One of the criticisms is that it's an ad supported, closed-source app. Lemmy is open source, and runs on a model that doesn't need ads or related privacy invasion.

So I feel like apps like Sync probably won't be sustainable in the longer term, because the only selling point is that people used to use it on reddit.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Everyone seems pretty keen to support the dev and I'm prone to impulse buys so I've already paid to remove ads. I don't like subscription models though so probably won't be shelling out for the extra features, whatever they are.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I am in two minds about subscription models. Would I buy a car that needes a subscription to use the heated seats? Hell no.

But would I pay for something that has ongoing costs (say, a subscription to Netflix)? Yes, I would, because of convenience and they need to cover server and licensing costs over time.

Would I subscribe to an app? Well, this is in the middle for me. I feel like I should be able to buy software as a one off cost, but I also think that would not entitle me to ongoing development of new features. Rather than charging for every update (which Google Play would make pretty impossible anyway), a subscription probably makes sense. However, if you have a user base that is constantly growing, you may be able to get away with just getting payments from new users (like Relay Pro one off cost).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah I agree with that. I had paid for Relay Pro so paying to remove ads from Sync didn't seem like a big deal, although it's probably the most money I've ever dropped on an app.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

With Sync on reddit there was a Pro version which was a one time payment to remove ads. I've seen some grumbling in the Sync community asking if there's going to be the same for the Lemmy version. It sounds like the dev is going to make a one-time IAP for ad free available soon in addition to the subscription.

I'm also not keen on a subscription model especially now that there are a number of apps being developed for Lemmy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The option is there in the latest version, but it's on a different screen. You tap on your profile picture at the top left then the option to remove ads is there.

However, it's almost $40USD, which many are complaining about.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hmm pretty steep. I'll just use it with ads for a while and see how development goes

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, it's a bit chicken and egg isn't it. If they don't get the funding they won't be motivated to continue development. But without the development people won't want to pay.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah I guess he has to make up for the much smaller user base of lemmy than reddit. I think the pricing might be localised already, seeing a lot of people listing different prices. It's showing $37.99 for just remove ads for me, but $189.99 for lifetime Sync ultra, which is a bit much!!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It will just be normal Google Pay price localisation. It's been a while since I did app store stuff but if I recall correctly you pick a price level say level 20, and this has it as 25USD, 25Euro, 30 pounds, 35CAD, etc. It would automatically do a rough exchange rate to NZD plus GST and this happens automatically without the developer having to pick a price in all 200+ countries/regions.

But yeah, the prices are high and it may just be cashing in on goodwill early on.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks that explains it!