Since the launch of Chromatose we’ve been asked why we only offer subscription-based pricing. This is something I’ve put a lot of thought into and I’d like to explain the broader reasoning behind the decision.
I’m a solo indie developer building a niche product, not a large-scale company cross-subsidizing free/cheap apps. For Chromatose to survive, it must be sustainable. Complex apps like this aren’t “build once.” Chromatose is mobile-first, and iOS changes fast. Each iOS release requires maintenance, infrastructure work, and new development. My goal is to ship frequent updates forever with new generators, effects, features, integrations, bug fixes, and performance improvements. It’s true software-as-a-service that’s always evolving, but this comes with real ongoing costs.
Given that, I think paying in proportion to the ongoing value is a fair proposition - hence why most quality mobile apps nowadays use subscription pricing. Those that don’t are usually:
- ad-ridden
- selling your data
- constantly upselling you
- loss-leaders for bigger businesses
- abandoned/low quality
- small hobby projects
- or simply unsustainable
Chromatose has no ads, no personal data harvesting, and no investor-driven goals. It will always stay this way. I’d rather kill the project than compromise on any of these points.
Why not also sell a higher-cost lifetime license?
So-called “lifetime” licenses often lock you to a specific version, or get abandoned over time because they’re not sustainable. To get new features or OS compatibility you must repurchase within a year or two — or you freeze your OS and accept the drawbacks. I’ve been burned by that and don’t want it for users.
Imagine we did offer a “lifetime” license for say ~$300, realistically that buys ~1 year of updates (industry norm). After that, OS updates most certainly break things, and over 2–3 years you’d have incomplete or non-functional software. You’d have spent ~$300, while a ~$49 annual subscription over the same 3 year period (with all new features) would cost only ~$150. Or you could’ve tried it for a year and canceled for only ~$49.
Even if I wanted to offer such a “lifetime” experience, I can’t. The App Store doesn’t allow selective updates - it’s all or nothing. Besides, I’d prefer everyone have access to the latest build; with all the latest and greatest features.
Afraid to get stuck with recurring fees that are annoying to cancel?
I think this is the main reason most people don’t like subscriptions. Luckily Apple makes subscriptions super easy to manage. It’s actually not even possible for developers to make cancellation difficult. Cancellation is always just 2 taps away via the App Store app.
What happens to the content I created after I cancel?
Just to be clear:
- Any videos you export are DRM-free and yours forever.
- Any patches you created remain in your library, even after cancellation. Should you decide to resubscribe you’ll regain full access to edit and save all your patches.
Conclusion
I’ve concluded that the subscription model best serves everyone: fair price, cancel anytime, always the newest high-quality version - while enabling me to keep improving Chromatose in an ongoing sustainable way.
I know a lot of people don’t like subscriptions. I get it, I don’t love subscriptions either, but I have some for the products/services I really love and find valuable. My hope is that you enjoy Chromatose as much as I do and find that it’s value justifies the cost.
Subscriptions help keep Chromatose alive, independent, and evolving — and I’m deeply grateful for your support in making that possible.