Discounts used to be ten-a-penny on the App Store, but over the last couple years we’ve seen the number of apps on sale dramatically decrease. With more and more apps going the freemium route, supported by ads and/or in-app purchases, there’s less room for conventional sales. How can you make something that’s aready free to download more compelling?
This week, there are a few apps we want to draw your attention to. Some of these are discounted in the old-fashioned way, while others have recently made the aforementioned move to freemium, meaning you can give them a shot without spending a dime.
So without further ado, dig your teeth into the following apps and games!
Please remember that all prices are correct at the time of writing, but prices can change at any time. Always double check the price on the App Store before buying!
TaskCat
Was $1/£1, now FREE
This is a smart to-do list with a feline twist. TaskCat understands that many productivity apps can be too overwhelming, to the point that you don’t feel inclined to use them. By contrast, this app takes things back to basics – it’s a task manager that keeps things simple so you can get on with your life. But it still has those all-important features like iCloud sync and password protection, if you need them.
One Deck Dungeon
Was $10/£10, now $7/£7
A “roguelike” dungeon crawler based around a deck of cards and a handful of dice. This is a deep, satisfying strategy game without all the complicated bells and whistles that take an age to learn. Instead, you’ll get a streamlined and fun experience which is different every time you play, thanks to five different playable heroes. How far can you get through the dungeon in a single run?
Find the Line
Was $1/£1, now FREE
This is a unique, beautiful puzzle game that wona. few awards when it first launched back in 2015. It’s a little like an abstract jigsaw puzzle rendered in glowing neon, as you try to combine lines in the correct positions to recreate works of art. A sweet, relaxing game with no barrier to entry – there’s no good reason not to grab this while it’s on sale!
After Burner Climax
Was $3/£3, now FREE
This SEGA classic has made the transition to freemium, which in this case we think is a good thing. The entire game is now playable completely free, though it’s not supported by ocassional ads. That means you can try out this blazing fighter jet arcade game without parting with any cash – and if you like what you see, the premium upgrade to remove all ads is now only $2/£2.
BeCasso Photo Editor
Was $5/£5, now FREE
Yet another App Store favorite that’s changed its payment model, BeCasso is a slick app that converts photos into brilliant faux paintings. The basic features are now free, with a premium upgrade available for those who will get a lot of use out of the app. If the price tag put you off before, now’s a great chance to see just how far machine learning art has come – these “paintings” may be computer-generated, but they’re more elaborate than simple filters.