Top software tools to update Mac apps in 2025

Did you know the average Mac user has about 51 apps installed, with up to 15 used daily? That number keeps climbing every year. Now, let’s be realistic – if even half of the apps push updates once a month, you’re staring at more than 25 updates to manage. Manually.

Then you postpone an update here, miss another there. But skipping turns into a triple loss: less secure, more glitches, and missing features. That’s why having a tool to update Mac apps makes sense. Instead of juggling updates one by one, you get a single solution that scans your device, spots outdated apps, and updates them for you.

Living in 2025 means you and I are lucky to have plenty of choices, which led me to make a list of the top Mac app updaters. In this paper, you’ll find the five best tools, a comparison of them, and a few tips on updating apps on Mac without additional software.

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Why do you need to update apps on a Mac?

Outdated apps aren’t just annoying with a lot of pop-ups. It’s like leaving the door half-open for bugs to slip in, for performance to drop, and for malware to sneak into your Mac. Here are more reasons to consider why updating apps is important:

• Improved performance. Keep your Mac running smoothly through updates that optimize app performance, prevent crashes or slowdowns, and increase stability.
• Optimized battery usage. Extend your MacBook’s battery life with app updates to reduce energy consumption.
• Reduced storage usage. Free up space on your Mac by accepting updates, as some of them shrink file sizes or clear redundant data.
• Enhanced security. Protect your Mac from hackers, malware, and cyber threats by staying updated, which blocks known security exploits targeting older versions.
• Preventative maintenance. Update apps regularly and avoid potential issues by addressing vulnerabilities or bugs early before they cause bigger problems.
• Access to new features. Get new functionalities and tools with updates improving user experience and productivity.

The way I tested updaters for Mac apps

In order for you to pick the right tool for updating Mac apps, I tried five well-known Mac app updaters on a MacBook Pro M1 2020 running on macOS Sequoia 15.5. I aimed to get you familiarized with what each tool feels like before installing it.

In my analysis, I paid attention to the following aspects:

• Price and trial options. How much it costs and if there’s a free trial to test.
• Scan speed. How fast the app detects outdated software.
• Updates found. How many apps each tool spotted as outdated.
• Ease of use. How many clicks it takes and how clear the interface is.
• Extra features. What else the tool can do, such as uninstall, clean, or protect a Mac.
• User experience. Whether the workflow feels smooth or cluttered.
• Target audience. Who this or that tool is for.

Comparison table of top Mac app updaters

	App Cleaner & Uninstaller	CleanMyMac	MacUpdater	MacKeeper	Latest
Price	$14.95/year	$40.20/year	$2.83/One-time*	$71.40/year	$0
Trial			(shows updates + updates up to 10 apps)		(the tool is free)
Scan speed	16 seconds	18 seconds	30 seconds	11 seconds	5 seconds
Apps found to update	10	6	13	7	7
Minimal clicks		More complex		More complex
Delete apps and residuals
Reset apps
Manage startup apps
Manage app extensions
Set default app to open files
Total	Affordable app manager, updater, and cleaner	System optimizer with app updates	Dedicated Mac app updater only	Security, cleaning, and updates	Free lightweight Mac app updater

*Officials say they will shut down the project on January 1, 2026.

App Cleaner & Uninstaller

	Subscription: $14.95/year
	Compatible with: macOS 10.13 or newer
	Support for languages: 9

App Cleaner & Uninstaller is more than just an updater; it’s an award-winning full app manager designed for efficient app management. It combines app updating, uninstalling, startup, and extension management in one. Recognized for its intuitive design, which stands for a balanced mix of key features that keep Mac clean, organized, and up to date.

It’s famous for the few-clicks way to update, manage, and uninstall applications on Mac. The flow is easy and the same for all actions. For example, updating an app takes you 4 steps:

1. Get and fire up App Cleaner & Uninstaller.
2. Switch to the Updates tab.
3. Select an app to be updated.
4. Click the Update button → finish your update.

While its core functionality is to delete applications along with remaining files, this tool has a nice KPI in updating and the capability to update all applications in one batch. It stands out by also allowing you to manage startup apps, extensions, and even set default apps for different file types. Simple, impressive, outcome-oriented.

Pros:

User-friendly interface

Helpful extra features - app and leftovers deletion, app reset, management, cache clearance, extensions removal

Affordable price

Cons:

Only a 2-day free trial

Update findings are good enough, but still a little less than MacUpdater

CleanMyMac

	Subscription: $40.20/year
	Compatible with: macOS 11 or newer
	Support for languages: 11

CleanMyMac is one of the most popular Mac optimization suites, with app updates being just one part of its toolbox. It’s designed to do a bit of everything: cleaning junk files, improving performance, protecting against malware, and more.

The tool spreads its features across eight tabs. And you have to scan each category. That makes it detailed, but not as effortless as tools built just for updates, which adds one more move to each feature flow. A cool thing I found about this tool is its skin.

The updater is part of a broader system optimizer. So, it’s not its strength. Beyond updates, it frees up RAM, deletes applications, and bundles it with junk cleaning, speed optimization, and malware removal. Holistic, complex, efficient.

