2y ago

how is this sync price point real?

So I tried sync to see what all the rage was. Doesn't seem that different really from connect imo. I'm posting this with connect since sync can't seem to do basic functions like post to communities (really?!!) but they made sure to implement big blocks where "sponsored content" will soon be shown. I figured I'd pay a couple bucks because I really can't stand ads, but then saw its $20! I'm now assuming most of you commie bastards (said lovingly) are secretly trust fund brats? How can this be a viable price point for ad removal? Is sync really making that much from ads that this iis the conversion point? For the die hard fans, what are you getting from sync that you are not from connect? I'm not seeing the allure.

35 comments

It's nice to have choices. Luckily, you have many choices for a lemmy app, unlike reddit.
Sync has a loyal userbase, and the dev has made the price point based on the number of lemmy users and what he needs to earn a living by working on lemmy.
If lemmy had as many users as reddit, then the price would be lower. Sync is also in beta.
You don't get the hype. That's fine, you don't have to.
I'm just glad lemmy has an open api and we have many choices.
- Yes! The hype is from loyal users, like me. Ex-Redditors that know what's to come.
  I used Sync back when it was literally to sync content for offline use (I commuted underground and wanted to browse Reddit.) It was a joy to see its development over the years and I look forward to being part of the developer's journey yet again, this time with 10+ years of experience to work with!
  People that weren't part of that original journey won't have the same benefit of experience.

I spent more than $20 on a pizza the other day. Considering the many hundreds, if not thousands of hours, I used Sync for Reddit over 5 or 6 years, $20 is a no brainer. That said, I wouldn't pay the $100 lifetime considering because I don't need the perks associated with it and who knows if Lemmy will be around that long (I hope it will but you never know).
- It just stands out as an unusual amount to pay for ad removal compared to what other apps with ads typically charge. When there are so many great Lemmy apps out now that don't have ads, why choose Sync (unless I guess $20 is in the trivial range for you I suppose)
  
  Then pick a different app. Foss has great alternatives.

I feel kinda the same I did love Sync Pro on Reddit but I can't justify the price of the lemmy one.
Connect is getting there the only things I think it's missing for me personally are editing posts which voyager does so I know it's possible and a lot of images should show up in line instead of opening the browser.
- Connect is getting there
  This is it. No other apps had got there yet. Connect and infinity are not as smooth as Sync., e.g. example it can't load images as fast as Sync. And the UI is cluttered, eg posts views - the look is not just as good. I know it because I've tried many these apps to as replacement to Sync. But till now, can't find any as good (to my taste) as Sync. So I'll stick with Sync, for now at least.
  
  If you think the very minor differences are worth paying through the nose good on you, Sync is a very good app but to me those prices are absolutely insane.
  IF I'M honest I am really not convinced lemmy is even going to replace reddit so trying to charge me 10 times the price to browse it really just pissed me off especially since I paid full price for Reddit Sync pro.

Jeez, some people are really pissed about the cost of removing ads. The developer needs to eat like anyone else, and he either gets the money from Google tracking you, or from a payment to hide those ads. Considering that the userbase isn't very large, it IMO is a fair price for never seeing an ad again in that app, the dev will not collect a penny more from your usage at this point.
We've been pampered by mobile apps being dirt cheap for so long, and the dev's track record with Sync for Reddit IMO speaks enough that he's going to support it for a long time.
- Or he could get 5 bucks from four people instead of 20 from one.
  I mean, it even make sense to wait a little: collect big tickets from people who are ok with that amount now, and from the most supportive ones, and collect another bunch of money later, with sales or promotions.
  It would make sense, and if this method works for the dev, everyone benefits from it.

Life is expensive man. And this is the dude's sole income. Also apps have long been improperly priced. A buck or two really isn't sustainable for what most developers put in.
- But I think it is as that is often what the price for ad removal is in apps. This stands out as extreme. I pay for ad removal in the vast majority of apps that offer the option.
  
  I Disagree. Just because a lot of apps only charge 99 cents for ad removal doesn't mean it is priced appropriately or that that is a good price for every app. The developer is not just doing this for money but this is his job and how we earns his primary income. So I absolutely think it is appropriately priced. And also the developer has a really good track record supporting their app for years upon years without ever asking for more money.

