In recent weeks, Reddit has been embroiled in controversy over its decision to eliminate the vast majority of its third-party apps, leaving only one Reddit-affiliated app standing — Apollo. The app is a much-loved alternative to the official website, and has been voted the best iOS Reddit client for multiple years. Now, it looks like Apollo is set to make news for a different reason: charging its users based on usage.
Under the new system, users will be charged a monthly fee based on how active they are on the app. If you spend more time interacting and engaging with the Reddit community, then you will pay more. This is a bold move, as it will put off some users who are simply curious about Reddit or don’t have the time to invest in frequent visits to the app. On the other hand, Redditors who already spend a lot of time on the platform using third-party apps, will get a fair price for their devotion.
It’s still unclear exactly how Apollo plans to structure its paywalls, and whether it will be a flat fee for all users, or based on an individual’s usage. One thing is for sure though — the move is seen as a positive step by many Redditors, who are already familiar with Apollo’s excellent user experience and feature set. The amount of features and customization available to users make it far more valuable than the official Reddit app. Apollo also provides a host of features that are synchronized across multiple devices, allowing users to sync their data no matter where they are. This will be especially valuable to active users, who often access Reddit from their mobiles while on the go.
Of course, no one wants to pay to use Reddit, and many users have voiced their concerns about the move. However, given the recent troubles of the third-party apps, it’s possible that Apollo’s move is the best option for Redditors looking for an iOS client that actually works. In any case, it will be interesting to see how Apollo’s move plays out in the weeks to come, and whether the paywall will actually help retain users. In the meantime, Redditors will have to decide whether or not the cost of using Apollo is worth it.