[iknowstuff]

Hmmm I can’t think of a subscription app that truly doesn’t have a free/upfront/unupgraded alternative - its just that usually they come with quality issues or poor support, so people choose the better, subscription-based, auto-updating ones.

[coldtea]

I can think of plenty of apps that have perfectly fine non-subscription options, and then turned subscription only.

People use them because the products were good or industry standard. They don't prefer them because subscriptions somehow magically enabled them to be better.

They already preferred them over alternatives before subscriptions. If anything, people often complain that they got shittier after the subscription was introduced, once many are onboard and captive.

And people use their subscription versions because a non-subscription version is not made available anymore. The real comparison of what users prefer wouldn't be "X subscription software vs Y non-subscription". It would be "X subscription or X non-subscription".

[iknowstuff]

Don't you think that if people preferred it strongly, a competitor would gobble up that opportunity if the model was viable?

Regarding your last point, there's plenty of software offering both options ($$$ lifetime vs $ monthly). I don't have the data but I bet they see a TON more sales for $ monthly.

E.g. Final Cut Pro for macOS is available as a one-time purchase for $299.99. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Apple Creator Studio for $12.99/month or $129/year