Should I pay for every version seperately?

Sinplayer

Diarium version: 2.9.53
OS + version: Android 12

I would like to use Diarium both on Android and Windows, but when I wanted to download Windows version, it requires a payment. I've already gone pro for Android. Should I pay for the Windows version, too?

timo

Thanks for your purchase on Android.
This question is being asked daily, via mail as well as in the forums. It is also answered in much detail in the FAQs.
In the Android Pro version screen, there is a well-visible info text that states that the Pro version needs to be bought separately per platform, incl. a link to the FAQs. A similar text is visible in the app store description on Windows.
When posting a new discussion in the forums, there is a clear prompt asking to look into the FAQs before posting, but this is ignored on a regular basis.
I have come to a point where I really need to think about some alternative license model because the current one just doesn't seem to be understood (multiple mails & posts every day) or appreciated (negative reviews). I really, really hate subscriptions and platform-crossing one-time purchases would be much, much more expensive (due to the overhead, license-syncing etc), but if that's what users know from other apps and expect from Diarium as well, I have no other choice...
I don't want to make the app more expensive, but I also don't want to answer the same question over and over again & get negative reviews because "having to buy multiple times for the same thing is a ripoff".

Please, tell me, what can I do to solve this obvious problem? Where else do I need to explain how the Pro version of Diarium works? How could I change it to make it more understandable or more accepted?

Sinplayer

timo Hi,
Thanks for the answer, and sorry for not seeing that info.
For the "problem" you have, you may provide additional, bundled subscription options. By the way, Windows version is not that expensive whatsoever. But you may give Android + Windows versions together with a tiny increment in the monthly subscription price of Android version. I don't remember the price I paid for, let's say it's 10 bucks for a year for Android, then Android + Windows may be 12 bucks.
I will probably be buying the Windows version, too.

timo

I think there is a misunderstanding. There is no subscription currently for Diarium. Neither for Windows, nor for Android or the other platforms. It's a (I think ~$7) one time purchase on Android. No recurring monthly or yearly charges! This is also explained in the pro version page and the FAQs. Maybe not clearly enough? Is there any unclear wording I could improve?

Sinplayer

timo Oops sorry Timo, I think I confused another app with yours. Well then, you can provide bundles like Android + Windows, iOS + Windows.

DianeCassidy

Since I'm a new user since this morning and came on here to ask exactly this question, I think you need to put it on the front page of the website. I'm not saying I wouldn't have bought it, but I did get a little sting when I'd paid for the Windows version for my computer and then realised I needed the ios for my iPhone, and that if I was going to use it on my samsung tablet, I'd have to buy the version for that too. Your website makes clear that it's available for those platforms - part of the reason I went with it in the first place. Just add - Pricing plan as a tab somewhere in the front of the website. Then people can't claim not to have known. It's all about managing expectations!! Well done, tho, looks like a great app so far.

timo

DianeCassidy Thanks a lot taking the time to write your suggestion. With "the website" you mean https://diariumapp.com? Or my personal website https://timopartl.com? I think most users do not visit that website before they download the app - they just download it directly from the app store. By the way, it is noted in the app store description that the Pro version needs to be purchase separately per platform, so people could know it in advance before buying the app - but most people just don't read through it. I would expect the same thing to happen if I put that info on the website.
Can you explain in more detail how you got aware of the Diarium app? Have you first visited the app's website and then navigated to the Store to download it?
Not saying I won't add it to the website (that's actually a very good suggestion that I will likely implement!), just that I don't expect that to change things by a lot.

DianeCassidy

timo
No problem. I did a quick google search for 'best journalling app' and unfortunately I can't remember the name of the list that yours was at the top of... I went to the Windows store on my computer first, found it and bought it. As I say, I had no problem with that idea, especially as it's a once-off purchase. I pay more for the paper to insert in my previous physical diary after all! Then I went to the phone, and I guess I got a little shock to find I had to buy that too - actually I haven't paid for it yet, as I wanted to see if I would actually use it. I then went to the website diariumapp.com and couldn't see anything there about the payment structure, so it's on that page - where you have the lovely graphics about it being available across multiple platforms, that I guess some indication that each version is bought separately would maybe stop people whinging. But hey!, they are customers in a consumer society, they're always going to want something for nothing, right? You probably just need to have a stock answer that you copy and paste every time you're asked, and to chill. Seems to me you're providing a useful piece of software for not very much money, so don't beat yourself up!

AvinashR

I got it through google search.

I tried all above before choosing diarium 😊

Otherwise app is not showing up in appstore even after knowing that it’s there.

Or i have to wait after typing and before pressing enter button. Then it shows as suggestion(autocomplete)

but it took me lot of trials to understand the appstore behaviour of showing diarium app.

I constantly check for version update from appstore.I think it would be nice to show an alert about update app version when available.

There is an alert regarding the update changes AFTER its updated but not about version itself

timo

But if those bundles were more expensive than the single purchase prices combined, what would be the benefit? I outlined in the FAQs why it would be a major effort to have the license be tracked outside the App Store accounts

AvinashR

timo if those bundles were more expensive than the single purchase prices combined,

how much expensive?
maybe we can afford that too as its single time payment. just wanted to know

timo

Thanks for again taking the time to write these comments @DianeCassidy - it is really much appreciated. I don't take it for granted that you spend so much time helping me to improve the experience.
This sounds like you have bought the Windows app before going to the Diarium website - so adding a clear Pro version info onto the website wouldn't have prevented you from getting the "little shock" as you describe it. In the app store description the info is present, but it shows that barely anyone notices it.
As I said, I will likely add the note to the website nonetheless - maybe it helps reducing the amount of confused users who write me mails or post to the forums. But the main problem I face is still unsolved: How can I make it clear how the Pro version works before users make their first purchase?

DianeCassidy You probably just need to have a stock answer that you copy and paste every time you're asked, and to chill.

I will likely have to resort to that for now, even if that doesn't save users from getting the "little shocks" and save me from receiving negative reviews in the Store 🙁

SanjeevBhatla

Hi, I too searched at Play Store and downloaded it. Looking at its features and quality, I presumed that the app will work on both platforms ( windows n Android). Afterall we know other famous apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, insta etc sync with either of one, we get liberty to use them with similar ease on laptop or mobile. So few years back, when I got diarium, i was also confused. You may be IT guy, but we user think about ease of use. So I think you should give option to users about Android only, Android + windows , etc etc.....this is my view how a normal user thinks....any how great app! Thanks

Sinplayer

Hey Timo, I just wanted to say that I purchased the Windows version for a while ago. Thanks for the great app.

timo

AvinashR I don't know. I would need to make a calculation for that. There would be additional costs due to creating a backend for this and additional server capacities for handing the license & account management. I don't know how much that would cost and how much more expensive a platform-spanning license would have to be to make up for that.

Catnatsuki

timo Maybe you could just make bundle, price it a bit lower.
When users click on get pro version, show them the option of the bundle and if they choose it, redirect then to your website bypassing app store payments.
And then email them gift codes for all the platforms in the bundle so they can redeem it on the respective app stores?

That way you wouldn't have to deal with all the licence management, while still allowing for bundles.
would this be a viable option? 🤔

timo

Bypassing app store payments & issue gift codes for compensation is against the rules of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store

Catnatsuki

Ouch, wasn't aware of that.
if that's the case, the current model seems like the best available option.

AvinashR

@timo have you come across REVENUE CAT. They say we can have single payment for all the platforms. This might require to have separate database like you mentioned earlier. Maybe use firebase to login to google/apple/email id and store users info which then can be linked to revenuecat?