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Apple needs to reign in subscriptions. I was looking for a "photo vault" app the other day, basically a place to store photos that is password protected. I didn

Apple needs to reign in subscriptions. I was looking for a "photo vault" app the other day, basically a place to store photos that is password protected. I didn't need cloud storage, no fancy features, just a place to store photos with a passcode lock. So I went looking for an app and I must have reviewed close to 50, every single one had a "subscription". Now I get it, apps aren't easy to make and aren't free either, I get paying $2, $3, hell $5 or $10 for the app, but don't make me pay you $2.50 per month for all eternity. Now I get subscriptions, I happily pay for Netflix, Spotify, and even some lesser known apps that have a subscription. But in every case those apps are providing me with a great value, 1Password is another great example. But to charge for a subscription to just use an offline app? No.

imoverclocked 5y ago
> But to charge for a subscription to just use an offline app? So, if they make you sign in to their service to use the app, you would be ok with a subscription? Do you want/expect that app to be updated/supported over time? As someone who grew up with purchased box software followed by the pervasive availability of open source software, I severely dislike subscriptions for software products. In fact, auto-renew subscriptions in general are often a dark pattern IMHO. OTOH, I have to imagine that as a developer, if an app I produce is going to be used by 100 people, I can't financially sustain it by selling it for $2 one time. Also, if it's niche enough or novel enough to be difficult to reproduce, I can get away with a subscription. I think you hit the nail on the head with "But in every case those apps are providing me with a great value." Each developer is effectively a small business trying to create a product in exchange for money. If they price it too high or have unlikeable terms, they lose customers.
- Damogran6 5y ago
  I've known several people that were exceptionally talented and provided a product that couldn't otherwise be had...They were also really bad at business. Paying on time, Billing on time, TRACKING DOWN outstanding bills...pricing their services at a fair and competitive rate and doing so in a way that keeps them fed. It's not the magic trick, it's the marketing that makes or breaks a business.
- ksec 5y ago
  I think we should go back to upgrade pricing. Software subscription doesn't work, it makes sense from a developer and business perspective, but makes zero sense to consumer. Apple trying to court consumer to subscription has largely failed. A fair way would be the Apps wont be updated to include iOS (new) support. So after a few years if you decide to upgrade iOS, you will have to upgrade the Apps as well. Or basically buy the new version of App with upgrade pricing like you did in the old days.
pandemicsoul 5y ago
Doesn't Apple REQUIRE a subscription on most apps? Like haven't there been multiple devs talking about how Apple rejects "free" apps if they "don't seem to have a unique purpose" or whatever, and you need to have either an up-front cost or a subscription model for Apple to accept it?
- _fat_santa 5y ago
  No. I have a free app (100% free) on the app store for a few years now. No issues with Apple.

imoverclocked 5y ago

> But to charge for a subscription to just use an offline app? So, if they make you sign in to their service to use the app, you would be ok with a subscription? Do you want/expect that app to be updated/supported over time? As someone who grew up with purchased box software followed by the pervasive availability of open source software, I severely dislike subscriptions for software products. In fact, auto-renew subscriptions in general are often a dark pattern IMHO. OTOH, I have to imagine that as a developer, if an app I produce is going to be used by 100 people, I can't financially sustain it by selling it for $2 one time. Also, if it's niche enough or novel enough to be difficult to reproduce, I can get away with a subscription. I think you hit the nail on the head with "But in every case those apps are providing me with a great value." Each developer is effectively a small business trying to create a product in exchange for money. If they price it too high or have unlikeable terms, they lose customers.

Damogran6 5y ago
I've known several people that were exceptionally talented and provided a product that couldn't otherwise be had...They were also really bad at business. Paying on time, Billing on time, TRACKING DOWN outstanding bills...pricing their services at a fair and competitive rate and doing so in a way that keeps them fed. It's not the magic trick, it's the marketing that makes or breaks a business.
ksec 5y ago
I think we should go back to upgrade pricing. Software subscription doesn't work, it makes sense from a developer and business perspective, but makes zero sense to consumer. Apple trying to court consumer to subscription has largely failed. A fair way would be the Apps wont be updated to include iOS (new) support. So after a few years if you decide to upgrade iOS, you will have to upgrade the Apps as well. Or basically buy the new version of App with upgrade pricing like you did in the old days.

pandemicsoul 5y ago

Doesn't Apple REQUIRE a subscription on most apps? Like haven't there been multiple devs talking about how Apple rejects "free" apps if they "don't seem to have a unique purpose" or whatever, and you need to have either an up-front cost or a subscription model for Apple to accept it?

_fat_santa 5y ago
No. I have a free app (100% free) on the app store for a few years now. No issues with Apple.