Is Setapp free? Full guide to the Setapp trial (2025)

Key Takeaways

Setapp isn't permanently free, but it offers a 7-day free trial with full access.
New users can explore all 250+ Mac, iOS, and web apps (like CleanMyMac, Ulysses, Timing, Taskheat, and more) without restrictions, locked options, or ads during a 7-day trial.
Subscription plans start at $4.99 + tax for iOS only or $9.99 + tax for Mac.
Setapp provides flexible plans including Mac-only, iOS-only, Mac + iOS, and Power User tiers, with annual billing offering a 10% discount.
Setapp saves money compared to buying apps individually.
For a single monthly fee, you get access to hundreds of premium apps, some of which cost more if bought separately. This is especially valuable if you use several tools regularly. A few apps are enough to ensure Setapp pays for itself.
To get the most from your trial, test apps across different categories.
With a 7-day free trial and automatic app updates, Setapp lets you try everything risk-free. No upgrade fees, no ads. Try Setapp now.

Setapp bundles over 250 curated Mac, iOS, and web apps. But there’s one common question – “Is Setapp free?“

Well, not quite. It does offer all new users a full-featured 7-day free trial. This means that you can explore the whole catalog. During this trial, users have unlimited access to all apps and features, with no restrictions or ads.

In this guide, I’ll explain what the Setapp free trial includes, what happens when it ends, and how you can make the most of your free week. I’ll also share some of the best apps to test during your free trial.

Is Setapp free to use?

Setapp is a subscription-based service, which means you pay a monthly or annual fee to use it. However, all new users get a free trial to test the service risk-free. The Setapp free trial offers access to all 250+ Mac, iOS, and web apps, with no feature limits. You can install as many apps as you’d like and explore the full features.

How long is the Setapp free trial?

The Setapp free trial lasts 7 days, so you’ll have enough time to explore everything the platform has to offer. The best part? You don’t need a credit card to activate it if you download the Setapp Mac app, but you may need one if you sign up via the Setapp website.

The offer to try Setapp for free on the main page

What happens after the trial ends?

If you signed up for the Setapp trial via the Mac app, you’ll need to subscribe to continue using installed apps. If you have provided your credit card, your subscription automatically rolls into a paid subscription based on the plan you have selected. To avoid charges, you can cancel at any time within the first 7 days.

Setapp membership pricing

Is Setapp worth it after the trial?

Yes, Setapp is worth it, especially in the long run.

The truth is, even if you only use a few of the included apps regularly, the value of Setapp adds up quickly.

First, you’ll save tens or hundreds of dollars with a Setapp subscription, which is equivalent to just about two or three apps within the catalog. Some of the apps within Setapp even have more expensive plans if you buy them individually. For example, Nitro PDF Pro costs $18 per user per month. Compare this with Setapp’s $9.99 + tax monthly flat fee, which includes Nitro PDF Pro and 250+ other apps.

Apart from that, the Setapp catalog also keeps on growing, and you won’t need to deal with multiple licenses or pay extra for updates.

Want a closer look at what makes Setapp such a great deal? Here’s why Setapp is worth it.

How much does Setapp cost in 2025?

Once your Setapp free trial ends, you’ll need to pick a subscription plan starting from $4.99/mo. Setapp offers different options based on your needs and the number of devices you’d like to cover.

Here’s the comparison of all Setapp plans:

Plan	Monthly price	Annual price (10% off)	What you get
iOS	$4.99 + tax	$53.89 + tax	Access on 2 iPhones or iPads
Mac	$9.99 + tax	$107.88 + tax	Access on 1 Mac
Educational	-	$107.9 + tax	Access on 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices
Mac + iOS	$12.49 + tax	$134.88 + tax	Access on 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices
Power User	$14.99 + tax	$161.88 + tax	Access on 4 Macs and 4 iOS devices
AI Enthusiast	$14.99+ tax	$161.88 + tax	Access on Mac with 125 AI credits
AI Expert	$23.99+ tax	$259.09 + tax	Access on 4 Macs and 4 iOS devices with 250 AI credits

We also compared Setapp's subscription price vs buying apps individually. Check it out!

Note

All Setapp plans include 10 AI credits per month. But if you need more, you can upgrade to one of the AI subscription plans.

Best Setapp apps to try during your free trial

One of the best aspects of the Setapp free trial is that you can install and try out any app within the catalog without restrictions, including gems like CleanMyMac, Ulysses, Paste, and Spark Mail.

