comparison · checked 28 October 2026
A MacUpdater alternative, with a maintained path forward.
MacUpdater 3.5 remains usable, but its developer ended active development and update verification. Compare the current options by maintenance, sources, safety checks and price.
Short answer: choose Current if you want one-click updates with four install checks, rollback, and both app and command-line tools in one place. Choose a free updater if its sources and workflow fit you already.
At a glance
| Product | Price | Sources / workflow | Maintenance & safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | $3 launch price, then $7.99 once | Sparkle, Electron, Homebrew, App Store; Homebrew and npm tools | Actively maintained. Four checks before install; can restore the previous app if the final check fails. macOS 15+, Intel and Apple silicon. |
| MacUpdater 3.5 | Free | Broad app catalog and optional backup feature | Developer says active development and verification ended Jan 1, 2026; database is expected to remain online through Dec 31, 2026. |
| Latest | Free, open source | Mac App Store and Sparkle apps | A lightweight alternative if those sources cover your apps. Check the project for current release activity. |
| Updatest | Core app free; optional Network is paid | Homebrew, Mac App Store, Sparkle, Electron and GitHub Releases | A broad free core app. Its optional paid Network feature shares app identifiers and installed versions when sharing is enabled. |
What “verified” means in Current
Current checks developer identity, Apple notarization and available feed signatures or checksums, macOS and processor compatibility, and whether the version is actually newer. It keeps the old app until the new copy passes its final check. These checks reduce risk; they cannot guarantee every third-party update is bug-free.
Which should you choose?
- Pick Current for a maintained one-time purchase, integrated CLI updates, explicit checks and a recovery path.
- Pick Latest for a free, open-source utility focused on Mac App Store and Sparkle apps.
- Pick Updatest if its wide source coverage and free workflow suit you.
- Keep MacUpdater 3.5 if it still works for you, while understanding its developer’s published maintenance timeline.
Sources: MacUpdater version history · MacUpdater FAQ · Latest on GitHub · Updatest · Updatest Network details.
Current is independent and is not affiliated with CoreCode, Latest, or Workbrew/Updatest. Comparison checked 28 October 2026; product features and pricing can change.