Why we introduced ads on the Fing App

VioletChepil

In Fing App 8.2.4 we introduced ads in the free App. Ads help us earn revenue to keep Fing running.

If you get a Fingbox, you won’t see ads.

What do you think of ads?

Let me know your thoughts in the discussion below.

RichCreedy

do you offer a paid version of the app without ads and fingbox?

Andrea

RichCreedy said:

do you offer a paid version of the app without ads and fingbox?

same question

VioletChepil

@Andrea and @RichCreedy we do not currently have this implemented but it is something we're considering. If you get Fingbox you won't see any ads but we are looking for other models too for Fing App users. 

John

Great incentive to add a fingbox, however would be good if it was an in app purchase to remove ads.
The app is useful, and so ultimately its expected you need to pay in one way shape of form.  However do NOT add ads to those that have purchased the fingbox, as that would be a kick in the teeth for a £120 purchase!

Gidster

We wont put ads in for Fingbox users @John but Fingbox is now only £99!  https://www.fing.com/products/fingbox (apologies - couldn't miss an opportunity to promote  )

Lee_Bo

But would the paid app have al the same features as the actual Fingbox?  For example, you don't see Mac addresses of devices unless you have a physical device.

[Deleted User]

Gidster said:

We wont put ads in for Fingbox users @John but Fingbox is now only £99!  https://www.fing.com/products/fingbox (apologies - couldn't miss an opportunity to promote  )

I am sure that the price reduction will be welcome to many, however for some that is a lot of money from their budget & also another “black box” in the network.
Apple’s restrictions on MAC addressing, is a minor inconvenience that can easily be overcome by interrogation of the local router.
Personally, I would have no problem with paying for the application to support it’s development as it offers all of the functionality that I need.

VioletChepil

@John yes exactly that's the idea!
@Lee_Bo no definitely not. This we are envisioning as a kind of low fee payment just to remove the ads.  

VioletChepil

@Pixelpopper yes definitely, the idea is to remove the ads. As per our latest roadmap, we're also planning for some other app installation options like the desktop version but the features are not yet defined/announced etc. https://community.fing.com/discussion/89/the-fing-roadmap#latest 

Lee_Bo

VioletChepil said:

In Fing App 8.2.4 we introduced ads in the free App. Ads help us earn revenue to keep Fing running.

If you get a Fingbox, you won’t see ads.

What do you think of ads?

Let me know your thoughts in the discussion below.

Almost all developers who offer their app for free have to use ads for revenue.  It's life and it pays the bills.
I personally have no issues paying a dollar or two to remove ads, if it's an app I use regularly.  And coming from a developer background, ads are a necessary evil.

White1234

I don't find the ads to be a problem.

John

Gidster said:

We wont put ads in for Fingbox users @John but Fingbox is now only £99!  https://www.fing.com/products/fingbox (apologies - couldn't miss an opportunity to promote  )

@Gidster hehe... very true... don't rub it in

John

Gidster said:

We wont put ads in for Fingbox users @John but Fingbox is now only £99!  https://www.fing.com/products/fingbox (apologies - couldn't miss an opportunity to promote  )

@Gidster hehe... very true... don't rub it in

kltaylor

As a user who is already invested in Domotz, the Fing app would be something to keep in the proverbial toolbox of admins.  Ads are a necessary 'evil' that I completely understand and accept, however, there are ways to combat that outside of owning a FingBox, which would be redundant and unnecessary.

Most everyone today uses some sort of ad blocker, which ultimately defeats a revenue stream for companies.  However, offering a means and method of supporting the company through a one-time purchase, or even a monthly subscription (say $1.99/mo), that literally benefits everyone.

jw_ned

i was already using the app before the box came out. So I think the following choices would be a diversed business model:
1. app + box
2. paid app
3. free app + adds

VioletChepil

@jw_ned thanks for this feedback! This is what we are thinking. Though we have not launched anything yet. Surely community will be first to know of any evolution on this. 

VioletChepil

@kltaylor this is the lines of what we are thinking so far! 

jw_ned

VioletChepil said:

@jw_ned thanks for this feedback! This is what we are thinking. Though we have not launched anything yet. Surely community will be first to know of any evolution on this. 

I think most of us in the community are already on level 1 

Pooh

Apple pretty much forced me to get a fingbox when they started blocking the ability to see MAC addresses on iOS. That said, I'm really glad I got one now so, not seeing ads on the app really is just they cherry on the cake for me.

kltaylor

VioletChepil said:

@kltaylor this is the lines of what we are thinking so far! 

That's good to know, I would be completely on-board with that.

jvaneenwyk

Great app but as others have said, please offer an in-app purchase option to remove ads. I'm sure Fingbox is great but I'd rather use Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG) in my setup, and I can't stand ads Thanks for being flexible on this!

VioletChepil

jvaneenwyk said:

Great app but as others have said, please offer an in-app purchase option to remove ads. I'm sure Fingbox is great but I'd rather use Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG) in my setup, and I can't stand ads Thanks for being flexible on this!

Yes! I believe we're working on something and I'll share any update as soon as I get the news. 

AKWillows

Absolutely agree with other users comments for three tiers: (1) free with ads (2) small fee with no ads (3) Fingbox and no ads. For those that don’t have a Fingbox , I would HIGHLY recommend it! The speed tests and the ability to know when things drop offline, or the network/power goes down is just brilliant!