AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 Reviews: 5 Mac & iOS Apps for $39 | But What’s The Catch?

If you’re a Mac user, you’ve probably felt the pain of “subscription creep.” You find an amazing app for screenshots, another for clipboard history, and another for writing… and suddenly you’re paying $20/month for small utilities. It’s frustrating.

That’s why the AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 is causing such a stir. It promises 5 premium Mac & iOS apps (worth $430) for a single $39 price. But is this “lifetime deal” too good to be true? In these in-depth AppSumo Bundle reviews, we’ll break down the $430 value and, most importantly, reveal the “catches” you must know before you buy.

My Quick Take for Mac Power Users

I think you’re here because you’re a Mac or iOS user who loves productivity apps but is tired of subscription fatigue. You saw this $39 bundle and thought, “What’s the catch?” Here’s my direct take.

• What is it? The AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 is a 1-year subscription to a curated collection of 5 premium Mac & iOS apps: CleanShot (screenshots), Paste (clipboard), Willow Voice (AI dictation), Roots (focus), and Paper (writing).
• The Big Catch: This is NOT a lifetime deal. It is a 1-YEAR subscription that requires a credit card and auto-renews at the full price (over $400/year). It is also 100% non-refundable.
• The Value: The $39 price is a 91% discount for the first year. The two best apps in the bundle, CleanShot ($96/yr) and Paste ($30/yr), would cost $126 alone.
• Who is it for? Any Mac/iOS user who wants to “test drive” a full suite of premium productivity tools for an incredibly low entry price.
• My Verdict: This is a fantastic deal IF you understand what you are buying. You are getting $126 of “must-have” software for $39, and getting three other apps (worth $304) for free for one year. It’s a 5-star “discounted trial.”

 

See the AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 Deal Now!

 

Now, let’s talk about the “death by a thousand subscriptions” problem. Mac users love beautifully designed, powerful, “indie” apps. It’s a core part of the Apple experience. But in 2025, every one of these apps has a monthly or annual fee. You’re paying for your screenshot tool, your clipboard manager, your to-do list, your note-taking app… it adds up to hundreds of dollars a year.

AppSumo is famous for its lifetime deals—the antidote to this exact problem. So, when this AppSumo Bundle (Volume 3) dropped, everyone got excited. But then we saw the fine print: “1-year access,” “auto-renews,” “non-refundable.”

This is where the skepticism kicks in. Is this a good deal or a trap?

My job in this review is to be your trusted guide. We’re going to break down the true value of all 5 apps and do the simple math to see if this $39 “non-lifetime” deal is still one of the best bargains on the internet for Mac users.

 

This is NOT a Lifetime Deal: The 3 Important Catches

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s be 100% transparent about what this deal is. This is not a typical AppSumo deal, and you must understand these three “catches” before you buy.

 

 

1. It is a 1-Year Subscription (Not Lifetime)

This is the most important part. You are paying $39 for 12 months of access to all five apps. After the 12 months are up, each tool will auto-renew at its full annual price (totaling $430) if you don’t cancel.

2. It is 100% Non-Refundable

Unlike AppSumo’s legendary 60-day money-back guarantee, this bundle is non-refundable. Once you buy it, it’s yours. This is why a review like this is so critical—you have to be sure it’s a good fit before you click “Buy Now.”

3. You Must Enter a Credit Card

To redeem your 1-year licenses for CleanShot, Paste, and Willow Voice, you will be required to enter a credit card on their sites. This is how they set up the auto-renewal. You can (and should) cancel these renewals immediately after you sign up if you don’t plan on keeping them.

So, is it a bad deal? Absolutely not. You just have to see it for what it is: a 91% discount for a one-year, risk-free trial of 5 premium apps.

 

What’s Inside the AppSumo Bundle? A 5-Tool Deep Dive

This is where the value becomes clear. Let’s break down each of the 5 apps in this bundle. I’ve used some of these for years, and a few are new to me.

 

 

Tool 1: CleanShot Review (The Screenshot Powerhouse)

• What it is: CleanShot is the ultimate, all-in-one screen capture tool for Mac. It completely replaces the built-in Cmd+Shift+4 function.
• Why it matters: It’s not just a screenshot tool; it’s a workflow. You can take a screenshot, and a small “overlay” window pops up. From there, you can instantly:
  • Annotate: Add arrows, text, blur, or highlights.
  • Record: Create a screen recording or a GIF.
  • Scrolling Capture: Take a screenshot of an entire, long webpage.
  • Cloud Share: Instantly upload it to your personal cloud and get a shareable link.
• Mini-Verdict: This tool is a 10/10 must-have. I’ve used it for years. It’s fast, powerful, and saves me at least 10 minutes every day. The 1-year Pro plan alone is $96, making it the anchor of this bundle.

