Is Setapp actually a good deal compared to buying apps separately?

The cost of Mac apps can add up quickly, but at the same time, app bundles have a reputation for featuring just a few useful apps and lots of filler stuff. So, when you come across something like Setapp promising "250+ Mac apps for just $9.99/month + tax,” it's natural to wonder: What's the catch? Will you actually use the provided apps, or is it just a waste of your money?

In this guide, I'll cut through the pitch and look at the actual costs of Setapp vs buying apps separately. Because when you do the Setapp match, the numbers tell a different story, and they just might change how you think about the bundled software.

Why are some users skeptical about bundled Mac app subscriptions?

Not everyone is sold on the idea of bundled Mac apps subscriptions, and that’s fair. So, let’s start by looking at where that hesitation comes from and whether it holds up when it comes to Setapp. 

What makes people hesitate about all-in-one platforms like Setapp?

The most common concerns that trigger the side-eye include:

• “I’ll probably pay for a bunch of apps I’ll never use.”
• “What if the apps provided aren’t that great or are full of bloat?”
• “If I cancel the subscription, I‘ll lose everything.”
• “I only really use one or two premium tools anyway.”

These concerns are well grounded. However, they aren’t enough to make a decision before you consider the value of the specific bundle.

Why this skepticism makes sense — but deserves a closer look

This skepticism makes sense as bundles, in general, tend to have just about 20% useful stuff and 80% filler. So, in the end, they don’t really save you money.

However, Setapp flips this notion and logic. The apps in the catalog aren't fillers but curated tools that people actually pay for and use. 

Think about:

• CleanMyMac for optimizing your Mac

• BetterTouchTool for customizing gestures

• Ulysses for distraction-free writing

• SQLPro Studio for managing multiple databases. These are used by all types of Mac users, from writers to developers.

But in this guide, I don't want you to take that by faith. I'll put the prices side by side and analyze the real value of a Setapp subscription vs individual app licenses. If you are going to commit to a subscription, it will be a no-brainer, not a gamble.

What’s included in Setapp — and how much would it cost to buy it all separately?

Setapp has more than 250 curated Mac, iOS, and web apps which would cost hundreds of dollars if purchased separately. 

I'll take a selection of 10 popular Setapp apps that subscribers use in their day-to-day tasks (including me). These apps are actually quite popular among Mac users, and they all come with a price tag to match. 

So, how much are Setapp apps individually? Here's a snapshot of what you'd pay outside Setapp: 

App	What it does	Standalone price
Ulysses	Facilitates distraction-free writing	$5.99/month or $39.99/year
CleanMyMac	A powerful system cleanup and optimization tool	$3.95/month or $47.40/year
CleanShot X	Advanced screen capture & recording	$10/month or $29 one-time payment
Paste	A smart clipboard history manager	$3.99 per month, $29.99 per year, or $89.99 lifetime
Craft	Allows taking notes with structure	$9.99/month or $95.88/year
BetterTouchTool	Customizes gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and more	$14 one-time Standard, or $24 one-time Lifetime (with upgrades)
Downie	Download videos from almost any site	$19.99 one-time, with upgrade fee
SQLPro Studio	SQL database client for devs	$19.99/month, $119.99/year, or $263.99 one-time
Bartender	Tidy up your Mac’s menu bar	$24 one-time, or $72 one-time (with upgrades)
Session	A pomodoro-style productivity timer	$4.99/month or $39.99/year

Add these up, and you are looking at $467.23 in a single year. When you compare this with Setapp's Mac software bundle price of $107.88 per year (with 250+ more apps), the platform starts looking like a real bargain.

Check out more on Setapp benefits.

"Setapp had a suite of applications that I had already used and a number that I wanted to. It provided a curated list of high quality applications at a reasonable price", says Dan Reiland, DevOps Engineer, Setapp’s user.

What do users actually save by using Setapp instead?

On average, a Setapp user saves 20% to 70% or even more compared to buying apps individually. The exact savings depend on how many apps you actually use from the Setapp collection.

But is Setapp worth it for you? The simplest way to find out is by looking at the apps you'd normally pay for.

Let’s take a look at three sample users: a developer, a content creator, and an average freelancer — and see how the numbers add up.

