Ellane

Are your app subscriptions actually worth it? I'm auditing my use of Setapp and asking whether FOSS and one-time purchases can replace it. Suggestions welcome, but no Org, Emacs, or Terminal workflows please.

It's a pull between what I actually use, and how much I'd save if I used more of them! This is part 1: the evaluation. Conclusion coming next week. Poll in comments.

Medium members (with blog post link) https://miscellaneplans.medium.com/setapp-saved-me-from-myself-but-now-its-time-to-re-evaluate-d668d399f654
Blog https://ellanew.com/2026/03/23/ptpl-200-setapp-evaluation-part-1

#apps #Mac #MacOS #productivity

Setapp Saved Me From Myself, but Now It’s Time to Re-Evaluate

A quest for simpler, more independent tools

Medium
1:46amWeb
Show threadEllane7h ago

What do you think? Should I continue my Setapp subscription, or not?
https://ellanew.com/2026/03/23/ptpl-200-setapp-evaluation-part-1

#MacOS #apps

Yes! You know you want to
Sure, if you've got the $$, why not
No! Independence all the way
No idea
Poll ends at .
Show threadArnan6h ago
@ellane Less subscriptions for stuff you should own is always better…
Show threadEllane5h ago
@arnan I agree. Defining what fits into the “should own” category isn’t always easy, especially when the tool in question is subscription only and you haven’t found a comparable alternative.
Show threadArnan4h ago

@ellane Fair enough, still I'd argue that a subscription for software that sits offline, on your computer is ridiculous.

Cloud services and tools are a bit different since there is an ongoing cost. But even those, most of the time that's an pointless exercise as well. Especially if you don't use sync.

Show threadEllane4h ago
@arnan What alternatives do you suggest?
Show threadArnan1h ago

@ellane I don’t know what apps you use 😉 Medium won’t let me read the full thing either. But if you’re looking for alternatives for what you use now, just search for it.

I’m not very familiar with the apps setapp has, but since it’s a niche/small market and almost no developer will limit to that, I’m sure most of the stuff in it will be available elsewhere, with or without subscription.

Show threadEllane1h ago
@arnan There is a link to my blog to read for free in the first line of the Medium article. In the first post in this thread there is also a direct link to my blog, if you'd like to see the list of apps. Here it is again: https://ellanew.com/2026/03/23/ptpl-200-setapp-evaluation-part-1