Setapp

Subscription-based service for macOS and iOS applications

SetappDeveloper(s)| Setapp Ltd.

|

Stable release|

Setapp (v2.7.8) / 17 November 2020; 3 years ago (2020-11-17)

Operating system| OS X 11 or higher
Platform| macOS, iOS, web
Available in| English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish
License| Trialware, Software as a service
Website| setapp.com

Setapp is a subscription-based service for macOS, iOS and web applications released in 2017 by MacPaw. It provides access to a growing collection of software from different developers for a fixed monthly fee.[1] App categories cover productivity, web development, Mac maintenance, photo and video editig, design, writing, education, personal finance and others. There are over 240 apps[2] in the Setapp subscription,[3] including CleanMyMac X, Spark, Ulysses, and MarsEdit.[4] Setapp conducts annual Mac Developer Survey and Mac Apps Report.[5]

## History[edit]

Setapp launched in beta in November 2016,[6][7] and was officially released in January 2017.[8] In June 2017, Setapp reported having 10,000 subscribers[9] worldwide, mainly in the United States but with growing audiences in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.[10] By November of that year, there were more than 200,000 trial users testing the service.[11] In 2019, the app had 1 million users.[12]

In November 2019, Setapp launched Setapp for Teams, a service adjusted for teams' and organizations' use.[13] Setapp launched an iOS version in August 2020.[3] In July 2023, Setapp introduced a ChatGPT assistant and other AI tools.[14]

In August 2023, in response to the Digital Markets Act regulation, Setapp announced its plans to launch an alternative app store for EU users.[15]

## Business model[edit]

Setapp introduced a subscription model[16] for software usage akin to streaming services like Spotify and Netflix.[17][18][19] [20] Instead of paying a single price for a standalone application, users can use all the apps in the collection for a single monthly fee.[21]

The philosophy behind the initiative was to give users preselected, ready-to-use software that covers both generic and job-specific tasks. Applications on Setapp are automatically updated and contain no in-app purchases[22] or advertisements.

The main part of the revenue generated by Setapp is divided between app developers[23] based on app usage.[4]

## System requirements[edit]

* macOS version:
* Big Sur 11.0 and later

* Free disk space: around 300 Mb for the Setapp desktop app

* Internet connection

iOS apps requirements:

* Every iOS app in Setapp has individual requirements for a minimum iOS version. Updating the device to the latest available iOS version is recommended.

## Awards and recognition[edit]

* Finalist at the 21st annual Interactive Innovation Awards in the New Economy category[24]
* Awarded "Consumer Product of the Year" by Product Hunt at the 2017 Golden Kitty Awards[25]
* Named by Fast Company as one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Europe in 2019[26]
* Awarded "Best SaaS Product for Productivity" by SaaS Awards in 2019[27]
* Awarded Bronze Cannes Lions in the video advertising category for ‘Snake,’ created together with the Droga5 agency in 2021.[28]

## See also[edit]

* Subscription business model
* Software repository
* App store optimization
* List of mobile app distribution platforms

## References[edit]

1. ^ Tony Tran (18 July 2020). "Setapp Review: All Best Mac Apps In One Monthly Bundle".
2. ^ "Expand your apps and save money with Setapp's new Family Plan". AppleInsider. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
3. ^ a b Tim Hardwick (11 August 2020). "Setapp Mac App Subscription Service Expands to iOS".
4. ^ a b Pierce, David (2020-10-01). "'Netflix for apps': Setapp's quest to build a better app store". Archived from the original on 2022-06-30.
5. ^ Perez, Sarah (2023-10-16). "Mac users are embracing AI apps, study finds, with 42% using AI apps daily". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
6. ^ TNW: Mattew Hughes (6 November 2016). "Setapp wants to be the Netflix of MacOS applications".
7. ^ Chris O'Brien (11 November 2016). "MacPaw wants to reinvent the Mac App Store experience with a subscription service called Setapp".
8. ^ Thorin Klosowski (25 January 2017). "Setapp, the Mac App Subscription Service, Is Now Live for Everyone".
9. ^ "Setapp At 5 Months: 10,000 Users and Better App Discovery". TidBITS. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
10. ^ Stepanenko, Yaroslav (2017-07-17). "Ultimate Guide to Product Localization". Medium. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
11. ^ Zac Hall (7 November 2017). "Setapp by the numbers: here's how the 'Netflix of apps' is doing so far".
12. ^ Tim Hardwick (5 November 2019). "MacPaw Launches 'Setapp for Teams' Subscription App Store - MacRumors".
13. ^ William Gallagher (4 November 2019). "MacPaw launches Setapp for Teams software subscription service public beta".
14. ^ "Setapp introduces a ChatGPT assistant & other AI tools". AppleInsider. 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
15. ^ Perez, Sarah (2023-08-15). "Setapp announces plans to launch an alt app store for EU users". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
16. ^ AppleWorld.Today: Dennis Sellers (25 January 2017). "Setapp, a Mac app subscription service, launches".
17. ^ Jeff Gamet (7 December 2016). "Setapp Brings Netflix-style Downloads to Mac Apps - The Mac Observer".
18. ^ Mike Wuerthele (27 January 2017). "Hands On: New Setapp service brings subscription apps to the Mac".
19. ^ Henry T. Casey (7 December 2016). "Software for Rent: Meet Setapp, a Netflix for Mac Apps".
20. ^ Bob Levitus (3 July 2020). "Setapp, the Netflix of Mac apps, just keeps getting better".
21. ^ Erik Eckel (13 March 2017). "Setapp: Mac users' software purchases just got much easier - TechRepublic".
22. ^ Bryan M. Wolfe (4 November 2019). "Setapp for Teams: now everyone at work can share the best Mac apps".
23. ^ Juli Clover (25 January 2017). "New Mac App Subscription Service 'Setapp' Offers 60 Mac Apps for $9.99 Per Month - Mac Rumors".
24. ^ "Interactive Innovation Awards - SXSW Conference & Festivals". SXSW. Archived from the original on 2018-03-28. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
25. ^ "Golden Kitty Awards Winners". Product Hunt. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
26. ^ "The World's most innovative companies".
27. ^ "Best SaaS Product for Productivity (non-US)". The Cloud Awards & SaaS Awards. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
28. ^ "MAA blasts from the past: funny Cannes Lions winners - More About Advertising". www.moreaboutadvertising.com. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2024-03-20.

## External links[edit]

* Official website