This will be a poorly worded post since I’m typing on mobile.

I’m so tired of subscriptions. There’s already so many bills to pay, I don’t want to think about my phone having a dozen micro-bills.

All of the top apps in the iOS app store, mostly excluding Google and Microsoft, have subscription pricing. (And now Outlook requires a subscription to remove ads.)

Note taking app? Subscription. Reminders app? Subscription. An app with exactly one function and hasn’t been updated in months? Subscription.

It seems that the idea of one-time purchasing has all but died on iOS. The last one-time purchase I’ve ever made for an app on that platform is Apollo (RIP). After that, I just stuck with Apple’s default offerings (Mail, Calendar, Notes etc). However decent those apps may be, they’re stuck to the Apple ecosystem.

On a whim I wanted to try out the Pixel 7.

I discovered: Cinexplore, Feeder, Moshidon, Oto Music, and many more, of course.

So many quality apps that are either free or offer a one-time purchase. I used them for a bit and either paid the one-time purchase or donated if it was free.

And side-loading is the cherry on top. Having an open platform and more competition gives me a choice. It’s refreshing and helps reduce the mental burden of subscriptions.

  • AMillionMonkeys@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 years ago

    This is something I noticed when I got my Macbook. Apps for basic functionality that would be free on Windows are pay for Mac. Mac users are just used to opening their wallets.

      • AMillionMonkeys@lemmy.world
        0·
        2 years ago

        Now this might be down to my search skills, but -
        A media player like MPCHC that gives previews when you scrub the timeline
        A reasonably small text editor that understands the different line endings like Winpad.

        I found Elmedia Player for video, but I end up using VLC most of the time since Elmedia doesn’t generate previews for remote files. For text I found TextMate, which I like quite a bit.

  • svprdga@vlemmy.netEnglish
    11·
    2 years ago

    Hi, app developer here.

    I know that subscriptions are frustrating but it’s the only way to be on business this days.

    For instance, let’s say that you purchase a one-time fee that grants you lifetime access. 5 years after that you will continue to receive new features, new OSs adjustments to keep the app working, security patches, and changes to comply with store policies (which are becoming more and more strict every year btw).

    Unfortunately it’s impossible to be financially sustainable in the long term with one-time purchases only…

    What I do is to try to keep the prices as lower as possible, arround 10-20$ per year, of which I receive less than half of it after taxes and store fees.

    Even doing that is nearly impossible to survive, I don’t really know how much time I will be able to be full time doing this :/

  • CorrodedCranium@lemmy.fmhy.mlEnglish
    0·
    2 years ago

    You might want to check out of F-Droid if you haven’t already (not sure if you are already or if you are getting apps from GitHub, the Google Play store, or an APK mirror site). It’s great for free open source apps.

    I appreciate the customization options and simplicity of a lot of them. I also haven’t come across an app that requires a constant internet connection for verification which is nice

    • to_urcite_ty_kokos@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      If you are new to FDroid, don’t forget to add the IzzyOnDroid repository - you will be able to install quite a few additional apps.

        • to_urcite_ty_kokos@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          2 years ago

          I have now installed FairMail (The f-droid version is constrained), OpenScan, and Kvaesitso, but not as many as I expected. But still, you want to have as broad range as possible while choosing the best app.