App Update Monitor checks all installed Mac applications for available updates, covering apps distributed outside the Mac App Store. It detects new versions from Sparkle (the most common update framework used by independent Mac developers), Electron’s built-in updater, Squirrel, GitHub Releases, and Homebrew casks. This addresses the gap left by the Mac App Store’s built-in update mechanism, which does not track standalone downloads. (Free)
The app runs from the menu bar and performs scans on demand or on a configured schedule without interrupting active work. When updates are found, a badge on the menu bar icon indicates the count of available updates, and the dropdown lists each app with its current version and available version. Users can open the app’s update page or trigger the update from within App Update Monitor, depending on how the developer distributes updates.
Resource usage remains low during idle periods. Scans execute in the background, with no foreground windows required. The app does not attempt to update software automatically without user confirmation, keeping the user in control of when changes are applied.
System requirements: macOS version not specified. Available as a free download from MacUpdate.
Pricing: (Free)
Limitations: Detection accuracy depends on whether each app implements a supported update mechanism; apps using proprietary or undocumented update systems may not appear in scan results. The app cannot update Mac App Store purchases, which are managed by the App Store directly. Some apps that bundle their own updaters (such as browsers) may show redundant information alongside the app’s built-in update notifications.
Alternatives: MacUpdater (by CoreCode) provides similar multi-source update detection with a more feature-rich interface. Latest (open-source, free) checks for updates via Sparkle and GitHub. The built-in Software Update system in macOS handles system updates and App Store apps, but does not cover third-party standalone applications.
Suitable for users who maintain a significant number of standalone Mac applications installed outside the App Store and want a single interface to check for updates rather than relying on each app’s individual notification system.
