I’ve been a Setapp user for a few years now, I started my subscription just after the beginning of this service. Setapp offers a fantastic catalog of apps for a monthly fee, it’s like the “Netflix” for Mac apps. It’s been a convenient way to access a variety of tools without having to purchase each one individually. However, I’ve recently come experiencing “subscription fatigue.”
The subscription fatigue
Subscription fatigue is that feeling you get when you’re paying for more services than you actually use or need. I realized that I was paying for a bunch of apps that I didn’t really need.
Making the switch
So, I decided to make some changes and replaced the apps I use the most by free alternatives:
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Replaced Bartender with Ice: Bartender is great for managing menu bar icons, but I found Ice to be a solid open-source alternative. It’s free and does the job just as well.
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Switched CleanMyMac for Onyx: CleanMyMac is a powerful tool for cleaning up your Mac, but Onyx offers similar functionality. There is no nice UI, but it gets the job done when we talk about mac maintenance. It has not the security analysis, nor the uninstaller you can find in CleanMyMac, but it’s a great tool.
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Downgraded SuperWhisper PRO to SuperWhisper Free: SuperWhisper PRO is fantastic for transcription, but the free version covers all my needs. I don’t need the PRO features.
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Moved from Movist PRO to VLC: Movist PRO is a very nice video player, but VLC is a free and open-source alternative that’s just as capable. It’s been around forever and supports almost every video format I may want to read.
The purchases
I also made some one time purchases for apps I use very often:
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CleanShot X: This is one app I decided to buy outright. It’s a fantastic screenshot tool that I use daily, and it was worth the one-time purchase without any doubt. A no-brainer for me.
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IA Writer: I already bought IA Writer a few years ago, so I didn’t need Ulysses that comes with Setapp. IA Writer is a minimalist writing app that suits my needs perfectly.
The realization
Because of the subscription model, I was installing a lot of apps that I didn’t really need. Things like YouTube video downloaders, VPN managers, and code snippet managers. All these are useful, but they’re not essential for me. I was cluttering my digital space with tools that I didn’t miss when they were gone.
Final Thoughts
Setapp is a fantastic service. But for me, the convenience of having access to a catalog of apps where I really used only a few wasn’t worth the cost anymore.
That said, this is just my personal experience. Everyone has different needs, and what didn’t work for me might be perfect for someone else. Your workflow, habits, and app preferences will determine whether Setapp is a good deal for you.
Let me know in the comments if you have tried to replace subscription-based apps with free alternatives?
Thanks for reading, and happy decluttering!