I think the price is just the reality of pricing nowadays. You could've bought reddit sync ten years ago ad free for like $2. That's ten years of free updates for an app most people would use everyday for hours on end. That's not really a sustainable business model and why a lot of people are transitioning to subscriptions, for the recurring revenue. For me, the $20 is fine and honestly the $100 is too for ultra. If you spend two hours a day on sync for the next year that's averaging to three cents a day... And I know my usage definitely exceeds two hours a day. Plus all the features and track record of sync make me pretty confident in its future. Ultimately it's up to you to decide whether this app is worth it. If you think connect is better, great, stick with connect.
- I don't think most mobile app development ever was a sustainable business model, especially if your app is not even providing the service or particularly unique features to begin with.
  Not to say I don't think there should be apps, but anyone getting into it looking to make an independent career out of it will probably end up disappointed. The most successful apps are either aggressive with the in-app purchases, or are simply a free front end to a service that pays the bills.
  We'll see how it turns out though, this developer does have a lot of loyal fans who treat the paid features as basically a voluntary donation, kind of like a Patreon. I'm pretty pessimistic that it will last, but successful business ventures don't always make complete sense to me.
- seconded

Sync was only released within the last week to the public, it's going to take a little more time to finish working out the bugs. I am excited for sync because it was my preferred Reddit app and I'm hopeful it'll be as good here. As for the ads... I use adguard dns and I haven't seen any ads yet... Hopefully that continues. I agree $20 is steep but I thought I read somewhere that was one time payment. Someone else will have to confirm.
- Remember when software with known bugs wasn't released to the public?
  Pepperidge farm remembers.
  
  There has never been a time when software with known bugs wasn't released to the public.
  
  Beta software isn't a new phenomenon lol

Things cost time and money to make, it's that simple. People need to eat. $20 for lifetime support and updates on an app you use every day is very reasonable.
More than anything, I want to support the developer of this app so that he can continue to work on his project.

The best thing about Sync for me is being able to have my subscriptions as the default landing page. This app is only going to get better. Worth it to support the dev, who has done amazing work with Sync for Reddit.
- You can have that with any app...
- You realize that Jerboa has a setting for changing the default landing to be Subscribed communities, right?
  I'm all for people enjoying things they want to, but this is a feature of almost every Lemmy client app.
- What about the devs that offer that exact same feature in all the Lemmy apps without ads? You want to support someone doing good work? Try throwing those guys $20 as a donation to their app. Who will appreciate that more? Them or the guy that already has one of the most successful ad-based Reddit apps?

If he pulls in a dollar a week in ads per user, that's what, half a year of income for him. The ads would continue making more over time. That's a random example, not actual numbers the have been shown.
So, what's the price point that works? What percentage of a year's income is he allowed to charge? If you drop the twenty today, and use it for ten years; ten years where he's doing support and compatibility work, at what point is it okay?
That twenty will be the last income from that user unless they decide to do ultra as well.
People asked for a one time ad removal. They got one that reflects a generous estimate of what income would be lost over time.

To be honest, the data collection was enough to keep me on Connect instead of Sync. With that being said, I was excited for the release of Sync. It wasn't my primary app on Reddit, but having developers for Lemmy apps is great, and the developers who had successful Reddit apps already have a solid idea of what to do. Sync is not finished, so there are valid complaints to be made! But it also already looks more polished than Connect in many ways, in my opinion.
In terms of the price point, I don't actually think it's unreasonable. There's a one-time lifetime purchase available, and as I understand it the app is being developed by a single developer trying to support himself. I get that the price might be outside of some people's casual spending range, but luckily there's a free version with ads (and many, many other free apps without).

I'm a long term Reddit sync user and the price is a lil high for the one off payments but knowing how much I used it for Reddit it's a good deal. Right now I'm paying monthly because my Google opinion rewards more than pays for it so it's not like it's even my money being spent

This app is still in beta, it isn't finished yet, that's why you can't post. I'd rather use Sync in beta than the other apps.
Yes the app has ads, this is his job, he has to be able to eat, the ads aren't intrusive.
$20 is nothing, you have to remember Lemmy's userbase is SMALL, so he has to up the price compared to his old Reddit version, other apps may have charged $5 of whatever, but that doesn't mean they should have done, it should have been more.
I'll easily spend $20-30 on a single dinner, but an app I use every day for hours it's too much? I'll spend $60 on a game I'll play for 10-20 hours, but on an app I'll use for far, far, longer it's too much?
Personally even in the beta state, it feels far more polished than any of the alternative apps. If you don't like Sync or the price, don't use it. But to be personally, Connect, Jerboa, Thunder, Voyager, and the rest, are inferior (and yes, I tried them all)

35 comments