One-time purchases are back in the spotlight as Mac and iOS apps test new pricing: free cores, AI features behind paywalls, and rare lifetime offers. Affinity has gone free, with Canva Premium unlocking AI tools inside Affinity via the new Canva AI Studio. The core app stays free and updates roll in, while AI features sit behind the Canva paywall. [2]
Free cores with paid AI is a growing pattern across indie and mainstream apps, blurring the line between subscription and outright ownership. Developers highlight true one-time buys alongside ongoing upgrades.
- Hazel – classic one-time purchase model remains a touchstone for many power users [3]
- Keyboard Maestro – long-touted as a one-time buy for automation fans [3]
- Aldente, Istat, Cotypist, StoptheMadness Pro, KeepSolid VPN, FunKey, Mighty Cursor, PDF Expert, Radio Silence, Simplemind Pro – listed as premium apps you pay for once; pricing pages show mixed signals about future subscriptions, with Cotypist noted as potentially moving to a subscription [3]
Meanwhile, lifetime and free-for-life offers are popping up in the wild. GoodNutritions promises lifetime free base features for the first 2,000 users, positioning health tracking as a free baseline. [4] And indie promo To-Doo Boo runs a Halloween stunt offering lifetime access for 48 hours. [5]
There’s also appetite for more tangible one-time purchases, not endless subscriptions. One Reddit thread captures the sentiment: “we need apps to do one-off purchases, not godawful subscriptions.” [1]
The pricing map isn’t settled, but the mix is clear: free cores, optional AI paywalls, and occasional lifetime grabs. Watch for how big-name apps balance updates with paying-for-once options next.
References
What do we need more of?
Mac app wishlist across categories; debates UI, pricing (one-time vs subscriptions), speed, file organization, and potential desktop replacements and UX.
View sourceAffinity went free
Affinity goes free; AI features require Canva Premium; mixed reactions on updates, potential paywalls, and market strategy and user debate
View sourcePremium apps that you only pay once and enjoy the benefits
Mac apps with one-time pricing; Cotypist pricing debate; alternatives discussed; users share experiences and preferences on macOS and iOS today.
View source[Lifetime Free Forever] For the next 2,000 users!
Founder promotes GoodNutritions iOS app; offers lifetime free base features; upcoming fridge tracking, smart recipes, health insights and nutrition analytics
View source🎃 My Haunted To‑Do App Lifetime Access is Free for 48 Hours – No Ads, No Subscriptions, Just Ghostly Focus 👻
Indie dev offers haunted to-do app with free lifetime access for 48 hours; blocks apps, UI; users report prompts loop.
View source