Provide a paid "supporter version" of Wire on Google Play and iOS app store

[ghost]

I suggest that you provide a paid "supporter version" of Wire on Google Play and iOS app store. While I don't mind gratis software, even if I wanted to support your project right now I can't. To offer people the possibility to support the project, you could create a paid "supporter version" of Wire for something around 5 euros which is exactly the same as the non-paid version except for a different icon to indicate the support. This is a model also chosen by other open-source projects on the Google Play Store like Xabber.

[Namnodorel]

I'd be against that. A paid version without additional features will confuse a lot of people. A donation page/link would also supporr Wire, doesn't create confusion and you could help with however much you want.

[stacktrust]

There are iOS apps which use In-App payments for the purpose of supporting developers, no need for a separate version of the app. Agree that it would be good to provide a channel for users to contribute funding. Contribution metrics also have value as a data signal.

[ghost]

@Namnodorel have you even looked at Xabber on the Play Store? They state pretty clearly it provides no additional features, so I really don't see how anyone can be confused with that model. What @richpersaud says also seems like a neat idea though.

Edit: a donation link on the wire site is also good, but doesn't have the same visibility as an in-app button or a play store version specifically meant for supporting the developers. Also the play store version, while not different other than the name, kinda gives you the feeling of wearing a badge which might push people more to get it.

[IpsmLorem]

Why not a paid version to get premium support/feature support ?

[ghost]

@IpsmLorem because it will drive some people away. Of course it will also pay better, so that's Wire's choice I guess. I was simply suggesting the easiest way to get additional monetization while staying as open as they are now.

[rschobbert]

Imho a very good idea. I would also be willing to donate some money for further development.

[AvoidMastodonBlue]

why not simply donate to the project

less google is more better

[ghost]

@AvoidMastodonBlue why not both?

[cardassian-tailor]

If your going to take payments dont do it through Apple's app store. Accept payments through another method.

[cardassian-tailor]

For example - if you accept payments and distinguish between paid and non paid users - then wire has to keep records to distinguish who is a premium user and that almost always equates to identifying paid users real identity because of the payment methods used. There is some solutions to accept payments and prevent such.