Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: SVG Animation Software

expressive.app

11–20 of 113 posts

Re: Show HN: SVG Animation Software

#11

Is this one of those lifetime purchases where I have to pay again in 5 years when the developers realise they regretted offering a lifetime licence?

Their faq states that the license is valid for the current version (v1) and not for any future versions. So all they have to do is increase the version number when money is tight.

Re: Show HN: SVG Animation Software

#12
Expressive Animator gives you the right to use the current version of the software (v1) in perpetuity and entitles you to receive free updates until version 2 becomes available (no planned release date currently).

So... is it the real lifetime license? What about the next versions?

Re: Show HN: SVG Animation Software

#14

Expressive Animator gives you the right to use the current version of the software (v1) in perpetuity and entitles you to receive free updates until version 2 becomes available (no planned release date currently). So... is it the real lifetime license? What about the next versions?

So apparently it’s not your lifetime, it’s the lifetime of the software version. If you never upgrade then it could be your lifetime.

Re: Show HN: SVG Animation Software

#15

Expressive Animator gives you the right to use the current version of the software (v1) in perpetuity and entitles you to receive free updates until version 2 becomes available (no planned release date currently). So... is it the real lifetime license? What about the next versions?

When version 2 is out, you will have the option to upgrade for a fee or to continue to use version 1 for free for as long as you like.

Re: Show HN: SVG Animation Software

#16

Is this one of those lifetime purchases where I have to pay again in 5 years when the developers realise they regretted offering a lifetime licence?

I have no affiliation with this product or company. I'm curious about the options here from a business perspective.

A business has continual costs, which at the minimum may just be the ability to support a single developer's adult life. This app is selling itself once per major version, which judging by some comments here is somewhat unappealing. Many people are justifiably sick of subscription payments. I am also assuming many people would not appreciate e.g. an ad-supported version of something like this app.

So, what does that leave in terms of realistic business options? Are there any examples out there of a software business that succeeds in supporting its own development while helping its customers feel like they are getting their money's worth?

Post reply on HN