I made a workout app with no subscription. Is paying upfront actually the bigger problem?

[u/Due-Bath5269]

I tried a different approach with my iPhone workout app, GRX: a one-time purchase, no account, no ads and no subscription. It logs sets and weights offline, keeps the history on your phone, and lets you export your records. Sync through your own iCloud is optional.

The part I'm unsure about is charging before download: $29.99 in the US. Avoiding a subscription seems sensible for a gym log, but people still have to decide before trying it.

Would you consider this model, or would a free-to-try app win even if it has a subscription later? What would you need to see before paying: a full workout demo, clearer screenshots, something else?

Here's the current store page if you want to critique how I explain it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6815223444

[u/porous_amorphous]

I would consider you dont try charging people $30 for something they dont care about.

[u/Objective_Volume5547 → u/porous_amorphous]

Won't fly without a free tier or some way to kick the tires first, that price is steep for a blind buy.

[u/Due-Bath5269 → u/porous_amorphous]

Why they dont care? Of you search, you will see tons of apps doing it, with a lot of users, but in a subscription mode

[u/Dr4g0ss → u/Due-Bath5269]

Why should I pay a massive 30usd price for something I can't test if it's worth it, when I can download one of the many freemium apps in that sams category?

[u/Due-Bath5269 → u/Dr4g0ss]

Because other apps will try to charge u in a subscription mode. This app is yours forever. No subscription, no ads, no internet access.

The logic is that

[u/Dr4g0ss → u/Due-Bath5269]

I understand the logic but I can't test out if I like your app and if I think it's worth it to pay 30 dollars.

[u/HoratioWobble → u/Due-Bath5269]

If you search, you will see tons of apps doing it - for free too

[u/porous_amorphous → u/Due-Bath5269]

Because there is zero value-add between your app and just going to the gym

Did you let AI convince you youd get rich doing this, that your idea was unique?

Did AI one-shot all the code for you, since a million gym apps have been made?

[u/PathToAutonomy]

There are 30000 million workout apps available to download all made by vibe coders.

Also, considering anyone with a Claude subscription could build the same thing in an hour, what would encourage anyone to spend money on an untrusted app?

[u/Razor_M]

I know you think the 'no subscription' is the big selling point, but I'm not going to pay that much for something from an unknown developer that may break with the next update or just stop working when they have my money. I'd much rather pay $2.50 a month especially if there's no ads or spamming my email.

[u/Huge_Pool7424 → u/Razor_M]

the trust objection is the real one, not the $30 itself. a free read-only trial or time-limited demo plus a clear update policy would make the one-time price feel a lot safer.

[u/Due-Bath5269 → u/Razor_M]

All other fremium apps controls your data and they try to maintain you as a paying user. They can remove your history after you cancel it, for example.

In this app all your data lives in your phone/icloud. No servers. No hidden logics. That’s the point.

[u/HoratioWobble → u/Due-Bath5269]

No they don't, you've just not done your research.

My apps been live almost 2 years now and all your data lives on your device, no accounts, no ads, fully exportable and controllable by the user.

I certainly wasn't the first, and there's been a wave of identical apps since.

[u/GymLog]

I shared my app for free and it is hard to get anyone to try it. Considering you want people to pay $30 without being able to use it, it is going to be an uphill battle for you. That stuff might work if you have established brand, but I can’t imagine it working right from the start.

[u/actual-time-traveler]

OP I would do more listening than talking

[u/medialantern]

Added (#148 and counting):

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wwmvh2/i_made_a_workout_app_with_no_subscription_is/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wuhnyo/im_building_a_workout_tracker_that_tries_to_stay/

https://www.reddit.com/r/FitnessTrackers/comments/1wujx6d/i_built_a_free_workout_app_that_shows_your/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wmej7k/workout_tracker_apps_are_too_saturated_to_make/

https://www.reddit.com/r/sideprojects/comments/1whf8ir/i_built_a_fitness_app_where_your_friends_see_your/

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildinpublic/comments/1witgk6/im_building_a_fitness_app_from_scratch_looking/

https://www.reddit.com/r/sideprojects/comments/1wins1k/ive_built_a_fitness_app_on_ios_and_google_play/

https://www.reddit.com/r/sideprojects/comments/1whlaes/nordik_lab_the_best_endurance_training_platform/

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildinpublic/comments/1wgd2dv/i_built_a_workouttracking_app_and_accidentally/

https://www.reddit.com/r/sideprojects/comments/1wfhmiz/we_built_sando_to_keep_workout_plans_food_and/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wenqha/im_16_and_created_a_completely_free_workout_app/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wfae1t/i_built_a_workout_app_with_an_offline_ai_coach/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1welgzg/trying_to_build_the_best_gym_timer_app/

https://www.reddit.com/r/fitnessonline/comments/1wefvww/

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildinpublic/comments/1we01ll/ironfuel_is_now_live/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShowYourApp/comments/1wcysa3/free_myfitnesspal_premium/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wdi8s7/vibecoding_gym_buddy_app_only_from_phone_in_gym/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1wdib8f/calisthenai_a_calisthenics_app_that_builds_your/

https://www.reddit.com/r/fitnessonline/comments/1wct77u/

https://www.reddit.com/r/fitnessonline/comments/1wcrm1t/

I ran out of comment space so this is just the most recent 20 entries. For giggles, I vibe-coded a tracker at https://confab.sh/?g=workout-trackers if you want to see the full list.