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Ask HN: Do "Lite" versions "work"?

I'm preparing the marketing plan for my next iPhone application (currently in beta) and I'm trying to decide if I should create a free "Lite" version to accompany the paid-for application. I'd like to hear from developers and users; do Lite versions "work"?

peterhi 17y ago
I have download lite versions of iPhone apps and then later upgraded to the full version. In fact I have never just bought an app just to see if it is any good. YMMV
pclark 17y ago
Yes. http://www.iphonesavior.com/2009/01/iphone-developer-quits-day-job-after-ishoot-hits-number-one.html http://www.iphonesavior.com/2009/01/iphone-developer-quits-d... namely: "iShoot Lite" went live on January 3, 2009. Less than ten days later on January 11, the original iShoot rocketed out of obscurity as the number one Top Paid App in the iTunes App Store with 16,972 downloads in one day. It virtually blasted the reigning number one iFart app off its perch overnight. iShoot simultaneously grabbed the Top Free App number one spot as well.
- ScottWhigham 17y ago
  So wait - because this one, single iPhone application's "Lite" version worked, that means "Lite" versions work? I'm not so convinced. What worked for this guy doesn't mean it will work across all application types, for all developers, or for all audiences. OP, I'd be careful reading responses that are absolutes. No one can tell you definitively whether a "Lite" version will work for you. They can offer stories/stats of what other apps' successes/failures have been but do not misconstrue the reason behind the success/failure as being solely due to having a "Lite" version.
  - jasongullickson 17y ago
    Absolutely, I deliberately left the definition of "work" vague to try and solicit a range of responses. There are are obvious costs to develop/maintain a "Lite" version but I want to discover the hidden costs (and benefits) of providing two versions. I've read somewhere that having a Lite version can impact piracy, which is one angle I wouldn't have predicted.
  - ErrantX 17y ago
    but it proves it can have an effect. Certainly it was not the single reason that app (or any other) did so well - but it shows that people will buy something if they can try for free :)
mtinkerhess 17y ago
I released a Lite version of my first app. The download rate of Lite to Paid was about 50 to 1 -- no more sales than I had been doing before. The goal with a Lite version is to provide enough functionality so that the user sees how great your app is and at the same time enough restrictions so the user feels compelled to pay for the full version. Among many other mistakes in making this app, I didn't strike the right balance -- I let functionality take too much of a hit without showing the user clearly how the paid version would be improved.
- jasongullickson 17y ago
  If you don't mind sharing, what's the name of your application? I'd like to see what balance you chose.
  - mtinkerhess 17y ago
    It was called iTrio. I've since removed the Lite version from the app store. Its only handicap was that you were limited to easy mode -- to play in regular mode you had to buy the full version. You can get a pretty good idea of the app from its site at http://www.itrioapp.com http://www.itrioapp.com. For my upcoming asteroids-inspired game I'm thinking of imposing a time limit -- let the player play for somewhere between 2 to 5 minutes and then it's "game over" and "please buy the full version".
AdamGibbins 17y ago
I believe they do yes, I've brought the full version on multiple apps after being satisfied but restricted with the Lite version.
jcl 17y ago
Most anecdotes I have read online indicate that they work, sometimes as a short-term boost to sales, sometimes longer-term: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/02/shoot-is-iphone/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/02/shoot-is-iphone/ http://candycaneapps.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/the-insouts-of-life-in-the-appstore/ http://candycaneapps.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/the-insouts-of... http://www.streamingcolour.com/blog/2009/04/27/the-numbers-post-part-2/ http://www.streamingcolour.com/blog/2009/04/27/the-numbers-p... http://148apps.biz/app-sales-coorelation-between-demo-and-paid-versions/ http://148apps.biz/app-sales-coorelation-between-demo-and-pa... http://www.veiledgames.com/blog/?p=374 http://www.veiledgames.com/blog/?p=374 http://www.antairgames.com/blog/2009/02/02/hows-that-lite-version-treating-you/ http://www.antairgames.com/blog/2009/02/02/hows-that-lite-ve... As near as I can tell, a lite version is the most cost-effective form of marketing available, probably better than making a webpage for your app, or making a YouTube video of it, or getting your app reviewed on review site (all of which, I am told, are also very good things to do).

