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MacID VS Setapp

Compare MacID VS Setapp and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

MacID logo MacID

Unlock your Mac with just your fingerprint, passcode, or wrist โ€“ without even unlocking your iOS...

Setapp logo Setapp

The one place for trusted apps. Hundreds of high-quality apps for your Mac and iPhone, including AI tools.
  • MacID Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • 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.

MacID

Website
macid.co
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

Setapp

Website
setapp.com
Pricing URL
Official Setapp Pricing
$ Details
paid Free Trial $14.99 / Monthly (1 Mac)
Release Date
2017 January
Edit details

MacID features and specs

  • Convenience
    MacID allows users to unlock their Mac computers using iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, providing quick and easy access without needing to type a password.
  • Security
    The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy for communication and supports Touch ID/Face ID, enhancing the security of unlocking your Mac.
  • Multi-feature
    Besides unlocking, MacID also lets users control music, send clipboard contents, and enable screen locking, adding versatile functionality.
  • Customizable
    MacID offers customization options like auto-lock, proximity wake, and theme settings which can be tailored to the userโ€™s preferences.
  • Battery-efficient
    Due to the use of Bluetooth Low Energy, MacID minimizes battery consumption on both iOS and macOS devices.

Possible disadvantages of MacID

  • Connectivity Issues
    Some users report intermittent connectivity problems due to Bluetooth dependencies, which can affect app performance.
  • Compatibility Limitations
    MacID requires relatively recent Apple hardware and operating systems; older devices may not support the necessary protocols.
  • Cost
    MacID is a paid application, which might be a consideration for users who are looking for a free alternative.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find it slightly challenging to navigate and set up initially due to the range of features and settings available.
  • Limited Platform Support
    MacID is designed exclusively for Apple ecosystems, excluding users with non-Apple hardware from utilizing its features.

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 MacID

Overall verdict

  • MacID is generally considered a good choice for Apple users looking for a seamless way to unlock their Mac and control certain features remotely. It is well-regarded for its reliability and integration within the Apple ecosystem.

Why this product is good

  • MacID provides a convenient and secure way to unlock your Mac through your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy to ensure a fast and reliable connection and supports various automation features that enhance the overall user experience. MacID is appreciated for its simplicity, ease of use, and the additional security it provides through two-factor authentication.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who want a quick and secure way to unlock their device.
  • Individuals who prefer using their mobile devices for enhanced control over their desktops.
  • Users who appreciate automation and seamless integration across their Apple devices.

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.

MacID videos

+ Add

MacID Review

More videos:

  • Review - DIGITALYCHEE REVIEW - MacID
  • Demo - macID demo

Setapp videos

+ Add

What's Setapp?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MacID and Setapp)

MacID

Setapp

iPhone
100 100%
iPhone
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
Project Management
100% 100
Code Collaboration
100 100%
Code Collaboration
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
Productivity
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing MacID 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

Share your experience with using MacID and Setapp. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Setapp seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 15 times since March 2021. 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.

MacID mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MacID yet. Tracking of MacID recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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 / 3 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 / 4 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
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing MacID and Setapp, you can also consider the following products

Konfigure - APARTMENTS | VILLA | WORKSPACE | RETAIL

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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.

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€‹

Code VAUCH - Code VAUCH is a powerful code generator tool that allows you to effortlessly create codes in order to meet your business needs.

Qalcwise - Make apps, not code

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