MacNative at a glance
- Listing price
- Free, paid upgradesFree review queue; Pro from $10 reviewed first
- Link
- Dofollow
- Captcha
- None
- Backlink or badge
- Not required
- Email confirmation
- Yes, by link or code
- Time to go live
- Review can take a little while because each submission is tested one at a time; Pro listings get priority and are reviewed first.
- Submit at
- macnative.io/submit
What MacNative is and who it's for
MacNative is a curated directory of native macOS apps, from menu bar utilities to developer tools and creative software. It lists 178 apps across 9 categories, each with screenshots, pricing, and a dofollow backlink. The site is hand-picked and every submission is tested by a human before approval.
Mac users looking for high-quality, native macOS apps that feel at home on the platform.
It lists
- Native macOS apps (Swift, SwiftUI, AppKit, Objective-C)
- Apps compiled to a native binary (Rust, C/C++, Go, Zig)
- Menu bar utilities
- Developer tools
- Productivity apps
- AI & automation apps
- Writing & documents apps
- Photo & video apps
It doesn't take
- Browser wrappers (Electron, NW.js, Tauri with only web UI, WKWebView)
- Low-effort AI-generated apps
- Cross-platform apps that ignore Mac conventions
- Thin wrappers and clones
- Abandoned or unavailable apps
- Misleading listings
How to submit to MacNative, step by step
Submit your app for free; it goes into the standard review queue and, if approved, gets a listing page with screenshots, a dofollow backlink, and basic analytics.
Create an account
Sign in to MacNative to submit an app.
Prepare your assets
Have a square icon, at least one real screenshot, and one honest sentence describing what the app does.
Fill out the submission form
Provide the app name, URL, description, category, pricing, and upload the icon and screenshots.
Submit for review
Submit the app. It enters the standard review queue unless you upgrade to Pro for priority review.
Wait for manual review
The MacNative team tests every submission by hand, one at a time. They may reply with questions.
Get listed
If approved, your app is added to the directory and you are notified. You can then upgrade to Pro or purchase an SEO article.
What the MacNative form asks for
| Field | Limits and format |
|---|---|
| App name | — |
| App URL | — |
| Description | One honest sentence on what the app does |
| Category | Select from the 9 categories |
| Pricing | Clear pricing information |
| Icon | Square icon required |
| Screenshots | At least one real screenshot required |
Our free preview drafts your name, tagline, short and long descriptions, categories and tags in the lengths directories like this one ask for. Try it with your URL.
MacNative pricing: free vs paid
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free per app, forever | Listing page with screenshots and gallery, dofollow backlink, basic analytics (daily views, website clicks, bookmarks), embeddable 'List on' badge, standard review queue |
| Pro | $19 per app / month | Everything in Free, highlighted on homepage and category pages, priority review, unlimited screenshots, Pro badge, newsletter promotion, social media shares, featured on GitHub's Awesome Native macOS Apps |
| SEO Article | $50 one-time | Custom-written article about your app published on MacNative's blog with a dofollow backlink; available for Free and Pro listings |
Why MacNative submissions get rejected or stall
- App is a browser wrapper (Electron, NW.js, Tauri with only web UI, WKWebView)
- App is low-effort AI-generated with broken layouts or placeholder copy
- App is a cross-platform port that ignores macOS conventions
- App is a thin wrapper or clone with no original value
- App is abandoned, has dead download links, or requires an ancient macOS
Tips for a listing that gets approved
- Emphasize what makes your app native: mention the language (Swift, Rust, etc.) and macOS-specific features like menu bar integration or keyboard shortcuts.
- Provide a square icon and real screenshots that show the app in action.
- If your app uses Electron or Tauri but has genuine native work, explain that in the submission to be considered case by case.
- Consider upgrading to Pro if you want faster review and featured placement.
Our take on MacNative
MacNative is ideal for developers of high-quality, native macOS apps who want a dofollow backlink and exposure to Mac enthusiasts. The review is strict but fair, and the free listing is genuinely free. Expect a wait for the standard queue, but Pro offers priority and extra visibility.
MacNative FAQ
How much does it cost to list my app on MacNative?
Free listings are free forever. Pro costs $19 per app per month. An SEO article add-on costs $50 one-time.
How long does review take?
Review can take a little while because each submission is tested by hand. Pro listings get priority and are reviewed first.
Does MacNative provide dofollow backlinks?
Yes, every listing includes a genuine, crawlable dofollow backlink to your site.
Do I need an account to submit?
Yes, you need to sign in to submit an app.
What are the requirements for submission?
You need a square icon, at least one real screenshot, and one honest sentence describing the app. The app must be native or compiled to a native binary, follow macOS conventions, solve a real problem, be actively maintained, and be honest about itself.
Checked against MacNative's own pages on Oct 24, 2026: macnative.io, macnative.io/submit, macnative.io/pricing, macnative.io/guidelines. Directories change their forms and prices; the submit page has the final word.