Pros:

Good looking design

Rich in optimization, protection, and clearance utilities

Cons:

Pricey compared to others

Workflow can feel heavier – you often need to scan each section separately

The least number of apps found to update

MacUpdater

	Subscription: $2.83/One-time
	Compatible with: macOS 11 or newer
	Support for languages: 7

MacUpdater is the classic do-one-thing-and-do-it-well app: finding and installing updates. When I tested it, the app took the longest time but returned the largest number of updates. Plus, you don’t get distracted by extras; you get a full list of what needs refreshing.

The offer sounds attractive. The interface looks very stripped-down – one main window, the list of apps, installed and newest versions, and the progress bar. To be honest, it might be enough because you want to get the job done and don’t want it to be fancy.

The only bummer is, the developers have already announced the project will end on the 1st of January 2026. The clock is ticking, so if you’re after reliability without distractions, it is your buddy for the short term. After that, who knows: maybe they will keep it, or it will be a time to explore other options. Cost-effective, solid, basic.

Pros:

Affordable one-time purchase

Found more updates than any other tool

Easy to use

Cons:

The tool is scheduled to end on 01-01-26

Interface is pretty basic, nothing but updates

Scan duration is longer than others

MacKeeper

	Subscription: $71.40/year
	Compatible with: macOS 11 or newer
	Support for languages: 13

MacKeeper is like a Swiss army knife for your Mac – except it sometimes feels like it’s trying to pack in too many tools at once. Besides the updater, you’ll find antivirus, VPN, ad blocker, memory cleaning, duplicate finder, and more. It’s all there, in one big dashboard.

So, the fact that the user interface is quite busy caught my eye. Nevertheless, the app updater works reasonably well. It shines if you need more than just updating – a full-featured suite for Mac maintenance and security. And the price reflects that – it’s the highest.

Another concern is about the process, though. You have to start a new scan for each tab, which makes it harder, feels repetitive, and interrupts the flow of completing your tasks. Again, the set of functionality is impressive. Multifunctional, resource-intensive, costly.

Pros:

Fast scan speed

A bunch of functions like VPN, antivirus, ad blocker, duplicates finder, cleanup, uninstaller

Cons:

The most expensive tool

Very crowded interface with many tabs, some features feel overlapping

Heavier on CPU and memory use

Latest

	Subscription: $0
	Compatible with: macOS 10.15 or newer
	Support for languages: 34

Latest is the lightweight option. It’s totally free, minimal, and focuses only on updates. Open the tool, select an app, and click update. No pop-ups, no extra clutter, no distractions.

During my tests, the scan speed was lightning quick – the fastest of all five tools. But the number of apps found to be updated was in the middle. The control panel looks clean.

So, that simplicity is also its weakness. It won’t detect as many updates as the paid apps, and you won’t find any additional features like uninstalling or cleaning. But if you want something quick and simple without spending a dime, Latest delivers exactly that. Free, fast, elementary.

Pros:

100% free

Fastest scan

One simple window – no confusion

Cons:

No extra features

May miss updates compared to paid tools

Interface is barebones

Bonus: How to update apps on Mac without additional software

You don’t always need third-party tools to keep apps fresh. macOS itself gives you ways to handle updates. Some apps are tied to System Settings, some live in the App Store, and others have their own Check for Updates button built in. It’s a bit scattered, but it works if you prefer the native way.

How to check updates in System Settings

Before macOS Mojave (10.14) in 2018, software updates for the operating system were handled through the Mac App Store. In September 2018, with the release of macOS Mojave, Apple moved the software update back to where it was in earlier OS versions: System Settings.

In System Settings, you’ll only see updates for macOS itself and the built-in apps that ship with it. This includes Safari, Mail, Notes, FaceTime, Calendar, Contacts, and system frameworks that other apps rely on. Security patches also come through here. Here’s how to update this way:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Select General in the left sidebar → Software Update.
3. Click the button that shows up – it could be Check for Update, Update Now, Update Tonight, or Restart Now, depending on what’s ready.

How to check updates in the software menu

Some apps you install from the web have a built-in updater. You’ll usually find it in the menu bar.

1. Open the app you want to update.
2. In the menu bar, click App Name next to the Apple logo.
3. Select Check for Updates.
4. Follow the prompts to install the new version.

How to check updates using App Store

All apps you downloaded from the Mac App Store stay connected to it. Updates appear automatically, or you can install them on demand.

1. Launch the App Store.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID, if not.
3. Select Updates from the sidebar.
4. Click the Update button in the respective app to update individual apps one by one, or click Update All to cover them all in one shot.

Final update

So, you saw the spectrum – from free little helpers to heavy hitters that keep your entire system fresh. They all take the pain of updating apps manually away and deal with apps from the App Store and developer sites. But different tools, different vibes, you know.

Each tool plays its part in its own way.

To me, App Cleaner & Uninstaller must be the best balance. If you want one tool that updates, deletes, and keeps things tidy, this is the one I’d stick with. I love the results, the speed, and the four-click flow. You might love it too. Just don’t let those updates pile up – pick your right toolkit and keep your Mac sharp.