Launching on App Store vs DMG Distribution - why would I choose one over the other?
This thread was written with Sakura Latte playing in the background
I have apps that are pretty much ready to be published but right now I'm debating on having to go through the whole App Store ordeal (they did get approved on TestFlight) or just distribute via my own site where I have a bit more control and don't need to give in to the Apple Store fees if I were to make them paid.
A couple questions I have that maybe the experienced makers here can help me out with are
Versioning: I know App Store Connect makes it really easy to update versions of your app. I don't really plan to do that many updates unless the community reports a big bug or there's high demand for a feature. How would I most efficiently do updates if I were to do self-distribution via DMG?
Trust: By default, if it's on the App Store there's some level on trust. I personally look at packages and am okay downloading things from internet devs but I'm curious what folks here think? Would distribution hurt download chances?
Awareness: This is pretty much the same imo other than App Store search vs SEO but curious if anyone has had negative/positive experience regarding discoverability either through App Store or self-distribution
Payments: I would probably use something like @Superwall but am curious what the best way to introduce a "free for 7 days then pay $2 for lifetime access" kind of paywall and if the distribution method impacts this at all.
Any other tips, recommendations, and stories you have about distributing silly, lightweight apps would be helpful! A lot of the apps that are silly that I've downloaded are DMG, so I'm leaning that way. But I do like the fact that being published on the App Store means something and how easy versioning is.
HALP ME DECIDE!
Replies
one more thing to throw into the mix - build the chunk that Apple takes into your pricing and launch on the App Store. I believe they take 30%? so include that in your pricing.
and one more - consider running an experiment where you launch on both the App Store and your site (perhaps different apps? maybe the same? I don't know if there are rules around that).
good luck deciding, mate
Product Hunt
@taniabell thanks! not a bad idea actually. Can make the one on my site like $2 and the one on app store like $5 and see what performs better.
I wonder if they penalize you for this like Amazon does if you make the same item cheaper off their site.
@gabe yeah, it's worth investigating if they penalise you. another way is to launch two apps at the same time on each channel and see how they preform. appreciate this won't be a clean a/b test b/c the apps are different but also an option.
curious what you decide to do. good luck with the launch, mate
It really depends on your goals. App Store gives you reach and trust DMG gives you freedom and control.