This is a dumb question but Iโm gonna ask anyways ๐
How do apps like simplex or other open source apps, without a defined revenue source (sales etc etc), bring in revenue?
I think simplex is fantastic, for the record, just always wondered in general how money is made. Outside of funding events obviously lol
Donations. You can see different methods of donation on the GitHub.
However I donโt know think thatโs enough to support their server costs. Likely other funding but beats me.
Link to crunchbase financials review on fundingโฆ
https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/simplex-chat/company_financials
Ahh, thanks! That makes sense. Will read over the page!
Signal runs on donations and was donated $50m by the co-founder of the WhatsApp
Aha. That would help out a lot. Thank you ๐ช๐ฝ
Itโs a key question, actually. Unless itโs a project sustained through grants, donations, and the good graces of the developers, lack of a viable business model and sources of revenue should concern users.
As the saying goes, if the product is free, you are the product.
Specific to #nostr, while itโs still early, a number of revenue streams are emerging, from paid apps, to subscription relays, and the like. It remains to be seen if advertising will be among the ways, but I wouldnโt be surprised to see it in time.
That saying is what illicites the question a lot of times.
As in, if I am โnotโ the product, how do these companies fund themselves.
The things you mentioned make total sense.
Iโve really enjoyed seeing some of the creative ways that #nostr has implemented paying for things, etc. Makes me hopeful for equitable balance between the user not being taken advantage of and ensuring that the company/developer is more than properly compensated.
Freemium models, advanced/pro features are paid.
I would like to know this too ๐
#opensource #open-source
Well, open source doesn't always mean โnot selling your dataโ. So, there's that. If you're ever curious about whether an app is selling your data, just check the privacy policy.
Many are a labor of love. Others are a โcallingโ. Many have no revenue and thatโs a problem but so many good people refuse to give up and thatโs a good thing.
Asking the real questions
Off the backs of fiat injection, People with access to credit (acredited) are able to fund multiple projects hoping to find uneducated exit liquidity
Donations to true people.
Many apps rely on donations and even code contributions. As for SimpleX, you may find this part of their FAQs appealing
