Indie iOS and Mac apps are sprinting into new pricing plays in 2025 — promo codes, unlocks, and non-subscription paths are becoming the norm. Here's a quick tour of five indie launches shaping the debate.
• List Maker - Organize — They’re actively DMing promo codes to remove ads and test the Premium tier. The Premium unlocks unlimited lists and no ads forever. [1]
• Focusmo — A one-time purchase with no subscription. The site lists $39 per device, with discounts down to about $27, and there’s a student discount; a 7-day trial is described. [2]
• ClearOut — Entirely on-device, with daily streaks to stay motivated and a small “All Clear” mode. It’s free to try, but pricing kicks in after a limit: about 2 photos swiped per day for free, then $3 per week or $14 per year. [3]
• PromoAI — In launch form, it fetches product imagery and pricing from product links and helps you customize ad visuals. The creator asks for feedback and plans ongoing updates. [4]
• Headphone Cleaner — Free to try, but pricing friction shows up in user chatter; some requests for lifetime access hint at demand for more after the trial. [5]
Indie pricing now runs the gamut—from promo codes and one-time buys to freemium hooks and unlocks. The next few months will show which models win.
References
List Maker - Organize
New iOS app List Maker Organize; user feedback, promo codes, widget issue, privacy notes, premium unlock, iCloud sync discussed.
View sourceFocusmo - all-in-one focus app to fix time blindness for ADHD minds (promo codes giveaway)
Focusmo announced macOS/iOS ADHD focus app with hourly check-ins, blocking, and non-subscription pricing; codes distributed amid promo hype
View sourceJust launched my indie iOS app to clean up photo libraries
Indie iOS photo cleaner ClearOut launched; community discusses pricing, UI, iOS version, and alternatives; feedback and feature ideas for improvement.
View sourcePromoAI - My First App Store Release! (A Simple Tool for Creating E-commerce Ad Visuals)
PromoAI first App Store release; iOS ad-visual generator; user feedback reveals bugs, pricing concerns, future features, and praise.
View sourceMade a small app to fix muffled headphone sound — open to feedback!
New iOS app Headphone Cleaner uses cleaning frequencies to remove moisture/dust; seeking feedback; free trial; pricing friction noted by testers.
View source