peterhi 17y ago

I have download lite versions of iPhone apps and then later upgraded to the full version. In fact I have never just bought an app just to see if it is any good. YMMV

pclark 17y ago

Yes. http://www.iphonesavior.com/2009/01/iphone-developer-quits-day-job-after-ishoot-hits-number-one.html http://www.iphonesavior.com/2009/01/iphone-developer-quits-d... namely: "iShoot Lite" went live on January 3, 2009. Less than ten days later on January 11, the original iShoot rocketed out of obscurity as the number one Top Paid App in the iTunes App Store with 16,972 downloads in one day. It virtually blasted the reigning number one iFart app off its perch overnight. iShoot simultaneously grabbed the Top Free App number one spot as well.

ScottWhigham 17y ago
So wait - because this one, single iPhone application's "Lite" version worked, that means "Lite" versions work? I'm not so convinced. What worked for this guy doesn't mean it will work across all application types, for all developers, or for all audiences. OP, I'd be careful reading responses that are absolutes. No one can tell you definitively whether a "Lite" version will work for you. They can offer stories/stats of what other apps' successes/failures have been but do not misconstrue the reason behind the success/failure as being solely due to having a "Lite" version.
- jasongullickson 17y ago
  Absolutely, I deliberately left the definition of "work" vague to try and solicit a range of responses. There are are obvious costs to develop/maintain a "Lite" version but I want to discover the hidden costs (and benefits) of providing two versions. I've read somewhere that having a Lite version can impact piracy, which is one angle I wouldn't have predicted.
- ErrantX 17y ago
  but it proves it can have an effect. Certainly it was not the single reason that app (or any other) did so well - but it shows that people will buy something if they can try for free :)

mtinkerhess 17y ago

I released a Lite version of my first app. The download rate of Lite to Paid was about 50 to 1 -- no more sales than I had been doing before. The goal with a Lite version is to provide enough functionality so that the user sees how great your app is and at the same time enough restrictions so the user feels compelled to pay for the full version. Among many other mistakes in making this app, I didn't strike the right balance -- I let functionality take too much of a hit without showing the user clearly how the paid version would be improved.

jasongullickson 17y ago
If you don't mind sharing, what's the name of your application? I'd like to see what balance you chose.
- mtinkerhess 17y ago
  It was called iTrio. I've since removed the Lite version from the app store. Its only handicap was that you were limited to easy mode -- to play in regular mode you had to buy the full version. You can get a pretty good idea of the app from its site at http://www.itrioapp.com http://www.itrioapp.com. For my upcoming asteroids-inspired game I'm thinking of imposing a time limit -- let the player play for somewhere between 2 to 5 minutes and then it's "game over" and "please buy the full version".

AdamGibbins 17y ago

I believe they do yes, I've brought the full version on multiple apps after being satisfied but restricted with the Lite version.

jcl 17y ago

Most anecdotes I have read online indicate that they work, sometimes as a short-term boost to sales, sometimes longer-term: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/02/shoot-is-iphone/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/02/shoot-is-iphone/ http://candycaneapps.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/the-insouts-of-life-in-the-appstore/ http://candycaneapps.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/the-insouts-of... http://www.streamingcolour.com/blog/2009/04/27/the-numbers-post-part-2/ http://www.streamingcolour.com/blog/2009/04/27/the-numbers-p... http://148apps.biz/app-sales-coorelation-between-demo-and-paid-versions/ http://148apps.biz/app-sales-coorelation-between-demo-and-pa... http://www.veiledgames.com/blog/?p=374 http://www.veiledgames.com/blog/?p=374 http://www.antairgames.com/blog/2009/02/02/hows-that-lite-version-treating-you/ http://www.antairgames.com/blog/2009/02/02/hows-that-lite-ve... As near as I can tell, a lite version is the most cost-effective form of marketing available, probably better than making a webpage for your app, or making a YouTube video of it, or getting your app reviewed on review site (all of which, I am told, are also very good things to do).