Controversial take: App Subscription Models will drive users to piracy, support for 3rd party app stores

[hasanahmad]

The days of 99 cents and $4 apps are coming to and end. in its place is 99 cents a month for each user.

So basically if you had 20 apps on your phone you paid for you could pay up to $20 to $50 one time.

now those same apps would have you pay 20$ a month or more than $100 a year for these apps at the minimum.

I believe this will only push users out of the comfort zone of the walled garden security because wallet still trumps security for many consumers

as more and more apps move to subscription model, support for piracy will rise and support for sideloading apps will rise as well

 

[geo411mar]

The days of 99 cents and $4 apps are coming to and end. in its place is 99 cents a month for each user.

So basically if you had 20 apps on your phone you paid for you could pay up to $20 to $50 one time.

now those same apps would have you pay 20$ a month or more than $100 a year for these apps at the minimum.

I believe this will only push users out of the comfort zone of the walled garden security because wallet still trumps security for many consumers

as more and more apps move to subscription model, support for piracy will rise and support for sideloading apps will rise as well

Agreed. I delete any app that does this and find alternative apps.

 

[dk001]

The days of 99 cents and $4 apps are coming to and end. in its place is 99 cents a month for each user.

So basically if you had 20 apps on your phone you paid for you could pay up to $20 to $50 one time.

now those same apps would have you pay 20$ a month or more than $100 a year for these apps at the minimum.

I believe this will only push users out of the comfort zone of the walled garden security because wallet still trumps security for many consumers

as more and more apps move to subscription model, support for piracy will rise and support for sideloading apps will rise as well

Have to agree in part.
It will push some users. If some really good options gain traction, that could grow.
For myself personally, subscription is a BIG turn-off. Some really nice apps out there I walked away from using due to that one aspect.

This is not limited to just iOS/iPadOS either. Seeing more and more in the Play Store too.
$$$$$.

 

[ajpuciat]

I’ve already moved away from any subscription apps. It’s gotten absurd how many things are pay /month now.

 

[PeteBurgh]

I personally don't mind the transition to a subscription model.

A quick bit of adding up shows that I am currently paying £162.50 (or a bit more in US$) a year for my iOS/iPad apps. This includes some well known apps like Fantastical, Overcast, Halide, 1Password, Darkroom, Drafts, and PDF Viewer - apps I use almost every day, as well as a few cheaper niche ones I use less often.

For me, this represent great value - these are apps I'm working in all the time, and frankly in the overall context of what I spent on technology - iPhones, laptops, games, etc - it's a minor sum.

In return for that recurring expenses, I have a range of high quality, always-improving apps that I know will be quickly updated for the newest hardware and OSs. And because I'm paying for them on monthly or annual subscriptions, I'm not locked in, and can always make a change. If one of my favourites falls into disrepair or gets overtaken by a competitor - it's easy to cancel and switch. If money gets a bit tighter and I want to cut back, I can always go back to a stock Apple app.

I also like the other aspects of the process - for instance, having them all in one place in the App Store makes it easy to review subscriptions and cancel any unused ones without fuss. I like that I don't have to think about upgrade pricing - should I stick with version 2 or pay for version 3? I always have the latest version. Likewise, free trials are handy if I want to test something out, or just need it for a single task.

Ultimately, I'm neutral on the philosophy of owning vs renting software - it can be a good or bad deal either way, and I happily own plenty of permanent software licences (especially on the Mac). But as time goes on, I increasingly appreciate the flexibility of renting.

 

[dk001]

I personally don't mind the transition to a subscription model.

A quick bit of adding up shows that I am currently paying £162.50 (or a bit more in US$) a year for my iOS/iPad apps. This includes some well known apps like Fantastical, Overcast, Halide, 1Password, Darkroom, Drafts, and PDF Viewer - apps I use almost every day, as well as a few cheaper niche ones I use less often.

For me, this represent great value - these are apps I'm working in all the time, and frankly in the overall context of what I spent on technology - iPhones, laptops, games, etc - it's a minor sum.

In return for that recurring expenses, I have a range of high quality, always-improving apps that I know will be updated for the newest hardware and OSs. And because I'm paying for them on monthly or annual subscriptions, I'm not locked in, and can always make a change. If one of my favourites falls into disrepair or gets overtaken by a competitor - it's easy to cancel and switch. If money gets a bit tighter and I want to cut back, I can always go back to a stock Apple app.

I also like the other aspects of the process - for instance, having them all in one place in the App Store makes it easy to review subscriptions and cancel any unused ones without fuss. I like that I don't have to think about upgrade pricing - should I stick with version 2 or pay for version 3? I always have the latest version. Likewise, free trials are handy if I want to test something out, or just need it for a single task.

Ultimately, I'm neutral on the philosophy of owning vs renting software - it can be a good or bad deal either way, and I happily own plenty of permanent software licences (especially on the Mac). But as time goes on, I increasingly appreciate the flexibility of renting.

I don't mind them where they make sense.
Far too many don't. Then again, Apple pushes this "feature".

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

The value prop would need to be there. Otherwise I'd just start abandoning the app. Or find an alternative. Or just simply no longer use that type of app. It'd have to offer substantial benefit to pay a subscription for. Can't be like news orgs using paywalls for information I can literally get for free by googling the title.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

You don't have* to use subscription apps, though I agree it will push people in other directions.

I have zero app or or software subscriptions, and plan to keep it that way.