Compare
Greypaint and Floodtide, side by side.
Two newer Mac app updaters that read each app's own update source. Here is what each does well, so you can pick the one that fits.
$6.49 once after the trial · macOS 26 or later
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Each answer comes from the developer.
What they share
Two apps built on the same idea.
Where Floodtide is strong
What Floodtide does well.
Sources: bhopstudio.com/floodtide, changelog.
Where Greypaint is strong
What Greypaint adds.
Side by side
Floodtide and Greypaint.
| Floodtide | Greypaint | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99, £10.99 or €12.99 once, up to 3 Macs | $6.49 once, 14-day trial |
| Trial and refund | 14-day trial, 14-day refund | 14-day trial, 14-day refund |
| Needs | macOS 13 or later | macOS 26 or later |
| Update sources | Sparkle, Homebrew, GitHub Releases, Electron, signed catalog, Mac App Store | Sparkle, Electron feeds, Homebrew, GitHub Releases, Mac App Store |
| Mac App Store apps | Installs in the app, with exceptions | Shows them and opens the App Store page to update |
| Rollback | Backup and one-click undo, kept 3 days to 1 month | Previous version, optionally with settings |
| Developer tools | Homebrew formulae. npm, pnpm, uv: Not listed | Homebrew formulae, npm, pnpm, uv |
| Move to a new Mac | Not listed | Export and import file |
| Scheduling | Daily or weekly, per-app toggles, quiet hours | Hourly to daily, Autopilot, quiet hours, install on quit |
| Optional data sharing | Coverage sharing and usage analytics, both optional | Anonymous update results, optional |
| Source code | Not open source | Closed source |
| Developer | bhopstudio | Greypaint, a small indie team |
"Not listed" means the product's own pages don't mention it. Facts were taken from each product's own site on 10 October 2026, and may have changed since.
Which to pick
A short way to choose.
- Pick Floodtide if your Mac runs macOS 13, 14 or 15, or you want App Store updates installed inside the app.
- Pick Greypaint if your Mac runs macOS 26 or later and you want settings rollback, developer tools, move-to-a-new-Mac, and a public list of apps checked end to end.
- You can try both. Each has a 14-day trial.
Questions
Common questions
Is Greypaint cheaper than Floodtide?
Greypaint is $6.49 once. Floodtide is $14.99 (or £10.99 or €12.99) once and covers up to 3 Macs. Greypaint's license is for one person on the Macs they control.
Does Greypaint update Mac App Store apps?
It shows them and opens the App Store on that app's page, where you update it. Floodtide can install many App Store updates itself.
Can I run both?
Yes. Each has a 14-day trial, so you can compare what they find. Just don't let both install updates for the same app at the same time.
Does Greypaint run on macOS 13 or 14?
No. Greypaint needs macOS 26 or later. Floodtide lists macOS 13 or later.
Last checked 10 October 2026 · Written by the makers of Greypaint
Try Greypaint next to Floodtide for 14 days.
$6.49 once after the trial · macOS 26 or later
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