Why do some developers only make free (ad supported) apps

[eugene654]

Hi All,

I have no problems paying for apps. Almost all the apps I use regularly, if there is a paid version, that's what I'll have.

What I find frustrating though is that some apps are only available in ad-supported free versions.

This is particularly an issue with a toddler. I have a nice little piano app that my daughter loves using, however I can't let her use it on her own because I don't know what kind of ads might appear. Not all ads are child safe. For a while it was advertising some new horror movie. I had to basically make the app off-limits to her until that went away.

So if developers are reading this, please give users a choice. Some of us would much prefer to pay for an app, than have to put up with advertising.

Eugene

 

[chanchan05]

I would think it best to contact the developers themselves through the contact details they provide in the market as well

 

[scary alien]

Eugene,

Not sure I can fully give you an answer, but I can take a little crack at it...

I'm an app-dev myself (part-time, as a hobby) and both my original apps were (and are) free and without ads. I also created identical donate versions of each app after several folks requested me to do so (which I very much appreciate).

I'm guessing that the devs have created their apps as free, ad-supported since they might think that users would be more likely to download and install a free app vs. one that costs, even 99-cents. They almost certainly will get more downloads and installs of the free versions vs. direct purchases, but they'd have to make more from the ads than they would from direct purchases (also, you need to also remember that Google takes a 30% cut).

I haven't added ads to my apps mostly because I originally wrote the apps to give back to the Android community; they were a fun challenge and not a means to make money (it seemed disingenuous to go back and "clutter-up" my nice, clean apps with ads).

Some devs also have simply added a preference / setting to disable the display of ads. Those guys are cool, but are probably few and far between.

Cheers!

 

[Mostly Harmless]

Ads provide a continuous flow of money as long as people use the app, where with a paid app you only get a one time fee. I much rather a developer provide either or since I would gladly pay for a good app w/o ads. If there is a particular app you like I would email the developer and see what they say.

 

[karandpr]

Also one of the reasons is piracy .
A paid app will be pirated and ready to download .
So the developer will lose the revenue from ads and also wont make significant revenue from his paid apps .
keeping only a free ad-based version allows a constant flow of revenue .

 

[zuben el genub]

How do developers decide on which ads? Do they sign up with a company?
I've seen sex type and religious type ads on some apps. Neither are welcome on the phone. The same goes for Groupon.

The problem is that you can "fat finger" the ads by mistake.

 

[Slug]

Also the Android Market still isn't available globally. Paid apps restrict the developer's exposure unless he/she is prepared to provide an alternative purchase mechanism.

 

[nyydynasty]

install an ad-blocker if you have to (and if you are rooted, of course)

 

[NotaUserName]

But here is what I don't understand. Why do you care how many people install and use your free app? If it is free, and with no ads, why do you care? How do you benefit from or profit from making apps? Or are you one of the very few people left in this world who just enjoys sharing his/her talents with others without the desire to profit off of them, because you like programming and want to actually share the love? If so, I salute you.

Eugene,

Not sure I can fully give you an answer, but I can take a little crack at it...

I'm an app-dev myself (part-time, as a hobby) and both my original apps were (and are) free and without ads. I also created identical donate versions of each app after several folks requested me to do so (which I very much appreciate).

I'm guessing that the devs have created their apps as free, ad-supported since they might think that users would be more likely to download and install a free app vs. one that costs, even 99-cents. They almost certainly will get more downloads and installs of the free versions vs. direct purchases, but they'd have to make more from the ads than they would from direct purchases (also, you need to also remember that Google takes a 30% cut).

I haven't added ads to my apps mostly because I originally wrote the apps to give back to the Android community; they were a fun challenge and not a means to make money (it seemed disingenuous to go back and "clutter-up" my nice, clean apps with ads).

Some devs also have simply added a preference / setting to disable the display of ads. Those guys are cool, but are probably few and are between.

Cheers!

 

[scary alien]

But here is what I don't understand. Why do you care how many people install and use your free app? If it is free, and with no ads, why do you care? How do you benefit from or profit from making apps? Or are you one of the very few people left in this world who just enjoys sharing his/her talents with others without the desire to profit off of them, because you like programming and want to actually share the love? If so, I salute you.

Welcome to the AndroidForums, NotaUserName .

Yep, that's pretty much it (liking to program and wanting to share my efforts) .

My apps were developed as a direct result of my participation in topics and threads here at AndroidForums and over at XDA. I've been a programmer for a very long time now and thought it would be cool, interesting, challenging, and rewarding to develop apps for the Android community.

My first app, AFV (Android File Verifier), was created to help folks in the rooting community verify that the files they were download and flashing were whole and uncorrupted (there were no MD5 checksum apps at the time I first developed my app).

My next app, BattMonX, came as a result of a suggestion/request from another Moderator here at AF (Steven58) who wondered if it were possible to create an app that could turn on the notification LED when our Droid X's were being charged like other phones do (the DX did not, of course).

I received multiple requests from the folks that used those two apps to at least create a donate version or paid version so they could show their appreciation for my time and effort. So, I eventually created donate versions of each of the above that are identical to the original and still free versions.

My subsequent app efforts, Android Root Toolkit and OTA Verifier are both free also and again, were created for the reasons cited above and to give back/contribute to the Android community (as well as my volunteer efforts here as an AF Staff member).

Still no ads, either .

Cheers!

 

[iowabowtech]

^^Not to embarrass the man, but I've literally watched him build an app for a single user that was tailored to get them out of a sticky situation with their phone. Yep, there's still some good people out there thankfully.

 

[Stigy]

I would think it best to contact the developers themselves through the contact details they provide in the market as well

There is a ton of good information in this thread, but as an app developer myself this I think may be your best solution if there is something you truly want for one or two particular apps.

Adding a version without ads is very, very simple to do and the new in app purchase API makes it easier for developers to implement "Ad Removal" purchases via the Google Play store.

This is what I do in the latest version of my app. The application is completely free, but comes with advertisements in it to support the time I use to build the apps. To remove the ads you click a button and head into the Play Store to buy the "Ad Removal In-App Purchase" and then upon restarting the app, BOOM all ads are gone forever.

 

[chrlswltrs]

Hi All,

I have no problems paying for apps. Almost all the apps I use regularly, if there is a paid version, that's what I'll have.

What I find frustrating though is that some apps are only available in ad-supported free versions.

I feel exactly the same way. I have AdFree installed which gets rid of all of those annoying ads. I always purchase paid versions of apps I use though.