I hate subscriptions, but there's one that's always worth buying
Android Police 2026-10-08 15:00:10
Context: Mark Jansen, an Android technology journalist, expresses his frustration with the proliferation of app subscriptions, which he believes have become an exhausting and draining part of daily life. Despite his reservations, Jansen admits to always purchasing lifetime subscriptions when he encounters them, as they offer a "buy it and own it" alternative to ongoing subscription fees. This approach allows him to avoid the constant notifications and potential price hikes associated with traditional subscriptions.
Key Facts
- Mark Jansen has been covering Android and mobile technology for nearly ten years, with a focus on phone accessories, e-readers, and individual phone features.
- Jansen currently has a lifetime subscription to the Pocket Casts app, which he purchased when it was $5 to download and converted to a lifetime Plus subscription when the payment model changed.
- A lifetime subscription to Plex is priced at $750, compared to a five-year subscription costing $250.
- Jansen purchased lifetime access to a VPN for $50 almost 10 years ago, which has saved him money compared to NordVPN's current $15-per-month charge.