Tool 2: Paste Review (The Clipboard You Didn’t Know You Needed)

• What it is: Paste is a “smart clipboard” manager for Mac and iOS. It gives your computer an “infinite” memory of everything you’ve ever copied.
• Why it matters: Your Mac’s default clipboard holds one item. Paste holds everything. You can copy a link, then an image, then a paragraph of text, and then use a simple hotkey (Cmd+Shift+V) to see a visual history of it all. You can search for a link you copied last week. It also lets you create “pinboards” of text snippets you use all the time (like brand hex codes or email templates) and syncs them all perfectly between your Mac and iPhone.
• Mini-Verdict: This is the second 10/10 must-have. Once you use it, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. The 1-year Personal plan is $30, and it’s worth every penny.

Tool 3: Willow Voice Review (The AI Dictation Tool)

• What it is: Willow Voice is an AI-powered dictation tool that transcribes your speech into text, in real-time, in any Mac app.
• Why it matters: It’s far more powerful than Apple’s built-in dictation. It features “smart memory” that learns your writing style, automatic punctuation, and custom vocabulary. You can just talk, and it will produce a clean, formatted block of text in your email, your notes app, or Google Docs.
• Mini-Verdict: This is the “high-potential” tool in the bundle. It’s a great way to “think out loud” and get your first drafts down fast. The 1-year Individual Plan is valued at $144.

Tool 4: Paper Review (The Distraction-Free Writer)

• What it is: Paper is an “ultra-minimalist” writing app for Mac. It’s designed for one thing: deep work.
• Why it matters: It removes all distractions. There are no complex toolbars, no settings, no notifications. It’s just a beautiful, paper-like writing space. It has features like “Typewriter Mode” (which keeps your cursor in the middle of the screen) and “Focus Mode” to help you get your thoughts down without distraction.
• Mini-Verdict: This is a “niche” tool, but a beautiful one. If you’re a writer, blogger, or student who gets distracted easily, this is a fantastic bonus. The 1-year Pro plan is valued at $100.

Tool 5: Roots Review (The iOS Focus App)

• What it is: Roots is a screen time and focus app for your iOS device (iPhone/iPad).
• Why it matters: It’s the “anti-social media” tool. It helps you build healthier digital habits by setting smart limits, blocking distracting apps (like TikTok or X), and using a “Monk Mode” to enforce your focus. It’s designed to help you reclaim your time.
• Mini-Verdict: This is the second “niche” tool. It’s a great “free add-on” if you’re trying to cut down on your phone use and be more productive. The 1-year Plus plan is valued at $60.

 

The Value: A Brutally Honest Breakdown

So, is the AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 worth $39? Let’s do the simple math.

This isn’t a “maybe” or a “depends.” The value is overwhelming.

Tool in Bundle	Normal 1-Year Price
CleanShot Pro	$96.00 / year
Paste Personal	$30.00 / year
Subtotal for just the 2 “Must-Haves”	$126.00 / year
Willow Voice Individual	$144.00 / year
Paper Pro	$100.00 / year
Roots Plus	$60.00 / year
Total Value	$430.00 / year

 

The Verdict is Clear:

You are paying $39 for a bundle of apps that would normally cost $430 for the year.

Even if you only use CleanShot and Paste, you are paying $39 for $126 worth of software. You are getting a 70% discount on the two best-in-class Mac apps, and you get the other three (worth $304) for absolutely free for one year.

 

See the AppSumo Bundle Deal Now!

 

Pros & Cons of This 1-Year Bundle

This is a high-value, but unusual, deal. Here is my honest, balanced look.

The Pros (What I Love)

• Insane Financial Value: This is the #1 pro. You are getting $430 worth of premium software for $39. The math is undeniable.
• Best-in-Class Apps: This isn’t a bundle of “junk” apps. CleanShot and Paste are two of the most-loved, 5-star, essential utilities in the entire Mac ecosystem.
• A Perfect “Premium Trial”: This is the cheapest way possible to “test drive” a full suite of productivity tools for an entire year.
• A Curated Workflow: The apps work beautifully together. You can use Willow Voice to dictate ideas into Paper, then use Paste to manage your research, and CleanShot to create the final images for your blog post.

