Reddit’s recent decision to start charging for API access has caused widespread outrage among Redditors, as it would essentially be the end of many popular third-party clients unless they are willing to pay exorbitant fees each month. However, it looks like Relay for Android, the popular Reddit client, might have found a way to survive the API changes by implementing a new strategy.
In a recent blog post, developer Dave shared his insights on the future of the app and stated that the current free version of Relay would no longer be financially sustainable. Instead, the app will adopt a subscription-based model, which will also come with the added benefits of no ads or recommended content.
However, Dave also acknowledged the challenges associated with transitioning to a subscription-based model and explained that the success of this new approach would depend on users’ willingness to stick with Relay and embrace the subscription system. Additionally, he also expressed concerns about the tight timeline to implement the necessary changes, as Reddit’s new API pricing goes into effect on July 1st.
“The entire model is ultimately subject to how many, and what type of, users choose to stay with Relay as a subscription-based app. I want to stress that my estimates are only relevant to call data collected by Relay for Relay. Other apps have different layouts and feature sets,” said Dave.
Pricing structure
Under this new proposed model, users might need to pay a base subscription fee of $2 per month along with an additional $1 fee for the message notifications to accounts. However, it is important to note that the current pricing model is based on the latest release of Relay for Reddit, which included bug fixes and other changes aimed at reducing API calls.
Although the prospect of Relay surviving this API change is exciting and showcases developers’ determination to navigate evolving platform policies while providing users with a positive experience, it’s crucial to recognize that these projections are purely speculative at this point, and the future of the app remains uncertain.