PPlatformAppStores

Setapp

General SaaS

MacPaw Inc. · General SaaS app marketplaces

Best for: Native Mac/iOS app developers wanting curated subscription distribution instead of one-off sales.

Overview

Setapp distributes native macOS and iOS apps under a single subscription rather than per-app purchases, curating a fixed catalog rather than an open self-serve marketplace. Developers apply for inclusion and are paid from a shared revenue pool based on usage, not direct app sales.

How to build & ship

  1. 1Integrate the Setapp Framework into your macOS (or iOS) app and configure the required bundle ID and Info.plist keys
  2. 2Notarize the macOS build and package it as a .zip (app in root or one nested directory)
  3. 3For iOS, register the app, embed the Setapp public key, and ship through the App Store with a matching in-app purchase
  4. 4Upload the build to the Setapp developer dashboard (manually or via the API / Fastlane plugin)
  5. 5Complete listing metadata: description, key benefits, screenshots, video, and support URLs
  6. 6Submit for review from the dashboard

Key APIs & SDKs

Setapp Framework (macOS/iOS)
Setapp Vendor API
Fastlane plugin
Setapp AI SDKs
Developer dashboard

Integration types

Embedded app

Authentication & security

  • Primary auth: None
  • Also supports: API key
  • Security review: Required
  • Curated inclusion review; Setapp evaluates app quality and category fit before onboarding.
  • Setapp curates and vets each app for quality, safety, and framework integration; the first submission gets a full manual review while later updates run an expedited minimum-checks review (no publicly fixed duration).
  • Not applicable — Setapp distributes native apps rather than API-integrated services.
Auth docs Store policies

Monetization

Revenue share
Onboarding
$0 to apply; curated acceptance
Commission
Revenue-share pool distributed by usage share, not a fixed per-sale cut
Merchant of Record
Setapp acts as MoR for all subscriptions

Pros & cons for builders

Pros

  • Subscription revenue-share model with no per-app pricing pressure
  • Curated catalog gives quality apps strong visibility
  • Handles distribution, licensing, and payments for you
  • Covers macOS, iOS, and web app entry points

Cons

  • Curated, invite/approval-gated — not open self-serve publishing
  • Requires adopting the Setapp Framework and its bundle/notarization rules
  • Revenue depends on Setapp's usage-based payout formula rather than direct pricing