How long until the App Store becomes a race to $0.99

[themanfromvlad]

It seems like every app I want is $9.99 or at best $4.99. Some of these ten-dollar apps cost just a buck on the iPhone. It's clear to me us early-adopters are just getting the shaft until that tipping point where app prices are forced to plummet. But how long do you think we have to wait for, and do you think iPad sale numbers or an increase in apps available will be the key factor in price drops?

 

[HawaiiMacAddict]

As an iPhone developer, soon to be an iPad developer also, I hope that the prices stay where they are. It is really a shame that the race to the bottom happened with respect to iPhone app pricing. People have to realize just how much time and effort is needed to create a quality iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app.

Some iPad apps are seemingly priced a little on the high side, but that is when compared to the gluttony of .99 iPhone apps. The iPhone apps are priced too low, in my honest opinion. In my case, I would rather have charged twice the price, as I consider my apps to be worth $1.99, but I was faced with the real probability of not selling very many copies of them (not that they're selling like hotcakes now). It seems as if everyone wants the world for only .99, and that's not really fair for the developers.

I'm planning out a couple iPad-only apps, but I will NOT stoop to charge only .99 for them, as I don't want to see the race to .99 again. Take a step back and see how much better the iPad version is, as compared to the iPhone version. You will then see the justification for the higher prices. Actually, there is a medical app, for the iPhone, that costs over $100. I wonder what everyone thinks of that one.

 

[afireintonto]

I'm really hoping that iPad apps rest around the 1.99 price point, and the really good apps don't exceed 4.99-9.99

I feel like 4.99 is a pretty fair price for a good, stable iPad app. I don't like all of the apps being $10 right now, because they are underdeveloped and don't really deserve the extra.

 

[flyingturtle]

As an iPhone developer, soon to be an iPad developer also, I hope that the prices stay where they are.

I agree. As a buyer, I've had no qualms buying iPad apps at $4.99 or $9.99. As a developer, I hope they stay around the same price point as well. I can't see how average companies and indie developers are recouping their costs at 99 cent pricing per app unless they hit jackpot and get tons of downloads.

 

[Aydin]

The prices certainly need to go down otherwise more people will pirate your apps. I'm not saying $0.99 is the sweet spot for iPad apps but unlike what Apple tells you, this is no gold rush due to tough competition. There are just too many apps of the same kind already on the iPad, let alone after a year or so.

Also, some developers tend to charge much more for an iPad app they previously developed on iPhone. As far as I know, developing on iPad requires as much effort as developing for iPhone, so a game, for example, like Angry Birds on iPad should not be 500% more expensive than its iPhone version.

 

[jodorowsky00]

I buy a app depending on how much i will use it.
If i will use the app for a hour then .99 is good. Lets talk about Sketchbook Pro for me that unlimited hours of fun so 7.99 is cheap to me, i would pay as much as 15 bucks for it. When i bought comic reader mobi i knew i was going to use it hours and hours so 15 bucks was cheap.
I was surprised on some apps like Air Video and Clould Readers those are utilities that you might use every day and Air Video is 2.99 and Clould Readers is free, seems im stealing from them. IF the app is good im willing to pay up to 20 bucks with out thinking twice. I respect what developers do and i feel bad if there updating all the time and its a good app and there not getting paid what they should.

I cant believe people want .99 cents apps and to be updated regularly for free!

 

[LinMac]

Many friends have iPhones and a few have purchased iPads, but the most common complaint about the iPad is how expensive the applications are.

I find myself looking for iPad apps more than iPhone apps because the iPad is so much more usable for so many additional tasks. The downside is pricing.

I have virtually no paid apps on my iPad right now because I hate rebuying games that are just scaled up (Civilization Revolution et al) or apps that are just overpriced compared to what I'm willing to pay.

I have paid $0.99 for Goodreader, $0.99 for Weather HD, $9.99 for Pages, and $4.99 for Limechat (IRC client) so far.

Pages was overpriced, but I needed the application for work and Limechat is an elegant universal app that also works for my iPhone (adding value) so it is worth the $4.99 price.

I would definitely recommend looking at applications such as Marble Merge (amazingly addictive free game) and ArtStudio for iPad which is on sale for $0.99. ActivePrint (printing for iPad/iPhone) is also a very useful application, but the in-app purchasing feels restrictive and $3.99 per device seems too expensive.

