PaidUtilities
Alcove
Dynamic Island for your Mac
Independent→
Pricing · One-time purchase · 83 apps
Pay once. Keep the app.
Mac apps sold with an up-front license instead of a recurring software subscription.
One-time purchase Mac apps remain common among independent developers and focused utilities. You buy a license for the current version and keep using it without a recurring bill. Some developers charge separately for major future upgrades, while others include a period of updates—check the individual license before buying.
This page groups apps currently labeled Paid in the library. That label means an up-front purchase is available; it does not promise lifetime upgrades or cloud services forever. It is still the best place to start when you prefer software ownership and predictable costs over another monthly subscription.
Browse the list
83 apps to explore
Paid
PaidDeveloper Tools
BoltAI
The best AI client for Mac
Independent→
PaidMac app
Astro
App Store Optimization that actually grows your app
Independent→
PaidMac app
Screen Charm
Screen Recorder for Mac with Automatic Zoom
Independent→
PaidUtilities
Klack
Satisfying sound with every keystroke
Independent→
PaidMac app
SlapMac
Slap your MacBook. It screams back
Independent→
PaidProductivity
HoldSpeak
Type 3x faster with AI powered voice-to-text
Independent→
PaidUtilities
IdleMac
Your Mac Knows When You're Slacking
Independent→
PaidDeveloper Tools
LocalCan
Local domains and persistent Public URLs
Independent→
PaidMac app
Pimosa
Simple Video, Photo & Music Editing Tools in one app
Independent→
Design Tools
Acorn
Full-featured photo editor designed for humans
Independent→
PaidMac app
Splonk
Record vertical and screen videos with your iPhone camera on Mac
Independent→
Mac app
Airmail
Lightning fast mail client for Mac
Independent→
Utilities
Arq
Backup your files to cloud storage
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
Bartender
Organize your menu bar icons
Independent→
Mac app
BBEdit
Professional text and code editor
Independent→
Productivity
BetterTouchTool
Customize input devices on your Mac
Independent→
Utilities
Carbon Copy Cloner
Reliable Mac backup and cloning solution
Independent→
Mac app
Chronicle
Bill organizer and payment tracker
Independent→
Mac app
CleanShot X
Capture your Mac's screen like a pro
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
Commitments
Your tasks in menu bar
Independent→
Utilities
DaisyDisk
Analyze disk usage and free up space
Independent→
Utilities
Endurance
Extend your MacBook's battery life
Independent→
Window & File Management
ForkLift
Advanced dual-pane file manager and FTP client
Independent→
Mac app
DEVONthink
Document and information management
Independent→
Productivity
Due
Reminders with persistent alerts
Independent→
AI Apps
Fluent
Brings ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and hundreds of other AI models directly into your daily workflow. Smart Panel understands context, refines text, chats with documents.
Mac app→
Utilities
DisplayBuddy
Control the real brightness of monitors directly from Mac
Independent→
Window & File Management
Divvy
Window management at its finest
Independent→
Productivity
Focus
Block distracting websites and applications
Independent→
Mac app
Gifox
Delightful GIF recording and sharing
Independent→
Mac app
GitFox
Git client with a focus on simplicity
Independent→
Design Tools
IconJar
Icon management tool for designers
Independent→
AI Apps
Gist
Lives one shortcut away, letting you select anything on your screen and turn it into clear, useful action. No prompts, no tab-hopping, just fast, intelligent results.
Mac app→
Window & File Management
Hazel
Automated organization for your Mac
Independent→
Mac app
iA Writer
Focused writing app with beautiful typography
Independent→
Utilities
iStat Menus
Advanced Mac system monitor in your menu bar
Independent→
Productivity
Keyboard Maestro
Automate applications and websites
Independent→
Window & File Management
Magnet
Window manager that snaps windows into position
Independent→
Security & Privacy
Little Snitch
Monitor camera and microphone access
Independent→
Mac app
MailMate
Advanced IMAP email client with keyboard control
Independent→
Mac app
Marked 2
Markdown preview and conversion
Independent→
Mac app
Mimestream
Native Gmail client for macOS
Independent→
Mac app
MWeb
Pro Markdown writing and note-taking
Independent→
Window & File Management
Moom
Move and zoom windows with ease
Independent→
Media
Movist Pro
Powerful movie player for macOS
Independent→
Window & File Management
NameQuick
AI-powered file renaming using GPT, Gemini, or local LLMs
Independent→
Mac app
Notebooks
Write, organize, and manage information
Independent→
Mac app
Nova
Beautiful native code editor from Panic
Independent→
Productivity
OmniFocus
Professional-grade task management
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
Parall
Adds a menu bar icon for each isolated app instance, giving you quick, clutter-free access to multiple versions of the same app from the menu bar.