The Cons (The “Catches” You Must Know)

• It is NON-REFUNDABLE: This is the biggest “con.” Unlike most AppSumo deals, you cannot get your $39 back if you change your mind.
• It is NOT a Lifetime Deal: This is a 1-year subscription. You must remember to cancel if you don’t want to be charged the full $430+ next year.
• It’s a “Limited-Time” Bundle: These special bundles sell out fast. AppSumo’s first bundle sold out in just five hours. The scarcity is real.

 

Best Use Cases for This Bundle

• For the Mac-Based Freelancer/Solopreneur: This is a no-brainer. This bundle will form the core of your daily productivity stack. You’ll use CleanShot for all your client communication, Paste to manage your snippets, Willow Voice to draft emails faster, and Paper to write your proposals.
• For the Content Creator: This is your new workflow. Brainstorm your blog post in Paper, use Willow Voice to dictate the first draft, use Paste to manage your research snippets, and use CleanShot to create all the beautiful, annotated screenshots for the final article.
• For any Mac User: Honestly, if you own a Mac, you should buy this. CleanShot and Paste are so good that they should be built into macOS. They are essential utilities, and this deal is the cheapest way to get them.

 

Get 5 Premium Mac Apps for $39 (91% Off) Now!

 

AppSumo Bundle vs The Competition

This is the most important part of this review. This $39 bundle is not just a random collection of apps; it’s a direct, strategic challenge to the expensive monthly subscriptions that dominate the Mac ecosystem.

The primary competitor is not a single app, but the “Netflix-for-apps” subscription, Setapp. But to see the true value, we also have to compare the individual “hero apps” in this bundle against their most famous (and expensive) rivals.

 

AppSumo Bundle vs Setapp

This is the main “bundle vs. bundle” showdown. Setapp is a fantastic service that gives you access to over 200+ premium Mac apps for a single, recurring monthly fee.

Where Setapp Takes the Lead

Setapp’s undisputed strength is its massive library. It’s a “power user’s” dream. If you are a developer, designer, or tinkerer who needs 15+ different niche tools (like a mind-mapper, a code editor, a menu bar organizer, and a system cleaner), Setapp’s value is incredible. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of high-quality software, and it even includes CleanShot and Paste as part of its library. If you are already paying for 4-5 different Mac apps, a Setapp subscription (at ~$120/year) can actually save you money.

Why the AppSumo Bundle Wins on Price & Focus

The AppSumo Bundle wins on price and curation. For 90% of users, Setapp’s 200+ apps are overwhelming and unnecessary. The AppSumo Bundle is not an all-you-can-eat buffet; it’s a 5-star, curated “tasting menu” of the most essential productivity apps.

Instead of paying $120 every year for Setapp, you pay $39 one time for a full year of access. This bundle is the perfect “starter pack.” It gives you the core, A+ apps you’ll actually use every day for 70% less than a Setapp subscription. It’s the perfect, low-cost way to get the core benefits of a premium Mac workflow.

 

CleanShot vs Snagit

This is the battle for “best screenshot tool.” Snagit has been the “enterprise champion” for decades, while CleanShot is the modern, faster challenger.

Where Snagit Takes the Lead

Snagit is a “heavy-duty” tool. Its primary strength is in creating detailed, step-by-step technical documentation. It has more complex annotation tools, “step” creators, and advanced features built for creating a training manual or a corporate SOP. It’s very powerful, but it also feels dated and is expensive (a single license is $62.99, plus an annual $12.75 “maintenance fee” to keep it updated).

Why CleanShot Wins on Workflow & Speed

CleanShot is built for the modern creative professional, and in my opinion, it is the clear winner. It’s not for writing a technical manual; it’s for sharing a beautiful, annotated idea with a client or teammate in seconds. Its workflow is 10x faster. You take a screenshot, the small overlay window pops up, you add an arrow or blur a section, and you can instantly get a shareable cloud link. The unlimited cloud storage included in this Pro plan is a massive value. CleanShot is faster, has a cleaner UI, and is a joy to use.

 

Paste vs Alfred / Raycast

This is a battle of “clipboard managers,” but it’s really a battle of different philosophies.

