Free, open-source, and subscription-free alternatives to popular Setapp apps for macOS.
SetAlt is curated, not exhaustive. Alternatives should replace the main use case of a Setapp app, not just share a feature or two.
| Symbol | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 | Open Source | Available under an open-source license |
| 🔵 | Free | Free to use, but not necessarily open source |
| 🟡 | One-time Purchase | Paid, but no recurring subscription required |
⭐ SetAlt Pick — Our default recommendation when there's more than one good option.
Note
Some apps fit more than one category. When comparable options exist, open source is preferred.
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dato | ⭐ Calendr | 🟢 | Calendar, reminders, meetings, and time zones from the menu bar |
| Dato | Today | 🔵 | Today's events. Nothing more. |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paste | ⭐ Maccy | 🟢 | Fast, keyboard-first clipboard history with previews and OCR |
| Paste | PastePal | 🟡 | More feature-heavy, with collections, previews, and iCloud sync |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartender | ⭐ Thaw | 🟢 | Active Ice fork with profiles, search, styling, and more customization |
| Bartender | Ice | 🟢 | The original project Thaw was forked from |
| Bartender | Hidden Bar | 🟢 | The simple option: hide and reveal menu bar items |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iStat Menus | ⭐ Stats | 🟢 | Menu bar monitoring for CPU, GPU, memory, disks, network, sensors, and more |
| CleanMyMac | ⭐ Mole | 🟢 | CLI toolkit for cleanup, app removal, disk analysis, optimization, and monitoring |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CleanShot X | ⭐ macshot | 🟢 | Screenshots and screen recording with annotations, OCR, scrolling capture, and redaction |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic | ⭐ Rectangle | 🟢 | Straightforward keyboard shortcuts and window snapping |
| Mosaic | AeroSpace | 🟢 | i3-inspired tiling with workspaces and keyboard-driven control |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downie | ⭐ yt-dlp | 🟢 | Command-line audio and video downloader with broad site support |
| Permute | HandBrake | 🟢 | The general-purpose option for video transcoding |
| Permute | LosslessCut | 🟢 | Lossless cutting, remuxing, and other media operations without unnecessary re-encoding |
| Permute | Gifski | 🟢 | Specifically for turning video into high-quality GIFs |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archiver | ⭐ Keka | 🔵 | Free direct download with broad format support, encryption, and Finder integration |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasks for Obsidian | ⭐ Obsidian Tasks | 🟢 | Vault-wide task management with queries, due dates, and recurring tasks |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keysmith | Hammerspoon | 🟢 | Scriptable macOS automation using Lua. Much less GUI, much more control. |
| Almighty | MacTools | 🟢 | Menu bar collection of macOS system tools and actions |
| Supercharge | MacTools | 🟢 | Covers a number of quick system actions and macOS tweaks |
| Setapp app | Alternative | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swish | Loop | 🟢 | Window management built around a radial menu and keyboard controls |
Good subscription-free alternatives are still missing for:
- AirBuddy
- CodeRunner
- HazeOver
- MarginNote
- MenubarX
- Paperman
- Tripsy
- Whisk
Found one? Open an issue or submit a pull request.
An alternative should cover the main use case of a Setapp app and be available without a recurring subscription.
We prefer apps that are:
- actively maintained
- native or well integrated with macOS
- clear about pricing and licensing
- open source, where a good open-source option exists
Alternatives don't need to be clones. A different approach is fine if it solves the same problem well.
- subscription-only apps
- abandoned projects
- libraries or frameworks that aren't usable apps
- apps with only a superficial overlap
- general Mac app recommendations without a Setapp counterpart
Found something missing, outdated, or just wrong? Issues and pull requests are welcome.
For new alternatives, tell us which Setapp app it replaces, link the project, and briefly explain why it belongs here.
See CONTRIBUTING.md for the details.
SetAlt is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Setapp or MacPaw.
Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Check an app's permissions, license, privacy practices, and source code where applicable before installing it.
The SetAlt collection and original documentation are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright © HerrTiSo.
This license applies only to original content created for SetAlt. Individual applications, project names, trademarks, and third-party content remain subject to their respective licenses and rights holders.