TL;DR
A longtime skeptic of subscription apps argues that Apple’s new Creator Studio bundle may soften resistance by offering a lower-cost, AI-rich alternative to pricey suites. The piece weighs consumer and developer benefits against concerns about mounting rental costs and notes Apple still offers outright purchases for the included apps.
What happened
Ben Lovejoy revisited his long-running unease with subscription software following Apple’s introduction of Apple Creator Studio. He outlines the central case for subscriptions — they lower the upfront cost barrier for users and deliver steadier revenue for developers — and contrasts that with a single enduring objection: the rising total of recurring charges as more tools move to rental models. The article compares Apple’s bundle pricing to established options, citing an Apple Creator Studio subscription at $129 per year or $13 per month and noting that a standard Adobe Creative Cloud Pro plan can approach roughly $800 annually on an annual commitment or exceed $100 monthly on a month-to-month basis. Lovejoy also highlights that Apple currently keeps the option to buy each app outright, while expressing worry that this purchase alternative could be withdrawn down the line. Readers are invited to vote in a poll and share their views.
Why it matters
- Lower subscription prices can broaden access to professional creative tools for occasional or budget-conscious users.
- Subscriptions provide developers with predictable revenue, which can support ongoing updates and feature development.
- The shift from ownership to rental increases the risk of rising cumulative costs as more services and apps adopt subscription models.
- Apple’s decision to keep outright purchases alongside a bundle preserves user choice for now, affecting perceived consumer value.
Key facts
- Author Ben Lovejoy has been critical of subscription apps for nearly a decade while acknowledging their benefits.
- Two main arguments for subscriptions are cited: affordability for consumers and sustainable income for developers.
- The article notes a 2025 report (referred to as 'last year') that found the average American spent nearly $1,000 annually on subscription video services.
- Apple Creator Studio is reported at $129 per year or $13 per month and includes extensive AI features, according to the article.
- A standard Adobe Creative Cloud Pro subscription is cited as costing almost $800 per year with annual billing, or over $100 per month on month-to-month billing.
- Apple continues to offer the included apps for outright purchase rather than forcing a rental-only model, for now.
- The author’s principal concern is the growing cumulative expense of multiple subscriptions and the possibility that Apple might later remove purchase options.
- Readers are prompted to participate in a poll and comment on whether the Creator Studio subscription makes the rental model more acceptable.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple will maintain the option to buy individual apps outright or shift to subscription-only selling — not confirmed in the source.
- How many creative professionals adopt Apple Creator Studio versus sticking with existing suites such as Adobe Creative Cloud — not confirmed in the source.
- Market reactions and any future price changes for Creator Studio or rival bundles as companies respond to adoption and competition — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Subscription app: Software accessed by paying a recurring fee (monthly or yearly) rather than a one-time purchase price.
- Outright purchase: Buying a software license with a single payment that typically grants long-term ownership or indefinite use.
- Bundle: A package offering multiple apps or services together, often at a lower combined price than buying each item separately.
- Generative AI: Artificial intelligence systems that create new content—such as images, text, or audio—based on learned patterns from training data.
Reader FAQ
What is Apple Creator Studio?
According to the article, it is a new Apple subscription bundle aimed at creative professionals, offered at $129 per year or $13 per month and including extensive AI features.
Does Apple force users to subscribe instead of buying apps?
No; the article states Apple still allows outright purchases of the included apps, though the author worries that could change in the future.
Is Creator Studio cheaper than Adobe Creative Cloud?
The piece compares prices and notes Creator Studio’s $129/year versus an estimated almost $800/year for a standard Adobe Creative Cloud Pro annual plan, or more than $100/month on month-to-month billing.
Will Apple remove the option to buy apps outright?
Not confirmed in the source.
Apple debuts ‘Apple Creator Studio’ subscription, here’s what you get Chance Miller Jan 13 2026 9TO5MAC POLLS APPLE CREATOR STUDIO Does Apple Creator Studio make subscription apps more palatable? [Poll]…
Sources
- Does Apple Creator Studio make subscription apps more palatable? [Poll]
- Apple Creator Studio might just cure my subscription fatigue
- Apple Creator Studio
- Apple Sees Creator Studio as a Perfect Entry Point for …
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