Review Setapp: Setapp is the Netflix for Mac apps — one $9.99/month subscription unlocks 240+ premium Mac applications including CleanMyMac

Detailed Review

Setapp was launched in 2017 by MacPaw — the well-known Ukrainian Mac software company — under the leadership of Oleksandr Kosovan. MacPaw had previous successes with CleanMyMac X and Gemini (a duplicate file finder). The Setapp idea came from observing that Mac users typically need 10–15 different utility apps but each one is a separate purchase, costing a lot and difficult to discover.

Setapp's "Netflix for Mac apps" subscription model was a genuine business model innovation for desktop software. Developers who join Setapp receive revenue based on user "time in app" — not unit sales. This creates an incentive for developers to focus on retention and quality, not just acquisition marketing. Both sides (users and developers) benefit.

Catalog curation is an important competitive advantage: not every app is accepted into Setapp. The team reviews and only includes "best in class" apps in each category. This makes Setapp different from the App Store where any app can be published. Users trust that apps in Setapp have been "vetted" and are worth using. The rigorous curation process ensures the average quality across the catalog is very high.

Strengths

• 240+ premium Mac apps in a single subscription — many individual apps cost more than Setapp alone
• All apps update automatically with new ones added regularly — always on the latest version
• CleanMyMac, Mosaic, Sip, and Canister are all in Setapp — delivering value from the very first month
• One account works on 4 Macs — enough for a family or small team on a single subscription

Areas for Improvement

• $9.99/month accumulates — after 3 years you've spent nearly $360, and many apps are cheaper as one-time purchases
• Some of the best apps are still not in Setapp: Figma, VS Code, Alfred, and the full version of 1Password
• Canceling the subscription loses access to all apps immediately — unlike one-time purchases where you keep access forever

Verdict

Setapp is an excellent choice for anyone needing a powerful tool in the PC Software category. Founded in 2016 by Oleksandr Kosovan (CEO) at MacPaw, this product has undergone years of development and continuous improvement. With a rating of 9.5/10, it ranks among the best in its segment. We encourage you to try the free version before deciding to upgrade.