Setapp pricing explained: Is it worth the monthly cost in 2025?

You’re probably wondering if Setapps’s pricing model is right for you. With over 250+ apps on offer, and that too for a single subscription fee of $9.99/month + tax, you might think it sounds too good to be true. I also thought the same when I first heard of their subscription schemes, and rightfully so, because everyone wants proper value for all the money they invest.

That’s why I’ve made this guide. I’ll take you through Setapp pricing explained in detail and lay out how Setapp is the best investment you will make for your daily workflow.

What does Setapp cost, and what’s included?

How much does Setapp cost in 2025? Setapp offers basic pricing tiers for individuals:

• Mac-only plan: This is the foundational plan at $9.99 per month + tax. It gives one user access to the entire suite of Mac apps on a single device.
• Mac + iOS plan: For $12.49 per month + tax, you get everything in the Mac plan, plus access to a selection of iOS apps on up to four of your Apple mobile devices.
• Power User plan: Aimed at those of us with a multi-Mac setup, this plan costs $14.99 per month + tax and lets you use Setapp on up to four Macs, plus the included four iOS apps.

If you're a new user, you can try it free for a week. For the full lowdown, check out the Setapp subscription plan for Mac and iOS users.

A quick glance at what Setapp offers

So, what do you get for your money? You're not just getting a random assortment of apps. I’m talking about a curated collection of high-quality software. Some of the heavy hitters include:  

• Ulysses is a beautiful, focused writing environment for everything from blog posts to novels.

• Craft is a stunningly designed document editor and note-taking app.

• Downie is the simplest way to download videos from pretty much any website.

• Bartender is an essential utility for taming your chaotic menu bar.

• Paste is a clipboard manager that you'll wonder how you ever lived without.

• BetterTouchTool is the ultimate customization tool for your trackpad, mouse, and keyboard shortcuts.

And that's just scratching the surface. The library is constantly growing, with new apps added regularly.

What do those apps cost individually?

Let’s take the real test of subscription cost savings for Mac users. Here’s the individual cost of some popular Setapp apps when purchased outside the platform:

• Ulysses:  $5.99/month or $39.99/year
• Craft: $9.99/month or $95.88/year
• Downie: $19.99/lifetime
• Bartender: $20.00 + tax
• Paste: $3.99/month, $29.99/year, or $89.99/lifetime
• BetterTouchTool: $14.00/standard or $24/lifetime

As you can see, just subscribing to Ulysses and Craft would already cost you more per year than the basic Setapp plan. Throw in the one-time cost of CleanShot X, Bartender, and Downie, and you've blown past the annual cost of a Setapp subscription in no time. If you use even a handful of these tools, the math is overwhelmingly in Setapp's favor. 

Need pricing breakdown? Check out the Setapp pricing page.

What makes Setapp pricing different from other app models?

The all-in-one Mac app subscription cost is a different beast compared to how we traditionally acquire software. Here’s what makes Setapp pricing different from other app models.

You get one price and unlimited tools

The old way involved buying individual app licenses. Need a better screenshot tool? That's one purchase. Want a powerful writing app? That's another. 

With Setapp, you have a single, predictable fee that unlocks a vast toolbox. It encourages exploration. You can try out a new app for a specific project without any financial risk. 

If it doesn't work out, you just uninstall it and try another one from the collection. Go look at the Setapp apps page, and see for yourself what they offer.

New apps and updates included

Disappointingly often, I’ve come across an app bundle that advertises itself as a “one price for everything” solution, but when you subscribe, reality hits you hard in the face. 

It turns out that app updates are not free; you have to pay for them. Here is where Setapp shines the brightest, in my opinion. Once you subscribe, that’s the end of the story, no paying for app updates, no matter how minor or major they are. And don’t forget, new apps are always being added, so you actually gain more apps for the same price over time. This is a deal too good to refuse, no?

Cancel anytime, no lock-in

Subscription fatigue is real, and the fear of being locked into a service you don't use is a valid concern. Setapp operates on a simple monthly or annual basis. If you find you're not getting enough value from it, you can cancel anytime. This flexibility makes it much easier to give it a test run and see if it fits your workflow without a long-term commitment.

When does Setapp save you the most money?

Let’s talk real-world scenarios where Setapp shines for subscription cost savings on Mac. Here’s where Setapp saves you the most money:

• Freelancers: I rely on CleanShot X for client demos, Ulysses for writing proposals, and Paste for managing snippets. Those three alone would cost me over $80/year if bought separately, but Setapp covers them for far less, and throws in 250+ other apps.
• Content creators: If you’re downloading videos with Downie, organizing projects with Craft, or tweaking your menu bar with Bartender, you’re already saving.
• Productivity nerds: If you’re obsessed with optimizing your workflow (guilty!), tools like BetterTouchTool and Paste are gold. I customized my trackpad to launch apps with a three-finger swipe, and it’s saved me so much time.

If you’re using even a few premium tools, the math checks out fast. Also, you can get a 20% educational discount on the Setapp Mac + iOS annual plan.

When might Setapp not be worth the price?

To keep it real, Setapp isn’t for everyone. Here are a few cases where you might want to skip it:

• You only need one app: If all you need is, say, a $10 one-time purchase app that’s not even on Setapp, you’re better off buying it outright. My friend needed a super niche FTP client that Setapp didn’t have, so he skipped the subscription.
• You hate subscriptions: If you simply hate subscriptions and do not want to add to your expenses list for the month, you can look at one-time purchases.
• Missing apps: Though the Setapp library is massive, it still doesn’t contain all the apps. So if you are going in blind, thinking you’ll maybe find what you are looking for, stop and check the app list carefully.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons, but it’s worth double-checking your needs. If you’re only using one or two lightweight apps, do the math to see if it’s cheaper to buy them outright.

Want to know more? Check out the Setapp benefits explained in detail.

How does Setapp compare to other pricing models?

Setapp’s all-in-one Mac app subscription cost model is unique, but how does it stack up against other platforms?

• Take Adobe Creative Cloud, for example. Only a handful of apps, and that too at $57.99/year. Though you get a discount for the first year, the costs add up fast, and they add up big. Setapp includes many more apps for a fraction of the price.
• Then there’s the App Store, where you’re often stuck with one-time purchases or freemium apps that nickel-and-dime you for features. 

Setapp’s model feels like a middle ground: you get premium apps without the hassle of managing multiple licenses or subscriptions.

So that’s Setapp pricing explained

So, is Setapp worth the monthly fee? For me, it’s a resounding yes. As a tech-savvy freelancer, I’m all about tools that save time and money, and Setapp delivers. The cost of Mac app bundles through the platform is hard to beat if you’re using a few premium apps. It’s flexible, constantly updated, and lets you experiment with new tools without breaking the bank. But if you only need one niche app or hate subscriptions, you might want to look elsewhere.

Check out Setapp’s app list and do the math for your own workflow. For most Mac users, especially freelancers, creators, and productivity geeks, the subscription cost savings on Mac make it a total win. Remember, all the tools like CleanShot X, Ulysses, Craft, Downie, Bartender, Paste, and BetterTouchTool are available on a 7-day free trial through Setapp.