Setapp: What the service plans for individual apps

For fans of Setapp, the news came as a surprise: In the future, the service from Ukrainian software provider MacPaw, which offers apps for macOS and iOS for a flat fee, will also offer individual subscriptions. This means: Instead of the current nearly 12 US dollars per month, there would then be varying costs if a developer decides against the all-you-can-eat subscription. Setapp is thus entering the territory of other providers like Apple itself.

Interestingly, MacPaw recently decided to shut down its alternative app store for iOS in the EU again. The fact that Setapp wants to be more than just a flat-rate provider in the future became known through a change to its terms of use, which will take effect in February. The new sales format is called "Setapp Single App". MacPaw has now informed Mac & i what this specifically entails.

Desktop only

According to this, the individual subscriptions will, at least for now, only be available on the desktop – i.e., via the Mac application from Setapp. This fits with the closure of the iOS store. It is an "update of the existing subscription models," according to MacPaw. They hope for an "improved experience" for users and developers – although at least the former are likely to be more satisfied with the cost-effective flat-rate model, for which Setapp has so far been known, in most cases.

MacPaw promises developers that the individual subscriptions will not incur additional costs. However, the company will only reveal more details in the spring. When asked if the change in the business model could lead to negative reactions from users, the answer was only: "These new features offer users diverse ways to access their preferred tools on Setapp."

Additional sales model

At least: MacPaw does not expect apps to switch from flat rate to individual subscriptions, which would likely disturb users the most. "These are additional models that are intended to complement our current offering, not replace it."

However, this does not seem completely ruled out. MacPaw did not want to confirm that a switch from flat to single is not possible at all and referred to the public announcement of the new model in the spring.

Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt

Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.

Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden

Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

(bsc)