A new survey by Torrentmac.net reveals that two-thirds of American Mac owners obtain software from sources beyond Apple’s official marketplace, with app unavailability, pricing, and developer trust cited as the primary drivers.
Torrentmac.net, a macOS software catalog focused on applications unavailable or paid in official sources, has published findings from a new study on Mac software installation habits among US users. The research reveals that 66% of American Mac owners install applications outside the Mac App Store, reflecting a widespread pattern of third-party software discovery across the United States.
According to the survey, 34% of Mac users rely exclusively on the Mac App Store, while 49% use a combination of the official store and external sources, and 17% obtain software exclusively from outside the App Store. Together, the latter two groups represent a clear majority of the Mac user base.
The most commonly cited reason for seeking software outside Apple’s official marketplace is straightforward: the apps users need simply are not available there. Some 43% of respondents pointed to unavailability as their primary motivation. Trust in specific developers or third-party websites ranked second at 36%, followed by broader software selection (32%) and greater control over subscriptions and billing (32%).
Pricing also plays a notable role — 30% of respondents reported finding better deals outside the Mac App Store. Meanwhile, 27% cited concerns about long-term access, specifically the risk that apps may be removed from the App Store or subject to policy changes that affect availability.
The data points to a meaningful divide by professional background. IT professionals represent 19% of users who install software outside the Mac App Store, compared to just 6% among those who use only the App Store. This suggests that users with deeper technical knowledge are significantly more likely to seek out alternative software sources, whether for access, flexibility, or cost reasons.
The study also examined the social media habits of users who obtain Mac software from external sources. Among this group, 97% use YouTube, 94% use Facebook, 92% use Instagram or Threads, and 86% use TikTok. These figures indicate that conversations about alternative Mac software sources are taking place on mainstream social platforms, not only in niche technical communities.
“Mac users in the US are clearly comfortable looking beyond the App Store when it comes to finding the software they need,” said Sirena MacKay, editor of Mac Torrent. “Whether it is a professional tool unavailable in the official store or a preference for direct developer pricing, the motivation is practical. Our platform exists to make that search easier and more organized.”
Torrentmac.net is a macOS software catalog that helps Mac users find and install applications that are unavailable or paid in official sources, offering a convenient and organized alternative for software discovery.
Business Name: Torrentmac.net
Contact Name: Sirena MacKay
Website: https://torrentmac.net
Country: United States
