Why does every AI startup default to subscriptions?
I'm building an AI writing app, and one decision has generated more debate than anything else: Lifetime pricing.
Almost everyone told me recurring subscriptions would make more money. We chose the opposite. I'd rather optimize for long-term trust than maximize monthly revenue.
Would you ever launch an AI SaaS without subscriptions?
I don't think the interesting decision is subscriptions vs. lifetime. It's what that choice forces you to optimize for. Subscriptions reward continuous value. Lifetime pricing forces you to earn trust upfront because you only get one chance to justify the purchase. That's a very different company to build.