Yes, but I would like a bit more control. It would be nice if you could set an app to be unsubscribed automatically if you haven't used it for a while, or you only pay for the months when you do use it. Sometimes I look through the apps that my family have subscribed to on the family account and I have to check if they are still using them.
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Pixelmator Photo Switches to Subscription Pricing, Launching on Mac by Next Year
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Nope. Devs have to inform the user that the price has increased - Apple just got rid of a second warning/obstacle that many users encountered.
As sad as it is to see this, I totally understand the need in order to make development sustainable. I’ma little surprised they went sub on Photo but not Pro though. I’d have thought Pro would go first.
Having an option to turn off auto renew when you start a subscription would be greatly appreciated. However I (and others) would probably use it most when starting free trials, which eats away at the nasty “you tried it but forgot to cancel” income. Therefore I don’t see this being an option soon. I will point out that most subscription trials in iOS can be cancelled immediately after starting them so that they’ll stop rather than renew when they’re over.
Having an option to turn off auto renew when you start a subscription would be greatly appreciated. However I (and others) would probably use it most when starting free trials, which eats away at the nasty “you tried it but forgot to cancel” income. Therefore I don’t see this being an option soon. I will point out that most subscription trials in iOS can be cancelled immediately after starting them so that they’ll stop rather than renew when they’re over.
I'm glad I already bought it for phone, iPad and Mac several months ago. It's a great program. I tried Affinity Photo too and, while it's much more powerful, the ease of use for Pixelmator won me over. I wanted something simple enough that my wife could use it and Pixelmator fits the bill.
I own the app (along with Pixelmator Pro and even got Pixelmator pre-Mac App Store roughly when it was first released) but definitely fall into the "casual user" bracket.
They're going into this eyes-open with everything and fair play to them for fully explaining their logic. They're one of the genuine "Apple first and only" companies and always seem to support the latest iOS/macOS features when a new version is released. Seems partly how the App Store is a race to the bottom and partly Apple's App Store policies forcing this path to them. So to me being "Apple first and only" is a large part of what's burning them currently.
As they say I certainly wouldn't subscribe at $4.99/month for the app. With subscriptions like this I just think the value provided from smaller companies doesn't compare well to larger competitors (Creative Cloud Photography plan is $9.99/month and I wouldn't touch Adobe with a bargepole. But it's better value than this.) or to other subscriptions you might have out (streaming, file storage, etc.).
Coupled with the current economic climate at least here in the UK subscriptions are the first thing to be cancelled. So it doesn't overly bode well regardless of which revenue path they take.
They're going into this eyes-open with everything and fair play to them for fully explaining their logic. They're one of the genuine "Apple first and only" companies and always seem to support the latest iOS/macOS features when a new version is released. Seems partly how the App Store is a race to the bottom and partly Apple's App Store policies forcing this path to them. So to me being "Apple first and only" is a large part of what's burning them currently.
As they say I certainly wouldn't subscribe at $4.99/month for the app. With subscriptions like this I just think the value provided from smaller companies doesn't compare well to larger competitors (Creative Cloud Photography plan is $9.99/month and I wouldn't touch Adobe with a bargepole. But it's better value than this.) or to other subscriptions you might have out (streaming, file storage, etc.).
Coupled with the current economic climate at least here in the UK subscriptions are the first thing to be cancelled. So it doesn't overly bode well regardless of which revenue path they take.
Why do developers think the creation of one app is all they need to do to sustain a business? It seems the ones who have expectations too high are the developers themselves. Personally, the first thing i look at for any app is its licensing terms. If there is no option for a one time, perpetual license then i don’t look at it any further. That includes any access to the app as it matures. I don’t expect major upgrades for free, but do expect to be able to continue to use the app in the same capacity it was purchased. If there is cloud access to files, and thats impacted by the major upgrade, i expect being able to still have full access to my digital property. This holding my digital property hostage behind a paywall if i decide to not upgrade from my purchased version, to the next major level/enhancement will always be a deal breaker for me.
You wouldn't, that's the point. People have phones littered with apps they seldom or never use because they liked buying cheap apps and tucking them away in a folder somewhere just because. If this is an app you seldom use, then you don't really need it. Or if you need it sporadically you can sub in for a month and then cancel.
There's a lifetime license option for Pixelmator as well that's going to be sticking around for those that don't want to do the subscription.
