Apparently sync was a popular reddit app (I think, I never heard of it before), which has now launched for lemmy. The result being that 50% of all posts on lemmy is now about sync for some reason.
Guerrilla marketing or just very very dedicated fans?
Big Sync fan here, because LJDawson actually listens to user feedback and implements good ideas.
Personally I'm a Sync Ultra subscriber because I value paying for the support and extra features, and don't mind compensating the app maker for making my Lemmy UX experience familiar and enjoyable.
However, and this is important, do not feel pressured to use an app because it is popular if something does not appeal to you (like the pricing, or paying to remove ads, for example).
There are plenty of apps that are free or significantly cheaper, that remain ad free. All of them have merits.
Sync users alone can't fill the fediverse with the content that is required.
We'd be extremely stupid to think we were anything more than just another fediverse user.
Everyone's contribution is equally important.
Also people are mad at the price. Add free on reddit was a $3 one time purchase. It's $20 on lemmy.
I'm slowly coming around. $20 is probably more than the total amount I've spent on apps since smartphones were a thing, but at the same time I want to support a good developer. Thinking about it as $23 total for 2 great apps makes it easier to swallow.
That said. I haven't upgraded yet. Also worth noting my average meal at Taco Bell costs like $15 and Sync hasn't given me a single stomach ache, so there's that.
It's nothing in the scheme of things. I'm happy to pay all day long. I used Sync for Reddit more than any of the streaming services I use, so I'm more than happy to pay. I used sync for 14 years, and have left Reddit since Sync died with the api changes. I'm glad Sync for Lemmy is here now. I'd never understand the hate for choosing a paid for service just because there are free apps out there.
I think app prices are due for a surge. With the cost of living/business increases we've seen since the start of covid, it's inevitable. Unless an app has super broad appeal I think the days of $0.99 niche apps are coming to an end.
It's not if you consider that the install base for Lemmy is still waaaaaaaay smaller than Reddit, it starts to make more sense. And if you ask almost any longtime user of Sync, the price is still worth it considering how many hours we will spend in this app. If I can get better value than a movie ($ per hour) then it's so worth it. By the time the app dies you will have spent pennies.
As one of the people who came to Lemmy because of Sync, I'd say very dedicated fans. It was hands down the absolute best Reddit app on Android. Still feeling salty about what reddit did, so I followed Sync here.
It's free. It's only on google play. The 20$ is to get rid of ads forever. There's also a subscription model which I'm not a fan of but it only costs 17$/year.
I'm a sync user and I love sync because of the customisation and the UI. It was pretty much my perfect reddit app.
People act like they're being forced to use Sync when there are decent alternatives. Sync just happens to currently have the best layout/user interface with tons of customisation.
Whether or not that's worth paying money for is up to each individual but I can't stand the constant complaining. Either deal with ads or don't use it if you don't like it 👍
Pepsi, Coke, or Budget no-name cola?
Windows, MacOS, or Linux?
Sometimes it's a personal preference.
I like the UX of Sync. I've made QOL feature requests in the past and they've been implemented. For an early beta, it's extremely well polished. I can afford to support the developer for a quality app, so I do.
I can certainly see the merits of each app, and have used a few of them.
I just prefer Sync.
But that's me. It should have no bearing on what you or anyone else uses.