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What's the appeal of apps like Macupdater to update all your Mac apps?
- Thread starter Oneechan69
- Start date
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I find MacUpdater excellent for notifying me of updates which I then actually update by going to the app to download and install it. Much better than discovering next time you open the app that it has an update and being delayed or deferring it and forgetting. One of my favourite apps which I definitely don't regard as bloatware. It seems a very lightweight and well behaved app to me.
Believe it is a personal preference issue. Agree with previous post in that MacUpdater is not bloatware. Although I do not use it anymore before the App Store was fully developed I used it all the time. I prefer not to have automatic updated enabled as in some cases I do not want the update the apps. Two simple examples are PDF expert, and my 3rd party password manager both have new updates with some nice feature but they want to switch to a subscription model which I do not like.
It allows you to quickly see which Apps have new or upgraded versions and easily update them if you wish.
Every app you install, every company that has your personal information is a security risk and a stability risk. You simply never know when a bug or data breach is going to affect you. I understand that is an extreme way of looking at things but I feel that is where we are at these days.
Of course, an argument could be made that MacUpdater enhances security because it keeps your programs up to date. But so does leaving the program's automatic update feature enabled and that doesn't add expense or complication to your system.
It is definitely not bloatware, it is a program that tries to offer a convenient way to keep you software updated in as timely manner as possible. And while it does do that, IMHO, that benefit is so minor that it simply isn't worth spending money on (they do have a free version that you can try).
-kp
Of course, an argument could be made that MacUpdater enhances security because it keeps your programs up to date. But so does leaving the program's automatic update feature enabled and that doesn't add expense or complication to your system.
It is definitely not bloatware, it is a program that tries to offer a convenient way to keep you software updated in as timely manner as possible. And while it does do that, IMHO, that benefit is so minor that it simply isn't worth spending money on (they do have a free version that you can try).
-kp
I run it as soon as I have booted up.
When I am on my Mac, I am mainly working and normally stressed for a deadline.
Once I am in work mode, I don't want to open an app that states there is an update, and have to wait for it to update.
Obviously some apps may have an update during the day, but in that case, its likely only one. My thought process is less likely to be disturbed by running MacUpdater.
When I am on my Mac, I am mainly working and normally stressed for a deadline.
Once I am in work mode, I don't want to open an app that states there is an update, and have to wait for it to update.
Obviously some apps may have an update during the day, but in that case, its likely only one. My thought process is less likely to be disturbed by running MacUpdater.
I use a similar free app: Latest.
I don't use it often, but maybe once per month I'll run it because I have a bunch of apps that I don't use with any kind of frequency but I want to keep up with it. This allows me to update them all without launching any of them.
I don't use it often, but maybe once per month I'll run it because I have a bunch of apps that I don't use with any kind of frequency but I want to keep up with it. This allows me to update them all without launching any of them.
It's definitely NOT bloatware. It's a separate application that provides the convenience of keeping your apps up to date. I've been using to for about 4 or 5 years, and it's one of the first third party apps that I install on a new Mac.
I don't see ANY "appeal" in an app "to keep all my apps updated at once".
There are some applications that I don't want to be "updated".
I prefer to update things (including the OS) "manually". Thank you very much...
There are some applications that I don't want to be "updated".
I prefer to update things (including the OS) "manually". Thank you very much...
Disable automatic updates and update just the ones you want. I've updated everything so screenshot only shows upgrades.
So tell MacUpdater to ignore that app.
Certainly not bloatware. It is the only place you can discover the updates available for ALL your apps.
Apps like MacUpdater can be useful and convenient to be aware of app updates. But they don’t force you to automatically update and apps can be selected to be ignored.
Personally, I use it from time to time, particularly useful for apps that I don’t use so regularly. But when noting an update I am interested in, then I manually open the app to check for updates. My preference is to not have updates automatically made, neither by MacUpdater or even by App Store.
Personally, I use it from time to time, particularly useful for apps that I don’t use so regularly. But when noting an update I am interested in, then I manually open the app to check for updates. My preference is to not have updates automatically made, neither by MacUpdater or even by App Store.
I like MacUpdater. I have it running in the background but not in auto-update mode. I want to see what needs updating and why, so I can make my own decisions about what to update and when. I also have it set so it's menubar icon tells me how many need updating. That way I don't need to open it up unless I want to. I don't like that some apps don't tell you they need updating and I don't want to check that every time I open an app.
Having said that, the comments in this thread show diverse opinions on the matter. It's a good thing that the options in MacUpdater allow quite a few different ways of using it. The two main category's are simple: "Use It" and "Don't use it'. Each to one's own.
Having said that, the comments in this thread show diverse opinions on the matter. It's a good thing that the options in MacUpdater allow quite a few different ways of using it. The two main category's are simple: "Use It" and "Don't use it'. Each to one's own.
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I'm the same way. I like to upgdate application on my schedule not someone else's. I have MacUpdated configured to scan weekly which is a good pace for me. I also like the helpful notes and warning that some updates are actually paid upgrades. I have a few apps the advertise paid upgrades the same as free updates. I accidentally upgrade, then I have to downgrade manually to avoid having to pay for an unplanned expense.
So, instead of the application interrupting me to install an update, I interrupt it!
I have the free version of Macupdater installed, and run it every morning to check if there have been any app updates during the night (as I'm in Europe and many apps are on US time zones), and then I choose which ones I update (not through the app, but manually, or through the app store or app-specific updaters).
I feel like it saves me time and effort to spend five minutes every morning updating apps, rather than suddenly getting update notifications when I'm in the middle of my workflow. Works for me.
I feel like it saves me time and effort to spend five minutes every morning updating apps, rather than suddenly getting update notifications when I'm in the middle of my workflow. Works for me.
I have just downloaded Latest for my other half. She has an older Mac, Macupdater is dropping support for V2, and V3 won't work on her Mac, or my old iMac that I occasionally use. Latest works fine on those.
I have been using Latest alongside MacUpdater for a few months, and like it a lot. It has alerted me to some apps that MacUpdater has missed and has not missed any that MacUpdater reported. Simple and lightweight, manual scan only.
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I too am running both. Like you, Latest caught some MacUpdater missed. I will probably keep both, and make a donation to Latest.
MacUpdater user here, but have just had a look at Latest. Some comments:
Latest has much the nicer interface, but not as much functionally. Just as an example, Latest can only ignore an app or not - MacUpdater is finer grained including ignore for a time, or ignore until next version. Latest says it only supports apps from the MAS and those that use Sparkle. MacUpdater maintains a database of a larger range of apps - about 50% more of the apps on my Mac. And since it maintains a database, MacUpdater is also a discovery platform.
I will stay with MacUpdater, but am glad there is now some competition for MacUpdater.
I'm concerned about the future of MacUpdater. End of support for the current version is 1-1-2026 and they don't seem to be committed to a new version.
https://www.corecode.io/macupdater/faq.html#MU3SUPP
https://www.corecode.io/macupdater/faq.html#MU3SUPP
I agree, that's a concern.
Sounds like they could be looking for a buyer instead. Not every small developer wants to keep building and maintaining software long-term.
Hope it doesn't go the way of Bartender!
And in this case the costs associated with maintaining a server with an online database, and update tracking. Significantly more complex than Latest.
I too am worried about lack of commitment beyond 1/1/26.
When I saw this I assumed they had just forgotten to update a date in FAQ, but it really does look like they are dropping it. Disappointing and surprising to me.