Honest question, and I'm asking because I want to know your take, not because I'm trying to be a dick: why should an app developer have a sustainable income stream from a single app no matter what?
Isn't it possible that an app is simple enough that doesn't justify getting a full salary out of it?
Again, I'm not trying to be a dick here, I'm just trying to figure out what is the reasoning behind the subscription model.
I'm a freelance web developer. When I'm done with a project I have to move to something else. Is it unreasonable to expect app developers to do the same?
And I know, not all apps are created equal, some apps require constant work. I get that. For some apps is reasonable to expect a subscription. But for all apps? I'd say no.
And this developer, from what I can see, is doing the "right thing" by working on multiple products. Which is great.
I completely agree, many apps don’t justify being a subscription. It depends on the complexity, the frequency of expected updates and new features. Also if there is a cloud storage or paid API component to the app, then a subscription model is practically essential to keep an app running due to the developer’s own recurring costs.
I think like many things it’s not one size fits all.
In this particular case, I think that keeping a firewall utility up to date with changes to macOS and emerging threats would require a modest sustainable income source to make it worthwhile for the developer.
Well, I was looking at the change log of the non mini version of this app and the releases are dated
- October 12, 2022
- May 2, 2022
- April 25, 2022
- November 17, 2021
Just to grab the most recent. Reading the change notes a solid % is bug fixes which is expected.
This looks like a “traditional” piece of software. Doesn’t require constant new features that could be eventually bundled in a major paid release and the updates are primarily big fixes.
And in fact the non mini version of little snitch is not a subscription. As it should.
I agree with you that if an app has running costs (cloud storage or other services) or it requires constant work then a subscription is justified. But these days developers are trying to convert everything into a subscription.
Every minor utility app wants to be a subscription. Which is just insane.
Isn't it possible that an app is simple enough that doesn't justify getting a full salary out of it?
Again, I'm not trying to be a dick here, I'm just trying to figure out what is the reasoning behind the subscription model.
I'm a freelance web developer. When I'm done with a project I have to move to something else. Is it unreasonable to expect app developers to do the same?
And I know, not all apps are created equal, some apps require constant work. I get that. For some apps is reasonable to expect a subscription. But for all apps? I'd say no.
And this developer, from what I can see, is doing the "right thing" by working on multiple products. Which is great.