 

[jodorowsky00]

Pages is over priced!!!!!!!!! what!
How much do you make a hour?
How much do you give tip in a restaurant?

 

[master-ceo]

I don't mind paying $$ for an app, BUT when I have to buy 4 of the same kind of apps to form one, we got a problem.

Selling half ass apps thats not well thought out, incomplete, and causing low memory warnings aint cool.

I think the Apple app store needs to have a mandatory trial version rule for any app over $4.99.

 

[zukernik]

Since the iPad has a much bigger screen estate, developers tend to add a lot of features that would not be so user friendly if used on an iPhone. You also have to consider that it takes a lot more time to desi the graphics due to the higher resolution and the higher expectations of customers. My most expensive app costs $100 but it is full of features made possible by the iPad's big screen. The price of games will probably go down since it is a very competitive field but I don't think the price of serious apps will go down that fast, especially if developers keep adding features and provide great customer service.

 

[jodorowsky00]

I don't mind paying $$ for an app, BUT when I have to buy 4 of the same kind of apps to form one, we got a problem.

Selling half ass apps thats not well thought out, incomplete, and causing low memory warnings aint cool.

I think the Apple app store needs to have a mandatory trial version rule for any app over $4.99.

Market will make prices more competitive. But 99cents for apps is ridiculous.
I do agree more apps should be universal.

 

[jodorowsky00]

Since the iPad has a much bigger screen estate, developers tend to add a lot of features that would not be so user friendly if used on an iPhone. You also have to consider that it takes a lot more time to desi the graphics due to the higher resolution and the higher expectations of customers. My most expensive app costs $100 but it is full of features made possible by the iPad's big screen. The price of games will probably go down since it is a very competitive field but I don't think the price of serious apps will go down that fast, especially if developers keep adding features and provide great customer service.

I think because gamers are so cheap we will never see a iPad Starcraft something that would rule and its really sad.

 

[ScottFitz]

If your app is very good, you'll make it up on volume. Ihope they all go .99!

As an iPhone developer, soon to be an iPad developer also, I hope that the prices stay where they are. It is really a shame that the race to the bottom happened with respect to iPhone app pricing. People have to realize just how much time and effort is needed to create a quality iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app.

Some iPad apps are seemingly priced a little on the high side, but that is when compared to the gluttony of .99 iPhone apps. The iPhone apps are priced too low, in my honest opinion. In my case, I would rather have charged twice the price, as I consider my apps to be worth $1.99, but I was faced with the real probability of not selling very many copies of them (not that they're selling like hotcakes now). It seems as if everyone wants the world for only .99, and that's not really fair for the developers.

I'm planning out a couple iPad-only apps, but I will NOT stoop to charge only .99 for them, as I don't want to see the race to .99 again. Take a step back and see how much better the iPad version is, as compared to the iPhone version. You will then see the justification for the higher prices. Actually, there is a medical app, for the iPhone, that costs over $100. I wonder what everyone thinks of that one.

 

[zukernik]

I think because gamers are so cheap we will never see a iPad Starcraft something that would rule and its really sad.

I think Starcraft for iPad might actually be possible, there are already Travian and WoW like games that charge a monthly fee through in-app purchase and the app store also has some single player RTS games. It won't be long before someone grabs the opportunity.

 

[stagi]

I hope they stay where they are at. Compared to desktop software (and PSP games) they are still very cheap. If the higher prices stick around, better apps will be made. Right now there is so much junk in the app store for iPhone because most people aren't making much from .99 apps unless they are in the top 10

 

[CarboysDesire]

I've had an iPhone since the original launch day in 2007. My current is the 3GS.

I have an iPad since 4/30 (3G).


My total App spends is......................$0.99


Trust me, I am not cheap. I buy stuff like crazy. Some of it is very expensive. But no, I won't pay for Apps. I get the free ones, except for that one time.

With the iPad I may change that policy. I probably will in fact. But I won't start with $9.99 Apps...no way. I may end up there, but I won't start there.

 

[jodorowsky00]

If your app is very good, you'll make it up on volume. Ihope they all go .99!

F in economy!

 

[CarboysDesire]

I just read an article about a guy that in 30 days has sold 20,000 downloads of his 99 cent alarm clock apps just because Apple didn't put a clock app on the iPad.

 

[jodorowsky00]

I've had an iPhone since the original launch day in 2007. My current is the 3GS.