To get a good idea of the platform, you can explore apps from various categories, such as productivity, creativity, task management, Mac optimization, and more.

To give you a head start, here’s a curated list of top Setapp apps you can check out:

App	Why you should try it
CleanMyMac	It’s the go-to Mac cleanup tool, whether that’s clearing junk, optimizing memory, or speeding up performance. A perfect first app to experience the power of Setapp.
Paste	It’s a powerful clipboard manager that remembers everything you copy (within an adjustable period). It’s great for boosting productivity, and a good example of how small Setapp tools can have a big impact.
ClearVPN	It’s a one-click VPN that protects your online privacy and secures your data. You can use it to enhance your security or simply test out Setapp’s privacy and security lineup.
Ulysses	Ulysses gives you a distraction-free writing environment, so it’s super-useful for bloggers, authors, and students. It shows that Setapp includes premium pro-grade tools.
Timing	It automatically tracks how you spend your time, so its super-useful to freelancers and remote workers. It’s one of the top apps in Setapp’s productivity lineup.
Taskheat	It’s a visual task planner that lets you map out goals and link to-dos in a logical manner. It’s a good example of Setapp’s more unique, creative, and productivity tools.
Spark Mail	Spark is a smart and fast email client that makes inbox management way less painful. It’s one of Setapp’s powerful alternatives to default Mac apps.
Session	It’s a Pomodoro-style focus timer that helps work in short, focused bursts. You can try it to see how Setapp supports productivity and time management.

Looking for even more options? Check out: Best iOS apps on Setapp

Tips to make the most of your Setapp trial

You’ve got 7 days and over 250 apps. So, how do you make the most of your free Setapp week?

Here are a few tips:

Explore apps from different categories that match your work and interests. Setapp sorts them into collections like Optimize, Work, Create, Develop, and Solve with AI, with relevant sub-categories.
Test apps in real-life situations. If you need to write a blog post, open Ulysses. If it’s organizing a project, try Taskheat. This way, you’ll quickly know the ones that fit your interests and workflow.
Check out the ever-growing selection of AI-powered tools. Each plan comes with free AI credits.
If your plan supports it, install apps that sync between desktop and mobile. You’ll get a feel of how well the different platforms play together.
If you aren’t sure about subscribing, set a reminder before your trial ends. It will help avoid charges.

These should help maximize your free trial.

Final verdict — Is Setapp really free or just a trial?

Setapp isn’t really free, but there’s a 7-day free trial that lets you try the platform risk-free. Considering that it gives access to 250+ apps and you don’t have to provide your credit card to activate it, it’s one of the best trials you’ll find in the world of Mac software.

For those 7 days, you can install any app from the Setapp catalog and enjoy full features and an ad-free experience. You can optimize your Mac with CleanMyMac, write your next essay in Ulysses, or boost your productivity with Session — all without paying a thing upfront.

Essentially, you get the rare chance to test multiple Mac apps in one place without juggling vendors, entering payment details, or dealing with locked features. Even if you only use a few of the apps, the subscription will prove absolutely worth it.

FAQ

Is Setapp free to use permanently?

Setapp isn’t a free service. It operates on a subscription model, but every new user gets a 7-day free trial that allows them to test any app within the Setapp catalog (with full features).

How can I start my Setapp free trial?

You can start your Setapp trial by downloading the Setapp app on your Mac or signing up via the website. If you install the Mac app directly, you won’t need to provide a credit card, so Setapp is completely risk-free to explore.

Can I cancel Setapp before the trial ends?

You can cancel the Setapp subscription before the trial ends. Preferably, do so on the 6th day by going to your account settings. As long as you cancel before the trial ends, Setapp won’t charge you anything.

What are the best apps to try during the Setapp free trial?

Start with tools you can use right away, such as utilities, productivity tools, and work tools. Some of the best apps to try during the Setapp free trial are CleanMyMac (a cleanup tool), Paste (clipboard management), Timing (time tracking), and Ulysses (focused writing).

Is Setapp worth it for students or freelancers?

Setapp is worth it for students and freelancers. Students get access to a wide range of apps that support writing, research, productivity, and presentations – you can even chat with your PDF. Freelancers, on the other hand, can benefit from Setapp’s rich catalog of task managers, project planning tools, professional writing apps, and even billing organizers.

How many devices can I use Setapp on during the trial?

The number of devices you can use Setapp on depends on your plan. The standard Mac plan covers one device, but if you choose the Mac + iOS or Power User option, you can test apps on up to 4 Macs and 4 iOS devices.