Is a Mac app subscription better than buying apps one by one?

If you use multiple tools regularly, a subscription like Setapp gives you the best value Mac apps in 2025 in one tidy place. It simplifies billing, keeps your setup lean, and helps you discover apps you didn’t know you needed.

Still, buying one-off licenses can work if you only rely on a couple of core apps.

Here’s a quick table to visualize it:

Below, I’ll walk you through a quick verdict, a side-by-side comparison, and who benefits most from each model.

What’s included in a Setapp subscription plan?

Wondering what’s included in the Setapp subscription? In short: a lot. You get access to 250+ premium Mac, iOS, and web apps spanning productivity, creativity, maintenance, and more — all under one roof. It’s designed for freelancers, developers, creators, and anyone who just wants their Mac to run better.

But the real value lies in flexibility. You’re not locked into one app or tool. You can:

• Use Ulysses to write your blog posts today.

• Switch to Session for Pomodoro-style time tracking tomorrow.

• Record your screen with Capto the day after.

All apps come fully unlocked, with no ads, no in-app purchases, and automatic updates. So you’re always using the latest version, without worrying about upgrade fees or pro-tier limitations.

What makes discovery even easier is Setapp’s built-in AI search. Just type something like “edit photos,” and it surfaces curated tools that fit. No ad-ridden, half-baked apps like you’d find on the App Store.

And if you need help in getting started, check out how Setapp works.

How much do these same apps cost individually?

Alright, let’s talk numbers. I did some digging to compare single-app pricing to Setapp’s subscription pricing. Here’s a real-world comparison that shows how quickly costs add up when apps are purchased separately:

If I subscribed to just these five apps individually, I’d be paying around $200/year. Setapp’s Mac plan is $119.88/year + tax. That’s a savings of nearly $100, and I get access to 250+ other apps. Even if I only use 2–3 apps regularly, Setapp’s still cheaper than subscribing to Ulysses and CleanMyMac alone.

But here’s the catch: if you only need one app, like CleanMyMac, and you’re okay with a one-time purchase, you might save money long-term. The downside? You’re on the hook for upgrade fees. For example, CleanShot X charges $29 for a license but $8/month for updates after a year. With Setapp, those updates are included.

Pros and cons — subscription vs single app pricing

I've lived through the era of buying apps one by one, and now the all-you-can-use model. Here's how they compare.

Benefits of subscriptions

Subscriptions carry a lot of benefits with them:

• Lower monthly cost for many tools: For $9.99/month + tax, I get access to apps that would cost hundreds if bought separately. It’s a steal if you use 3+ apps.
• Try more apps without committing upfront: I’ve discovered gems like NotePlan and TextSniper through Setapp, which I wouldn’t have bought otherwise.
• Automatic updates and security: No chasing down updates or worrying about outdated software. Setapp handles it all.
• No upgrade charges or license confusion: Unlike single apps, where major upgrades often cost extra, Setapp includes everything.
• Easy to cancel or switch tools: If you don’t like an app, you can uninstall it and try another.

Benefits of buying apps individually

If you prefer buying apps individually, you get:

• One-time cost (for lifetime licenses): Some apps offer one-time purchases, which save you money in the long run if you don’t need updates.
• Permanent access: If the developer goes under, you still have your app. With Setapp, you lose access if you cancel.
• No recurring payments: Perfect for folks like me who hate monthly bills getting out of control.
• Simpler for minimalists: If you only use one or two apps, why pay for a whole library?

The downside of single apps? Costs add up fast. I once paid $50 for a niche app, only to realize it didn’t do what I needed. Plus, many lifetime licenses now come with upgrade fees, so the “buy once” dream isn’t always true anymore.

Who should choose a subscription, and who shouldn’t?

Go for Setapp subscription if you’re:

• Constantly using many different software programs all the time, and very often switching between them several times a day. I personally use more than 10 Setapp apps in a single day.
• Trying many apps all the time to see which one fits your needs the best. I love testing apps. Whenever Setapp adds a new one, you can be the first to check it out.
• Not only on Mac, but Setapp is now available on iPhone and iPad as well. I own all of them, so I have $12.49/month + tax plan, which saves me a ton of cash in the long run.
• Fed up with tracking individual subscriptions. Setapp bundles everything together into one subscription with many tools.

Stick to single apps if you’re:

• A minimalist who only needs 1–2 apps. If ForkLift and MarginNotes are all you need, Setapp’s overkill.
• A fan of lifetime licenses. Buying apps like CleanMyMac individually could save you money if you don’t need frequent updates.
• Wary of losing access. If you cancel Setapp, you lose all apps, which bugs some folks.

Why compare Mac app subscriptions vs one-off purchases?

Fifteen years ago, buying software was simple: you paid once, and the app was yours forever. No logins, no monthly fees, no forced upgrades. Fast forward to 2025, and nearly every tool comes with a subscription. From $5 for a journaling app to $15 for photo editing, these micro-charges add up fast.

That’s why I’ve started weighing subscription pricing against single-app pricing more carefully. Most people don’t use just one app anymore. I rely on CleanMyMac to keep my Mac running smoothly, Ulysses for writing, and Luminar Neo for editing. Subscribing to each one separately could cost $30–$50 a month.

So I started exploring bundles like Setapp. These platforms promise cost-effectiveness in Mac software subscriptions by giving you access to 250+ premium apps for a single monthly fee. 

Subscriptions are everywhere, and users are cautious

I’ll be real: I’m tired of subscriptions. Between your OTT subscriptions, cloud storage, and now apps, it feels like I’m renting my entire digital life. I know I’m not alone — posts on X and Reddit are full of Mac users venting about subscription fatigue. 

We’re all trying to get an answer to the same question: is another monthly fee worth it? I was skeptical about Setapp. I thought it was just another way to lock me into recurring payments. But after using it for a couple of years, I’ve decided: no more app-by-app purchases.

Bundles like Setapp change the pricing equation

Setapp offers one subscription for many tools. For $9.99 + tax a month, you get access to a vast array of over 250 apps. No ads, no in-app purchases, just full-featured software. Think of it like a buffet: you can sample every app on the menu without paying extra or committing to a single item. 

This approach simplifies the way we pay for software. Instead of juggling multiple licenses or worrying about confusing upgrade policies, you manage everything under a single subscription. Maintenance becomes easier, too. Updates are handled automatically, so your apps are always current without any extra effort.

Verdict: One subscription, many tools

After years of bouncing between different individual app subscriptions, I’ve settled on Setapp as the best value for Mac apps in 2025 for my workflow. The subscription pricing gives me access to a ton of tools for less than I’d spend on two or three individual subscriptions, and the ability to try new apps risk-free is a game-changer. But I get it, not everyone needs 250+ apps. If you’re a minimalist or love owning your software outright, single-app purchases might be good for you.

My advice? Try Setapp’s 7-day free trial. Then, play around with apps like CleanMyMac, Ulysses, or Luminar Neo and see if they make switching between apps easier.