Why Setapp Is the Best Deal for Mac Users in 2025: Apps, Value, and Everyday Benefits

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— 4 min read

When you buy a new Mac, you quickly realize the default apps don’t cover everything. Maybe you want a better writing tool than Pages, a smarter to-do app than Reminders, or a more powerful photo editor than Photos. You could spend hundreds of dollars piecing together individual apps… or you could subscribe to Setapp, an all-in-one app subscription service that gives you access to over 240 premium Mac (and iOS) apps for a single monthly fee.

In this post, we’ll dive into what Setapp is, the most popular apps included, and why it has become a must-have subscription for Mac users who value both productivity and saving money.

What Is Setapp?

Setapp is a subscription-based platform created by MacPaw (the company behind CleanMyMac). Think of it as Netflix for apps: one monthly payment unlocks unlimited access to hundreds of high-quality Mac and iOS applications.

Instead of buying individual licenses—which can get expensive and often require annual upgrades—you pay a flat $9.99/month (or $107.88/year) for personal use. Teams and families can also get group pricing.

The apps cover nearly every category: productivity, writing, design, development, maintenance, creativity, education, and more. You don’t have to hunt for deals or worry about paying twice for the same functionality—Setapp just gives you the best tools, ready to install.

What Makes Setapp Awesome

  • Huge Savings - Most Mac apps cost between $20 and $60 individually, with some premium tools (like Ulysses or MindNode) charging even more. Using just two or three popular Setapp apps easily covers the monthly subscription fee. Everything else you use is pure bonus.
  • Curated, Quality Apps - Unlike the App Store, which is flooded with thousands of mediocre apps, Setapp carefully curates its library. Every app included solves a real problem and is regularly updated.
  • No Ads, No In-App Purchases - Every app inside Setapp is the full premium version. No freemium gimmicks, no upgrade nags.
  • Cross-Platform Benefits - Many Setapp apps come with iOS versions you can activate with your subscription. That means your favorite task manager or writing app works seamlessly across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
  • Always Updated - You get the latest versions without paying upgrade fees. That alone can save you hundreds over time compared to traditional one-time purchases.

Here’s where things get exciting. Let’s look at some of the most popular and powerful apps included with your subscription in 2025:

Ulysses (Writing & Note-Taking)

One of the best Markdown writing apps for Mac. Beloved by bloggers, authors, and students for its distraction-free design, flexible organization, and easy publishing to WordPress or Medium. Buying Ulysses outright costs $40/year—but it’s included with Setapp.

MindNode (Mind Mapping & Brainstorming)

Perfect for visual thinkers who want to organize ideas into structured mind maps. Great for project planning, essays, or presentations. Normally $19.99/year on its own.

CleanMyMac X (System Maintenance)

A top-rated utility for cleaning junk files, optimizing performance, and keeping your Mac running fast. Developed by MacPaw, it can reclaim gigabytes of space in minutes.

Bartender (Menu Bar Manager)

If your menu bar is cluttered with icons, Bartender gives you control. You can hide, rearrange, or group items to keep things clean.

Paste (Clipboard Manager)

Stores everything you copy—text, images, links—so you can easily retrieve past clippings. A massive productivity boost.

Other Favorites

  • Gemini (duplicate file finder)
  • iStat Menus (system monitoring)
  • BetterZip (archiving)
  • Spark Mail (modern email client)
  • Yoink (drag-and-drop shelf)
  • Timing (automatic time tracking)
  • ClearVPN (secure browsing and streaming)

Categories of Apps That Shine

  • Writing & Creativity: Ulysses, MindNode, Aeon Timeline, MarsEdit
  • Productivity: Paste, Yoink, 2Do, Focus, Taskheat
  • Maintenance: CleanMyMac X, Gemini, iStat Menus, CleanShot Screen Recorder
  • Security & Privacy: ClearVPN, Step Two (2FA), Secrets (password manager)
  • Development & Tech: TablePlus (database), Expressions (regex editor), RapidAPI Tools

Who Should Use Setapp?

  • Students: Affordable access to premium writing, studying, and productivity tools.
  • Freelancers & Professionals: Time trackers, invoicing apps, and creative tools that improve efficiency.
  • Casual Mac Users: Even if you only use CleanMyMac X, Bartender, and Paste, you’re already ahead financially.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: Developers and designers who need specialized utilities without spending a fortune.

Cost Breakdown Example

Let’s say you use just these four apps regularly:

  • Ulysses – $40/year
  • MindNode – $20/year
  • CleanMyMac X – $40/year
  • Paste – $10/year

That’s already $110 per year. With Setapp’s annual plan at $107.88, you’ve broken even—without counting the 200+ other apps you now have at your fingertips.

The Hidden Benefit: Discovering New Apps

One of the underrated joys of Setapp is discovering apps you wouldn’t normally buy. Maybe you never thought about a duplicate file cleaner, a menu bar organizer, or a regex editor—but once you try them, they become indispensable.

Because there’s no extra cost, you can experiment freely without worrying about wasting money. It’s like having a premium sandbox of tools.

Downsides of Setapp

  • Mac Only (mostly): While some apps include iOS versions, the majority are Mac-first.
  • Ownership: If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to the apps.
  • Overwhelm: With so many apps, it can be easy to install too many and clutter your Mac.

Still, for most people, the value far outweighs these drawbacks.

Final Verdict

Setapp isn’t just another subscription—it’s the ultimate toolkit for Mac users. Whether you’re a student writing essays, a freelancer managing projects, or a professional developer, Setapp bundles the best apps into one affordable package.

The math is simple: if you use even two or three premium apps regularly, Setapp pays for itself. Everything else—over 200 extra tools—is icing on the cake.

If you love your Mac and want to unlock its full potential, Setapp is hands-down one of the smartest investments you can make in 2025.

👉 Ready to try it? Get Setapp here and see which apps instantly improve your workflow.

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