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Free (IAP) Apps Versus Paid Apps
Hi everyone. I am a new member here but have been reading this forum on and off for the last couple of years. I work with with a developer on a freelance basis whose work has been featured and discussed here from time to time.
Likely this topic has come before but I am interested on hearing your views. How do you feel about offering free apps with in app purchases versus just offering a paid version of an app? Do you feel there free IAP model has more potential to reach a greater range of users?
For example, I see that the FM4 group offered a ‘lite’ version of the app but it appears that it has now been dropped from the iTunes store. Do you think there is a reason for this? What is the down side for offering free apps to help demonstrate basic app capabilities?
Comments
I like to pay for an app, and get everything upfront. The IAP stuff, I don't like doing it that way. Unless, there is new additions to the app. Then I can see doing that.
But, I'm for whatever works for the developer to continue updating/grading the app.
I like to pay up front and get everything, no IAPs. I'm good with free versions that let you taste what the real thing is like and having a full version alongside it in app store with full functionality. I hate IAPs for two reasons. #1 they are infinitely addable, which means I never know when I'll be asked for another nickel and dime in the future. #2 they aren't trackable via various app tracking websites, so I never know when a developer is running a promotion. Call me cheap or not supporting the developer, but everyone is looking out for a good deal. In return I'm an active user and active on online forums, and so am a good citizen for promoting an app that gives great service at a good price.
Screw me on that, though, and I'll keep talking about how horrible your model is. The thing that I hate is an app that is sold, and then deprecated at some short point in the future for a "new" app that has some incremental functionality over the old one. I can understand replacing an app several years old, but to do it to one I've bought a few months ago without a low cost upgrade path is just rotten customer service.
I don't mind the IAP model. I think it can reach a larger audience as well. In general, for anything that an end user is supposed to interact with, good usability is to let them play and get a feel for it. When they actually want to do something (connect external devices, unlock specialist functionality) it is then, and only then, you ask them either for money or, if it is an online service, their details.
I think Hipstamatic is great, and has a great model. Each IAP is cheap enough to purchase in a whim/wtf-moment. If it isn't awesome it doesn't really matter, there are others that are.
One app that has gotten a good balance IMHO is MidiFlow, which is very useful as it is, for the intro price. Then I can unlock specific functionality as IAP's, if I need them. If I don't, I don't have to. It is expensive enough to have a quick think about it before purchasing, but cheap enough that it doesn't break the bank, and in each of them I've found more functionality than I realised at the purchase moment.
The same goes for the FabFilter plug-ins in Auria. I used to think "I will never...". Now I sit here with all of them, and feel happy about it too, as they are awesome.
Just the other day I purchased the "import sounds" IAP in LP-5, which is free as a base app. Before that I had been able to play around with it, to see how it works, get a feel for it, loaded in clips I've downloaded (for free) etc. It was only when I was working in another app, and I had a snippet that I wanted to play around with some more that I came to think of the IAP in LP-5, and that I can load it in there to try different bass/rhythm patterns to the same chord sequence in a simple way. Done.
I have not purchased all Animoog IAP's. I have not purchased everything in Magellan or Synthmaster Player, as I haven't found I need "all of them". I have purchased a few, and I know the others are there if I would need them.
Being new to the walled garden of apple-land (as of November 2015) I must say the music apps are second to none. The fairlight and animoog apps are choice! I bought all the in apps for animoog just because I am just in awe of what the app does. The fairlight is just legendary.
This in app purchase thing does not bother me, but I am still a new user so perhaps I will see the issues others have with this...
I would beware of relying too much on non IAP apps. They will be great when they come out. But if there are no IAPs, then the developer has almost no incentive to add on new features. He may get more people buying if he adds on features, but everyone who already purchased is just getting his work for nothing. It's one of the main reasons you see apps fall by the wayside. And if the app is one that needs upgrades to continue working, because of a change in iOS, again, there is no incentive for the dev to update it if he can't charge for it.
It's great if it's something frivolous, or easily replaceable. But the main apps I use, they are still incredibly cheap, and I want the dev to keep making money so they keep going.
I don't know the macro stats, but I do know personally that I'm less leery with downloading an app that sounds interesting at a cost vs. a free one with in-app purchases. And to extend, I've bought or spent more on in-app purchases from paid apps than I have IAP from initially free ones. I suppose that boils down to I'm willing to buy IAP add-ons that enhance the program but less likely to pay for basic functionality additions (a la MIDI support, export paramaters, etc)
My view is if you need to make money off your application and you believe in its quality, charge a price for it up front. Especially in the iOS world, I think the perception & reception of an app with a value placed on it is much higher than one that is essentially a sample.
Either way, it comes down to not insulting the intelligence of your customer. Musicians are a more discerning group than children begging their parents for a $5 "chest of coins" or a $20 "shipping container of coins" for their free iPad video game.
Don't mind the IAP's when they are confined to "pro" / deluxe type expansions, like extensive midi features, hardware integration, or multiple instances or tracks or something. I think the basic app should be intact and usable, and have price tag that fits the market.
I kind of ignore free apps with tons of or expensive IAP's, I assume it will be a waste of time, and I don't appreciate being baited along. Don't particularly like apps with tons of separate sample libraries for sale, but that's just a personal qualm.
Don't mind lite and full versions, like a free version where you can try it out, but can't save, or it stops working after a couple hours or something.
I generally agree with what Prosessaurus says above so no need to repeat it.
Oh, oh, oh, I just came to think of that one of my fave synths actually is a "free with IAP's": TF7!!
It is a decent free synth, but with the IAP's turns into something really cool.
i also agree with what @Prosessaurus just stated.