Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Arc.dev VS Setapp

Compare Arc.dev VS Setapp and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Arc.dev logo Arc.dev

Arc is the remote career platform helping developers build amazing careers from anywhere. Find thousands of top remote developer jobs online all in one place!

Setapp logo Setapp

The one place for trusted apps. Hundreds of high-quality apps for your Mac and iPhone, including AI tools.
  • Arc.dev Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-07
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25

A unified marketplace for Mac and iPhone users to get hand-picked, trusted apps. Get over 260 apps for a flat fee with Setapp Membership, or purchase individual apps on flexible terms through Setapp Marketplace.

Arc.dev

Website
arc.dev
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

Setapp

Website
setapp.com
$ Details
paid Free Trial $14.99 / Monthly (1 Mac)
Release Date
2017 January

Arc.dev features and specs

  • Quality Talent
    Arc.dev screens and vets developers, ensuring high-quality talent is available for hire.
  • Remote Focused
    The platform is designed specifically for remote work, which is increasingly relevant in today's job market.
  • Flexible Hiring
    Arc.dev offers flexible hiring options, including full-time, part-time, and contract roles.
  • Global Reach
    Employers have access to a global pool of developers, providing a broader range of skills and expertise.
  • Hiring Assistance
    Arc.dev provides dedicated hiring consultants to help match employers with the right developers.
  • Community and Resources
    Developers have access to a supportive community and resources to help them grow their careers.

Possible disadvantages of Arc.dev

  • Cost
    Hiring through Arc.dev can be more expensive than other platforms, given the quality and vetting process involved.
  • Niche Market
    The platform primarily caters to tech and development roles, which may not be suitable for companies looking for a wider range of skill sets.
  • Vetting Process Delay
    The thorough vetting process can sometimes lead to delays in hiring, which may not suit urgent hiring needs.
  • Geographical Constraints
    While remote work is emphasized, certain employers might face challenges with time zone differences.
  • Platform Fee
    Arc.dev charges a platform fee, which might be a barrier for startups or small businesses with limited budgets.
  • Limited User Control
    Employers might find the process less flexible compared to directly hiring through other platforms, due to the involvement of hiring consultants.

Setapp features and specs

  • Diverse Application Library
    Setapp provides access to a wide range of high-quality Mac applications across different categories, all from a single subscription service.
  • Cost-Effective
    For a monthly fee, users gain access to multiple paid applications, which can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual app licenses.
  • Updates and Upgrades Included
    All apps within Setapp come with automatic updates and upgrades included in the subscription, ensuring users always have the latest features and security patches.
  • Easy Installation and Management
    The Setapp platform provides a user-friendly interface for browsing, installing, and managing applications, simplifying the overall user experience.
  • Free Trial Available
    Setapp offers a 7-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore and evaluate the service before committing to a subscription.

Analysis of Setapp

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Setapp is considered good for users who frequently use multiple Mac apps and value convenience and flexibility. It provides excellent value for money by offering a diverse selection of reliable and well-crafted applications. However, it might not be the best choice for those who only need a few specific applications or prefer to own their software outright.

Why this product is good

  • Setapp is a subscription-based service that provides access to a wide range of Mac applications for a single monthly fee. Users often find it beneficial because it offers a curated selection of high-quality apps without the need to purchase each one individually. It saves time and money for those who require multiple tools, ensuring they always have the latest versions without additional costs. Furthermore, it simplifies software management by centralizing the process of discovering, updating, and accessing various applications.

Recommended for

    Setapp is recommended for professionals, creatives, and productivity enthusiasts who use a variety of Mac applications regularly and appreciate the ease of access to a comprehensive software library without the hassle of individual purchases. It's also suitable for users who enjoy exploring new tools and apps to enhance their workflow.

Arc.dev videos

Remote Work For Developers | Why I Invested In Arc.Dev on Wefunder (YC Startup)

More videos:

  • Review - ARC.DEV (FKA CODEMENTORX) REVIEW: ALTERNATIVES AND COMPETITORS FOR 2020
  • Review - Arc 2.0 - The Easiest Way to Find Remote Developer Jobs | Arc.dev

Setapp videos

What's Setapp?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Arc.dev and Setapp)
Remote Jobs
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Job Boards
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Arc.dev and Setapp.

