Notability Changes App Subscription Policy, Promises Existing Users Lifetime Access to Purchased Features

[Abazigal]

Is it just me, is are subscriptions the worst thing that happened to the App Store?

I used to buy apps frequently, now I mostly avoid because every single app no matter how trivial now wants a monthly subscription.

I think I said it in the other thread. Your app either dies a paid app, or lives long enough to make the transition into a subscription-based model. ?

The problem with subscriptions is that it only makes sense to people who are heavy users of the app. That's why I am willing to subscribe to notability, because I use it for many hours every working day. For something like Deliveries or Drafts, which I may use only intermittently, there's this feeling that I am not getting my money's worth.

I don't quite live and breathe fantastical, but I do deal with a fair number of calendar events, and like the ability to be able to create one easily by typing in the necessary information from the menu bar. Enough to subscribe, and well, it's a fairly pretty app to boot. The day Apple sherlocks this feature for their own calendar app is the day I terminate my subscription.

The other alternative is being willing to pay more for an app. And I am talking like 3-4 times more. Would people be willing to pay $30 upfront for Notability? I think I purchased PDF expert on the Mac for like $50? The sheer abundance of apps has resulted in a rush to the bottom, and so here we are.

Feels like the inevitable endgame is that every paid app we currently use eventually goes subscription, leading us to dump them in favour of Apple's own stock apps. ?

 

[TrueBlou]

You're right... I was simply addressing the overall disdain for subscriptions in general.

I see, I don’t think you’re wrong, subscription services are perceived as worse, whether they are or not.

I’ve already said I much prefer to buy software - and I always will. My biggest issue with most subscription services isn’t that you’ll pay for the app on an ongoing basis. It’s what happens when you no longer wish to do so.

In the majority of cases, if you stop paying, you lose the app completely. You don’t get the benefit of continuing to use that app for as long as it’s possible, even if it no longer receives support or updates. There’s no ownership whatsoever, it’s specifically designed to get as much money out of you as possible.

Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I grew up with buying products, not renting them, so that’s what I’m used to and that’s what I prefer. I don’t want to invest a lot of time and money into a product, only to lose it if I decide I no longer wish to continue paying somewhere down the line.

That’s why I’ll use FCP instead of Premier, Affinity instead of Photoshop and so on and so on. The most worrying thing is that the industry does seem to be shifting to a subscription model, the days of owning software are probably numbered.

 

[contacos]

How many times do you need to change a note taking app to warrant a subscription. It is getting ridiculous. The only thing I ever subscribe to are media consumption services like Netflix with new content daily.

 

[femike]

Count me in as one of those where the subscription and rental model is a big turn off. Unfortunately its getting worse.

 

[Michael Scrip]

How many times do you need to change a note taking app to warrant a subscription. It is getting ridiculous. The only thing I ever subscribe to are media consumption services like Netflix with new content daily.

It's our fault. Developers switched to the subscription model... and dammit people fell for it!

If people held up their hand and said "not today, bucko" the subscription model would have died.

But alas... developers get their little monthly or yearly payments... and the cycle continues!

 

[Skittou]

I see, I don’t think you’re wrong, subscription services are perceived as worse, whether they are or not.

I’ve already said I much prefer to buy software - and I always will. My biggest issue with most subscription services isn’t that you’ll pay for the app on an ongoing basis. It’s what happens when you no longer wish to do so.

In the majority of cases, if you stop paying, you lose the app completely. You don’t get the benefit of continuing to use that app for as long as it’s possible, even if it no longer receives support or updates. There’s no ownership whatsoever, it’s specifically designed to get as much money out of you as possible.

Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but I grew up with buying products, not renting them, so that’s what I’m used to and that’s what I prefer. I don’t want to invest a lot of time and money into a product, only to lose it if I decide I no longer wish to continue paying somewhere down the line.

That’s why I’ll use FCP instead of Premier, Affinity instead of Photoshop and so on and so on. The most worrying thing is that the industry does seem to be shifting to a subscription model, the days of owning software are probably numbered.

Agree with you.
Concerning your industry shift final comment, it only depends on us, the customers.
The most successful company that has shifted to the subscription model is probably Adobe. But it is understandable, since professionals need these softwares, their businesses almost entirely rely on these products, so they accepted being ripped-off.
But for more consumer oriented softwares, it is important that we refuse to pay for this dirty model.

