Everyone loves a free app, right? It seems so—according to a report by Flurry, “free-to-play” apps now generate more revenue than “premium” apps. The report highlights how the proportion of free apps on the iTunes Store has grown from 39% in January to 65% last month. Interestingly, despite their dominance, 90% of users don’t spend a penny on these apps. This figure is likely skewed by users who download free apps out of curiosity, only to delete them soon after if they don’t meet expectations.
In hindsight, it’s not surprising that free-to-play apps have surpassed premium ones, but the bigger question remains: is this model sustainable, or could premium apps make a comeback? Having encountered several “free” apps that operate more like virtual coin-op machines, I’ve become wary of the model. Personally, I’d rather pay £2.99 upfront than get drawn into endless microtransactions that quickly add up to much more.
The backlash against in-app purchases, often centered around stories of children racking up massive bills on their parents’ devices, underscores the irony: “free” apps can often cost more in the long run. As the market matures and more people recognize this, will the pendulum swing back toward premium apps? For now, as long as free-to-play remains so profitable, developers are unlikely to abandon the model. But if consumers grow increasingly disillusioned with the hidden costs, we might see premium apps make a resurgence.