Want to subscribe to Mac apps without overpaying? Start here

I’m the kind of person who always seeks to optimize my workflow, so I have a productivity app for the things I often do. And chances are, you also have several tools that you swear by… and pay for. Separately.

As a person who can’t do without 5 to 10 daily Mac apps, I’ve had to find ways to bring down this cost. And in this guide, I’ll walk you through different options like Setapp’s all-in-one app bundle, hunting Mac app deals 2025, and taking advantage of seasonal discounts. This will let you upgrade your workflow setup without overspending.

What’s the most cost-effective way to get premium Mac apps in 2025?

Now, let’s look at the different ways you can save on your Mac apps.

Use Setapp to bundle 260+ Mac apps for $9.99/month + tax

This is the route I’ve stuck with the longest, as it’s the cheapest way to get Mac software. Setapp reimagines the whole Mac app pricing and distribution model. Instead of hunting and buying apps one by one, it combines over 260 premium Mac, iOS, and web apps into one flat monthly fee of $9.99 + tax.

A Setapp subscription gives you access to all apps within the catalog, and you can install and use as many as you’d like. The apps are curated to ensure they fit different types of users, with the main categories being:

• Optimize
• Work
• Create
• Develop
• Solve with AI+

The best part? The apps in the collection aren’t just filler, but some of the most popular apps in the Mac community. For example, for developers, they range from popular big names like TablePlus and CodeRunner to niche stuff like a font manager for Mac, which is a must-have if you work in branding or UI.

Plus, there are no ads, upsells, trials, or stripped-down versions. You get the features you’d find anywhere, and your price won’t go up even if you install 30 apps. But there’s no pressure, as even using 3-4 apps is enough to ensure Setapp pays for itself.

Look for app bundles on StackSocial and BundleHunt

The two platforms specialize in affordable Mac app bundles, although you can still buy individual apps:

• StackSocial: This is like a deal warehouse, where you can get bundled apps and single purchases at huge discounts. It mainly features PDF editors, VPNs, utilities, and Microsoft products.

• BundleHunt: It’s similar to StackSocial, but it lets users create their own bundles by paying a small unlock fee, usually $3-$5. You can then select any apps you need from a selection of about 40 heavily discounted apps.

If it’s an app you don’t use every day or you want to own outright, these two let you significantly save on Mac app costs.

Combine free trials and App Store discounts strategically

Taking advantage of free trials and App Store discounts is underrated, but it’s one of the best ways to save money on Mac subscriptions, especially if you don’t have Setapp. 

Most Mac apps offer a 7–30 day free trial via the App Store or developer websites. It’s a great way to test apps and find what works. I usually stagger trials and try several options to stay productive and make smarter choices.

Also, keep an eye out for promotions, especially around back-to-school, holidays, app anniversaries, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.

What type of Mac user benefits most from each option?

Of course, not every budget-saving strategy fits every workflow. Here’s a little help to choose what works best for you.

Ideal for freelancers or professionals

Freelancers and professional users are always juggling between different tools. So, you may need various tools for project management, annotations, time tracking, writing, backups, and more.

• Best fit: Setapp + occasional lifetime licenses

Since you’ll likely need 5 to 10 daily tools, Setapp is the best way to save money on Mac subscriptions. It will give you access to almost all the apps you need for your workflow. You can then complement it with a few lifetime licenses for the apps you want to own outright. You’ll enjoy the fact that discovering new tools is easy.

Ideal for casual or occasional users

If you don’t rely on many apps day to day — say, a PDF editor here, a backup tool once a month — you probably don’t need an ongoing subscription. 

• Best fit: BundleHunt or StackSocial + free trials

To save on the costs, you can grab lifetime licenses from StackSocial and BundleHunt for the few tools you need. You can then get a free trial when you only need an app temporarily, such as to recover a lost file.  

Ideal for students or creators on a tight budget

As a student or a creator just starting out, you are likely on a tight budget. But you’ll need powerful tools for tasks such as writing, designing, researching, video editing, and organizing your Mac. Plus, the platform offers an educational discount for students and teachers. 

• Best fit: Setapp (budget-friendly, all-in-one)

Setapp will give you all kinds of Mac productivity apps without paying full price. Need to organize your thoughts? The platform has several visual mind mapping tools to let you brainstorm. 

Why are Mac apps getting so expensive?

If you’ve noticed your app budgets going up, you aren’t imagining it. Over the last 5 years, more developers have switched from one-time purchases to monthly or annual subscriptions. This makes sense from their standpoint as it means more predictable revenue and frequent updates. But for people like me who rely on 5-10 apps just to get work done, it could be more expensive than my Netflix, Spotify, and phone bill combined.

That’s what made me rethink how I pay for apps. The goal wasn’t to stop using premium tools (I just can’t find a way to drop Ulysses), it was to stop overpaying for them. And it turns out, there are several ways to get the same (or better) apps for a lot less.

How much can you really save?

While it’s easy to say that Setapp and app bundles will save you money, I prefer to look at the numbers. But since discount and bundle prices on StackSocial and BundleHunt vary, I’ll focus on Setapp vs buying individually.

Let’s take an example of a freelancer or professional who uses the popular Setapp tools below:

That’s just 6 productivity apps out of the 260+ included, but it proves that  Setapp is the cheapest way to get Mac software. Check out the full list of Setapp subscription plans.

Final thoughts: The cheapest way to get Mac software in 2025

If you rely on multiple Mac apps to get things done, using Setapp is by far the most cost-effective solution in 2025. With over 260 premium apps under one flat subscription, it eliminates the need to juggle trials, purchases, and upgrades, while still giving you access to top-tier tools. Whether you’re a freelancer, student, or casual user, there’s no smarter way to save on Mac software without sacrificing quality.

Plus, Setapp offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to test it and see if it's worth it.