-to macOS, web, and iOS app for note-taking. But it does more than that, as it’s a full-fledged workspace that gives you a great structure for organizing your notes clearly. You can create neat documents with formatting and Markdown support, then share with your team for collaboration. It hits the sweet spot between simple apps like Apple Notes and complicated ones like Notion.
- Standalone price: $95.88 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: Apple Notes, Notion, Evernote, Bear
“I’ve tried many PKM and note-taking apps, but Craft is the one I always come back to. It strikes the perfect balance between beauty and functionality…” – Michel DáLnonk on ToolFinder.
8. Bartender: Keep your Mac menu bar clean and under control
Bartender is another utility app that instantly becomes a must-have. It’s a menu bar organizer that helps keep your main bar clean by providing a collapsible secondary bar. Instead of overloading your menu bar with items, Bartender organizes them and tucks them away until you need to show them. There are even triggers for when some conditions are met, such as charging your battery or connecting your VPN. Quite practical, especially if you run several background apps or you simply like a minimal desktop.
- Standalone price: $60 lifetime license (with upgrades) or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: ICE, Dozer, HiddenBar, Vanilla
“Bartender app makes menu bar looks sooo cool.” – Reddit u/mathematicandcs on r/mac.
9. Spark Mail: A smarter, faster way to manage email
Spark Mail rethinks the email experience by giving you powerful organization tools without overwhelming you. It allows you to set up your different accounts, then smartly sorts personal emails, newsletters, and notification emails. You can easily schedule emails, collaborate with teams, and set follow-ups, and it now has an AI assistant to help you create drafts, summarize, or rephrase your ideas. It makes all email management much easier.
- Standalone price: $59.99 per year or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- What it replaces: Apple Mail, Gmail, Newton, Airmail
“Spark is really the best. You understand that when you go to try another client in search of a better one. 99% you’ll come back to Spark.” – Reddit u/Mediocre-Ad9008 on r/SparkMail
10. Downie: Download videos from almost anywhere
Downie is a simple yet incredibly useful app that lets you download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Instagram, and 1,200+ other sites. One of its best features is that you can download in 4K, which most downloaders can’t do. It also supports batch download and audio-only extraction. While you won't use it every day, it saves a lot of time when you need it, and helps avoid sketchy (and ineffective) websites.
- Standalone price: $19.99 one-time purchase (no upgrades) or included in Setapp with 250+ apps
- Can replace: 4K Video Downloader, YTD Video Downloader, browser extensions.
“I use Downie mainly to download the audio from YouTube videos for use in the gym or when running... Downie is convenient and pretty much trouble-free.” – Reddit u/movdqa on r/macapps
Who are these apps most useful for?
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you get the most value if you are a new user.
Freelancers & writers:
- Ulysses for long-form writing
- Paste for reusing copied content
- Craft for proposals and organizing project notes
- CleanShot X for polished screenshots
- Spark Mail to keep all client communication in one tidy inbox.
Students & researchers:
- TextSniper to extract content from videos and images
- Craft to organize class notes, research sources, and study guides
- Paste for storing links, snippets, and any copied content
- CleanMyMac to keep your Mac (even older ones) running smoothly.
Developers & power users:
- iStat Menus to monitor CPU, RAM, and network usage
- BetterTouchTool to create custom shortcuts, gestures, and automation
- Bartender to keep the menu bar neat and focused
- Downie to download reference videos or tutorials
- CleanMyMac for Mac cleanup and maintenance
These give users serious upgrades to their daily workflow and eliminate the need to buy 4-8 separate tools.
Do you actually save money with Setapp?
Is Setapp worth it in 2025? Absolutely.
Users save money with Setapp, even if they only use a few of the provided apps. For example, let's take a simple use case of a freelancer who relies on:
- Ulysses — $40 per year
- CleanShot X — $96 per year
- Paste — $30 per year
- CleanMyMac — $47.40 per year
These are four of the most valuable apps on Setapp, but they cost $213.40 per year. Now, compare this with Setapp’s annual subscription, which provides access to all four apps plus 250+ others. Even conservative users who only use 2 to 3 premium apps find Setapp quite cost-efficient.
The best part is that you can try all these apps without limits in the 7-day free trial.
FAQs — What else should you know about Setapp apps?
Can I use these apps offline with Setapp?
Most Setapp apps work offline just as if you’d bought them directly. You’ll only need an internet connection every few days for the Setapp app to verify your license, but everything runs natively on your Mac.
What happens if I cancel Setapp?
If you cancel your Setapp subscription, you lose access to your Setapp apps, just like you would with any other subscription service. However, your documents and settings will remain on your Mac, and you can always export your data before canceling your subscription.
Are these full versions or limited editions?
Setapp always provides full versions, with no in-app purchases or “lite” builds. This means you always get the same functionalities as if you’d paid for the highest tier elsewhere. Setapp also gives you access to the latest versions of apps that typically require upgrade fees.
How often are new apps added?
Setapp adds new apps regularly, so the catalog is constantly growing. The platform continually checks user needs to add new tools, ranging from AI tools to developer utilities. While a few may occasionally leave, you’ll always have access to powerful tools for all your workflows.
Is everything on Setapp safe and ad-free?
All Setapp apps are safe and ad-free. They are handpicked, and Setapp verifies Apple notarization in addition to a strict no-ad and no-in-app purchases policy.
Security-tested
