What’s So Wrong With $975 Of Mac Software For $39?
Unless you’ve been off the internet and living on a deserted beach for awhile, you’ve probably heard of the MacHeist Mac software bundles.
The latest package of Mac software gets you 12 applications and utilities for the insanely low price of $39.
What’s not to like about that? Well, you’d be surprised at the criticism.
Some critics contend that the whole deal smacks of a terrible disease inflicting by the shrewd folks at MacHeist on both unsuspecting Mac users and naive Mac software developers. Still, a good deal.... (excerpted).
26 Reader Comments
Killer App said:
No question about it. Such ridiculously priced promotions dilute the value of all software, and certainly cut down the value of software that competes with those in the promotion. It’s a bad business practice that hurts everyone. Read my lips: EVERYONE.
Software developers get burned now because they don’t get much money for their title. Competing software developers lose business to the promotion. MacHeist is helping to drive developers out of business which means there is no long term business for MacHeist. Customers who buy the promotion bundles get a deal now but get less choice in the future because developers go out of business.
Everyone LOSES!
Steve K. said:
C’mon. This is just silly. Why all the fuss? You guys ever heard of a sale? Do you have a problem when other places have sales? Apple? Bestbuy? Car delaership? This is a non issue.
No one is forced into this deal. Developers that don’t like it, don’t participate in it. Buyers that don’t like it don’t have to either.
Meredith said:
I participated in MacHeist 3 from the very first pre-Mission to all 3 full missions and the NanoMissions. This is my first time participating, even though I’ve been a Mac User for about 2 years now, and I’m excited about the dearth of Mac programs I’ve learned about, and the software developers involved.
Included with the bundle is a brand new game, “World of Goo,” that I would never have bought or played otherwise. Because it was included in the bundle that I “worked hard” (in the Missions, solving puzzles) to get, I installed it and played it—and love it. Now I’ll keep my eyes out for future titles or expansions from 2D Boys, because I’ve had an opportunity to sample one of their titles and had a great time doing so. I’d pay good money ($40+, which seems about standard for games of any sort these days, console or computer) for it as well!
Another example: “Sous Chef.” I’m no chef, but I like to be as organized as possible, and with several cookbooks and only so much shelf space, it’s difficult to do so. I’ve looked at similar programs in the Apple Store in the past and always resisted because I felt they were overpriced and my need to get my recipes organized wasn’t THAT strong. But having the app included with the bundle means that I try a software out to see if it meets my needs. If I like it, I stick with it, and pay for upgrades or additional features; if I don’t, I uninstall it and see if another title (another developer) can meet my needs.
No matter what, everyone wins.
For the record though, out of the 14 titles offered (the 13 available now), I didn’t own any of them. Only one of them was “useless” to me because I didn’t have an iPhone. And I’m willing to try anything once, and that trial -the inclusion of an app in the bundle- is what can turn a “maybe” consumer like me into a regular customer, a raver about a company or a product, and a power user for Mac apps.
I don’t think this dilutes value at all: inclusion in the bundle indicates a company or developer willing to take a risk, put their name out there, have some fun, and possibly reap a LOT of rewards doing so. Considering how many bundles have sold in just a few days (and how many people I’ve told via email and word of mouth), I think there’s a pretty hefty return on the investment on the part of the developers.
But maybe that’s just my opinion- the voice of a know-nothing consumer that keeps the roof over developers’ heads.
ubuntu u 2 said:
I’m not so sure it’s a call from the public for free or cheap software. The public didn’t put together MacHeist, right? The public didn’t tell software developers to put their wares in the MacHeist bundle?
It’s competition that dictates the playground rules.
The public votes for a product with their feet, their voice, and their credit card. If software developers create a good product, and price it reasonably, they’ll get customers. People do buy value. Look at Apple’s success. They focus on value, not cheap (and the two go together sometimes). I agree that pricing a product at 99-cents reduces the perceived value, but it may be necessary for a developer to price competitively, or, figure out a way to add value to command a higher price.
Don’t blame low prices on the customer. Most of us want a good product and are willing to pay a good price.
And, FWIW, kudos to Mac360 for exposing Mac users to a lot of very good software that doesn’t get reviewed elsewhere. Thanks to you guys I’ve spent a lot of money in recent years and I’m now a Mac power user.
Bwahahahaha!!!
mudman said:
I have bought a few of these bundles in the past. From my experience, most people will use one or two of the applications in the bundle on a regular basis. The others will sit around collecting bit-dust on their machines. Then, a few months later, a new version of the software that they frequently use will be released and THAT is the point at which the developer will make some money.
So, yes, the developers who choose to participate are probably looking 6-12 months down the road at the NEXT upgrade cycle. They are trading massive exposure and mind-share right now for future profits.
P.S. And yes, I am going to buy the latest MacHeist - because I realize that just ONE app (wiretap) is worth the price of entry alone. Would I have even heard of wiretap otherwise? Maybe, mabye not.
DougO said:
As a struggling independent software developer, I am very frustrated with the constant barrage of calls for “free” a “cheap” software from people who have no clue how much effort goes into writing good quality applications. I watch people complain that they have to pay $1.99 for an iPhone app while they are standing in line at Starbucks to pay over $4 for a latte.
Even worse, I get told that the new age way to make money is to offer your app for free and get money from advertising. Why should I become a conduit to Google to get paid just so people can have my stuff for free?
I know the counter to the above is I don’t “have” to do these things, I am free to choose. My point is simply that the call for free and cheap from the public is devaluing the work of software developers and driving very talented people away from wasting months of effort for little to no gain. Everyone loses in this game.
Chas M. said:
What happens to a good software developer who engages with Macheist, gets overrun by tens of thousands of new, and essentially, non-paying customers, but cannot handle the customer support issues and eventually goes broke or stops publishing altogether?
There’s also the fear from competing software developers, those who publish a Mac title that has similar functionality to one found in the bundle, that the price they charge is being diluted.
It’s a good deal for buyers, yes, but for Mac software developers it’s not such a good deal.
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Meredith said:
Killer App, how ridiculous! I, the consumer, don’t lose out when participating in MacHeist or buying the bundle because I get to sample a variety of applications I might have never HEARD of otherwise.
The developers don’t lose out because they don’t provide upgrade licenses for their MacHeist promo-edition software, even if the actual app is a “full version.” This means if someone tries it, like it, and wants to keep using it when it upgrades again, they have to pay—and most consumers WILL.
As for the developers that don’t participate in bundling or discount services like MacHeist, in all honesty, how am I going to hear about them? Why would I think that they are fun, useful, or interact with their consumer base if not through portals like MacHeist, MacUpdate, and so on? Yes, there are other channels for distributing software, but not every Mac User uses them. I certainly don’t like to spend hours looking for software titles and am much more likely to buy a bundle of apps if it includes a handful of things I might find useful than spend a lot more on a single app that MAY be useful, but MAY not, and would thus be a waste of my money if not. At least with MacHeist, if I bust with one app, there are always some fall-back ones. Also, if a developer puts out an app in MacHeist and it’s not so hot, I don’t hate the developer. I might look into their other titles. Oftentimes I’ll find something else -completely unrelated to the first app- that’ll make me buy. For example, Ambrosia Software, I paid money for their SnapzProX, but they featured an app in the MacHeist bundle that causes me to look at them again—for apps besides the one I already have and subsequent updates for it. If I like this other app they’ve developed, I’ll buy the full version with upgrades, just like I did for SnapzProX.
NOBODY LOSES BUT TIGHTWAD DEVELOPERS.