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Apps that shouldn't be Subscriptions
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this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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Personally, I'd love a "buy this version" option, where you can just pay once, and get a version that doesn't recieve updates, and I could then choose to subscribe to the "live" version from there.
Of course, this would just blow back in company's faces when it comes to the "average" user, who would be a total fucking idiot and harass support about not getting updates they didn't pay for
There’s actually quite a lot of software that monetises similarly to what you’re proposing. DxO and Ableton, just off the top of my head. Millions of happy users between those 2.
You get minor version updates for “free” (included in the one-time purchase). Upgrades to the next major version are discounted. Don’t need the features in the next major version? Stick with what you have for however long it works for you.
It’s by far my favourite model because it allows the developers to get paid, whilst not squeezing my neck. Everyone’s happy.
I generally have little need for paid software since I don't (or more accurately, can't) do any work at home, so it figures I wasn't aware of what's out there lol. The closest thing I use is cracked office. Because yeah, that payment type sounds pretty good, so long as releases are priced reasonably.
I figure a big difficulty is deciding on "major releases" vs rolling incremental development. If they're going to sell major releases, they actually need to be able to consistently make pretty sizable upgrades, and not just "streamlined a couple menus, big fixes" type updates.
Precisely! It keeps them honest. Furthermore, it forces closing the feedback loop with users. Developers need to understand what features users want most, and what bugs or usability issues need to be prioritised. Not listening to feedback means no future revenue, simple as that.
The subscription model does none of that. It’s just a greedy money-grab.
I disagree that major version updates equates to keeping them honest. Not everything needs major overhauls every few years. You can have a perfectly closed feedback loop, and still fail to sell people on buying 5.0.0 when 4.7.12 is still good enough, and recieved the little things that matter.
You fail to sell when you fail to timely implement desirable features. And you fail to prioritise properly when you disregard or misinterpret feedback.
None of this is better mitigated by subscription models.
Are you just talking to hear yourself speak?