What's a prudent, economical Mac software shopper to do? The Mac App Store makes shopping for software easier, but can generate a bit more work for customers who want to ensure that they're making the best choice. In general, if the Mac App Store version of the software you want is more affordable, the benefits of buying there are numerous: free and legal use across multiple Macs, easy repeat downloading, no license codes to keep track of, and so on.

Still, I'm making my own purchasing decision on an app by app basis; if it's a regularly-updated app from a reputable developer (such as Transmit from Panic), I'm happier buying directly, so that I never have to wait on Mac App Store reviewers to approve it.

The good news is, the Direct versus Mac App Store debate isn't Sophie's Choice: you really can't go wrong either way, as long as you end up with great new software on your Mac.