signalHacker News Best2026-09-27
Breaking Up with Google Play: Why Conversations Is Now Free
Conversations, a federated instant messaging client for Android, was released on March 24, 2014, and has been a sustainable business through paid development, grants, and Google Play revenue. The developer is now making the app free, citing Google's 15% cut (over 1000 Euro per year) and poor review times, including a 14-day wait and two removals.
- for who
- Independent developers and one-person companies reliant on Google Play for distribution and revenue.
- what changes
- They can shift away from platform dependence, as shown by Conversations going free after years of charging for the compiled binary.
- to do
- Support the move by abandoning Google Play sales and making the app available free, reducing reliance on the platform's review process and fees.
key points
- Conversations went free after 12.5 years, breaking with Google Play
- Google took 15% cut, over 1000 Euro yearly, with poor review times
- App removed twice, updates delayed up to 14 days, security concerns
#indie development#Google Play#one-person company#open source business model#platform risk
score
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