Breaking Up with Google Play: Why Conversations Is Now Free
2 hours ago
- Conversations, a federated instant messaging client for Android, started as an open-source project in 2014 and became a sustainable business.
- The main sources of income shifted from paid development and consulting to grants, but Google Play Store revenue consistently covered rent.
- The author had a strained relationship with Google, facing app rejections, removals, and lengthy review times without human support.
- Google charges a 15% cut (over 1000 Euro per year) but offers no recourse for issues, unlike other services.
- After securing grants through 2029, the author is no longer economically dependent on Google Play and is now distributing the app for free via F-Droid.
- The author concludes by breaking up with Google Play, emphasizing freedom from gatekeepers.