Mac App Store AlternativesApp Stores and other similar apps like Mac App Store

Mac App Store is described as 'The Mac App Store is the best place to find apps for Mac. No more boxes, no more disks, no more time-consuming installation. Just like the App Store for iPhone and iPad, click once to download and install any app on your Mac' and is a App Store in the online services category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Mac App Store for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Web-based, Mac, Windows and Flathub apps. The best Mac App Store alternative is Steam, which is free. Other great apps like Mac App Store are Homebrew, Flatpak, Flathub and AppAgg.

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Mac App Store alternatives are mainly Package Managers but may also be Software Installers or App Stores.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Mac App Store.
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The Mac App Store is the best place to find apps for Mac. No more boxes, no more disks, no more time-consuming installation. Just like the App Store for iPhone and iPad, click once to download and install any app on your Mac.

More about Mac App Store
Mac App Store alternatives page was last updated Mar 23, 2024
  1. Steam icon
     2318 likes

    Steam provides a digital distribution platform for games with streaming, mod support, and multiplayer capabilities. Developed by Valve, it supports over 100 payment methods, includes Early Access, cloud sync, controller support for major brands, and offers an integrated gaming community.

    69 Steam alternatives
    Steam Store

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • SteamOS

    Top Steam Features

    1.  Game Launcher
    2.  Achievements Supported
    3.  Cloud Sync
    4.  Auto Update
    5.  Controller Support
    6.  Two-factor Authentication
    7.  Free to play
    8.  Application Launchers
    9.  VR support
    10.  Distributed marketplace
    11.  Community-based
    12.  Dark Mode
    Steam iconMac App Store Icon

    Steam VS Mac App Store

    Is Steam a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
    • Steam is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Mac App Store.

    • Steam is the most popular free alternative to Mac App Store.

    • Steam is Free and ProprietaryMac App Store is also Free and Proprietary
  2. Homebrew icon
     169 likes

    Homebrew is the easiest and most flexible way to install the UNIX tools Apple didn’t include with macOS. Also available for Linux.

    55 Homebrew alternatives
    Homebrew screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Package Installing
    2.  Command line interface
    3.  Package Manager
    4.  Software Installer
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    Homebrew iconMac App Store Icon

    Homebrew VS Mac App Store

    Is Homebrew a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
    • Most users think Homebrew is a great Mac App Store alternative.

    • Homebrew is the most popular Open Source alternative to Mac App Store.

    • Homebrew is Free and Open SourceMac App Store is Free and Proprietary
    • Homebrew is LightweightMac App Store is not according to our users
  3. Flatpak icon
     59 likes

    Distributing applications on Linux is a pain: different distributions in multiple versions, each with their own versions of libraries and packaging formats. Flatpak is here to change all that. It allows the same app to be installed on different Linux distributions, including...

    25 Flatpak alternatives
    Flatpak screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Flatpak Features

    1.  Multiple Repository Support
    2.  Package Installing
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Sandbox
    5.  App Distribution
    Flatpak iconMac App Store Icon

    Flatpak VS Mac App Store

    Is Flatpak a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  4. Flathub icon
     36 likes

    Flathub is the place to get and distribute apps for all of desktop Linux. It is powered by Flatpak, allowing Flathub apps to run on almost any Linux distribution.

    21 Flathub alternatives
    Flathub screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Flatpak
    2.  No registration required
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Dark Mode
    Flathub iconMac App Store Icon

    Flathub VS Mac App Store

    Is Flathub a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  5. AppAgg icon
     54 likes

    A web based Application Aggregator. Support all major platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo.

    72 AppAgg alternatives
    AppAgg screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Nintendo Switch Online
    • Playstation

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Full-Text Search
    2.  Discovery engine
    3.  Price Alerts
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Coding Required
    6.  No registration required
    7.  User Rating
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Portable
    10.  Discounts
    11.  App Reviews
    12.  Integrated Search
    AppAgg iconMac App Store Icon

    AppAgg VS Mac App Store

    Is AppAgg a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
    • AppAgg is the most popular SaaS alternative to Mac App Store.

    • AppAgg is Free and ProprietaryMac App Store is also Free and Proprietary
    • AppAgg is LightweightMac App Store is not according to our users
  6. Brewer X icon
     10 likes

    Brewer X is a refreshing user interface for Homebrew. Manage your apps, scripts, and fonts with ease and dive into the most comprehensive software library for macOS.

    14 Brewer X alternatives
    Install, upgrade, or uninstall anything in parallel with bulk actions

    License model

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Homebrew
    Brewer X iconMac App Store Icon

    Brewer X VS Mac App Store

    Is Brewer X a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
    • Brewer X is the most popular commercial alternative to Mac App Store.

    • Brewer X is Paid and ProprietaryMac App Store is Free and Proprietary
    • Brewer X is LightweightMac App Store is not according to our users
  7. GNOME Software icon
     34 likes

    Software lets you install and update applications and system extensions.

    61 GNOME Software alternatives
    Overview Page

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    • GNOME
    • Advanced Package Tool

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Access the AppStore
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Software Management
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    GNOME Software iconMac App Store Icon

    GNOME Software VS Mac App Store

    Is GNOME Software a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  8. Microsoft Store icon
     23 likes

    Find the apps, games, and shows you want, fast, in Microsoft Store, including your favorite mobile apps that now work on your PC.

    34 Microsoft Store alternatives
    Microsoft Store screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Microsoft Store Features

    1.  User Rating
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  AI-Powered
    4.  Auto Update
    5.  Software Management
    Microsoft Store iconMac App Store Icon

    Microsoft Store VS Mac App Store

    Is Microsoft Store a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  9. Warehouse icon
     8 likes

    Warehouse is a versatile toolbox for managing flatpak user data, viewing flatpak app info, and batch managing installed flatpaks.

    54 Warehouse alternatives
    Warehouse screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flatpak
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Software Management
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Flatpak
    7.  Dependency Tracking
    Warehouse iconMac App Store Icon

    Warehouse VS Mac App Store

    Is Warehouse a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  10. Nix Package Manager icon
     24 likes

    Nix is a powerful package manager for macOS, Linux and other Unix systems that makes package management reliable and reproducible. It provides atomic upgrades and rollbacks, side-by-side installation of multiple versions of a package, multi-user package management and easy setup...

    46 Nix Package Manager alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Package Manager
    2.  Command line interface
    3.  Portable
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    Nix Package Manager iconMac App Store Icon

    Nix Package Manager VS Mac App Store

    Is Nix Package Manager a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  11. Homebrew Cask icon
     36 likes

    Homebrew-cask provides a friendly homebrew-style CLI workflow for the administration of Mac applications distributed as binaries.

    It's implemented as a homebrew external command called cask.

    24 Homebrew Cask alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Homebrew

    Homebrew Cask Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Homebrew
    Homebrew Cask iconMac App Store Icon

    Homebrew Cask VS Mac App Store

    Is Homebrew Cask a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
  12. Npackd icon
     58 likes

    Npackd (pronounced "unpacked") is an application store/package manager/marketplace for applications for Windows. It helps you to find and install software, keep your system up-to-date and uninstall it if no longer necessary.

    38 Npackd alternatives
    Npackd screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Npackd iconMac App Store Icon

    Npackd VS Mac App Store

    Is Npackd a good alternative to Mac App Store?
     
12 of 38 Mac App Store alternatives