Last week, the analytics firm released a study that showed a sharp drop in the willingness of consumers to pay for downloads, partly in the iOS market, where 90 percent of the top apps are free.
Flurry: 90% of iOS apps in use are free downloads - FierceMobileContent - http://t.co/TJNx4u6TZU
— FierceMobileContent (@FierceMobiCo) July 18, 2013
Developers on Twitter were the first to admit the truth of Flurry's findings.
Consumers become less willing to pay for apps http://t.co/V72FD4BTpm This is true. I've heard the same from multiple devs of top paid apps
— Jeremy Olson (@jerols) July 18, 2013
Perhaps as expected, there were some initial negative reactions to the data.
App. Business. Model. Broken: http://t.co/A40TZbmg94
— Nick Walters (@nickbrw) July 18, 2013
Hardware startups-if you've got app purchase rev on your operating plan for next 24 mos *may want to reconsider http://t.co/AW9NOiBVBl
— Jen S. McCabe (@jensmccabe) July 18, 2013
Another sign fremium model is a winner? Paid Apps On The Decline: 90% of iOS Apps Are Free, Up From 80% http://t.co/oIvlEuhQkJ
— Brian Bailard (@bbailard) July 18, 2013
As a few developers pointed out, though, advertising and premium pricing aren't the only mechanisms for devs to make money.
90% of iOS apps now free. What % have in-app purchases? @sarahintampa @FlurryMobile http://t.co/EvAgGJlixT
— Julian Green (@juliangreensf) July 18, 2013
Several people noted there were some parallels to be drawn between mobile apps and earlier forms of media.
The app universe is now more like TV, radio and online. People may not like ads but tolerate them for free content. http://t.co/01FuJLBMvV
— Helen Lee (@helenglee) July 18, 2013
App universe has something in common with radio? Find out how that could be: http://t.co/N1FTaqCBWV #Apps #Paidmedia
— Red Brick Media (@redbrickm) July 18, 2013
Whatever the current trend, Twitter users watching the app space said it will be up to developers to think their way out of their monetization challenges.
People want Free Content. Business Model Creativity Needed // The History of App Pricing, And Why Most Apps Are Free http://t.co/vKGJPEeluS
— Fabian Tilmant (@fabnet_be) July 18, 2013