Today, that could be because devs tend to confuse how to measure success and keep a foot in multiple camps.
If you are trying to create a viral app, then giving your software away for free increases your chances of hitting the jackpot. But it decreases your chances of achieving steady cash flow in the short to medium term. If you charge upfront, then you probably aren't going to go viral. But you might be able to pay your costs. Freemium is an each way bet.
Everyone dreams of virality, but this dream might be sabotaging your nice, niche, steady earning app. You need to choose between your ego playing the app lottery or making small steady gains with real money. Sometimes going after virality is the right decision, but you have to look at your app and its target market and choose your charging model carefully.
As for the customers having low expectations, if the developers don't think that their software is worth anything, then it's probably not surprising that the customers agree.
If you are trying to create a viral app, then giving your software away for free increases your chances of hitting the jackpot. But it decreases your chances of achieving steady cash flow in the short to medium term. If you charge upfront, then you probably aren't going to go viral. But you might be able to pay your costs. Freemium is an each way bet.
Everyone dreams of virality, but this dream might be sabotaging your nice, niche, steady earning app. You need to choose between your ego playing the app lottery or making small steady gains with real money. Sometimes going after virality is the right decision, but you have to look at your app and its target market and choose your charging model carefully.
As for the customers having low expectations, if the developers don't think that their software is worth anything, then it's probably not surprising that the customers agree.