What's the story behind your product?

Setapp's answer:

Setapp was created in 2016 by MacPaw, the company behind apps such as CleanMyMac, ClearVPN, and more. The key idea behind Setapp was to give users a simple way to discover high-quality apps for Mac. Over the years, the catalog has grown to over 260 apps and now includes tools for Mac, iOS, and web. Setapp is localized in eight languages and has users all over the world. Here are the key dates:

November 2016: Setapp closed beta is launched for the press, opinion leaders, and influencers. December 6, 2016: Setapp Beta release. January 25, 2017: Setapp public release. August 6, 2020: Setapp let users install iOS apps. August 11, 2021: Setapp arrives on iPhone and iPad. March, 2026: Single app purchase via Setapp Marketplace is introduced. Now, Setapp includes 260+ apps, 50+ iOS apps, and about 10 web apps with more to come.

What makes your product unique?

Setapp's answer:

Setapp's key differentiators:

-Curation. Setapp is a curated platform with trusted, hand-picked apps โ€” not a place filled with self-submitted apps.

-Professional focus. Setapp includes apps aimed at improving productivity and workflows for professionals who rely on their Macs. Setapp users range from developers and marketers to educators, healthcare experts, logistics and retail professionals, and more.

-Flexible access. Users have two ways to get apps: a single-fee subscription to 260+ fully unlocked Mac, iOS, and web apps; or individual app purchases via Setapp Marketplace, for those who need just a few apps rather than the full catalog.

-Security. Setapp holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022, SOC 2, and GDPR certifications. Apps are not permitted to display ads or include hidden in-app purchases.

-AI access. AI+ plans give access to all popular LLM models โ€” GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok โ€” through a single gateway.

Setapp gives users apps they can count on. Itโ€™s not an endless store but a curated collection of apps worth usersโ€™ time and money.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Setapp's answer:

-Quality over volume. The catalog includes only hand-picked, trusted apps. When downloading an app from Setapp, users can be sure it is high quality and safe to use.

-Trusted apps, no fillers. Every app is Apple-notarized, ad-free, fully unlocked, and has no features locked behind additional paywalls. Getting apps through Setapp means avoiding malware and unpleasant surprises.

-Save costs. Setapp Membership offers access to over 260 apps for a flat fee โ€” no need to subscribe to multiple individual apps and juggle subscriptions. In Setapp Marketplace, users can purchase hand-picked, trusted apps individually, with no need to double-check quality or security.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Setapp's answer:

Setapp is actively used by professionals who rely heavily on their Macs and want to improve their workflows โ€” including developers, IT specialists, content creators, designers, marketers, writers, educators, students, and specialists in agriculture, logistics, retail, healthcare, and other fields.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Arc.dev and Setapp

Arc.dev Reviews

Comparing Andela, Turing, Toptal, Micro1, Arc.dev, and Wajusoft
When comparing these platforms, several key features stand out. Andela and Turing provide access to a large talent pool of vetted developers. Toptal, Arc.dev and micro1 offer specialized expertise and agile development practices, respectively. Wajusoft excels in flexibility in team scaling and tailored solutions.
Top 10 Websites to Find Remote Jobs
Who Should Sign UpโญArc caters to a wide range of experience levels. Newbies can benefit from career guidance and skill-building resources, while experienced developers will find a curated selection of high-quality remote positions from top companies.
Best Freelancer.com Alternatives For Hiring Developers
Arc.dev uses a strict vetting process like other top-rated online marketplaces. It utilizes various assessment tools to ensure its freelancers are of the highest quality. Unlike Freelancer, where you can hire freelancers for the long and short term, Arc.dev focuses on helping companies hire full-time and long-term remote-working developers. The platform ensures all parties...
Forget LinkedIn: The Top 10 Remote Work Alternatives for Landing Your Dream Tech Job Remotely
Arc: Leveraging AI, Arc is a global remote jobs marketplace connecting companies with talented software developers.
Source: dev.to

Setapp Reviews

We have no reviews of Setapp yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Arc.dev might be a bit more popular than Setapp. We know about 22 links to it since March 2021 and only 15 links to Setapp. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Arc.dev mentions (22)

