Why so many subscription services? Are they sustainable? : Share Your Startups

Why so many subscription services? Are they sustainable?

Just a thought, why’s every startup I see pushing a subscription model? Yeah, recurring revenue is great, but c'mon, how many subs can people juggle? I feel like this gold rush is gonna crash when everyone's subscription fatigue sets in. Got a counterpoint or am I just being a downer here?

Submitted 9 months, 4 weeks ago by skeptical_investor

The market will adjust naturally. Some subs will survive 'cause they're indispensable, others will fall away. Natural selection, startup style.

9 months, 4 weeks ago by JustAnObserver

Subs provide steady cash flow, making them super attractive to VCs and founders. You’ve got a point about sub fatigue though. Differentiation and real utility are key to stand out in this crowded market. Startups need to be proactive and ensure they’re not just another 'me-too' service.

9 months, 4 weeks ago by VCmoneybags

I’m personally so tired of managing a dozen different subscriptions. Some of these startups need to learn not everything needs to be SaaS. Imo, it’s about time for a shift back to one-time payment models, or like, bundling services maybe?

9 months, 4 weeks ago by over_subbed

Subscriptions are a scam. I pirate everything. Get with the program or enjoy being a corporate slave. Your call.

9 months, 4 weeks ago by RandomTroller

Look at Adobe. Went full sub model and they're killing it. It's all about providing continuous value. If a startup can keep iterating and improving, subs are justified. But if it's just for the recurring revenue without adding value... then yeah, nobody's gonna keep paying for that. It's all about innovation, otherwise crash and burn.

9 months, 4 weeks ago by bizwiz_88

Subscription models have higher customer lifetime value and predictable revenue streams—key metrics investors drool over. Plus they allow for continuous product updates, which you just can’t get with one-time purchases. Sustainable? Maybe, if churn’s kept low and the service stays essential. Fatigue is real, but so's the convenience of SaaS. It’s not all doom and gloom.

9 months, 4 weeks ago by SaaSdefender

Honestly, I think there's gonna be a saturation point where people just say 'enough' and start cutting back on subs. It's like they think my wallet's an endless pit lol. Sure, investors love the MRR hype but what happens when user growth stalls 'cause everyone’s maxed out? Just not seeing the endgame here...