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by pkamb 3309 days ago
I have a little open-source Mac utility where the source code is available on GitHub:

https://github.com/pkamb/PowerKey

I then sell a compiled version signed with my Apple Developer ID via Gumroad:

https://gumroad.com/l/powerkey

This model works pretty well for small apps that you otherwise want to keep in a public repo. The hassle of compiling + signing the app is worth $5 to many people.

For anyone dabbling with the idea, I can't recommend Gumroad enough for simplicity. But it would be nice to see payment/storefront functionality built into GitHub's Releases feature. A GitHub sanctioned payment system might even clue some creators in to the fact that you can charge for some component of your open source work.

2 comments

There's also a quite well known sprite/pixel art editing/drawing application, named Aseprite, which has a similar model - the author sells it as a paid app in its compiled form, though he also makes the full source available on GitHub. I have huge respect for him for that, and that it seems to work for him!

https://www.aseprite.org/

You did a very good job at describing your product there...

I almost bought it, and I'm on Linux!