Mac App Toolchains in 2025: Updates, Docks, and the Battle for Better Mac Experiences

Mac app toolchains in 2025 are getting smarter. The headline: Updatest stepping in to replace Caskly as the go-to for macOS updates ^[1].

Updatest is rebuilt from the ground up and now makes updates across Homebrew, the Mac App Store, and Sparkle its core. New users get a 14-day free trial, and licenses from Caskly carry over automatically so you don’t repurchase. It’s a separate download from Caskly and leans on trusted, community-vetted tools with normal macOS permissions for safety and reliability ^[1].

DeskSweep just leveled up with Destination Folder Monitoring. You can set a size limit for your destination folder, and if it grows too big the app nudges you by changing the menubar icon color. As Kristin M. put it: “Loving the functionality of the app and the 'set it and forget it' part” ^[2]. The App Store version remains a free trial, with ongoing guidance for smooth cleanup ^[2].

AppDeck 1.1.6 adds the ability to create new app decks. However, due to Apple’s copyright protections, AppDeck can’t release versions of macOS that have Launchpad; discussions hint at Sequoia compatibility as a path forward, while older builds pose UI hurdles ^[3].

DockFlow is flexing its muscles with an 800-user milestone and a 40% lifetime-license promo until November 4. The team is courting dock presets via dockshare.io, adds Shortcuts integration, and emphasizes compatibility with the default macOS dock rather than a total replacement—leaving room for discussions about DockDoor compatibility ^[4].

A related thread circles third-party dock options, weighing DockFlow against other tools and surfacing DockDoor compatibility debates ^[5].

Watching these moves, 2025 is shaping a more modular, dock-centric Mac experience.

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