Tweetbot 6 Launches With Design Updates and Subscription Pricing

[Stephen.R]

I sympathise with the developers wanting revenue for work performed, especially given that they’re at the mercy of Twitter for the api.

but what surprises me more is that people will pay a dollar a month for Twitter.

I could understand paying for access to a news service, where you want actual information... I just don’t see any value in Twitter these days. It’s like the comments section of any news site.

 

[Stephen.R]

To people complaining about subscription pricing:

Access to the new Twitter API costs money. The developer has to pay for it. Subscriptions are the only way a third party Twitter client is possible.

Think of it as paying for no ads on Twitter. It's only $6 a year; I bet some of ya'll spend that at Starbucks every day.

That at least seems like Twitter is trying a non **** business model.

I’m still not convinced the content is worth paying for though.

 

[shyam09]

I love Tweetbot, but Twitter doesn't give access to all its features so I've had to transition to Twitter so I don't have to maintain two Twitter apps.

 

[Canyda]

Love Tweetbot. $6 a year is more than reasonable.

Yup. The regular Twitter app goes nuts sometimes with ads literally every 5 or 6 tweets. The price of a grande fancy coffee for a year's worth of TweetBot is worth it to me.

 

[billchase2]

Has anyone learned if previous buyers are grandfathered into any features? Or have access to all features for a certain amount of time? So far, I'm not seeing anything like that.

 

[checker2010]

I’ve already downloaded it and purchased the one year subscription. Tweetbot has always been my favourite Twitter app and it’s a delight to support the development team keep it going.
I could never go back to the official Twitter app.

 

[DribbleCastle]

Yup. The regular Twitter app goes nuts sometimes with ads literally every 5 or 6 tweets. The price of a grande fancy coffee for a year's worth of TweetBot is worth it to me.

Agreed. I don't care for subs to apps but $6 per year. That is nothing like the craziness of Fantastical or Carrot Weather. Although I'd probably not use many of the new features, I love this developer and am totally fine throwing them $6 a year for their work. Hell, I spent $6 renting Tenent this weekend and that just confused me.

 

[Michael Scrip]

You're paying for the application. And applications have developers, API costs, etc.

Anyone can use twitter.com for free. But independent software ain't free.

I bought a sandwich from Firehouse Subs and it cost $12. For one lunch.

So $6 for an entire year of software is fine. Developers gotta eat too!

 

[lakerchick4life]

It's not like TB5 just stopped working this morning.

Yeah thats true I guess the old one will still work heck they updated it last week

 

[checker2010]

and what happens to those like me who actually bought the tweetbot 5 app last year, now its worthless?

Luckily it keeps on working as normal.

 

[checker2010]

What about the Mac app?

They’re a small developer. I’m sure they’re now concentrating on the Mac app.

 

[mrat93]

Happy to continue supporting them. I’m not sure how all other Twitter clients handle ads, but $6/year for a familiar ad-free experience is worth it for me.

 

[JDuggan]

I'll bite. $6/year isn't much. I mean, it's AD-FREE Twitter, folks.

 

[daanodinot]

To people complaining about subscription pricing:

Access to the new Twitter API costs money. The developer has to pay for it. Subscriptions are the only way a third party Twitter client is possible.

Think of it as paying for no ads on Twitter. It's only $6 a year; I bet some of ya'll spend that at Starbucks every day.

Yep. Another way to look at it: I think we can all agree that time is the most valuable thing we have. Therefore, it seems rather strange that people have no problem paying $6 for a cup of coffee that they consume in a few minutes, while $6 for an app/service that they consume for tens or hundreds of hours a year is an outrage.

 

[SvenLorenz1975]

Love Tweetbot. $6 a year is more than reasonable.

Absolutely. At least they're honest about it. They could also charge a "one-time-fee" each time they release a major new version.

 

[thadoggfather]

though I hate SaaS models, and I think Twitter is increasingly a total wasteland... I understand the need to charge monthly/yearly

I think Twitter API access is tiered by users so each person paying ensures dev can meet bottom line instead of being stuck with the bill and it being prohibitive to his businesses

Paul Haddad is extremely talented.

Tweetbot and Apollo make my iPhone, my iPhone.

Still not sure I'll do it, but maybe?

 

[jclardy]

The funny part reading these comments is the fact that Tweetbot 1-4 were $10 paid apps, released once a year. 5 was a free upgrade for 4 users. Now the dev asks for $6 for a year, and people flip out even though that is actually less than they were paying...

Here's the truth of it - paid apps no longer work. Not at the fault of developers, a fault of the App Store, and Apple. Why? A few reasons:

- The "GET" button. Better than it used to be ("FREE") but still implies to most users that they don't have to pay.
- In app purchases get a mention under the "GET" button. This is good. Subscriptions do not - this is bad.
- An app that wants to offer a free trial, but a paid full version (IE the basic software business model from the beginning of time) has no way to advertise the model around the "GET" button. Instead it appears like every other subscription/credit based IAP cash grab app.
- Top lists/search results are too heavily weighted towards total downloads + total review count - a paid app can't compete with initial free downloads.

Apple should simply allow devs to explain the business model under the "GET" button (And even customize that button - IE "TRY")
- "GET" + "Requires subscription"
- "GET" + "One time pro upgrade"
- "GET" + "Consumable purchases"

This is better for developers and better for customers. Everyone wins, but Apple still does nothing.

I work for a company with subscription based apps, and literally 95% of our negative reviews are people complaining that there is a subscription. Our first line of our App Store states that a subscription is required. Real uses don't read the description or look past the first screenshot. They only see "GET" and read it as "FREE".

 

[BeatCrazy]

Would be great if there was a bundle price/offer for those who want to use it on both iOS and macOS. And no, I don't feel like side loading on my M1.

 

[dannyyankou]

It’s actually just fine for read-only.

 

[Guacamole]

no way. I use tweetbot, but I won't pay for the subscription

 

[Starflyer]

One of my all-time favorite iOS apps. I’ll gladly pay $6/yr. I have never installed the official Twitter app and never will. Thanks Tapbots!

 

[BradWI]

I’d pay double that to not have to use the official app.

Also appreciate them offering a yearly option instead of month-by-month. Pay it once and forget about it for a year.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Tweetbot is the best Twitter client out there, but I’m disappointed with the change here. I’d rather do a one-time payment of let’s say $9.99

Seeing as how they come out with major updates roughly once every two years now, the math is a wash.

The days of third party twitter clients being a thing are over, in my opinion. The official app is the full deal.

I haven't tried it in years, does the native app still come with ads? Does it do timeline syncing?

 

[dubmick]

No issue paying €6.49 but wish it had the bookmark functionality.

 

[GoonerSid]

Would be great if there was a bundle price/offer for those who want to use it on both iOS and macOS. And no, I don't feel like side loading on my M1.

Not sure if they will update the OSX app and you will be able to "Restore Purchases" there to get the subscription. Certainly works across IOS for my phone and my pad. £6 is not a lot for an app I personally use a great deal and is head and shoulders above the official app.