 

[sracer]

The real head-scratcher is how they didn't see the reaction they got coming from a thousand miles away. Like, what kind of sociopath do they have running the place that he or she didn't look at this proposal and just immediately say, "Yeah, that's not gonna fly"?

This is the key takeaway, IMO. That they ever thought this was a good idea is an indication of something that is fundamentally problematic.

 

[toasted ICT]

Following an outcry from its users, Notability says it is making changes to its controversial subscription policy to ensure that people who previously purchased the app retain lifetime access to all current features and content.

The course correction was announced by the company on Tuesday in a Medium blog post, after the popular note-taking app received substantial blowback from users who were annoyed to learn that Notability's switch to a subscription model meant features they had purchased would stop functioning after one year.
Lifetime access will include unlimited editing, iCloud sync, and any features or content bought through in-app purchases, according to the developers, who added: "Future features we develop may also be included, depending on their complexity and cost to maintain."
Notability's course correction means the app no longer appears to violate Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, which forbid apps that switch to a subscription model from taking away primary functionality existing users have already paid for.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1455683644945678337

It's not clear if Apple forced its hand to fall in line with the guidelines or consumer pressure was the main influence. Either way, Notability's change of course may make it unlikely that other app developers eyeing a subscription model will attempt a similar strategy of revoking features that existing users have already purchased.

Article Link: Notability Changes App Subscription Policy, Promises Existing Users Lifetime Access to Purchased Features

"Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, which forbid apps that switch to a subscription model from taking away primary functionality existing users have already paid for"...... doesnt seem to apply to 1Password now does it ?

 

[johnhackworth]

Too late. Damage is done. Once you know that a company is prepared to treat its customers this way it makes no sense to spend more money on any more of its products.

 

[Overture_1622]

So it was just a PR trick...

Step one - Do something bad and you'll get the articles so that people will notice you.
Step two - Revert what you did bad and you get yet another headline, and people will likely praise you for doing the right thing.

 

[TrueBlou]

Agree with you.
Concerning your industry shift final comment, it only depends on us, the customers.
The most successful company that has shifted to the subscription model is probably Adobe. But it is understandable, since professionals need these softwares, their businesses almost entirely rely on these products, so they accepted being ripped-off.
But for more consumer oriented softwares, it is important that we refuse to pay for this dirty model.

I couldn’t agree more, the trouble is getting people to vote with their wallets. Traditionally it hasn’t gone so well in the past, because as much as they’ll complain about it, they will grudgingly go along with it because they want something.

I’ve seen so many similar (though not all subscription based gripes) things in the past few decades where there’s been a dramatic change which only consumer spending could change. And what’s happened? Bugger all, the mass market goes along with it and the rest of us have to suffer it, or find alternatives.

 

[OS X Dude]

Following an ass-kicking from Apple, Notability says it is making changes to its controversial subscription policy to ensure that people who previously purchased the app retain lifetime access to all current features and content.

FTFY

 

[cardfan]

"Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, which forbid apps that switch to a subscription model from taking away primary functionality existing users have already paid for"...... doesnt seem to apply to 1Password now does it ?

Guidelines don’t seem to forbid it either. You “should” do something doesn’t mean must.

 

[Krypton Deer]

It’s an overt violation of App Store guideline and of course they have to retract the plan within 24 hours.

There’s no point to browse free section on App Store anymore - it’s either in-app purchases or subscriptions awaiting us. They can charge me a new perpetual license for every major updates, but I won’t pay a recurring subscription fee. Nope.

 

[owidhh]

Awesome!

Right after I read that article yesterday I immediately looked to see if I purchased this in the past and verified that I did so this is awesome that I’m going to be grandfathered in

I’m going to purchase their competitor app, Goodnotes for $7.99 as well In case they change to a subscription model too

The real solution is to use apps that provide you with standard files, stored in locations that can be retrieved and modified outside the app, so that you are not jailed by their ever-changing policies. Obsidian if you're into Markdown, Beorg if you're into Org, for example.

 

[mjeshurun]

Few years ago the notorious Tapatalk app creators took the different route of taking away the benefits of early purchases' by issuing a new app.
They gave us a few years of "free" subscription service after the new app was published, but eventually took the premium benefits away and asked us to pay again.
That's an example of bad costumer service.
I deleted their app, and I really hope other users, that bought the premium app early on, also deleted it.

