One-Time Purchase or Subscription software? Which you prefer?

IntoTheLight Level 1

September 27, 2016, 10:32 am

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As a software programmer I’ve created only one time purchase software so far, for those who don’t know, one-time purchase software it means that you’ll pay only one time to get the full lifetime licensed software. When it comes to users one-time purchase softwares seems to be more preferable by them, as most of them hate the licensing part.

I think that,both one-time and subscription software have its cons and pros, one-time software does not generate a lot of money as the subscription do, but on the other side they don’t need much cost and time to manage them.

I’m trying to create new tools and software that people need, but I would like to hear your opinions about softwares and which type of them you prefer, and if you have any experience with subscriptions softwares feel free to share it.

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anwebservices

anwebservices

Well i also develop software and sell license keys as one time payment. Never actually even thought of subscription like yearly licenses or so. Right now i am not even sure if that is right idea... Also depend on which licensing system you use and if it support timely licenses. If i do subscription with my current system, i would need to switch off licenses manually, so it would be messy job for me...

i actually thought of another way of making more money, like selling one time payment software, then after sell additional upgrades and plugins for the same, but didn't start on such project yet

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

I like both for different reasons.

If I am paying a monthly fee to use software it is not a huge upfront expense in one go, this makes me more likely to buy it because of the obvious budgeting reasons plus very often subscription services have a free or very low cost trial period so I can try before I buy. I am always hesitant to try something new.

Then the next thing is that if I am paying monthly I am sure to get support if I encounter any problems. I often wonder how much support (or lack thereof) I would get it I buy something and I have a problem.

Of course if the software is brilliant and I trust the seller to give me great after sales support, and of course if I have the money available then it would be nice to pay once off.

Over all I think I prefer subscription services.

10 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

Well, here is my take on this. Usually, one-time purchase tools are not really helpful, sure some may be, but from my experience, they're pretty cheap and don't usually do much, also they tend to have more bugs and nobody seems to care about updating and improving them that much or compared with the monthly subscription based tools.

My favorite plan would be to pay for the tool annually. This usually ensures that updates are constantly developed since you want your customers to buy the tool next year. As far as price goes, well depends on the functionalities you offer, but for me at least, under 100 bucks is good enough to buy, if the tool is simple, don't and doesn't offer much, make it way more cheap and I bet people will be happy.

10 years ago

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arachnophobik

arachnophobik

I prefer One-Time purchases. I guess I could say it's much more convenient for me, since a good software doesn't get outdated easily anyways. Although the subscription ones (or at least those that I've seen) were offered a lot cheaper, I think in the long run I would be spending much more on the subscription softwares rather than just buy it once and use it forever.

9 years ago

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overcast

overcast

I think one off purchases were common with the desktop software. And now that everything is going with the cloud software. I am sure that not a lot of people can make use of the subscription model. You can see that some of the time such type of the subscription model does not work for the economical reasons. And that's something we have to consider as well. I have tried to understand this with effort though.

9 years ago

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overcast

overcast

If you want to make short term money then one time purchase plans are better. And if you want long term work, and money then surely subscription based plans work. I have seen some companies closing with one time purchase. And some companies thriving with the subscription. And vice versa also happens. It depends on how your audience is going to react on that part. I have seen for some subscription method works out just fine.

9 years ago

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augusta

augusta

it all depends on your users but personally I will go for subscription so that I might be getting money all the time not just a one time off thing.

9 years ago

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TimothyGr

TimothyGr

A share purchase agreement differs from a share subscription agreement because a share purchase agreement has a seller that is not the business itself. As a software programmer I've created only one time purchase software. You must know about software development life cycle to understand the difference between subscription and purchase.

4 years ago

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