Where Alfred / Raycast Take the Lead

Alfred and Raycast are “launcher” apps. They are built for “keyboard-first” power users—developers, engineers, and hardcore techies. Their clipboard history is just one of 50+ features, which also include running scripts, launching apps, and managing your whole computer with code. They are incredibly powerful but also have a steep learning curve.

Why Paste Wins on Simplicity and Visuals

Paste is not a complex launcher; it is a dedicated, visual clipboard manager. Its strength is its beautiful and intuitive interface. When you use its hotkey, you don’t just see a text-based list; you see a rich, visual gallery of everything you’ve copied (images, links, text, code blocks). You can create “pinboards” of snippets you use all the time. For the 99% of visual users, Paste is a much faster, simpler, and more delightful way to find that link you copied “two days ago.” It does one job, and it does it perfectly.

 

Willow Voice vs Whisperflow

This is the AI dictation battle. Whisperflow and other “Whisper AI” wrappers are known for their raw transcription power.

Where Whisperflow Takes the Lead

Tools based on OpenAI’s Whisper model are fantastic at one thing: transcribing existing audio files with high accuracy. If you have a one-hour podcast recording, you can drop it into a Whisper-based tool and get a great transcript.

Why Willow Voice Wins on Real-Time Workflow

Willow Voice is designed for a different, more immediate purpose: to be your real-time writing partner. It’s not for transcribing old files; it’s for dictating new content. Its strength is its “smart memory,” “automatic punctuation,” and “adaptive formatting.” You just talk, and it writes a clean, formatted paragraph directly into your email, your Google Doc, or your Notes app. It’s a powerful tool for beating the “blank page” and getting your first drafts down 10x faster.

 

Roots vs Freedom

This is the “distraction blocker” showdown. Freedom is the most well-known and respected name in this space.

Where Freedom Takes the Lead

Freedom is a powerful, cross-platform tool that can block distracting websites and apps across all your devices (Mac, iPhone, Windows, and Android) at the same time. You can start a “focus session,” and it will lock you out of Twitter on both your computer and your phone. It’s a very robust and mature platform for enforcing digital discipline.

Why Roots Wins on Value and iOS Focus

Roots is specifically designed for iOS and has a modern, habit-building approach with features like the “Balance Score” and “Monk Mode.” Both are great tools, but the value proposition is the real differentiator. A Freedom subscription costs $39 per year by itself. With the AppSumo Bundle, you are getting Roots (valued at $60/year) for free as part of the $39 package. It’s an incredible add-on that makes the bundle’s value even more undeniable.

 

All Competitors at a Glance

Tool	Key Strength	Pricing Model	Best For
AppSumo Bundle Vol. 3	Curated Value (5 apps)	$39 / year (via AppSumo)	Smart Mac Users
Setapp	Massive Library (200+ apps)	$120 / year (Subscription)	App Power Users
Snagit	Enterprise Screenshots	$63 (One-time) + $13/yr	Corporate / Windows Users
Alfred Powerpack	Launcher + Clipboard	$40-70 (One-time)	Tech-Savvy “Keyboard-first” Users
Freedom	Distraction Blocker	$39 / year (Subscription)	Focus & Productivity

 

Is This $39 Bundle a Smart Business Investment?

Let’s break this down into the simplest math possible.

1. Do you take screenshots and share them with clients or teams?
2. Do you ever copy and paste more than one thing at a time?

If you answered “yes” to both, this is a must-buy. The CleanShot 1-year plan alone costs $96. The Paste 1-year plan costs $30. The total for just these two A+ tools is $126.

 

 

This AppSumo deal gives you both, plus three other apps, for $39.

You are getting $126 of essential software for 70% off. This isn’t a “deal”; it’s a steal. It’s an investment that will pay for itself in the first week, just in the amount of time and frustration you save.

 

How to Redeem the AppSumo Bundle

1. Go to the official AppSumo Bundle Volume 3 page.
2. Click “Buy Now” to purchase the $39 deal.
3. AppSumo will give you a single redemption page with 5 unique codes/links.
4. You must redeem these codes within 60 days of purchase.
5. CRITICAL: You will need to enter a credit card for CleanShot, Paste, and Willow Voice to activate them. If you don’t want to auto-renew after the year, simply cancel the subscriptions on their websites immediately after signing up.

 

Final Verdict: Is This $39 Non-Refundable Deal Worth the Risk?

After this deep dive, my final verdict is a resounding, 5-star yes.

