Is anyone else sick of everything turning into a subscription?

Ben Arthur

Ben Arthur

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It feels like you can't just buy something anymore and actually own it. Remember when you'd buy a program once and that was it, it was yours forever? Now every tool out there wants $9.99 a month for life.

And it's not even limited to digital stuff anymore. Car companies are out here charging a monthly fee to unlock your own heated seats. Delivery apps want you to subscribe just so they can shave a few cents off their hidden fees. Even basic fitness apps have started gatekeeping simple workout tracking behind a premium tier.

Honestly, I'm dealing with some serious subscription fatigue at this point. I just want to pay once, get my product, and never think about a recurring charge again. Am I the only one who misses actually owning things?
 
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You are not alone. I have personally started cancelling subscriptions I barely use because they just keep piling up. I miss the days when you bought a software or product once and it was actually yours. Now everything feels like a monthly bill
 
Still a lot of them have open source alternatives. Maybe you get less of a premium solution but open source alternatives are much better if you’re not willing to pay as subscription based.
 
That's why I try to keep up with AppSumo as much as possible... when some new tools and software are released, you just go for the lifetime license once and for all

Sometimes already established tools run promotions as well and sell lifetime licenses for a limited period.

I have been fortunate to have purchased some lifetime licences that now have very expensive monthly rates compared to when they were first launched and their starting prices

I get what you mean with how the situation is right now, but one way to avoid the trap is just what I mentioned.

It is what it is now and we just gotta deal with it.

Also, some of the tools have running costs as well, so a monthly subscription is what really helps keep them in operation, which is understandable too when we weigh it
 
I feel you! I also started to kill everything that was sub based and is not REALLY needed anymore. And what is needed i do see if there is a free alternative. I saved 100s every month
 
SirTop said:
That's why I try to keep up with AppSumo as much as possible... when some new tools and software are released, you just go for the lifetime license once and for all

Sometimes already established tools run promotions as well and sell lifetime licenses for a limited period.

I have been fortunate to have purchased some lifetime licences that now have very expensive monthly rates compared to when they were first launched and their starting prices

I get what you mean with how the situation is right now, but one way to avoid the trap is just what I mentioned.

It is what it is now and we just gotta deal with it.

Also, some of the tools have running costs as well, so a monthly subscription is what really helps keep them in operation, which is understandable too when we weigh it
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AppSumo is a lifesaver for exactly that reason. Grabbing a lifetime deal before a tool blows up and switches to some expensive monthly model is honestly the best feeling.

You're totally right about the running costs too. If a developer's dealing with heavy server expenses, a one time fee just isn't sustainable for them long term. It really comes down to picking your battles and hunting down those lifetime licenses whenever you can.
e-spider said:
I feel you! I also started to kill everything that was sub based and is not REALLY needed anymore. And what is needed i do see if there is a free alternative. I saved 100s every month
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Exactly. It's insane how fast all those small monthly charges add up without you even noticing.

I recently dropped a few premium software plans and went back to using basic, free tools for my daily work, and honestly the savings are very real. Feels great to take that money back for myself. Enjoy the extra cash every month!
 
you are right to be honest i've stopped some that i dont even use or that have alternatives because they just keep pilling up especially if you are using IOS it demand more than using Android
 
ads studio said:
you are right to be honest i've stopped some that i dont even use or that have alternatives because they just keep pilling up especially if you are using IOS it demand more than using Android
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Spot on honestly. Apple definitely pushes you toward subscriptions way harder than Android does, no doubt about that.

Taking the time to clean house and actually find alternative apps is really the only way to keep those monthly costs from spiraling out of control tbh.
 
I completely agree. It feels like you don't actually own anything anymore. Software that used to be a one-time $50 purchase is now $10/month forever. It's great for the companies' recurring revenue, but exhausting for consumers. I'm starting to actively look for open-source or one-time payment alternatives whenever possible.
 
Ben Arthur said:
It feels like you can't just buy something anymore and actually own it. Remember when you'd buy a program once and that was it, it was yours forever? Now every tool out there wants $9.99 a month for life.

And it's not even limited to digital stuff anymore. Car companies are out here charging a monthly fee to unlock your own heated seats. Delivery apps want you to subscribe just so they can shave a few cents off their hidden fees. Even basic fitness apps have started gatekeeping simple workout tracking behind a premium tier.

Honestly, I'm dealing with some serious subscription fatigue at this point. I just want to pay once, get my product, and never think about a recurring charge again. Am I the only one who misses actually owning things?
Click to expand...
I agree, frequent payments are really annoying.
 
My subscription to nhentai was worth it's weight in gold.

But really any subscription has to be worth it.

I mean the ones I've got are deffo worth it.
 
Ben Arthur said:
It feels like you can't just buy something anymore and actually own it. Remember when you'd buy a program once and that was it, it was yours forever? Now every tool out there wants $9.99 a month for life.

And it's not even limited to digital stuff anymore. Car companies are out here charging a monthly fee to unlock your own heated seats. Delivery apps want you to subscribe just so they can shave a few cents off their hidden fees. Even basic fitness apps have started gatekeeping simple workout tracking behind a premium tier.

Honestly, I'm dealing with some serious subscription fatigue at this point. I just want to pay once, get my product, and never think about a recurring charge again. Am I the only one who misses actually owning things?
Click to expand...
I do not buy subscriptions, i have been buying Spotify's subscription for more than 6 months i think because they literally increased the amount of ads so i had to buy it other wise i do not spend money on subscriptions that much
 
I try to avoid subscription based model because there is usually a free alternative and is harder and more complex to cancel a subscription once is active
 
Bro, I'm sick and tired of everything, I feel like in the last 10 years this world became so shitty...those micro transactions and subscriptions everywhere are one of the many bricks that created the foundation for all this shit
 
Yes now even laptops from hp you can rent them lol . These companies increase the prices then offer subscription as an alternative that is more "affordable" . However at the end you will likely pay more anyway
 
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