 

[PeteBurgh]

So should developers start selling $30 apps? Is that the answer?

I'm not sure that will work.

Neither does selling an app for $4 and supporting it for the rest of your life

I think this states the dilemma pretty well. The race to the bottom in mobile app pricing has left very little room for more fully featured apps that sell for $30-50+, or even $15 really.

Either users will rediscover their taste for much bigger upfront app costs (as was common in earlier eras of computing) or subscriptions will be here to stay.

(Obviously I agree that Notability needs to honour its agreement with its existing customers)

 

[paulgriffinpetty]

Following an outcry from its users, Notability says it is making changes to its controversial subscription policy to ensure that people who previously purchased the app retain lifetime access to all current features and content.

The course correction was announced by the company on Tuesday in a Medium blog post, after the popular note-taking app received substantial blowback from users who were annoyed to learn that Notability's switch to a subscription model meant features they had purchased would stop functioning after one year.
Lifetime access will include unlimited editing, iCloud sync, and any features or content bought through in-app purchases, according to the developers, who added: "Future features we develop may also be included, depending on their complexity and cost to maintain."
Notability's course correction means the app no longer appears to violate Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, which forbid apps that switch to a subscription model from taking away primary functionality existing users have already paid for.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1455683644945678337

It's not clear if Apple forced its hand to fall in line with the guidelines or consumer pressure was the main influence. Either way, Notability's change of course may make it unlikely that other app developers eyeing a subscription model will attempt a similar strategy of revoking features that existing users have already purchased.

Article Link: Notability Changes App Subscription Policy, Promises Existing Users Lifetime Access to Purchased Featur

Still … the idea of buying an app is dead. Why would someone believe a one time purchase is a one time purchase? Who tracks how often apps switch to subscriptions? Surely this a buyer beware issue, which is why I think Apple is in a win-win situation: don’t buy apps, and just use Apple’s apps or free ones; or take a risk and buy apps that might cost you more eventually. Apple does well either way… free apps are, to me, the only apps I’ll install. Not because I’m cheap but because they have predictable costs.

 

[davidako]

So it was just a PR trick...

Step one - Do something bad and you'll get the articles so that people will notice you.
Step two - Revert what you did bad and you get yet another headline, and people will likely praise you for doing the right thing.

It wasn't a very good trick. Notability is now uninstalled from my Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and GoodNotes 5 is installed instead.

 

[GerritV]

Somehow, despite this move, I purchased Good Note with the 50% deal, which was not really necessary...
...Nice job Good Note.

Good for you, but "Nice job GoodNotes" ?? Their present 50% deal qualifies as a very dirty game in my book.

 

[slyv]

It seems Notability rating goes down quickly:

 

[davidako]

Good for you, but "Nice job GoodNotes" ?? Their present 50% deal qualifies as a very dirty game in my book.

Why?

 

[Michael Scrip]

It seems Notability rating goes down quickly:

View attachment 1901347

Thanks for that.

I'm gonna bookmark it and see what happens!

 

[Remy149]

Great move! that's exactly how it should be. Hopefully Apple is ok with the decision.

Being that apple said they violated App Store rules of course they are

 

[Pman17]

Is it just me, is are subscriptions the worst thing that happened to the App Store?

I used to buy apps frequently, now I mostly avoid because every single app no matter how trivial now wants a monthly subscription.

Yes and no. From a developer perspective subscriptions are good because if you keep the user long enough, Apple gets less of a cut. It also motivates the developer to keep the app going. Another reason is nobody buys apps upfront. I do it all the time, but I see friends and all they have is free apps. The average consumer will rarely go out of the way to buy an app unless the know it’s good from a friend. From a consumer perspective, I think paid apps are great. I like the old idea of buying once and keeping forever for when I need the app. As a developer, I try to give my consumer choice by offering both options. But yea, it does get ridiculous when these developers overcharge for a subscription. I know one app in particular I am so bummed at how expensive it is and it’s called Shapr3D. I’ve tried the app and it’s one of the most amazing 3D modeling apps I’ve ever used. More intuitive than Autodesk Fusion 360. But, they charge out of the ass at $30/month! This app screams as an enthusiast app for 3D printing but those people aren’t gonna be modeling 24/7 to get any value. It’s such a shame!