4 Reasons paid mobile apps are better than free alternatives

4 Reasons paid mobile apps are better than free alternatives

Small-business owners like you need to be judicious about where you spend your money. But when it comes to mobile apps, shelling out a few bucks upfront for a quality app can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. For instance, anti-malware software for your computer is definitely worth paying for — and the same logic can be applied to mobile apps.

While free apps may seem like a steal, they are often laden with advertisements, have fewer features, and may even collect your data without you realizing it. By contrast, paid apps tend to have better features and security.

Let’s take a look at four reasons why paid mobile apps are a better option than their free counterparts.

1. Paid apps offer more features and functionalities

Most free apps are actually freemium versions of paid apps, which means they offer a limited selection of features for free in the hopes that you'll eventually upgrade to the paid version. This means that you're often left frustrated by an app that doesn't do everything you need it to, leading you to download yet another app to supplement its functionality.

Paid apps, on the other hand, have a wider range of features that are fully accessible from the get-go. Therefore, using a paid app not only saves you the time and effort of having to download multiple apps to get the job done, but it also means you're getting a product that's been fully developed and tested.

And since you're already paying for the app, there's no incentive for the developers to try and upsell you on additional features or even show you ads.

2. Paid apps are more convenient to use

Because paid apps offer a better selection of features and are more fully developed, they tend to be easier to use overall. This is especially true for apps that are part of a paid suite, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud. With these apps, you can be sure that everything will work seamlessly together since they're all designed to be compatible with each other.

In addition, paid apps are generally more user-friendly and intuitive. This is because their developers have spent more time perfecting the user experience, rather than focusing on how to monetize the app.

Meanwhile, free apps are often plagued by ads and pop-ups that can get in the way of what you're trying to do. Ads and pop-ups can also slow down your device as it tries to process all of the extra information.

Related reading: The dangers of app overload in businesses

3. Paid apps are more secure

When you pay for an app, there's a much lower chance that it will contain malware or other malicious code. Developers have a financial incentive to make sure their products are safe and secure because a single security breach can ruin their reputation and cost them dearly in terms of lost revenue.

Many free apps — that is, those that aren’t free trial versions of premium apps — are developed by individuals or small teams working in their spare time. They may not have the resources or expertise to properly test their app for security vulnerabilities. This leaves you at risk of having your personal information stolen, or worse, your device being hacked.

Also, paid apps tend to be updated more frequently than free ones, which means they're more likely to have the latest security patches and features. This keeps you and your data safe, and also ensures that the app works as intended.

4. Paid apps are more affordable in the long run

While it may seem like you're spending less money upfront for free apps, they actually have a number of hidden costs, such as in-app purchases, subscription fees, and ads, making them more expensive in the long run.

In-app purchases are particularly common in freemium apps, where you're constantly being tempted to spend a few dollars here and there to get ahead. These small amounts can add up quickly, especially if you're not keeping tabs on your expenses.

Subscription fees are another way that free apps can end up costing you more money. While it's true that some paid apps also have subscription fees, these are generally for optional features and you have the choice of whether or not to pay them. With free apps, however, a subscription fee may be required to access full features or to use the app at all.

Finally, free apps are usually supported by ads, which can be a major annoyance. Not only do they take up valuable screen real estate, but loading them can also slow down your device and use up your data allowance.

In contrast, paid apps generally don't have any of these hidden costs, meaning you're only paying for what you actually want and need.

Ultimately, free apps offer some benefits, but paid apps tend to be a better value for money. By investing in a paid app, you can be sure that you're getting a high-quality product that won't let your business down.

Get in touch with our experts at outsourceIT to learn more about how we can help you choose the right mobile apps for your business.


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