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Pricing models reshape indie Mac/iOS apps: free lifetime access, subscriptions, and one-time purchases

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Mac and IOS apps Pricing Mac/iOS

Indie Mac and iOS apps are flipping monetization on its head. After creator feedback, some devs drop lifetime access, others keep a free tier with paid unlocks, and a few go full one-time purchases. Here’s what’s happening now.

Invoice ASAP is now free with lifetime access for 48 hours, a bold pivot after user input. It’s a no-subscription approach that contrasts with many small-business tools—and it spotlights EU availability concerns that complicate pricing signals. [1]

Iris Flow combines a generous free tier with a paid route: a lifetime option at $9.99. The 3-second long-exposure mode remains free to test, while longer capture and pro features unlock through the lifetime offer. [2]

TilePix is a one-time purchase at £4.99 for TileSet and TileMap creation on iPad and Mac. It aims to give artists full creative control without a recurring fee. [3]

Flowify keeps a free basic tier, then leans on a limited lifetime unlock promo—$4.99 for permanent access to data insights and extra themes (normally $14.99). [4]

DictaFlow pitches a privacy-first hold-to-talk dictation tool for Mac with a generous free tier and no background monitoring. [5]

Indie makers are testing monetization knobs, but signals stay noisy as they ship trials, promos, and one-time buys.

References

[1]
Reddit

🚀 Update: After your feedback — Invoice ASAP is now free (lifetime access!)

Invoice ASAP update: free lifetime access, user feedback-driven features, pricing confusion, EU availability concerns, bug fixes, ongoing improvements, and updates.

View source
[2]
Reddit

🌊 Just launched my iOS app — Iris Flow Long exposure came [ Year - $4.99 | Lifetime $9.99 ]

iOS Iris Flow launches, handheld long-exposure camera; free 3-second tier; seeks feedback on blur and stabilization.

View source
[3]
Reddit

TilePix - TileSet and TileMap Creation App for iPad and Mac [£4.99, One Time Purchase, 6/10/25]

TilePix release for iPad/Mac; tile set/map tool with one-time purchase; emphasizes exports and keyboard shortcuts.

View source
[4]
Reddit

Flowify: Focus & Habits Tracking.

Flowify 2.0 update improves UI and data visualization; free basic use, lifetime unlock sale; tester codes requested.

View source
[5]
Reddit

DictaFlow: Privacy-first voice dictation tool for Mac (hold-to-talk, no background)

DictaFlow Mac dictation tool discussed; free tier; subscription; compared with Spokenly, superwhisper, macwhisper; mixed feedback.

View source

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