I signed up for Setapp primarily to get CleanShot X without paying full price. What I discovered was a subscription model that actually makes sense for Mac users.
The CleanShot X Gateway Drug
CleanShot X alone would have cost me $50+. Setapp costs less than that for several months and includes hundreds of other apps. The math was simple, but the value ended up being much deeper.
ClearVPN: Unexpected Value
I wasn’t even thinking about VPN costs when I signed up, but Setapp includes ClearVPN. A decent VPN service alone often costs as much as Setapp’s monthly fee, so this immediately changed the value proposition.
The Three-Year Break-Even Reality
Here’s the honest math: if I bought all the Setapp apps I actually use individually, it would take roughly three years to match what I’m paying for the subscription. And that’s not counting major version updates, which often cost extra for individual licenses.
Apps I Actually Use
- CleanShot X - Screenshot and annotation tool
- ClearVPN - VPN service
- Various utilities - File management, system monitoring, etc.
Even using just these three categories of apps makes the subscription worthwhile.
The Subscription Model Done Right
Unlike most software subscriptions that feel predatory, Setapp actually provides ongoing value:
“It’s not just about access to apps—it’s about access to updates, new features, and new apps as they’re added to the platform.”
No License Management Headaches
One underrated benefit: no keeping track of license keys, update notifications, or version compatibility. Everything just works and stays updated automatically.
Discovery of New Tools
I’ve found several apps through Setapp that I never would have tried if they required individual purchases. This discovery aspect has genuine value for productivity.
When Setapp Doesn’t Make Sense
To be fair, Setapp isn’t for everyone:
- If you only need 1-2 specific apps, individual purchases might be cheaper
- If you prefer owning software outright vs. subscription access
- If the apps you need aren’t in the Setapp catalog
The Paste App Experiment
I initially considered Setapp for Paste (a clipboard manager), but Raycast ended up being the better solution. This highlights both a strength and weakness of Setapp: having options is great, but it can lead to analysis paralysis.
Murmur: Not Everything Is Gold
Setapp’s transcription app, Murmur, is honestly useless compared to dedicated tools like Spokenly. Just because an app is in Setapp doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Setapp works best for people who:
- Use multiple Mac productivity apps
- Value having access to a broad toolkit
- Don’t want to manage individual app licenses
- Appreciate discovering new tools
For me, coming from Windows where many equivalent tools are free, Setapp provides a way to access quality Mac software without the sticker shock of individual purchases. It’s the Netflix model applied to productivity software, and it’s working for me.