MacUpdate

According to Inc. Magazine in 2009, MacUpdate (est. 2006) was the 114th fastest growing privately owned company in the USA. Inc magazine also listed it as the fastest growing company in Michigan and the fifth-fastest growing retail company in the United States. In 2010, the last year that data is publicly available for MacUpdate on that site, INC. Magazine had Macupdate listed as the 233rd.[1]

MacUpdate is updated daily, listing the newest updates and releases of Macintosh software for the Mac OS X operating systems. It does not list Microsoft Windows or Linux software, although it does list some software that has been ported from Linux and requires Apple's X11 environment.

The website is free to use with or without signup. A membership service is also available that offers users expanded services such as email notifications, watch lists, daily email newsletters, and the ability to rate and review software, and discounts on software sales through their MacUpdate Promo website.[2]

In 2007, MacUpdate launched the MacUpdate Promo website, which offers a Macintosh application (or bundle of applications) at a discount. MacUpdate Promo also sells software bundles three or four times a year, which include up to 10 or more Mac applications, usually at around 90% off normal price.

In July 2014 MacUpdate launched a new version of its MacUpdate Desktop application (Version 6) which enables members to automatically update any Macintosh-compatible software on their computer that is also tracked by MacUpdate. Programs not tracked by the MacUpdate website are not able to be updated. Version 6 of the software, however, has attracted complaint from customers regarding its efficacy and reliability.[3]

In addition, programs purchased through the Apple Store are, for the average user, incompatible with MacUpdate Desktop updates unless the program defaults to the Apple Store.

Nevertheless, MacUpdate has experienced a more than 50% rise in its Alexa Traffic rating [4] since its new partnership with AdRoll, a retargeting advertisement company, and the deployment of Version 6 of its MacUpdate Desktop application.

MacUpdate Desktop was a freemium app, giving users up to 5 free updates per month at no charge. Users requiring unlimited updates can do so at a further annual cost. MacUpdate also provides another paid membership option, which it calls promo membership, which provides unlimited Desktop downloads as well as additional promotional bundle incentives.

Starting with version 6.1.7 MacUpdate Desktop will not let users see updates or give you 5 free updates. They now have to pay $20 for a six month membership.

Software on MacUpdate is organized into 10 categories, each with additional sub-categories:

• Business
• Dashboard
• Development
• Drivers
• Education
• Games
• Home & Personal
• Internet
• Multimedia & Design
• Utilities

Additionally, software may be filtered by license:

• Free
• Shareware
• Demo
• Updater
• Commercial

• MacUpdate website