MacPaw is overhauling its Setapp marketplace by allowing users to pay for individual apps instead of requiring a mandatory all-access membership. The update represents a major shift for the service, which originally launched as a “Netflix for apps” model where users paid one flat fee for a massive bundle of software.
Under the new system, users can choose to subscribe to a single application or purchase a lifetime license for specific tools. These individual plans are managed through a Setapp account but do not require the standard $9.99 USD monthly subscription that covers the entire library. This is a big win for Canadians who may only need one or two specific utilities and previously found the $140+ CAD annual commitment too steep.
“To give users more flexibility in how they access Setapp, we’re expanding our purchase plans to include single-app models,” said Oleksandr Kosovan, CEO and founder of MacPaw, in a statement to iPhone in Canada. He noted the update is a step toward turning Setapp into an “open ecosystem marketplace.”
Popular Apps Now Available Individually
More than 60 applications are participating in the initial rollout of the single-app model. This update includes popular utilities like Bartender, Downie, and AlDente Pro, along with MacPaw’s own flagship apps like CleanMyMac and Gemini 2.
In addition to monthly and yearly subscriptions, participating developers now have the option to offer one-time lifetime purchases. This is a feature frequently requested by users who prefer to own their software outright and avoid the “subscription fatigue” of recurring monthly fees.
A More Competitive Developer Marketplace
The move is also designed to attract more developers to the platform by offering a viable alternative to the Mac App Store. MacPaw is touting a 24-hour app review process and competitive revenue sharing to entice creators who may have been hesitant to join a bundle-only service.
MacPaw plans to expand these single-app options even further later this year. The company currently offers a 7-day free trial for those looking to test the new system and see if a standalone plan or the full bundle makes more sense for their workflow.
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