[joshstrange]

> The reason I chose to make Danish Names a paid app from the beginning was simply that I think it's a lot more honest and upfront to charge a small one-time fee before the download, as opposed to claiming your app is free and then charging a high fee or even a subscription inside the app. There's an honesty and straight-forwardness to paid apps that I like: You pay once, and then you don't get bothered with requests for paid upgrades when you're using the app.

I understand what you are going for here but I have no qualms with "Free, with IAP" as long as when I look at the IAP I see things like:

- Unlock Full Version

- Remove Ads

- 1 Month/1 Year (for certain types of apps where that makes sense)

- Lifetime Unlock

and not:

- 100 Gems

- Pack of Coins

- Subscription for an app that I only plan to use a handful of times

[theluketaylor]

Since Apple doesn't offer trials I have no issue with a dev offering some limited free download with IAP to unlock. The limits need to match the app in some way, like a limit on total queries or a timer.

Subscriptions have to be either something that has recurring costs to the developer (like they depend on a 3rd party API that charges for access) or the dev is upfront that it's an optional opportunity to support them. I'm also fine with some nice-to-have features locked behind a paywall if they are not core to the app functionality.

[joshstrange]

Apple does not offer trials for paid upfront apps but they do offer trials for subscriptions.

Also I’ve seen developers do things like X searches for free (either one time or per month/week/day) then you have to subscribe or pay a one-time unlock fee.

CallSheet (an IMDB replacement) does this and it’s nice to be able to try out the app a few times before you decide if it’s worth the $12/yr or whatever it costs.