When you unbox a new Mac and admire its sleek design, do you rush to install essential apps to transform it into a productivity powerhouse?
However, many premium Mac apps now use subscription models. Paying individually for each app can quickly add up. How can you access multiple apps with a single payment? Enter Setapp.
What is Setapp?
Think of Setapp as a “premium app bundle” or a “digital toolbox”. It currently offers 250+ curated paid apps. With a subscription, users gain full access to all apps in the Setapp catalog—including new additions and updates—without needing separate purchases or activations.
How Setapp Works
For Developers:
Developers confident in their app quality can apply to join Setapp. Approved apps become part of the ecosystem, with revenue calculated based on usage metrics. This provides steady income while expanding app visibility.For Users:
After subscribing and installing the Setapp client, all included apps are automatically authorized—no manual activation required.
Why Doesn’t Apple Block Setapp?
Apple typically mandates IAP (In-App Purchases) to collect 15%-30% commissions. Setapp thrives due to two factors:
- Mac Focus:
Setapp primarily serves macOS. Apple doesn’t enforce App Store exclusivity on Mac, leaving Setapp unregulated there. - iOS Compliance:
For iOS apps, users must download the “official” App Store version first. Setapp verifies subscriptions via Apple ID and its web portal to unlock features—skirting Apple’s rules without violations.
How to Get Setapp Discounts?
We have two recommended subscription channels. One is the official website of Setapp, and the other is APSGO (with more favorable prices). Below, I will list the prices and Pros/Cons of both channels. Please choose from where to subscribe based on your actual situation.
1. Setapp Official Site
The monthly subscription price through Setapp’s official website is as follows:
Take the single Mac subscription option that receives the most votes as an example, it costs $9.99 per month. If paid annually, there is a discount of 10%. For the same subscription, it costs $8.99 per month and $106.8 for a whole year.
Pros:
- Flexible plans (1 Mac, 1 Mac + 4 iOS, or 4 Macs + 4 iOS).
Cons:
- Limited discounts.
Subscribe via Setapp official site →
2. APSGO (Better Deal)
APSGO is a well-known platform for distributing genuine software. Purchasing subscriptions from Setapp here will be cheaper.
However, it should be noted that APSGO only represents one specification - a single Mac subscription. The discounted price for a one-year subscription is $102.08, which is $4.72 cheaper than the annual subscription price on Setapp’s official website.
Note:
- Only single-Mac subscriptions available.
- Ideal for most users due to limited iOS app support.
Final Tips
It’s not difficult to figure out how to choose the subscription channel. It all depends on your needs.
- Check Setapp’s full app catalog first.
- Choose APSGO for single-Mac savings.
- Opt for Setapp’s official site if needing iOS apps or multi-device support.