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Why is Remote Utilities free?
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So my question is, why is such good quality software free? We all know that
T N S T A A F L
(there's no such thing as a free lunch)
In what way are we customers paying if it is not in money? Is it open source? (I don't think so?)
Who and how is supporting this company? Is it only large-scale users who pay for more features/computers?
Also, why is the self-hosted server software free? You'd think we'd have to pay for that, at least, because if we are not using your software for the internet-ID connection, you don't have our information on your servers (but we hope we can trust you anyway?)
Looking forward to hearing what you say.
Thank you for your message.
Free license users are helpful in several ways:In what way are we customers paying if it is not in money?
- They help spread the word about Remote Utilities.
- Many of our free license users end up purchasing a commercial license when they exceed the free license limits.
- Reporting bugs in the software and giving us ideas on improving the program.
The only source of our financing are our profits. This is boring and not something TechCrunch or Mashable will be willing to write about :)Who and how is supporting this company? Is it only large-scale users who pay for more features/computers?
Because the competition is fierce.Also, why is the self-hosted server software free?
Information that goes through our ID servers is encrypted. We cannot read it anyway. And yet, we also provide the self-hosted server for companies who need even more security and who cannot trust just any third-party developer or cloud hosting provider.You'd think we'd have to pay for that, at least, because if we are not using your software for the internet-ID connection, you don't have our information on your servers (but we hope we can trust you anyway?)
You can also refer to this FAQ page, and specifically the second question on that page. It lists all possible cases when Remote Utilities may contact our servers (e.g. update, Internet-ID connection etc.) and all of them can be either disabled, or replaced with self-hosted alternative such as the self-hosted server.
Let me know if you have other questions.
I know of similar self-hosted options, where the software licence is $800.Because the competition is fierce.
I suppose my question was more like: "From who and how come your profits?"The only source of our financing are our profits. This is boring and not something TechCrunch or Mashable will be willing to write about :)
Very interesting FAQ info.
Yes, each company sets its own prices as it seems. Perhaps, that specific company has large marketing budgets that can bring in a lot of customers who can afford to pay for a self-hosted option.I know of similar self-hosted options, where the software licence is $800.
Our profits come from our sales. We sell commercial licenses for Remote Utilities, specifically Starter, Mini, Pro and Site. I'm sorry that I wasn't clear about that at first.I suppose my question was more like: "From who and how come your profits?"
Don't hesitate to ask me if you have other questions.
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