Nika

Lifetime plan vs. subscription model? Sustainability issue

More and more companies are using a subscription model instead of a one-time payment for a product.

Duolingo, CapCut and the like are examples of subscription models (monthly or annual), while DaVinci Resolve, for example, has a lifetime license.

From a customer's perspective, it is most convenient for me to have a Lifetime option, but from a marketer's perspective, I see a more sustainable subscription model for the survival of the company.

  • On what basis do you decide how to price your product and what form you choose (lifetime vs. subscription)?

  • When do you think a lifetime is beneficial for the company?

Sometimes I feel like the lifetime option will soon disappear.

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Mehmet Çetin

If your product has no recurring costs per user (like LLM API fees), offer a lifetime deal. People are exhausted by endless subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Canva — it adds up). They’ll eventually quit just to simplify their bills. You can calculate an amount considering average churn duration, which can even make you more money at the end.

Nika

@thisiscetin Agree, if the product remains the same, you can afford a lifetime plan. Otherwise, a subscription is required.

Rob James

There's no way I could offer lifetime for my app. The app depends on API access and every use takes resources, which of course cost. So despite being niche, it just wouldn't work.

Nika

@r221 What API do you use?

Shyun Bill

I think it largely comes down to whether a database is being built or not. If the database continuously grows and remains consistent, a lifetime option can be beneficial.

Nika

@shyunbill OK, so this means that there will not be so many LVT products.:D