Good as I don't want 100+ subscriptions, I just want an app I can buy outright.
Unfortunately, Apple is the only one that holds the keys to the kingdom here. The main problem is the app store search algorithm, that combines downloads/ratings/revenue/keywords to output results. And...is also pay to play, because of Apple Search Ads. Subscription based companies can pay upwards of $10 for single installs, because the lifetime value of a ASA customer on their product is greater than that. So any small players are pushed out of the top results, especially if you are not a subscription, as you don't have consistent future revenue accounted for in your search ranking.I think, at the end of the day, people just don't like getting fleeced. Especially on a recurring basis.
So, charge an appropriate amount for the value you are providing. And charge it once. And people will fall in love with the thing. $60/year for a Sudoku app is just not something the average player can justify - it automatically makes it appeal only to niche players (completely made up example).
Some apps warrant subscriptions, but most have no recurring costs to justify them. And even though the model is pushed by Apple (because it also means they earn more) does not mean it's sustainable for users or app developers.
I wonder if these apps would make money if Apple reduced their (15% or 30%) cut of the subscription revenue, or would they still be money losers?
Yeah because it’s a deterrent for business. Task apps that don’t require any server use or other perpetual demands of resources from the developer now feel entitled to monthly fees. People are fed up and will just buy a task app that has a one time fee
It's not Apple's cut. That's only 15% for most of the apps and will make essentially no difference whether or not an app is making any money; developers need to price in the cost of doing business into their business and 15%, even 30% should be factored in up front.I wonder if these apps would make money if Apple reduced their (15% or 30%) cut of the subscription revenue, or would they still be money losers?
In 2022, Apple paid a total of 60 billion U.S. dollars to iOS app developers...If Apple's commission is why the app isn't making money then the dev is bad at math, simple as that.
Infuse 6
That's why I'm no longer using 1password. After they introduce subspriction, I switch to keychain. Miss old they, when I OWNed software that I paid one-time.
I can't believe people "subscribe" to a media player
Like .. what are we doing here?
Well, there goes my plan of making a subscription-based app that displays memes of "cats in offices" but with the meme's text poorly Google-Translated into whatever the local language in the user's country is... my brilliant and fool-proof business plan has gone up in smoke, so I guess I won't quit my day job just yet. 😩
It's bad enough that I was dumb enough to pay for it, but it was the last straw when they literally removed all the old versions from the App Store so you couldn't buy it anymore.
If I don't laugh, I'll cry.