Adding on to this, apps that hook into window management and multi-monitor behavior can break in subtle ways over time. I ran into some of that with uBar on my setup, especially around multi-monitor use and waking from sleep, and I wanted boringBar’s pricing to match the expectation of continued support and fixes.

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theowaway213456 9 hours ago | parent [-]

I 100% understand why you are using a subscription-based model. It makes sense, and I agree it's the most honest model given that you have to continually support it and you don't want to have to either over-promise on extended support, and offer refunds if you can't fulfill that promise.

I just hate managing subscriptions.

If you gave me the option to require manual subscription renewal, rather than auto-renewal, I would 100% buy this right now. Basically allow me to purchase for 1 year then click a button to confirm that I'm still getting value out of the product. If I don't click that button then you should assume I'm no longer interested and cancel my subscription.

(I don't like using my mac but sometimes I have to use it for work, and I wish I had this.)

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a-ve 7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I've added a perpetual license - $40 for 2 devices and 2 years of updates.

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a-ve 9 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Fair point. The billing part of it is managed via Stripe - I'll put up the update/cancel subscription part on the Customer Billing panel soon.

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earthnail 8 hours ago | parent [-]

Consider adding a lifetime option next to your sub options.

Consumer purchase behavior is highly impulsive and irrational. Businesses are very rational and like subs, but for many people, subscription fatigue is a real thing. Make the lifetime option 3-10x the annual rate; done. People will buy it. In my app I set it at 3x (but my annual sub is quite high; 6/mo, 30/y or 100 lifetime) but other apps, like Halide, have 12/y or 80 lifetime last I checked.

You get guaranteed revenue, and you get it upfront - better for cashflow. And you can always tell customers “if you don’t like subs buy the lifetime option”.

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wamatt 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> Consumer purchase behavior is highly impulsive and irrational.

This is correct. It’s quite possible to both satisfy more customers and work within your constraints.

Eg $30 bucks lifetime would be nice. You could put it in small print below the main pricing to avoid decision fatigue and keep things streamlined for subs.

Often those early adopters appreciate and become advocates. Subs fatigue is a real thing

	▲	ukuina 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		GoodSync's pricing is notable: $20/year for five devices, but stackable. I've signed up for 10+ years. GoodSync needs central infrastructure to work, so the ongoing pricing makes sense.

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applfanboysbgon 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It is utterly bizarre that you portray consumers as irrational for not wanting subs and businesses as rational for wanting subs. Both are rational in their own interests: businesses want subs because it means more money and more control in the long run. Consumers don't want subs because it means paying more money in the long run and eventually having their software taken away from them if the company goes under, makes an anti-consumer update, etc. Consumers are not irrational just because they don't want to give you money every month forever.

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senorrib 8 hours ago | parent [-]

That’s an economic concept, not a dig at consumers. It’s well known (hell, there’s a nobel laureate for it) that humans are irrational when it comes to economics.

	▲	applfanboysbgon 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Was the thesis of the fake Nobel recipient that consumers are irrational specifically because they prefer one-time purchases to subscriptions? Otherwise I'm not really sure what the relevance of bringing it up in this very specific context it.