Compare

Greypaint and Updatest, side by side.

Updatest is free and Greypaint is a one-time purchase. Both read each app's own update source. Below is what each does well.

Download the 14-day trial

$6.49 once after the trial · macOS 15 or later

560 apps updated and checked so far. Check yours

Reading each app's own sourceexample

RectangleSparkle feedsame developer ✓
Podman DesktopGitHub releasesame developer ✓
DiscordHomebrewsame developer ✓
1PasswordHomebrewsame developer ✓
HandBrakeSparkle feedsame developer ✓

Every row is read from the app's own source.

What they share

What both do.

Update sourcesBoth read update sources directly: Sparkle, Electron, GitHub Releases, Homebrew and the App Store.

Price modelUpdatest joined Workbrew and is now free. Greypaint is a one-time purchase with a 14-day free trial.

App listsBoth keep the list of your apps on your Mac. Each has an optional way to share anonymous information, described below.

Where Updatest is strong

What Updatest does well.

FreeUpdatest joined Workbrew and is now free, so there is nothing to buy or trial.

Security details per appIt shows code signing, notarization and permissions for each app.

Homebrew adoptionA visual way to bring hand-installed apps under Homebrew, plus Homebrew formulae updates.

Updatest NetworkAn optional, community-based source.

Sources: updatest.app, pricing, privacy.

Where Greypaint is strong

What Greypaint does well.

Price$6.49 once for one person's Macs. Updatest is free.

Install checksGreypaint installs a new copy only if it comes from the same developer and macOS accepts it.

RollbackGreypaint keeps the previous version. You can put it back and bring its settings with it. Updatest's pages don't list rollback.

Developer toolsUpdatest updates Homebrew formulae. Greypaint also updates global npm, pnpm and uv packages in the same window.

Move to a new MacExport your apps, tools and Greypaint choices to one file. Each app installs from the same developer on the new Mac.

A public list of what worksgreypaint.app/apps lists 560 apps that were updated and checked end to end. Each has a "Not working?" button.

Side by side

Updatest and Greypaint.

	Updatest	Greypaint
Price	Free (joined Workbrew)	$6.49 once, 14-day trial
Trial and refund	Not needed, it's free	14-day trial, 14-day refund
Needs	macOS 15 or later	macOS 15 or later
Update sources	Homebrew, App Store, Sparkle, Electron, GitHub Releases, Updatest Network (optional)	Sparkle, Electron feeds, Homebrew, GitHub Releases, App Store
App Store apps	Listed as a source	Installs in the app (beta), with the App Store as a fallback
Developer tools	Homebrew formulae. npm, pnpm, uv: Not listed	Homebrew formulae, npm, pnpm, uv
Rollback	Not listed	Previous version, optionally with settings
Checks before install	Shows code signing and notarization details	Same developer and accepted by macOS, or it isn't installed
Move to a new Mac	Not listed	Export and import file
Optional data sharing	Updatest Network: bundle IDs, versions, hashed device ID	Anonymous update results: bundle ID, source, outcome, no app list
Source code	Not listed	Closed source

"Not listed" means the product's own pages don't mention it. Facts were taken from each product's own site on 10 October 2026, and may have changed since.

Which to pick

Choosing between them.

Pick Updatest if your Mac runs macOS 15, you want a free updater, or you like seeing security details for each app.
Pick Greypaint if you're on macOS 15 or later and want rollback, developer tools, an export for a new Mac, and the public list of checked apps.
Updatest is free and Greypaint has a 14-day trial, so you can test them side by side.

Questions

Common questions

Is Updatest free?

Yes. Updatest joined Workbrew and is now free. Greypaint is $6.49 once, with a 14-day trial.

Can I run Greypaint and Updatest together?

Yes. Updatest is free and Greypaint has a 14-day trial, so you can compare what they find. Let only one of them install the update for any given app.

Does Greypaint run on macOS 15?

Yes. Greypaint needs macOS 15 or later, the same as Updatest.

Will Greypaint update my apps?

Check greypaint.app/apps. It lists 560 apps that were updated and checked end to end. You can also scan your Mac during the trial.

Last checked 18 October 2026 · Written by the makers of Greypaint

Try Greypaint next to Updatest for 14 days.

Download the 14-day trial Check your apps

$6.49 once after the trial · macOS 15 or later

Other comparisons:Floodtide Latest MacUpdater Best Mac app updaters