More notable apps switching to subscription model

Couple of notable apps recently switched from paid model to subscriptions. First, Pixelmator team announced switch for Pixelmator Photo. Next was Clip Studio Paint.

Pixelmator Photo still keeps an option to buy app, but provides monthly and yearly plans. Existing paid customers will not need to purchase subscriptions. Pixelmator team goes into details of their decision, explaining problems with paid app model.

Basically, their vision focuses on this issues:

• Development is slowed due to money flow tied to update cycles;
• Paid upgrades fears and lack of paid upgrade discounts on App Store;
• Early adopters get more value for the money;
• No free trials on iOS and iPadOS without subscriptions;
• There is an expectation that mobile apps should not cost a lot;
• No universal purchases between iOS/iPadOS and macOS.

Pixelmator Blog: Why Pixelmator Photo is switching to subscription pricing (and a sneak peek at Pixelmator Photo for Mac)

References:

• Pixelmator Photo Switching to Subscriptions
• Clip Studio Paint Switching to Subscriptions