Are the Apps from malupdaterosx.moe Free to Use?

Updated

No—not in the "free beer" sense. All programs from malupdaterosx.moe are open source, so you can redistribute, study, improve, and distribute modified copies of the code. But the site explicitly states the software is "not free as in beer": development relies on donations, and the project asks users to support it financially. The homepage lists no prices, subscription tiers, or payment plans, so there is no published cost to point to—only the donation model.

What "Open Source" Does and Doesn't Mean Here

The site separates two ideas that are easy to conflate:

  • Open source (freedom): You may redistribute the programs, study and improve the code, and distribute modified copies.
  • Free of charge (price): Not claimed. The developers describe donations as what allows them to keep developing the programs.

So the code is open, but the project's sustainability depends on contributions. If you plan to use the apps long-term, the site's own framing is that you should consider supporting development through its support page.

The Apps Covered by This Model

The same open-source-plus-donations approach applies across the product line:

App Platform What it does
Shukofukurou macOS Manage Kitsu and AniList lists, discover new titles
Shukofukurou iOS/iPadOS Manage Kitsu, AniList, and MyAnimeList lists, discover new titles
Hachidori macOS Automatically update your Kitsu, AniList, and MyAnimeList library based on what you watch
KaniManabu Apple ecosystem Japanese vocabulary and kanji study, positioned as an Anki alternative

The site describes the developer as building macOS and iOS applications since 2009.

What to Do If You Want to Use Them

  1. Pick the app matching your platform and list service (see table above).
  2. Get it from the official source—the site links to GitHub, which is consistent with the open-source claim.
  3. Check the support page for how donations work before committing to long-term use. The homepage says details are on the "support us" page but does not reproduce them.
  4. Use the Support Forums for bugs, feature suggestions, or questions.

Common Pitfall

Don't assume "open source" equals "no cost to you." The site's wording is deliberate: the freedom to modify and redistribute is granted, but the developers state plainly that donations fund continued work. If budget matters, read the support page first rather than inferring a price from the homepage—none is listed there.

Bottom Line

The apps are open source and freely modifiable, but the project does not present them as cost-free. There are no published prices; support is donation-based, and the site directs you to its support page for specifics. Decide based on whether you're willing to contribute to a donation-funded project, not on an assumption of zero cost.