Apple’s visionOS menu system — image credit: Apple
In its latest annual developer survey, Setapp reports that almost 50% of developers are uncertain about whether to support the Apple Vision Pro, but 60% are adding AI features.
In its 2023 survey, Setapp’s report by its parent company MacPaw claimed that nearly 50% of Mac developers were including AI in their apps. One year on, it says that 60% of developers surveyed are either actively working on AI — or have already implemented AI features.
In comparison, the Apple Vision Pro has had a more muted reception amongst developers. As well as almost half of all developers surveyed expressing doubts about supporting Apple Vision Pro, 35% specifically said they have no plans to do so.
“2024 was another year of significant changes in the world of macOS development,” lykola Savin, Director of Product Management at MacPaw, said of the full report. “Unsurprisingly, Al once again emerged as the dominant trend, and as Apple Intelligence continues to evolve in 2025, we expect even more developers to embrace these technologies.”
“At MacPaw, we’re closely monitoring these developments and incorporating them into our Setapp product strategy,” continued Savin. “As always, we’re excited to witness the innovations that 2025 will bring, and are proud to be a part of the vibrant Mac developer community.”
Setapp’s report also claims that 40% of developers have cited AI as having the most marked impact on their apps. That’s up from 31% in 2023.
There’s also been a significant change in how developers distribute their Mac apps. Now only 20% of those surveyed rely solely on the Mac App Store, while 44% said they were using multiple platforms, such as their own websites.
For these developers using multiple platforms, now 52% of their revenue comes from outside the Mac App Store. That’s up from 44% in 2023.
One such alternative platform is Setapp itself. Setappby MacPaw is a subscription service that provides the use of over 200 Mac apps, and in September 2024 it launched a beta version of an alternative app store for users in the EU.