I have an iPad since 4/30 (3G).


My total App spends is......................$0.99


Trust me, I am not cheap. I buy stuff like crazy. Some of it is very expensive. But no, I won't pay for Apps. I get the free ones, except for that one time.

With the iPad I may change that policy. I probably will in fact. But I won't start with $9.99 Apps...no way. I may end up there, but I won't start there.

On these are must have apps

Air Video 2.99
Goodreader .99
Art Studio .99

if you only spent .99 cents yet your a cheap ass!

 

[marksman]

The iphone set up was a lesson of what not to do, so most developers are taking that lesson and learning it from it.

Everyone sold their soul to get publicity and get ranked and it drove everything down way below where it should of been. (well not everything some stuff is overpriced at a $1.00)

Developers have learned, though, how to promote and market their products in other ways, so as to maintain higher price points, and not simply just relying on in store list exposure to get sales.

I don't think you will see the iPad go that route. You will see with time old apps drop down in price, but you won't see most apps in most categories being so inexpensive, it was a product of a lot of developers with no marketing or sales experience not knowing what they were doing.

In general the developers as a whole are much more savvy, in particular about the App Store, so things will be different. If the iPhone apps were magically erased and reintroduced tomorrow, the average price would go up significantly.

 

[ClaireL]

I hope they stay where they are at. Compared to desktop software (and PSP games) they are still very cheap. If the higher prices stick around, better apps will be made. Right now there is so much junk in the app store for iPhone because most people aren't making much from .99 apps unless they are in the top 10

+1 that's like asking video game devs to have all games at .99 which is insane. Anyway, devs have bills, families like anyone else. The prices are reasonable to me considering how much they would be on a psp or dsi/xl.

I hope they stay right where they are at and dont fall into the crapola .99 variety.

 

[danpass]

As an iPhone developer, soon to be an iPad developer also, I hope that the prices stay where they are. It is really a shame that the race to the bottom happened with respect to iPhone app pricing. People have to realize just how much time and effort is needed to create a quality iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app.

Some iPad apps are seemingly priced a little on the high side, but that is when compared to the gluttony of .99 iPhone apps. The iPhone apps are priced too low, in my honest opinion. In my case, I would rather have charged twice the price, as I consider my apps to be worth $1.99, but I was faced with the real probability of not selling very many copies of them (not that they're selling like hotcakes now). It seems as if everyone wants the world for only .99, and that's not really fair for the developers.

I'm planning out a couple iPad-only apps, but I will NOT stoop to charge only .99 for them, as I don't want to see the race to .99 again. Take a step back and see how much better the iPad version is, as compared to the iPhone version. You will then see the justification for the higher prices. Actually, there is a medical app, for the iPhone, that costs over $100. I wonder what everyone thinks of that one.

If it's worth 1.99 it'll sell.

How? Make a lite version ........... aka a demo version.

I think demo versions are key to claiming a decent price. Once people see the value they'll pay.



Case in point:

I used goodreader and air video demos for about 30 seconds each and then bought the full version of each without blinking an eye.

30 seconds was all it took and only because there was a demo version.

 

[jodorowsky00]

+1 that's like asking video game devs to have all games at .99 which is insane. Anyway, devs have bills, families like anyone else. The prices are reasonable to me considering how much they would be on a psp or dsi/xl.

I hope they stay right where they are at and dont fall into the crapola .99 variety.

I would like to see more 15 or 20 dollar games but that are at the level of a wii or xbox 360 games like Monster Hunters or Castle Crashers or Fable but no company would ever make a game like that because they would not spend that amount of money on developing a game they will have to sell at .99

 

[CarboysDesire]

On these are must have apps

Air Video 2.99
Goodreader .99
Art Studio .99

if you only spent .99 cents yet your a cheap ass!

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Not bragging but my closet, my passport, and as of yesterday, my garage are all witness to the fact that I am not a cheap ass. People just have different priorities.

 

[jodorowsky00]

If it's worth 1.99 it'll sell.

How? Make a lite version ........... aka a demo version.

I think demo versions are key to claiming a decent price. Once people see the value they'll pay.



Case in point:

I used goodreader and air video demos for about 30 seconds each and then bought the full version of each without blinking an eye.

30 seconds was all it took and only because there was a demo version.

But there still millions of users using Air Video lite , just puting all there folders in the server instead of one huge folder, bypassing the restrictions of the lite version.