Is the majority of software available for Macs now available for purchase from the Mac App Store or do people still purchase (a digital download) directly from the individual website(s) of that particular company that created the software?
I am aware now that most companies allow a free trial of there software(usually 30 days). I’m not sure if the Mac App Store allows for trials (having never purchased from it)
Do people still buy boxed software, from the high street -is this less common now ?
If it is the case that the software is available to buy in all these ways what is the deciding factor (and possibly the best)
Thanks for your input
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Simon
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Purchasing Apple Mac Software: Options Available To the Consumer ?
Comments: 5 Responses to “Purchasing Apple Mac Software: Options Available To the Consumer ?”
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I don't know of any study that actually looks at the numbers, so I can't say whether "the majority" of software is available on the Mac App Store. Probably not a matter of quantity anyway. It is whether the software you want is available in the store.
People still purchase directly, yes. There are many reasons why software may not be in the store. For instance, there are strict security rules about being in the Mac App Store. So if you have a system extension that alters OS X in certain ways, it will not be allowed in the store. So a very useful utility may only be available directly from the developer because of that. Some developers also simply decide to not use the store, preferring to interact with customers directly for a number of good business reasons.
A 30-day trial system is also something that must be done outside the store. Though you may find that developers offer the app both outside and inside the store, and the outside version has a trial period. So you can download the trial first, and then use the Mac App Store to purchase the full version later.
Some later software companies prefer to sell their software directly, like Microsoft and Adobe. Also, some competing stores like Valve's Steam store offer software you can download from their app, rather than the Mac App Store.
As for boxed software, it is rarely done now. Some of the large publishers will do it, and some of the game publishers too. But with many Macs coming without an optical drive, it isn't an option for some.
The deciding factor may be simply where you can get the software. If the app is something you want or need, then get it in the way the developer has made it available.
But if a developer has made things available in multiple ways, then the Mac App Store has a few advantages:
1. Security: Developers in the Mac App Store have gone through ID checks with Apple to get into the store. So it would be hard for them to distribute malware since it can be tied to them personally.
2. Multiple Macs: Buy something in the Mac App Store and you can install it on all of your Macs. Very useful for someone with a desktop and a laptop. You don't need to buy it twice or decide which Mac to put it on.
So the Mac App Store allows for multiple licences (is that the correct terminology ?) Generally if the software was bought via a company's website or retail store - it would be for one mac installation only unless specied
I wouldn't call it "multiple licenses." It simply allows you to install apps on all of the Macs using the same Apple ID. For outside the Mac app store, it depends on the developer. Some allow for two or more installs. But most do not.
The Mac App Store sounds more favourable to the options then (assuming the software is available through that particular channel)
It is probably best to check the developer's site and see what they offer and then make a judgement based on your needs and the options provided.