One-time purchase apps vs subscriptions: what a year actually costs
Subscriptions are easy to start and easy to forget. One-time apps cost more up front and then stop costing anything. Here is the arithmetic and the trade-offs.
Short answer: if you use an app for a defined job, such as a college application season or a renovation, a one-time price usually costs less. If you need cloud sync, a team, or content that is updated constantly, a subscription can be worth it.
The arithmetic
Here is an illustrative example, not a real product's price. A $5 monthly subscription is $60 in a year and $300 over five years. A $27 one-time app is $27 in year one and $27 in year five.
| Subscription (example: $5 a month) | One-time app | |
|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | $60 | $27 |
| After 3 years | $180 | $27 |
| After 5 years | $300 | $27 |
| If you stop using it | You keep paying until you cancel. | Nothing more to pay or cancel. |
How PK's apps are priced
- AppDeadline (college deadlines): free for 3 colleges, or $27 once for unlimited. No account needed, no subscription.
- HomeFix Calendar (home maintenance): free tier, or HomeFix Pro for $25 once, with 14 days of full Pro access first and no card.
- RenovaTrack (renovation budgets and quotes): 14 days of full access first with no card, then $29 once. No renewal and nothing to cancel.
- UnstickMe (starting tasks): 5 free actions, then $9.99 once for the full deck of 32. It works offline.
- ADHD Audio Engine (focus audio): free to use.
The full list is on Store & Pricing.
The trade-offs, honestly
- One-time apps run on your device. RenovaTrack and HomeFix Calendar run on your device and keep their data there. That means no account to manage, and it also means no cloud sync between devices.
- Subscriptions fund ongoing work. If an app needs live data, a team workspace or constant updates, a recurring fee can be fair.
- One-time apps can go stale. PK's apps are built to keep working whether or not new features ship.
A simple rule
Ask how long you will use it. For a season or a project, pay once. For something you rely on daily across devices and teammates, a subscription may earn its fee. Either way, try the free tier first.
Questions people ask
Do PK's apps have subscriptions?
No. Every PK app is free to try and, where there is a paid version, it is a one-time unlock: AppDeadline $27, HomeFix Pro $25, RenovaTrack $29, UnstickMe $9.99.
Is a one-time purchase always cheaper than a subscription?
Not always. It is usually cheaper for a defined job or season. If you need cloud sync, a team, or constantly updated content, a subscription can be worth it.
What happens to my data in a one-time app?
These apps run on your device. HomeFix keeps its data on the device, which means there is no account and no cloud sync.
Try one free first.
AppDeadline is free for 3 colleges. HomeFix Calendar has a free tier.
See app pricesOpen AppDeadline →Written by Perry Kendrick with AI assistance. Last updated . All comparisons · Store & Pricing