To me it seems like bloatware. It usually doesn't take long for apps on my Mac to update so it can just be done when I open them and a new update is available.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What's the appeal of apps like Macupdater to update all your Mac apps?
- Thread starter Oneechan69
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
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.
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.
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.
Last edited: