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Why so many subscription apps
- Thread starter richxps
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OK and your audience includes plenty people whose grocery budgets do or did depend on getting paid to write code, so point taken. But, aside from subscriptions there are paid apps available too, one-off arrangements.
What you seem to be saying is that some devs have concluded, possibly correctly, that the people who will pay something --anything-- for an app would rather skip past a one-time price tag that has a couple zeros in front of the decimal point, say big number like $34.99 and instead sign up for a sub that dings them ten bucks a month, duh.. an even $120 by year-end.
I say with potential customers like that we may need better math instruction yet again in our elementary schools. Or else some practical advice on how to save up money to buy things that cost more than ten dollars.
Honestly, the only subscription based apps I have at the moment are Dropbox and Clip Studio on my iPad.
I was using Photoshop, but just over the last couple revisions, it's kinda become more work than it's worth. In all honesty tho, I remember how prohibitively expensive Photoshop was for freelancers, and hobbyists, I can appreciate the subscription for that, I mean, $20/mo vs $700 - $1000, is a lot easier to swallow.
I was using Photoshop, but just over the last couple revisions, it's kinda become more work than it's worth. In all honesty tho, I remember how prohibitively expensive Photoshop was for freelancers, and hobbyists, I can appreciate the subscription for that, I mean, $20/mo vs $700 - $1000, is a lot easier to swallow.
I just made this point in another thread here in the apps section. The developer is offering an application on a subscription model that is a pared down version of something I used for the longest time for free. I eventually upgraded to the premium version of the app for $2.99 because I appreciate the developers responsiveness and continued updates.
Apples return method is still way too convoluted too. There needs to be a trial period rather than having to submit to the developer for a refund if the app is bogus.
Apples return method is still way too convoluted too. There needs to be a trial period rather than having to submit to the developer for a refund if the app is bogus.
Carrot Weather is 100% worth it. I think there are still 2 levels and worth the few dollars of the annual sub. It just helps pay for the access to weather services he incorporates but also has to pay for. The Carrot Dev works really hard and he listens to the community and it's really one of the best apps out there. He deserves, at bare minimum, the $2.49/year. But I am happy to pay the $9.99/year fee to good apps and Devs who care.
Have you heard anything regarding privacy and this app? I too have it on my phone and read something recently about third-party weather apps having serious privacy concerns (i.e. sharing customer location information). I'll see if I can find the article but I do recall that Carrot wasn't specifically mentioned.
Edit: A Google search brings up a concerning number of articles on this topic. Pretty sure this is the one that came up in News not too long ago:
https://thenextweb.com/apps/2019/01...ing-your-location-data-to-the-highest-bidder/
https://thenextweb.com/apps/2019/01...ing-your-location-data-to-the-highest-bidder/
Is that from the article I posted?!
Guess it wasn't the one I originally read.
I replied before you posted your edit. But I read the article few days ago so assumed it was the one you meant. He's on these forums as well so perhaps he'll chime in.
They feel it's the best way for them to make money.
I myself wouldn't consider buying a subscription app,
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You can but that's something else I would never consider.
You are absolutely right to be concerned about privacy in third-party weather apps, because many do sell your location data. CARROT never will. Here's my full statement on the matter:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CARROTweather/comments/acqw67/location_data_privacy/
Let me know if you have any questions!
Awesome! Nothing better than an actively involved developer.
Thanks for stopping by and great app!
So, that app will have cost you $120.00 after ten years? Whereas I purchased my password app and there is no subscription. So, after ten years my password app will have cost me the same amount it did at the day of purchase - which was $15.00. Most people are attracted to the low subscription price versus a higher one-time payment - and that is a selling point that is used to entice people. But, many of those people fail to consider payments accumulated over time: $120.00 (over 10 years) vs. $15.00 (lifetime). You may be rich enough to afford throwing away money.. I'm not.
Now, you may counter this by stating that my app may not work after ten years. Ok, I'll grant you that. But, who's to say the company that makes your app will still be in business and providing updates in ten years? What happens if the companies that make both of our password apps go bankrupt next month? I'll still have my app and it will still work because it's a stand-alone app. What about your app?
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The price for Astropad was ridiculous.. then I realised it was a YEARLY charge - Fat Greedy Bastards!
You really think that same app will work in 10 years? Ok. 1Password has been around for 10 years already. If they aren’t around in 10 years, so? I get s new one. I’m far from rich and yet you haven’t told me which one you use so we can compare Apples to Apples. Maybe you’re is better, maybe I should look into it. I like the fact if my mom (or anyone on my family plan) gets locked out I can recover thier account easily (no data lost), along with other features.
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That was the point of my previous post. An app that requires a subscription will likely stop working if the developer goes out of business. However, a stand-alone app that doesn't rely on developer resources will most likely continue to work after the developer goes out of business. Once our two developers goes out of business, you will be spending money on a new app while I'll still be using the app that I initially purchased.
The app that I use is irrelevant, the point of my posts is to discuss why I feel software subscriptions are bad for users.
The app I use doesn't require creating an account, so there is no account to recover.. there is also no account for a stranger to break into.
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I understand the reluctance of some to subscription-priced software. Ultimately, it's up to each user to decide if an app is worth it to them to subscribe to an app. That's no different than the decision about whether or not to buy an app. There are many articles available that discuss the distinct advantages to the SaaS (Software as a Service) model, for both the developer and the user. For example, updates are much easier for both.
There is less financial risk for the user. If they try an app for a month or two (many have free trials) and decide it's not for them, they simply cancel the subscription. That's better than the old days when buying MS Office or one of the Adobe products set you back several hundred dollars and you didn't get a refund if 3 or 4 months later, you decided you didn't need it. I experienced this last year, when I needed Adobe Illustrator for a project. I subscribed and used it a couple months, then canceled my subscription. Total cost: roughly $40. Had I done that years ago with Illustrator in CS6, I would have paid a minimum of $599, then would be stuck with the app, even after I no longer needed it, or if it no longer worked on upgraded versions of macOS.
With a subscription, the user doesn't have a large financial outlay all at once, and the developer can build a great ongoing income, as long as they continue to meet their customers' needs. I used to complain about subscriptions and still manage them carefully, but owning a SaaS application company has certainly opened my eyes to the benefits for both developer and users.
There is less financial risk for the user. If they try an app for a month or two (many have free trials) and decide it's not for them, they simply cancel the subscription. That's better than the old days when buying MS Office or one of the Adobe products set you back several hundred dollars and you didn't get a refund if 3 or 4 months later, you decided you didn't need it. I experienced this last year, when I needed Adobe Illustrator for a project. I subscribed and used it a couple months, then canceled my subscription. Total cost: roughly $40. Had I done that years ago with Illustrator in CS6, I would have paid a minimum of $599, then would be stuck with the app, even after I no longer needed it, or if it no longer worked on upgraded versions of macOS.
With a subscription, the user doesn't have a large financial outlay all at once, and the developer can build a great ongoing income, as long as they continue to meet their customers' needs. I used to complain about subscriptions and still manage them carefully, but owning a SaaS application company has certainly opened my eyes to the benefits for both developer and users.
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And your app is useless as well. How will you get security updates and bug fixes? Operating systems get updates, you actually think your app that’s the developer stop making is going to keep working? Right.
then the debate is over, because you can’t prove an app for $15 will work on all platforms (iOS, MAC, Android, Windows, and Linux) and installed on unlimited devices.
cool. 2 encryption keys and 2FA protecting mine. I’m confident.
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There is much more to the cost than server space. The development, administration, bug-fixes, security measures, upgraded features, customer service, etc. all add to significant cost for the developer. The cost of server space is relatively insignificant.
Your opinion is duly noted as such: an opinion. I could just as easily argue that there should be a one-time payment instead of a monthly salary, or a one-time payment of rent, or a one-time payment for cable TV or cellular service. It's up to each company to decide how they want to price their goods and services, and it's up to each consumer to decide if they want to pay for any particular company's products or services.
It's perfectly fine for you to elect not to pay for subscriptions for software, but it's ludicrous to assume that because you don't like it, that the whole world should follow suit.
And the baseless assumptions begin. This is where I take my leave.
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I told you how it’s uselss. When a new OS comes out and the app isn’t updates, it can break apps, how is that hard to understand? I find it funny that you think your app will run forever.
32 bit apps will not work on iOS 11 or later. That’s just the beginning.
Yes, upgrading can break apps.. though there is no guarantee that this will happen. Anyway, why would I want a new version of the OS when the current one works for my needs? I install security updates but I don't upgrade unless there is a good reason - and "new and improved" is not a good enough reason. One of the reasons I don't upgrade without reason is because I've seen upgrades break my apps and I've learned to avoid upgrading without reason.
Here is a hypothetical situation to consider:
Cost
I paid $15.00 for my stand-alone password app on macOS.
I paid $5.00 for the same password app on iOS.
One year from now I am relatively sure it will still work because I research apps for weeks prior to making a decision and this research includes previous developer practices and historical app longevity.
One year later: I've paid a total of $20.00 for my password app on all of the platforms I use.
Another person is paying $5.00 per month for their password app on all platforms. One year from now they can be relatively sure their app still works because it is on a subscription model.
One year later: This user has paid $60.00 for their password app on all of the platforms they use.
Yes, I'm paying a higher initial cost but that cost over time is attractive to me.
Risk
If the developers of these two apps disappear next month:
I'm relatively sure my app will continue to work for some time. This assurance comes from the research I performed prior to deciding on a certain app.
The other user will have an app that may or may not work. If the app relies on developer resources - servers, storage, add-ons, etc. - then the app will likely no longer work and the user will be saddled with finding a new app.. and possibly having to pay more money.
The risk taken by the other user is one that I find unacceptable.
Now, I'm not saying my way is best for everyone but it's best for me and I won't change my practices unless there is proof that doing so would be advantageous.
I wonder if developers could offer the best of both worlds; a stand-alone app with a useable feature set for some users and a more feature-full subscription model for others. I would love to be able to use Photoshop but I won't pay for a subscription model. I use GIMP for photo editing and it is powerful but not as powerful as Photoshop.
I guess it all boils down to what each user considers to be 'acceptable risk'.
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Who says it won't work? I have an an old 1Password account I still have control over, not being paid (I just never deleted it). I can access all the data still without an issue. What doesn't work is the auto fill, I can't add new stuff, and that's pretty much it. I can still access all my data, export it, and still "use" it to a point.
YET you have yet to say what you have, so anything you say is a moot point. I cannot compare and have to rely on you 100%. I can say I have an app that I paid $10 for that the SAME licence works on iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android. I get unlimited security updates (extremely important), support, and unlimited devices across all platforms. Oh and if the developer stops making it, it will work for my life time... pretty amazing, isn't it?
There are some out there that does this for free to a point, but the free ones cannot do what 1Password does (sharing vaults easily, Watchtower, travel mode, but in TOTP, and others). Some I like a lot too, but you're missing my point in the 1st place of why I have this. I can rescue a persons account in an emergency, and having elderly parents, this is important. If it was just me, I would use Msecure or something.
I'm glad this mysterious app works for you. But I have yet to see a paid app that gives free unlimited updates for life.... ever... that is easy to use for anyone. Again, a lot of free good password managers out there, especially in the Linux community, but are far from easy to use for the average person... and the UI usually isn't user friendly. I've used them, some aren't bad, but I have to look out for other people in my family. Here is a fun fact, I actually got the friends deal from 1Password. I got 10 users for $4.99 a month. I have my whole family on it, and they pay me, so basically I don't pay anything. I charge them all $1 a month and actually make a profit.
The app I've chosen works the same way today as it did a few years ago.. and without the need for a subscription.
Which app I use, and whether or not it is better than the app you use, is not the topic of this thread. Are you attempting to find out which app I use so you can find fault with it and then use those faults to make you feel better about paying for a subscription? Never mind, that was a rhetorical question.
Your needs should not be based on someone else's opinion of your point. Your needs should be based on facts.
Desires, however, are a different matter entirely.
What guarantee do you have that the developers of your app will be there and still updating your app for the entirety of your lifetime? We must be careful of unrealistic expectations.
How do I know? I don’t know what app you use. Where’s the proof? You can’t prove it and that’s just entertaining at this point.
to see if it even exists, I doubt it does at this point. So this debate is a moot point.
my needs are based on my own. The fact I get to help family members is a big plus because they all need to be using unique passwords. Guess who fixes issues when a family member needs computers stuff fixed? Me. So I might as well make it easy as possible for them and myself.
and you missed the point. Example: Microsoft office 95... you think you get a free upgrade from 95 to 2019? Nope. They are paid upgrades between them.