We stand with Ukraine to help keep people safe. Join us
All Apps
Best AppsReviewsComparisonsHow-To
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

Sparkle for Mac

Gives developers instant self-update functionality.

Free
In English
Version 1.26.0
4.3
Based on 6 user rates

Sparkle overview

Sparkle is a module that developers can stick in their Cocoa applications (five-step install!) to get instant self-update functionality. By that, I mean that your app will be able to update itself, not just check for new versions: it'll read the update information from an appcast on your server, download, extract, install, restart, and even offer to show the users release notes before they decide if they want to update.

It's free, it's easy, and it'll make using a Mac better for everyone, so go for it! Make sure to visit Sparkle's homepage to see a video of it in action.

Features
  • True self-updating - no action required from the user.
  • Supports appcasts for release information. Appcasts are cool.
  • Extracts updates from .tar, .tbz, and .tgz archives.
  • Displays a detailed status window to the user.
  • Can display release notes to the user before updating.
  • Seamless app integration - there's no mention of Sparkle anywhere; your app's name and icon are inserted everywhere automatically.
  • Really, really easy to install.
  • You don't have to put any glue code for Sparkle anywhere in your project (it's all through IB), so it's trivial to upgrade or remove the module.
  • (Should be) good about error handling in bad conditions.

What’s new in version 1.26.0

Version 1.26.0:
  • Flat package support from
  • Correct generate_appcast -s command line argument usage help
  • Fix -f command line argument handling
  • Fix progress for guided pkg install
  • Fix XQuartz update failing because NSLog caused issues
  • Update localization
  • Various fixes to SPM logic

Sparkle for Mac

Free
In English
Version 1.26.0
Write a detailed review about Sparkle

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
4.3

(13 Reviews of Sparkle)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

Ean
Ean
Apr 2 2017
1.17.0
0.0
Apr 2 2017
0.0
Version: 1.17.0
A pretty great framework which, unfortunately, is being confused with another Sparkle--a WYSIWYG website design app which is also pretty great. This Sparkle, the framework, has been around for at least ten years The younger, web development Sparkle.has slightly changed its name with "One" and "Pro" suffixes but it is meager disambiguation. We are now doomed to have cross-posting at MU (and elsewhere) until the end of time. At least both Sparkles are worthy of attention; it could be worse.
Cjbolland
Cjbolland
Jun 16 2016
1.13.1
0.0
Jun 16 2016
0.0
Version: 1.13.1
WTF .. macOS 10.12 has a new security added that disables you to down load apps in zip or other compressed format. This makes things like Sparkle not working anymore. In other words, all apps that are using Sparkle cannot auto update anymore. Damn...
Monkeyjunkey
Monkeyjunkey
Aug 25 2014
1.8.0
5.0
Aug 25 2014
5.0
Version: 1.8.0
Great to see movement on this. Without sparkle OSX world would have a problem. Very thankful for this tool. Let's me avoid using the flawed MAS. Thanks Andy for inventing Sparkle and Jake and other contributors for picking up development!
Tapper
Tapper
Jun 17 2009
1.5b5
0.0
Jun 17 2009
0.0
Version: 1.5b5
THis is my favorite Mac updater. I hope more developers use it. Very clear and intuituve.
Tony-Arnold
Tony-Arnold
Aug 14 2008
1.5b5
5.0
Aug 14 2008
5.0
Version: 1.5b5
Sparkle is indispensable if you're a small developer. Until Apple releases something that handles what Sparkle does at an operating system level I'll be including the Sparkle framework in all of my apps. Absolutely brilliant, Andy - keep up the great work!
Serbian
Serbian
Jan 31 2016
5.0
Jan 31 2016
5.0
Version: null
Monkeyjunkey
Monkeyjunkey
Aug 25 2014
5.0
Aug 25 2014
5.0
Version: null
Tony-Arnold
Tony-Arnold
Aug 14 2008
5.0
Aug 14 2008
5.0
Version: null
Borlox
Borlox
Jul 26 2008
1.0
Jul 26 2008
1.0
Version: null
anonymous-python-5399
Jun 2 2008
5.0
Version: null
Billy-Ray-Valentine
Billy-Ray-Valentine
Jan 26 2006
4.5
Jan 26 2006
4.5
Version: null