Software you buy once
A small, curated directory of apps with a real one-time or lifetime license — so you can skip the monthly subscription when you want to.
Notes & journals
Cross-platform and Apple notes apps with a lifetime Premium option.
Writing tools
Markdown editors, novel software, and readability tools sold once.
Mac utilities
Launchers, screenshots, window tools — pay once, keep working.
Why this exists
People keep asking for a list of apps that are not subscription-only. On X and Reddit, “where do I find buy-once apps?” shows up regularly. This site starts with a few verified listings and grows one useful page at a time.
How we label licenses
True forever Vendor states lifetime access and updates (or equivalent).
Major version Pay once for the current major version; future majors may cost extra.
Affiliate note: Listings are not affiliate links yet. Real programs that fit this niche include AppSumo (Impact), CleanMyMac / MacPaw (Impact), and HitPaw (Impact / ShareASale). We do not promise earnings.
Sources: Vendor pricing pages checked Nov 6, 2026 for Typora, Hemingway, Plottr, Alfred, CleanShot, BetterTouchTool, CleanMyMac, PopClip, DaisyDisk, and UpNote terms; remaining App Store listings still via ToolGPA (Oct 2026). Demand signals from X and Reddit.