A freelancer's Setapp pricing comparison

The average freelancer would need:

• Ulysses – $39.99/year
• Paste – $29.99/year
• CleanMyMac – $47.40/year

The cost of these three is $117.38 per year, which is higher than Setapp's all-in-one Mac app subscription cost of $107. 88 per year. Plus, the three apps are just the basics, as you’d also need various productivity tools like Timing (for time tracking).

The average developer would need:

• SQLPro Studio – $99.99/year
• BetterTouchTool – $24 one-time (with upgrades)
• Bartender – $72 one-time (with upgrades)

This comes to $195.99 in the first year, with SQLPro Studio alone almost equaling Setapp's Mac software bundle price. Plus, it doesn't include other basic tools like DevUtils, TablePlus, and CleanShot X.

A content creator would need:

• CleanShot X – $29/one-time
• Downie – $19.99 one-time
• Craft – $95.88/year

The total here is $133.87 in the first year, and this doesn't include video editors like Filmage Editor.

So, is Setapp worth it? 

As you can see, just 2-3 quality apps are enough to offset the cost of a Setapp subscription. And once you are past this breakeven point, everything else you install is effectively free. When your workflow changes, you won't need to budget for new software.

Interested in the Setapp apps for iOS? Take a look at the comprehensive Setapp for iOS overview.

When is buying individual licenses better than using Setapp?

While Setapp offers great value, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. For some Mac users, buying individual licenses still makes more sense.

Here are some cases when you might want to buy apps one by one:

You only use one app, and not that often

If you only rely on a single app, it might be cheaper to pay for the individual license.

You prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions

If you prefer to pay and forget, you can go for lifetime subscriptions. However, you may still need to pay for upgrades.

Your core tools aren’t on Setapp

Some apps like Adobe Creative Cloud, DaVinci Resolve, and Figma aren't part of Setapp. So, if your daily workflow revolves around such apps, you may not get enough out of Setapp.

You want total ownership

While Setapp gives full versions of every app, you lose access if you cancel. If that bugs you, a permanent license will give you more peace of mind.

How to decide if Setapp is worth it for you

The best way to decide is to consider how you actually use your Mac and the tools you rely on to keep things running smoothly.

Here's a checklist that can make it easy:

• You already pay for 2 or more productivity, utility, development, or workflow apps.
• You'd rather manage a single subscription than 5 or more separate ones.
• You want to have full-featured apps so you won't have to pay to unlock features, receive upgrades, or remove ads.
• You like trying out new apps, whether they are utility apps or workflow solutions.

If you tick two or more boxes in this checklist, Setapp is most likely a better deal than paying for individual licenses. 

You can try all Setapp apps free for 7 days and test them with all premium features with no restrictions, no ads, and no extra charge.

FAQs — Subscription bundles vs individual app purchases

Is Setapp cheaper than buying apps individually?

Setapp is cheaper than buying apps individually if you regularly use two or more premium apps. For example, if you use CleanMyMac, Ulysses, and Paste, three of the most popular Mac apps. These cost a combined total of $19.93 per month, while the Setapp all-in-one Mac app subscription cost is only $9.99 per month.

Can I cancel Setapp anytime?

You can cancel Setapp at any time, as there's no lock-in. Your access will end at the end of your current billing cycle, so you can still use the platform until the last day. 

What if an app I love leaves Setapp?

If an app leaves Setapp, you'll retain access if you had already installed it. However, you won't get updates, and you can't reinstall the app. Setapp typically sends a notice to users and suggests a replacement where possible, but apps rarely leave the platform.

Do I lose all app access if I cancel?

You'll lose all app access when you cancel your Setapp subscription. However, your data stays put, so you can still continue with your projects when you decide to re-subscribe. It's not ideal if you mostly use a single app, but the trade-off is worth it if you rely on multiple Mac apps.

Can I buy some apps and use Setapp for others?

Yes, you can buy a few apps separately and use Setapp for others. Most users do this for a few lifetime apps that they swear by, then use Setapp for everything else. 

What’s the quality of apps on Setapp like?

The quality of Setapp apps is exceptionally high. The platform doesn't feature free, low-level, or abandoned projects but a curated list of fully featured and actively developed apps. Most of these are the leaders in their category — CleanMyMac, Ulysses, CleanShot X, Craft, and BetterTouchTool.