This is a rare “curated bundle” from AppSumo, and they have knocked it out of the park. You have to be a smart consumer and understand the three “catches”: it’s a 1-year deal, it’s non-refundable, and it auto-renews.

 

 

But the risk is almost zero. The value is just too high. You are paying $39 for $126 worth of two of the most essential, 5-star, “must-have” apps in the entire Mac ecosystem (CleanShot and Paste).

You are essentially getting a 70% discount on those two apps, and then getting a $144 AI dictation tool, a $100 writing app, and a $60 focus app for free. For any Mac or iOS user, this is one of the highest-value deals on AppSumo.

Get Your AppSumo Bundle (Vol 3) Before It Sells Out!

Note: This is a limited-time bundle. AppSumo’s first bundle sold out in just five hours. If you are a Mac user, this is the deal to grab.

 

About the Author: Why I Care About This So Much

I’m a Mac user, and I’m a productivity nut. I’m also a cheapskate. I hate monthly subscriptions for small, simple utilities. For years, I’ve used 3-4 different free (and buggy) tools to do what CleanShot does in one click. I’ve lost countless important links because I copied something new to my clipboard.

This bundle solves all of those real, daily, annoying problems. It’s a suite of tools that makes your computer actually feel smarter and more powerful. Finding a 1-year bundle like this for 91% off is an amazing deal, but finding deals that replace my monthly bills forever is the real reason I love my job.

If you think this 1-year bundle is a great value, you should see the permanent solutions I’ve found. You can check them all out on my full AppSumo deal reviews page.

 

FAQ: Your AppSumo Bundle Questions, Answered

Is this a lifetime deal or a yearly subscription?

This bundle is a 1-year subscription to all five premium Mac apps, not a lifetime deal. After one year, you can choose to renew or cancel based on your needs.

Is the $39 AppSumo deal really worth it for one year?

Yes, absolutely. The normal 1-year price for just CleanShot and Paste is $126 — with this $39 bundle, you get those two plus three more apps, saving over 90%.

Will I be charged automatically after one year?

Yes. Each app requires a credit card during setup and will auto-renew at its full annual price (around $430 total) unless you cancel before the renewal date.

Can I buy only CleanShot or Paste separately in this deal?

No. This is a fixed bundle deal. You get all five apps together for the $39 price — they are not sold individually within this promotion.

Is this deal refundable under AppSumo’s policy?

No. This is one of the rare non-refundable deals on AppSumo, clearly stated in the terms due to the extremely deep discount.

Who can redeem this deal — new or existing users?

The offer applies to both new and existing users for CleanShot, Willow Voice, Roots, and Paper (excluding Pro plan users), but only to new users for Paste.

Which of the five apps are the most valuable in this bundle?

CleanShot and Paste are the top-rated apps in this bundle. CleanShot excels in screen capture and annotation, while Paste is an excellent clipboard manager that boosts productivity.

Are these apps compatible with iOS and macOS?

Yes, but with limitations. CleanShot, Willow Voice, and Paper are Mac-only; Roots is iOS-only; and Paste works on both Mac and iOS with cloud sync.

Do I need a specific macOS version for these tools?

Yes. Paper requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later. The others work smoothly on most recent macOS versions supported by Apple.

Is Willow Voice better than Apple's built-in dictation?

Yes. Willow Voice provides AI-based transcription with punctuation, learning your speech style for more accurate and natural dictation compared to Apple's basic feature.

What is a clipboard manager and why is it useful?

A clipboard manager like Paste keeps a history of everything you copy — text, images, and links — allowing quick access to your last 100+ copied items anytime.

How does CleanShot improve Mac's screenshot feature?

CleanShot goes beyond Mac’s default tool with scrolling screenshots, instant annotation, screen recording, and one-click cloud sharing for professional workflows.

How can I cancel my auto-renewal before the next billing cycle?

Simply log in to each app’s official website (CleanShot, Paste, etc.) and cancel your subscription under your account settings before the 1-year mark.

Why is this AppSumo Mac bundle non-refundable?

Because it’s a limited-time, 91% off bundle offered by third-party developers through AppSumo. At such deep discounts, refunds aren’t available for this specific deal.

Are yearly software bundles still worth buying over lifetime deals?

Yes, if the apps are premium and updated frequently. Even without a lifetime license, bundles like this let you test top-rated tools at a massive discount before committing long-term.