News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Donation page "not compliant with Google Play Policies" by vhanda on Saturday April 10, 2021 @12:22PM (#26762620)
It's really not the same thing. With Donations you want a subset of users to pay for the app, who really want to. With a paid app, every one needs to pay.

Also, a donation is very different than selling something from a legal point of view. When selling, you need to pay VAT.

One could keep two apps, one paid and one free, but then on the paid one you're essentially paying 30% to Google and about 20% more to VAT. So you're effectively losing half the money and having to do lots more work to maintain two apps, and their subsequent ASO.

Re:Donation page "not compliant with Google Play Policies" by ec109685 on Saturday April 10, 2021 @12:29PM (#26762681)
Why can't you do an in-app purchase that is the donation and doesn't unlock anything? Yeah, you're still paying the various taxes, but you don't need two apps.
Re:Donation page "not compliant with Google Play Policies" by vhanda on Saturday April 10, 2021 @12:33PM (#26762711)
Yup. You're right. You can do that.

You then have the problem of writing and maintaining the code for the IAP, which isn't always trivial. But yes, absolutely do-able.

At this point it's the same thing as selling an invisible skin for your app. The fundamental issue is that of selling vs donating.

Re:Donation page "not compliant with Google Play Policies" by bluetwo on Saturday April 10, 2021 @11:13PM (#26767209)
Yep. And if you are in-tune with your users, create something the power-users will appreciate.