Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustainable business?

Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by mattl on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @02:27PM (#43775170)

What is your app or what does it do?

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Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by endore8_ on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @02:29PM (#43775192)

My app is Usage - a system device monitor, a much nicer alternative to Apple's Activity Monitor.

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Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by mattl on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @02:38PM (#43775298)

Oh cool! I have it from SetApp I believe.

You could release it under a copyleft license like the GPL v3 and change the branding for the open source version with a generic logo, none of your trademarks, etc.

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Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by endore8_ on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @02:42PM (#43775331)

Oh wow! I hope you like it! :)

One idea I just remembered is to open-source an iOS/iPadOS app first, and see how it develops from there.

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Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by mattl on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @02:56PM (#43775475)

Not a bad idea. I hope you do it.

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Re:Ask HN: Can an open-source and paid Mac app be a sustaina... by endore8_ on Wednesday April 23, 2025 @03:00PM (#43775526)

Good - let's hope it won't be in far future :D

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