You're assuming a lot with that statement. Developers (largely) might be just fine with the current payment options. Or they may not. To try and assume that they would be wanting to revolt against the makers of the platform that leads to their source of income is not one I would bank on. Sure there would be some that would love the idea of a union, but there are many (myself included) that wouldn't want any part of that. Apple has to make the decisions for their platform that they think will be good for all involved, but at the end of the day their primary focus has to be their own future and shareholders. The same is true for the developers. They have to be able to try and grow and better their company and need a sustainable revenue stream to make it happen. If the market has dictated for them that this is the best way to go, and at this point in the platform's lifecycle there are enough case studies to create an informed opinion, then good on them for taking the step. I'm sure it is not one they make lightly because, as we've seen in this thread already, it is going to draw to them the wrath of the hoards who simultaneously rarely/never used their app while still hating them on spec just for the idea of the subscription.
Subscription-based models are ruining the world.
This isn’t the difference, as the blog post notes that they’ll be bringing Pixelmator Photo to macOS.
Someone has posted the distinction:
Of course you are affected, you will no longer get any updates and eventually your copy will no longer run. Better hope there isn't an OS update that breaks it.
Hm
I mean before you couldn't possibly increase the monthly cost could u ?
If a customer paid 3 bucks per month you could not change that and make him.pay 4/ month
Now you can
Yes?
Disappointed in Pixelmator. I no longer look forward in their products.
In the days of boxed software, developers did just fine. A one time purchase and you had software for years. This thing is that boxed software was expensive because the retailer got half. $50-200 was typical for a lot of software.
Still, the concept was fair. The developer made one time investment in developing a piece of software, then got to sell that work for years.
Now there’s an expectation of constant updates and anything over $5 seems expensive. Of course it’s pushing subscriptions.
I pay for quite a few subscriptions. If I use it for my business then it’s a no brainer. If I use it every week, it’s a no brainer. I don’t like it, but if the developer is constantly adding new worthwhile features then I suppose it’s win-win.
The problem is some software I use only 2-3 times a year. A subscription for that seems expensive. I’m careful with monthly expenses and paying for something I didn’t use that month feels like wasting money.
Subscriptions are also a problem when the software stagnates. If feels like the developer is collecting a use tax just because they can.
All we can do as consumers is vote with our wallets. Pixelmator had a market because Adobe went to subscriptions. Some other developer might smell opportunity and we will get the next Pixelmator.
Still, the concept was fair. The developer made one time investment in developing a piece of software, then got to sell that work for years.
Now there’s an expectation of constant updates and anything over $5 seems expensive. Of course it’s pushing subscriptions.
I pay for quite a few subscriptions. If I use it for my business then it’s a no brainer. If I use it every week, it’s a no brainer. I don’t like it, but if the developer is constantly adding new worthwhile features then I suppose it’s win-win.
The problem is some software I use only 2-3 times a year. A subscription for that seems expensive. I’m careful with monthly expenses and paying for something I didn’t use that month feels like wasting money.
Subscriptions are also a problem when the software stagnates. If feels like the developer is collecting a use tax just because they can.
All we can do as consumers is vote with our wallets. Pixelmator had a market because Adobe went to subscriptions. Some other developer might smell opportunity and we will get the next Pixelmator.
Glad I updated to the Pro version about a month ago. I have Pixelmator for my iPhone and iPad, but never felt the need for their photo app. Didn't know it was $7.99, would've just grabbed it, but I rarely use the other app on my iOS devices anyway.
It's a shame they've gone to the subscription model, but I hope it won't affect my current versions. They do keep supporting regular Pixelmator on iOS with minor updates, so I can assume compatibility won't be an issue... until they need more subscribers 😅
It's a shame they've gone to the subscription model, but I hope it won't affect my current versions. They do keep supporting regular Pixelmator on iOS with minor updates, so I can assume compatibility won't be an issue... until they need more subscribers 😅
I ditched Adobe products when they went to the subscription model.
Subscription always means a price increase.
I use and like Pixelmator Pro on my iMac.
Subscription always means a price increase.
I use and like Pixelmator Pro on my iMac.
I don’t do subscriptions so I guess I won’t be using this app.
Moving forward, I would rather just have Apple improve their own apps (like they already did with Photos, Notes, Reminders) and create their own pro apps (Final Cut, Logic).
I’m done with these subscription based apps. I rather just pay for one.
I’m done with these subscription based apps. I rather just pay for one.
