[lovelearning]

Software payments seem to fall under either a periodic subscription model or a one-time purchase model. Both involve inconvenient workflows - setting up an account with each provider, handing over payment details to each provider, tracking payments on provider's website.

My other problem is that software usage is not consistent - I may need something badly this week but never again.

I'd be paying more and for more things if there was a smooth pay-per-use micropayments solution. Load up a wallet at start of the month. Every provider has a standard pay tip button which should be as easy to integrate anywhere as a "share this on twitter" link. Click the button, enter amount, and that's that. Software, news, content websites would all benefit. I think mobile games have solved this in a way through in-app purchases.