So about a week or so ago, I got a notice that it was time for my yearly renewal of AppSumo plus. Like with most subscriptions, I always stop and think if it’s worth the money to continue with it. I’m sure most small business owners are like that as well.
If you’re reading this, you are probably wondering if AppSumo plus is worth it. Maybe you’ve subscribed in the past or maybe you’re thinking about starting it for the first time. I’m going to run through my experience with it and try to cover the positives and negatives so at the end of this you can decide if you want to subscribe to AppSumo Plus.
Exploring AppSumo Deals
What is AppSumo?
I guess the first question to answer for some of you, what is AppSumo. It’s a website that offers deals on all types of business software for huge discounts. I know I personally have purchased several of the deals and have saved a ton of money.
Types of AppSumo Deals Available
AppSumo is renowned for its wide variety of incredible deals across various categories. You can find deals on software for marketing, sales, project management, design, and much more. I’ve bought software for sending emails, designing images, booking calls, SEO, AI writing, and automations to name a few. This is particularly appealing for small business owners looking to minimize ongoing subscription costs. AppSumo also offers traditional subscription services, often with hefty discounts, and even bundles to enhance your business operations. The platform is designed to cater to diverse needs and budgets of entrepreneurs.
Lifetime Deals vs. Subscription Services
When browsing AppSumo, it’s important to understand the difference between lifetime deals and subscription services. A lifetime deal is a one-time payment for lifetime access to a software product. This means you pay once and can use the software indefinitely, avoiding recurring subscription fees. Most of these lifetime deals also include any updates or changes, so you’re not left with useless software or paying for upgrades over time.
Subscription services, on the other hand, require regular payments (monthly or yearly) for continued access. From my experience, there are very few of these, and one of the big positives of AppSumo is you are avoiding these reoccurring monthly fees.
My Favorite AppSumo Software
Over the years, I’ve bought like 20 different things from AppSumo. Some were duds initially, some worked well for a while, and some continue to be amazing. I’m going to give a quick run down of my favorite ones. Some of these might not still be available on AppSumo because the deals do end, but they do occasionally bring them back.
Sociamonials– scheduling social media posts
Encharge– email automation and marketing
Albato– automation across platforms
Tidycal– appointment and booking
Neuronwriter– SEO and Ai assisted writing
Downside of AppSumo deals
Like all things when you are saving money, there are usually some downsides. The first thing is that there are different tiers for each software. There’s usually a cheap starter level and then things get more expensive. For a smaller business, you are usually ok with the starter level. The deals are still cheaper than paying monthly, but something that looked cheap could actually end up costing a bit more to make it work.
The second issue is that most of the software is run by smaller businesses and might be new. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it could lead to bugs in the software or slow customer service. For the most part, I haven’t had these issues.
The third issue is that these small companies could shut down at any point which would leave your lifetime deal gone. I actually had this happen with something I bought a few years ago. Luckily for me, I wasn’t really using it, so I didn’t lose much. Still, it would stink to pay and then lose it.
Understanding AppSumo Plus
What is AppSumo Plus?
AppSumo Plus is a premium membership that enhances your AppSumo experience. It’s designed for those who love AppSumo and want to get the most out of the platform. As a Plus user, you gain access to exclusive discounts and benefits that aren’t available to regular AppSumo users. This means you can save even more money on the deals on software that are offered on AppSumo, making it an invaluable resource for startups and established businesses alike.
Benefits of Being a Plus Member
Being a Plus member unlocks a treasure trove of advantages, including:
- A 10% discount on AppSumo deal purchases, further reducing the cost of lifetime deal (LTD) opportunities.
- Access to exclusive content and events, helping you stay ahead of the curve.
- $100 worth of coupons for the year (4 $25 coupons)
- 12 month protection if a software shuts down
Cost of the AppSumo Plus Yearly Plan
As of right now, the cost to get a year of AppSumo plus, it’s $99 a year. I think that’s what the cost has been for a while and I don’t think there are any plans to change it.
Refund Policy and Customer Satisfaction
Understanding the Refund Policy
The AppSumo refund policy is designed to ensure that AppSumo and its customers are satisfied with their purchases. Generally, AppSumo provides a 60-day money-back guarantee for most deals on software, giving you plenty time to evaluate whether the tools are a good fit for your needs. For Plus members, this refund policy period might be extended, offering an extra layer of reassurance when trying out new AppSumo deals. Understanding the specifics of the refund policy ensures you can make purchases with confidence, knowing you have the option to request a refund if needed.
How to Request a Refund
Requesting a refund from AppSumo is really easy. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase within the specified refund policy period, you can go to the section that shows your purchases. Out beside each one there should be some kind of box or dropdown. Simply click refund and it should do it.
Over the past 5 years or so, I think I have refunded maybe 3 pieces of software. For the most part, it has been super easy and helpful.
There is one thing you need to know though. If you use one of your coupons on a piece of software, you don’t get it back if you do a refund. That’s right, you lose a $25 coupon. That to me seems like a bad practice but it is what it is. It just means you have to be more careful when using the coupons.
Is the AppSumo Plus Yearly Plan Worth It?
Cost Analysis of the Plus Yearly Plan
AppSumo Plus is not for everyone and only you can decide if it is worth it. The first question to consider is how much software do you think you will be buying in a year. If you only maybe buy one, then it will not be worth it. If you are looking to upgrade or add 3-4 pieces of software, then I would say it is.
The next thing to look at is the overall savings. You get 10% off of every purchase. That means you would need to spend roughly $1000 to make back the cost of the subscription. That by itself would not make it worth it. The real worth comes with the coupons. As long as you use them, and don’t waste them on a refund, you are saving $100. That by itself is worth the subscription.
Other Ways to Earn Back Your Subscription Cost
If the 10% off and $100 of coupons wasn’t even to make it worth it, there are other ways you can earn back your subscription cost. One is to refer friends to AppSumo. They get 10% off their first purchase and then you get 10% off as well. Only issue is I don’t know if that stacks with the 10% you would already be getting.
The bigger way is to become an affiliate. Share info about the software you buy and when others use your link, you get money! It says 100% of the sale up to $50. From what I understand that means if someone buys $100 you would get $50 of it. That’s pretty good!
Final Thoughts from my experience
I really like AppSumo. I’ve been using it for years and overall I’ve found the software to be useful and save me a ton of money. For me, AppSumo Plus makes sense. I’m already going to be buying software from them, so I will easily make back the $99. If anything, it forces me to pay attention the software and deals they have and look for ways to improve my business or current software.
Anyone else been using AppSumo Plus? Feel free to let me know your experience.