  • Top 7 Remote Job Boards for Software Engineers (No "Fake Remote" BS)
    Arc flips the traditional job search model. Itโ€™s an exclusive network primarily aimed at senior developers. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Which Hiring Platforms Offer Risk-Free Trials for ReactJS Developers?
    Arc.dev offers companies both full-time and freelance recruiting options for qualified ReactJS engineers. They provide a two-week risk-free trial so businesses can evaluate the developer's abilities and suitability. Businesses can stop operating without incurring any costs if they are not happy. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Best Websites to Hire Remote Software Developers in USA
    Arc.dev Arc.dev specializes in connecting companies with remote developers, designers, and marketers. With a focus on quality, Arc.dev provides access to vetted candidates with domain expertise and English fluency. The platform's unique approach to candidate matching saves time and ensures you find the right fit quickly. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Just Moved to Vienna
    Hallo Leute aus ร–sterreich! I just made my move to Wien, finally. I am offering my Software Engineering Consulting Services and/or Digital Product Management services to anyone who wants to launch an MVP in the digital space in a short manner, or join/lead a small team. Enterprise-grade stuff (I am ex-IBM CIO), no shady businesses, US entity. My profile: https://arc.dev/@arpad Before going into the Software space... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • ๐Ÿ’ผ 50 Tips to Land a Remote Tech Job Based on My 45-Day Journey to 2 Offers
    To be honest, it's another rabbit hole. In my whole experience history with these job platforms, I can 100% backup G2i as I got a dream job there and Toptal, Lemon.io, Turing, and Arc.dev are fine but people have different opinions about them, sometimes they want to charge you a lot, sometimes there is a lack of jobs, etc. It's a thing to consider, but hear this out. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
View more

Setapp mentions (15)

  • Ask HN: How to Sell as a Software Engineer?
    > I've reached the conclusion that software quality and even price matters much less than distribution, especially now. I highly doubt that is true. We don't yet know how end-users will make purchasing decisions now that almost anyone can build something that "works". Taking AI out of the picture: you still need to define the target market segment before you build anything. You still need to find a way to... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Show HN: BoringBar โ€“ a taskbar-style dock replacement for macOS
    There could be 4x buyers at $10. Iโ€™d be one of the now, the dock is a constant annoyance. The app looks great, downloading the trial now. To the appโ€™s author Iโ€™d say get as many licensees as you can fast before youโ€™re Sherlocked or somebody vibecodes a clone out of โ€œwhy notโ€. I use many free and paid apps, little QoL types, like BetterDisplay, Coctail, etc and for me the included support is of little value. These... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Coders Coded Their Job Away. Why Are So Many of Them Happy About It?
    I used a bunch of tools from https://setapp.com/ and no longer subscribe. I used to pay for Linear for all my personal projects, built one with CC that perfectly fits my needsโ€ฆ I also built a myriad of small tools that help me automate bunch of busy work I used to do manually, both for professional and personal projects. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Italian Competition Authority Fines Apple $115M for Abusing Dominant Position
    > are there any real 3rd-party AppStores for iOS now "Always has been": Setapp. Very interesting model. Readily recommend devs subscribing to this collection, but non-devs as well if you're into "there's an app for that" and fatigued with IAP. https://setapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • The One Productivity Tool You Didn't Know You Can't Live Without
    I use Paste, a very feature rich clipboard manager for Mac with gorgeous UI. It's not free, but it comes along with a Setapp license that I got from work, so if you already have a license you can use it to install Paste. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Arc.dev and Setapp, you can also consider the following products

Flexiple - Flexiple helps companies work with top tech talent within 48 hours to 7 days. Our talent are handpicked through a rigorous screening process and are alumni from top tech companies such as Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, amongst others.

Konfigure - APARTMENTS | VILLA | WORKSPACE | RETAIL

Toptal - Hire the Top 3% of Freelance Talentยฎ. Toptal is an exclusive network of the top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers in the world.

Metavine Platform - Metavine Platform is a comprehensive Platform-as-a-Service that help businesses build agility and compete effectively in the digital world by enabling them to iterate and create apps quickly.

Upwork - Forget the old rules. You can have the best people. Right now. Right here.

QuickBase - Quickbase provides a no-code operational agility platform that enables organizations to improve operations through real time insights and automation across complex processes and disparate systems. โ€‹โ€‹