[candiddevmike]

I build apps with subscriptions (like https://homechart.app) and this is why I offer a lifetime subscription/one time payment. To me, the monthly/yearly option gives users more of an "extended trial" option, and they'll hopefully see that it makes sense to just go lifetime.

One problem I have (perhaps self inflicted) is that I do not offer my lifetime subscription on app stores. 30% is a huge cut of what is effectively my TCV, and I'd rather they use my web payment processor vs raising the lifetime subscription to cover the increase hit. I think this creates friction to conversions, but I don't know for sure.

I do think subscription-based creates better quality software as you are (in theory) having to prove your software is still valuable everytime a customer renews. But too often this just results in redesign churn without any net new features/benefits.

[wongarsu]

> I do think subscription-based creates better quality software

Maybe compared to pay-once. But the pay-for-every-major-version model that used to be common also provides an incentive to improve, while avoiding redesign churn: the amount of sales you get is directly correlated to how much better your new version is. Meanwhile with subscriptions you mainly have to update the design to attract new customers, your old customers are stuck paying unless you become worse than your competitors.

[jsmith99]

The app store is full of programs that haven't been updated in several years but still attract subscriptions until they get too buggy. Eg most popular ebook readers (eg kybook 3 still costs £15/year).

[thenipper]

Looking at this your pricing strategy is totally reasonable. Like I’ll try something like that out and if it’s worth it pay just the lifetime cost.

Question: I couldn’t find this with a quick skim of the site on my phone. Do you have an API?

[candiddevmike]

Thank you, that's quite reassuring actually. There is an API, here are our docs: https://web.homechart.app/api/docs. There's also a python library: https://github.com/candiddev/homechart-python.

[thenipper]

Thanks!

[leipert]

Your “Learn more about self-hosted” link on the home page is broken. Looks cool. Might try it.

[candiddevmike]

Thank you for the report! Should be fixed now, consequence of updating the docs. Let me know what you think of the app.