{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreialvtdlonrhhb5nnlj3l7oh64igplb6kn2bfrw23mza2m3djuhgri",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ircis5cmp6zyi7m3h45h6rfq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhos7xbpv542"
  },
  "path": "/2026/03/23/ptpl-200-setapp-evaluation-part-1",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-22T13:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://ellanew.com",
  "tags": [
    "Recently",
    "this advice",
    "Setapp used to be up-front and centre for me",
    "shiny app syndrome",
    "Monarch’s FAQ",
    "this link",
    "Mastodon",
    "Bluesky",
    "RSS feed",
    "sign up"
  ],
  "textContent": "## A quest for simpler, more independent tools\n\nRecently I talked about the importance of owning your work, not just the app you used to create it. Another side of that idea is nicely put in this advice from Trevor Flowers —\n\n> The best advice I have for new nerds: Refuse to pay rent.\n>\n> Don’t subscribe. Don’t lease. Don’t use their cloud. Don’t slip down the freemium slope. Don’t create accounts on their services.\n>\n> Buy it once. Run it local. Avoid commercial software.\n>\n> It’ll be a huge pain and you’ll be an outsider but it’ll be endless, interesting, and hard fun that’ll pay you back with a curious mind and an understanding of the fabric of our intellectual infrastructure that will make you light-years more capable, useful, and healthy than the “AI” zombies.\n\nI’m all for that philosophy, even though I’m not yet ready to get that techie, or to stop paying rent for apps like Dropbox, Drafts, and BackBlaze.\n\nSetapp used to be up-front and centre for me on that list, too.\n\nIt’s no exaggeration to say that Setapp helped to save me from shiny app syndrome. Sounds odd, I know! My theory is that having 200+ apps at hand had a homeopathic effect, allowing me to relax in the abundance rather than constantly chase the next tool for my kit. When you have them, you have them; the thrill of the chase disappears.\n\nBut something has shifted.\n\nMy needs have simplified. My interests have moved away from constantly wanting to do things that work just fine, a little better. These days I find more comfort in settling in with tools that do the job while allowing me to be independent in my use of them.\n\nThis kind of independence looks like choosing the free, open source (FOSS) tool over the subscription version, or choosing to be content with the tools we all have access to (like basic text editors).\n\nSo it’s time for a Setapp evaluation. What tools do I use the most, and are there FOSS or one-time purchase tools that do those jobs just as well for my needs? For example, Setapp promoted _Monarch_ this week, which appears to do what the free version of Raycast has been doing for years. Why would I even consider it? In my opinion, the answer to that question should be in Monarch’s FAQ.\n\nSetapp apps I currently have installed, in order of how much I use them:\n\n  * Paste\n  * Hookmark\n  * Popclip\n  * CleanShot X\n  * Typeface\n  * PDF Squeezer\n  * Squash\n  * CleanMyMac\n  * Due\n  * Mindnode Classic\n  * Downie\n  * TaskPaper - not currently used, but I like having access to it\n  * ~~Bartender~~ - replaced by Ice\n  * ~~AlDente~~ - free version is enough for me\n\n\n\n_Note: I am profoundly uninterested in AI SaaS apps, from Setapp or elsewhere._\n\nI’ve prepared a spreadsheet to evaluate the apps on that list, with considerations including price per month, one-off cost, comparable free versions, and how vital it is to my workflow. But the full evaluation will need to wait, as right now the privilege of active grandparenting is where my time and attention is needed. Stay tuned!\n\nAnd if you think of anything for me to keep in mind as I look at the economics of my Setapp situation, including suggestions for comparable low-tech alternatives (**no** Terminal, Org or Emacs please), do send me a message via email or on Mastodon (see below).\n\n* * *\n\nIf you are thinking of trying out Setapp for yourself, this link (with the code ELLANE) will give you a full 30-day trial instead of the usual 7 days. Signing up via my link will give me a commission at no extra cost to you. (Commission or no commission, I won’t continue with it unless the evaluation indicates it’s worthwhile for my situation and inclinations.)\n\n* * *\n\n_💬 I love to hear from readers! email hello at ellanew dot com or message me on Mastodon or Bluesky. Follow my RSS feed, or sign up to receive a weekly plain text themed email._\n\nIf you’ve found value here I invite you to share this post with someone you think will appreciate it, or make a contribution to my support jar.",
  "title": "PTPL 200 · Setapp Saved Me From Myself, but Now It’s Time to Re-Evaluate"
}