Look, it's 2024 and software on computers have been in our hands since 1990-ish. We grew up and went professional with careers buying software to support our business, and personal endeavors. Since 2010-ish, subscriptions appeared on common software (not highly unique software that was there all along) but everyday software in our faces on computers and then mobile devices.
It's very simple. Companies want steady streams of money. No one disputes this. But subscriptions, lease ware, rent ware, call it what you like is never, NEVER good for customers. We can't tolerate a constant stream of spending to compensate business's constant need for incoming income. Instead, offer BOTH!
Keep the buy once and get security/feature updates, or pay a subscription and get updates (whether you think the feature changes are worth it or not). Let the CUSTOMER choose. Release major versions (like Affinity has since the three suite appeared) with updates made during that X.x.x lifetime, then offer an upgrade price strategy. DO NOT LIMIT US to subscription only behavior.
Again, no one is fooling themselves thinking a business doesn't need to make money. Just consider your ENTIRE CUSTOMER market, not just think that everyone has accepted rent ware as a way of life. I can guarantee you this is not the case for ME...a proud Affinity customer, and to-be-determined Canva customer!
