Dropzone
Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar
What is Dropzone?
Dropzone is a Mac menu bar app from Aptonic built around drag and drop. Dragging a file brings up a grid of actions at the top of the screen that can move or copy it, open it in an app, send it by AirDrop or upload it to services such as Imgur, Amazon S3 or an SFTP server, and a Drop Bar holds files temporarily. Dropzone 5 is a free download with a paid Pro tier, sold as a lifetime license or, on the Mac App Store, also as a subscription. It is on Setapp too.
Dropzone has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who move, copy and upload files by drag and drop all day
- People who want a temporary shelf for files while switching apps
- Scripters who want to write their own drop actions in Ruby or Python
Worth knowing
- macOS only; Dropzone 5 requires macOS 13 or later.
- Amazon S3 and SFTP uploads, add-on actions, action keyboard shortcuts and unlimited grids are Pro features.
- On the Mac App Store, Pro is a subscription unless you buy the $34.99 lifetime unlock, and Pro features stop when a subscription ends.
- Dropzone 5 Pro is a paid upgrade for Dropzone 4 owners, at up to 50% off with a Dropzone 4 serial number.
Key features
- Action grid
- Dragging a file makes Dropzone appear at the top of the screen; dropping it on an action moves, copies, shares or uploads it. The grid also opens from the menu bar item.
- Drop Bar
- A temporary holding place for files: drag items on, then drag them off into another app or onto an action. Pro can detach it into a floating window and name its stacks.
- Multiple grids
- Actions can be arranged in several grids and switched between, with adjustable columns and grid size. Adding unlimited grids and categories is listed as a Pro feature.
- Sharing and uploads
- Built-in actions send files by AirDrop, upload images to Imgur for a shareable link and shorten URLs with TinyURL. Amazon S3 and SFTP uploading need Pro.
- Add-on actions
- A library of add-on actions installs from inside the app, and new actions can be written in Ruby or Python. Installing or developing add-ons is listed as a Pro feature.
- Keyboard and terminal control
- F3 or a custom shortcut opens the grid from any application, and the dz command-line tool runs actions, adds files to Drop Bar and switches grids.
Dropzone pricing
- Starts at
- $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct
- Free plan
- Free download with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions for opening apps and moving or copying files. The vendor lists Amazon S3, SFTP, add-on actions, unlimited grids and more as Pro features.
- Free trial
- 14-day trial of the Pro features; the Mac App Store subscription also starts with a 14-day free trial
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dropzone 5 (free) | $0 | Free download from aptonic.com or the Mac App Store with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions. |
| Dropzone 5 Pro Monthly | $4.99per month, auto-renewing (US Mac App Store) | Pro features and all app updates while subscribed, after a 14-day free trial. Pro features stop if the subscription is cancelled. |
| Dropzone 5 Pro Yearly | $19.99per year (US Mac App Store in-app purchase) | The same Pro subscription billed once a year through the Mac App Store. |
| Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (App Store) | $34.99one-time in-app purchase (US Mac App Store) | Lifetime unlock of the Pro features in the Mac App Store edition. |
| Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (direct) | $35one-time purchase, lifetime license | Lifetime license for the version downloaded from aptonic.com, registered with a serial number. |
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Dropzone before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Lifetime licenseLifetime Pro license for $35
Dropzone 5 Pro is sold as a lifetime license for $35 from aptonic.com, or as a $34.99 lifetime in-app purchase on the Mac App Store.
Stated on aptonic.com - Annual discountYearly Pro subscription for $19.99
On the Mac App Store, Pro costs $4.99 a month or $19.99 a year. Twelve monthly payments would come to $59.88.
Stated on apps.apple.com - Other savingsUp to 50% off for Dropzone 4 owners
Entering a Dropzone 4 serial number on the vendor's upgrade page gives a discount of up to 50% on Dropzone 5 Pro.
Stated on aptonic.com
Works with
- Amazon S3
- Imgur
- AirDrop
- Apple Shortcuts
- TinyURL
- Setapp
Dropzone alternatives
- Dropzone vs Yoink
Free trial · from $8.99 one-time
- Dropzone vs Hazel
Free trial · from $42 one-time
- Dropzone vs ForkLift
Free trial · from $19.95 one-time
- Dropzone vs Keyboard Maestro
Free trial · from $36 one-time
Common questions
Is Dropzone free?
Dropzone has a free plan. Free download with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions for opening apps and moving or copying files. The vendor lists Amazon S3, SFTP, add-on actions, unlimited grids and more as Pro features. Paid plans start at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct.
How much does Dropzone cost?
Dropzone lists 5 plans. Dropzone 5 (free): $0. Dropzone 5 Pro Monthly: $4.99 per month, auto-renewing (US Mac App Store). Dropzone 5 Pro Yearly: $19.99 per year (US Mac App Store in-app purchase). Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (App Store): $34.99 one-time in-app purchase (US Mac App Store). Dropzone 5 Pro Lifetime (direct): $35 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Prices were read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Dropzone work on?
Dropzone is available on macOS.
Does Dropzone offer any discounts?
Dropzone publicly lists the following: Lifetime Pro license for $35; Yearly Pro subscription for $19.99; Up to 50% off for Dropzone 4 owners.
Does Dropzone have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Dropzone is listed for macOS.
Does Dropzone have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Dropzone is listed for macOS.
Is Dropzone open source?
Dropzone is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
What does Dropzone integrate with?
Dropzone's listing names Amazon S3, Imgur, AirDrop, Apple Shortcuts, TinyURL and Setapp. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Dropzone have a free trial?
Yes. 14-day trial of the Pro features; the Mac App Store subscription also starts with a 14-day free trial.
Who makes Dropzone?
Dropzone is made by Aptonic LLC.
What are the alternatives to Dropzone?
The closest alternatives to Dropzone in our directory are Yoink, Hazel, ForkLift and Keyboard Maestro. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Dropzone.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.