Karandeep Singh / Android Authority
Google’s Play Store has a serious problem, and it’s something that’s a big source of frustration for me. While many apps on the Play Store offer subscriptions, I find it nearly impossible to figure out the exact price before I download them. Google makes it clear that an app offers “in-app purchases” right on the main page, but it never gives me the crucial pricing information I need.
This might seem like a small issue, but for me, it matters a lot. Price is a huge factor when I’m deciding on a new app. I pay for a lot of apps on a monthly basis, and I have no problem switching to a competitor if I can get a better deal without losing features. If I could just see the pricing scheme up front, I could find an alternative so much faster.
Would you like to see the price breakdown for each app in the Play Store? 37 votes Yes 97 % No 3 % The current price range is enough for me 0 %
The workarounds are terrible
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Right now, if I want to find an app’s subscription price, I have two terrible options. The first is to go to the developer’s website and hunt for the pricing details, which are often buried in support or FAQ pages. The second — and even worse — option is to download the app, in some cases even sign up for an account, and then navigate through its menus just to find the pricing information. It’s a huge hassle, especially if the price turns out to be way too high.
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You might be thinking, “But the pricing is listed on the app’s About page on the Play Store.” Well, not in my case. While Google does show a price range for apps in a lot of regions, it’s not available in my location on mobile. The field is completely empty for whatever reason. And even if I could see it, the information is far from precise. It’s just a general range and doesn’t tell me the exact cost for monthly, yearly, or other subscription tiers. I can make an educated guess, but I’d much rather see a full breakdown.
And regardless, this range is buried deep within the app’s description, far down the page. The price of an app is one of the most important factors for me, and it shouldn’t be something I have to hunt down. It should be clearly marked at the top of the main page.
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