Marco ArmentOct 11, 2024

For reference, for the people saying I shouldn't raise my price:

Pocket Casts: $40/year
The Podcast App: $37/year
Castbox: $35/year
Castro: $25/year
…
Overcast: $10/year

I have no problem telling everyone this now: I'm raising my price in the near future.

I've only waited this long because I wanted to give you some new stuff at the same time!

Show threadBrian LewisOct 11, 2024
@marcoarment Why not a single price with no sub? I like supporting developers. Apps I don't use much though it's hard to justify on a recurring basis.
Show threadDanielOct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @marcoarment one time purchase for recurring service value? How does that make any financial sense?
Show threadBrian LewisOct 11, 2024
@danielinoa @marcoarment I'm buying an app, not an ecosystem.
Show threadDaniel
@HanBrolo @marcoarment
Overcast is a service, the app is just the interface. Services with recurring cost aren’t viable without recurring revenue.
Oct 11, 2024 at 2:26amIceCubesApp
Show threadBrian LewisOct 11, 2024
@danielinoa @marcoarment That's an implementation choice. I listen to podcasts only sporadically so paying for a service isn't practical.
Show threadDanielOct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @marcoarment how much would you be willing to pay if it was a one-time purchase?
Show threadBrian LewisOct 11, 2024
@danielinoa @marcoarment $49 for a major version release.
Show threadSteve RigginsOct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @danielinoa @marcoarment I’m over one time release pricing. Apps come and go. I’d rather support a higher cost over time but more likely to support a developer’s future now via subs. It feels bad, but i have an email folder of every subscription email and I just review it from time to time. I want a developer to know their income stream and not rely on these bursts and figure out when they can charge again.
Show threadfin-314Oct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @danielinoa @marcoarment use AntennaPod. It's free and it has everything you need
Show threadFlorian PoeltlOct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @danielinoa @marcoarment Then maybe Overcast is to much for you and you could use Apple Podcast or use the ad supported version. Ads on Overcast are not very invasive.
Show threadMarco ArmentOct 11, 2024

@danielinoa @HanBrolo Call it whatever you like.

iOS apps need ongoing maintenance to keep up with the platform and customer expectations.

In Overcast’s 11th year, I don’t need to prove this to anyone. It’s a free app with ads, or a subscription.

Show threadBrian LewisOct 11, 2024

@marcoarment @danielinoa Every app needs maintenance. That's just software.

Subscriptions are just so tiring. As a consumer I want to be 'one and done' until new stuff comes around that I want then I buy that version.

Show threadChristian TietzeOct 11, 2024

@HanBrolo @marcoarment @danielinoa It's not possible on iOS, but you could have that with 'traditional' desktop software. Then your choice is not to update your OS in order to not break old apps for which you don't want to pay again.

Not sure if we'd all enjoy a future where Apple would change fewer things year over year in their OS's. I certainly would. :)

Show threadillustroOct 11, 2024

@HanBrolo @marcoarment @danielinoa the issue you are running into is what Apple allows. Apple doesn't let developers do "version" pricing like you want. They also don't let you submit multiple versions of your app to the store. So the only options developers have are:

- do a "lifetime" price (which is not sustainable from the developers perspective)
- do a monthly sub

Show threadFlorian PoeltlOct 11, 2024
@HanBrolo @marcoarment @danielinoa Subscribe and instantly unsubscribe. After 1 year you buy the new version (subscribe and unsubscribe again). Easy
Show threadDuclearcOct 11, 2024
@marcoarment @danielinoa @HanBrolo Do you intend to keep the "free with ads" version?
Show threadLee BenningfieldOct 11, 2024
@danielinoa It's a podcast player app, what's the service? From the description on the website it sounds like it should be a one-time purchase.
Show threadStuart McHattie 👨🏼‍💻Oct 12, 2024
@Leebenningfield @danielinoa pretty sure the “service” was a bad choice of wording. The app requires, at minimum, annual updates to make it work with the latest iOS release. Realistically, you have to keep adding new features and updating your app to keep up with the competition, while one-time purchase users get that additional work for free.