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Indie app pricing experiments: lifetime deals and user reactions across Mac/iOS apps

1 min read
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Mac and IOS apps Indie Mac/iOS

Indie Mac and iOS apps are turbocharging pricing experiments with lifetime access and steep promos, and the chatter is loud across communities. From habit trackers to privacy tools, these promos aim to boost discoverability and perceived value—whether users feel rewarded or misled.

  • Habit Tracker Routinelock — $49.99 → $4.99 lifetime offer for 24 hours; a simple habit tracker with unlimited habits, streaks, home screen widgets, and smart reminders. [1]
  • Video Lock — Lifetime Premium $29.99 → $3.99 (2 Days); Remove Ads lifetime FREE; privacy-focused video vault with PIN, plus future features like sub-folders and dark mode. [2]
  • Accent AI — Lifetime access listed as $0.00 for 5 hours, then $1.99 for 24 hours; app helps with pronunciation and public speaking. [4]
  • Save It Later — Promoted lifetime access but sparked chatter accusing deception; the app touts cloud backup and easy saving of links, with debate over whether a true lifetime option exists. [3]
  • Supercharge — 50% off for a year; a macOS utility with 19 versions and 90+ features since launch; community giveaway and feature ideas section. [5]

These promos are shaping how discoverability and perceived value work on Mac and iOS, and they’re prompting a broader conversation about trust, longevity, and what users expect from indie developers.

References

[1]
Reddit

LIFETIME OFFER [ $49.99 -> $4.99 ] - I built a habit and goals tracker that actually helped me stick to my routines . Offer valid for 24 hours

New iOS habit tracker; simple design, widgets, reminders; lifetime offer; compares to Streaks, Habitify, Structured.

View source
[2]
Reddit

Last time we went free, your support was massive ❤️ | Video Lock – Secure Private Videos | Lifetime $29.99 → $3.99 (2 Days Only) | Remove Ads – Lifetime FREE

iOS app Video Lock, price drop, lifetime plan, ad removal, upcoming features: calculator lock, sub-folders, move media, dark mode later.

View source
[3]
Reddit

🚀 Big Lifetime Discount Alert! 🚀

Promo for Save It Later iOS app; lifetime discount claimed; users call deception; comparisons to YABA and raindrop.io.

View source
[4]
Reddit

I built an app to fix your english accent and public speaking: Accent AI [LIFETIME FREE]

New iOS Accent AI app for pronunciation and public speaking; lifetime free for a window, later price controversy; user feedback.

View source
[5]
Reddit

Supercharge — 1 year later (50% off, limited)

Supercharge macOS update; 19 versions, 90+ features; discounts; user ideas; mentions Mission Control Plus

View source

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