Overview
Setapp is a subscription-based curated app catalog from MacPaw that provides access to hundreds of macOS and iOS apps under a single membership. It includes an AI assistant (AI+) that helps you discover the right apps for tasks through a natural-language “Browse with AI” flow, plus AI-powered features across apps (document creation, email drafting, PDF search, image editing). Setapp emphasizes practical productivity gains by combining app discovery, app access, and an AI layer that offers recommendations and workflows. (Summary based on Setapp’s AI landing page and pricing/help pages.)
Key Features
Browse with AI
Describe a task in natural language; the AI suggests the best Setapp apps for that task.
Curated App Catalog (260+ apps)
Access a vetted library of macOS and iOS apps across productivity, writing, design, utilities, and more.
AI-Powered Workflow Assistance
AI assistant helps with drafting text, summarizing emails, searching PDFs, and improving images.
AI Credits & Usage Models
Plans include monthly AI credits; the pricing page explains credit equivalences to model usage and related features.
Multi-device Plans
Plan options support combinations of Macs and iOS devices (single Mac, Mac + up to 4 iOS devices, or multiple Macs).
One Subscription, Many Apps
Single membership unlocks access to all eligible apps rather than paying per-app.
Who Can Use This Tool?
- Mac Users:Individuals using macOS who want access to many apps under one subscription.
- iOS Users:iPhone/iPad owners who want to add compatible mobile apps to their membership.
- Freelancers & Creatives:Use diverse productivity, writing, design, and media apps without separate purchases.
- Small Teams/Power Users:Manage multiple Macs/iOS devices and gain extra AI credits for heavy workflows.
Pricing Plans
Access a curated catalog of Mac apps for a single Mac.
- ✓For 1 Mac
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
- ✓Includes access to all Setapp Mac apps
Apps for your Mac plus iPhone and iPad across your devices.
- ✓For 1 Mac
- ✓For 4 iOS devices
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
Multi-device plan for users with several Macs and iOS devices.
- ✓For 4 Macs
- ✓For 4 iOS devices
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
Mac plan including a small monthly allotment of AI usage credits.
- ✓For 1 Mac
- ✓10 credits per month (AI usage)
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
Subscription for users wanting more AI credits and capabilities.
- ✓For 1 Mac
- ✓125 credits per month (AI usage)
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
High-tier plan with a large monthly AI credit allowance for power users.
- ✓For 4 Macs
- ✓For 4 iOS devices
- ✓250 credits per month (AI usage)
- ✓Start 7-day free trial
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- ✓Access to a curated catalog of 260+ high-quality Mac and iOS apps with a single subscription.
- ✓Built-in AI assistant (AI+) for faster app discovery and task-oriented recommendations.
- ✓AI credits and integrations let users run AI-powered tasks across documents, email, and media.
- ✓Reduces per-app purchase friction — try many apps without individual purchases.
✗ Cons
- ✗Subscription cost may be high for users who need only one or two apps.
- ✗AI features are usage-limited by monthly credits; heavy AI users may need higher tiers.
- ✗Limited to Mac and iOS ecosystems (no Windows/Linux desktop apps available).
- ✗Pricing display on the site shows regional/alternate numbers which can be confusing.
Compare with Alternatives
| Feature | Setapp | Inner AI | AI Anywhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $9.99/month | $8/month | N/A |
| Rating | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| App Catalog Depth | 260+ curated Mac and iOS apps | No bundled app catalog | No bundled app catalog |
| AI Discovery | Yes | No | No |
| Workflow Assistance | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Platform Coverage | macOS, iOS, web | Web, Android, iOS | Android, web, Chrome extension |
| AI Credits Model | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Integration Surface | Bundled apps across devices | Multi-model, meeting, media integrations | Chrome extension, OCR, PDF, cross-app |
| Curation & Quality | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Multimodal Tools | No | Yes | Yes |
Related Articles (8)
A practical guide to using Setapp's AI Assistant to boost productivity.
A clear guide to understanding Setapp's AI subscription plans, pricing, and how to choose the right option.
A promo overview of Setapp AI+, a Mac AI toolkit with GPT‑5, DALL‑E, Whisper, and 10+ apps under two credit-based plans.
Registration for Setapp's AI Marathon is closed; sign up with your Setapp email to be notified about the next AI challenge and explore AI Plus.
A practical guide to downloading Instagram videos on Mac, iPhone, and iPad using built-in features, Pulltube, Downie, and screen recording.
