Single-App Distribution overview

What is Single-App Distribution

Single-App Distribution is a new way to distribute and monetize your app on Setapp outside of the Setapp Membership model. It allows you to sell your app directly to users via the Setapp Marketplace while keeping Setapp Membership as a parallel option.

This model is designed to give developers more flexibility in how their apps are offered, priced, and scaled within the Setapp ecosystem.

With this model:

• Your app is available for direct purchase or individual subscription in the Setapp Marketplace
• Setapp handles billing, taxes, licensing, and first-line user support
• You receive revenue from each sale based on a fixed revenue share

Single-App Distribution complements — not replaces — Setapp Membership. You can continue participating in Membership while also offering your app as a standalone product.

Why we’re adding Single-App Distribution

We’re introducing Single-App Distribution to address two key needs: broader reach for developers and more flexible distribution options within Setapp.

Reach beyond Membership

Setapp already has a large and engaged audience across the MacPaw ecosystem. Single-App Distribution allows your app to reach these users through a direct purchase flow, without requiring a subscription commitment.

Scalable traffic across MacPaw properties

Setapp websites and landing pages generate consistent, high-intent traffic. Single-App Distribution creates a strong top-of-funnel for app discovery and direct sales at scale.

Fewer limitations on what can be distributed

Membership requires a balanced catalog and usage-based revenue sharing, which limits how many apps from a single app developer can be included.

With Single-App Distribution, you can also monetize apps that are:

• not part of Setapp Membership
• more niche or specialized
• better suited for direct purchase models

Launch timing and what’s supported first

Public release

• Target launch: early March 2026

Supported platforms (initial release)

• macOS desktop apps only

Support for iOS and web apps is planned for later in 2026.

Supported purchase options

At launch, Single-App Distribution supports:

• Subscriptions:
  • Monthly
  • 3-month
  • Annual
• One-time purchases

Eligibility criteria for the first release

For the initial onboarding wave, the following criteria apply.

Developer geography

• Vendors based in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United States

We plan to expand to additional regions in future phases.

App catalog requirements

• For the first release, your app must already be part of the Setapp Membership catalog

If you have apps that are not included in Membership, please still let us know —
distribution of outside-membership apps is planned for Q2 2026.

Platform requirements

• macOS desktop apps only

What’s next

If you’re interested in participating in Single-App Distribution or want to learn more about onboarding and requirements, reach out to us at:

[email protected]

We’re excited to help you expand beyond Membership and explore a more flexible, direct app distribution model within Setapp.