Mac app→
Window & File Management
Path Finder
Powerful Finder alternative
Independent→
Developer Tools
Paw
Advanced API tool for Mac
Independent→
Mac app
PDF Expert
Fast, robust PDF editor
Independent→
Mac app
PDFpenPro
Professional PDF editing for Mac
Independent→
Media
Permute
Easy-to-use media converter
Independent→
Design Tools
Pixave
Ultimate image organizer and viewer
Independent→
Design Tools
Pixelmator Pro
Powerful native image editor
Independent→
Developer Tools
Postico
Modern PostgreSQL client for macOS
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
QUICOPY
Trigger text snippets with global shortcuts, works instantly across apps, syncs via iCloud, keeps everything local with a clean, unobtrusive presence.
Mac app→
Mac app
ScreenFloat
Screenshot utility with floating thumbnails
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
Spencer
Saves and restores layouts across spaces and displays, launches apps, hides the rest, and switches profiles — all with a single click and zero setup.
Mac app→
Developer Tools
Seeports
Run local HTTP servers on macOS by dragging any folder to instantly serve files with automatic port assignment, multiple server management, logs, and directory listings.
Mac app→
Menu Bar Apps
Snaps of Apps
Save, launch, and restore complete Mac workspaces with one click. Remembers your window layouts across multiple displays.
Mac app→
Productivity
Snippety
Advanced snippets manager for macOS and iOS
Independent→
Window & File Management
Swish
Control windows with trackpad gestures
Independent→
Design Tools
Sip
Collect, organize and share colors
Independent→
Media
Sleeve
Beautiful now playing display for Apple Music
Independent→
Mac app
Soulver
Smart notepad calculator that understands plain English math
Independent→
Media
SoundSource
Superior sound control for macOS
Independent→
Mac app
Surge
Advanced network toolbox for Mac
Independent→
Productivity
TaskPaper
Plain text to-do lists
Independent→
Productivity
Things
Award-winning task manager
Independent→
Mac app
Tower
Powerful Git client for Mac
Independent→
Mac app
Typora
Minimal Markdown editor and reader
Independent→
Mac app
The Archive
Note-taking app for writers and researchers
Independent→
Menu Bar Apps
TypeShift
Clean, no-nonsense approach to text expansion, turning short abbreviations into emails, signatures, or dynamic snippets with macros, synced across Macs.
Mac app→
Menu Bar Apps
Unclutter
Files, notes, and clipboard manager in one
Independent→
Mac app
WiFi Explorer
Scan, monitor and troubleshoot wireless networks
Independent→
Window & File Management
Wins
Bring system-level window management features to macOS
Independent→
Window & File Management
WinsPilot
Notch-friendly window controls right in the Mac menu bar — multitasking feels faster, smoother, and oddly satisfying.
Mac app→
Menu Bar Apps
Workspace+
Capture your entire working setup and bring it back in seconds — open apps, files, window positions, browser tabs across multiple displays.
Mac app→
Design Tools
xScope
Measure, inspect, and test on-screen graphics
Independent→
Frequently asked questions
What does one-time purchase mean for a Mac app?
You pay once for a license to use the purchased version without recurring charges. The developer may include updates for a defined period or charge for a future major upgrade, so review the product's current license terms before buying.
Is a lifetime license the same as lifetime updates?
No. A lifetime license normally means the purchased version keeps working, while lifetime updates means future major releases are included. Many sustainable Mac developers sell a permanent license with optional paid upgrades later.
Are one-time purchase apps cheaper than subscriptions?
They usually cost less over several years if you keep using the same app, but subscriptions may include ongoing cloud services, collaboration, or frequent major releases. Compare the total cost with the features you actually depend on.
Keep exploring