Dear Brendan,
Thanks for developing Tap Forms. I have had many critical personal databases in Tap Forms, and those databases are very important for me. Therefore, with the new subscription model, I am concerned if I will still be able to at least access or open my databases, in case I must terminate my subscription any time in the future?
Chi
I am also worried about this.
You will still be able to open your databases even if you don’t renew your subscription, but Tap Forms will go into a limited mode where it will display only 10 records per form.
However, the Export Records function will still function completely so you can export your records as a CSV file at any time to get your full set of records back.
Thanks,
Brendan
Hi Brendan
I bring that topic up again. I’m actually quite worried about the fact that there is a limitation of displaying only 10 records when the subscription runs out. As far as I know, you are a one-man show. What happens, when something happens to you? I absolutely wish you good health, but in case that something happens, you decide to end business etc. This would mean, TapForm Pro users will lose the full functionality of TapForms Pro software.
I know that you need to earn money and subscription software is now the way to go. As I’m also a small business owner who organises the whole business with TapForms (builded a custom CRM) this scenario makes me nervous.
Is there no option to have subscription bases software which increases your cashflow (I absolutely understand that) but without the limitations of just show 10 records when the subscription ends? I have no problem to pay for the software on an anual basis, but I’m concerned about trusting me business administration into a software, which might end working tomorrow due to whatever reason..
@Cornelius Fischer – Brendan writes that the export records function will still function completely, even if only 10 records are showing. So you can export a full csv file of your data and re-import them into an older version of TapForms.
He just isn’t updating the older versions, so you won’t be able to “pin” an important record on TapForms 5, but if you still have that on your computer, you will be able to read the Tap Form Pro records.
It’s probably a good idea anyway to regularly export full CSV files anyway, just as a back-up. I switched to Tap Forms 3 when I heard that Bento was being dropped by Apple. (It was a good move anyway, as I like Tap Forms better). But, I don’t think that the newest app version, itself, will immediately stop working. And I am pretty sure you will get some kind of App Store warning about securing your data before they remove the app, as they are responsible for collecting subscription fees.
@ Kimberley Hoffman
As long as TapForms 5 still works, that would be a solution, right. I just see the issue, that Apple officially cancelled Rosetta 2 support for MacOS28 (2028). As far as I know, TapForms 5 is not a native Apple silicon software. If I’m right, TapForms 5 will not longer work on OSX 28, when Rosetta 2 will be disabled.
As I’m using the tool MonogramCC I just saw what happens, when a small software company with software subscription getting bankrupt. Their licence server where switched off and thousands of users worldwide could not use their hardware controllers from one day to another, due to the software, which could not be startet anymore. I got lucky, because I was an early adapter to that tool and have a lifetime licence without licence checking during the software start.
But yeah, that example makes me a bit nervous when thinking about software subscriptions from tiny software studios. Especially when my whole business is organised with that particular software. ;)
I understand. I hadn’t thought of bankruptcy. Fortunately I have both Tap Forms 3 and Tap forms 5 on my computers. I’ve seen websites close overnight (I lost a lot of saved pages with Mr. Wong) and a friend of mine hand to scramble when her sales platform shut down without warning.
I hadn’t heard that Rosetta 2 was being discontinued with OSX 28. That’s news to me and quite the shock. But I did just read about that here and it’s true. Ugh.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/06/10/macos-27-will-be-the-last-operating-system-to-fully-support-rosetta-2
The thing I need to think about is how do I continue to afford to develop Tap Forms Pro if I were to simply remove the 10 record limit from the subscription? Anyone could then just download the app, maybe even just buy the app for 1 month, get all their data into it, then cancel the subscription and continue to use it. Yes, perhaps it would be in a fully read-only state, but I believe even in a read-only state there’s a lot of value with having all your data at your fingertips. I’m sure a bunch of companies would love to pay for just one license of Tap Forms Pro and then distribute copies of a read-only, essentially free version of Tap Forms Pro to an entire sales team without having to pay.
If I were to offer a lifetime option, it would have to be probably a 5x price over the yearly fee. What if someone were paying annually for more than 5 years? Should they then be able to transition to the lifetime license without having to pay the lifetime license fee? How does that work? What’s the point of subscriptions then if I just go back to the one-time payment, free updates, new features, and free support forever then?
I completely understand the concerns you have about losing access to your data if something bad were to happen. But that’s also why I allow you to export ALL your data at any time no matter if you are subscribed or not. No 10 record limit.
That includes CSV as well as full archive files (.tfparc). A .tfparc file is just a .zip file with a .tfparc file extension. You can rename the extension to .zip, double-click to unzip it, then see inside there’s a data.json file which contains all your data, plus a folder containing all the media files. The data.json file could be reverse engineered by another programmer quite easily. Well, it would be quite a bit of work, but that’s par for the course. It’s just not impossible since the data and form structure is all there inside the file. It’s the same idea I used to figure out how to import Bento .bentoTemplate files into Tap Forms. It’s not impossible and it’s not rocket science. Just a bunch of hard work and motivation to make it happen.
Exporting CSV files would allow you to import your data into a number of other apps including Numbers or Excel. So the data wouldn’t be totally lost. It just wouldn’t be displayed in the nice format that it is in Tap Forms.
Lots to think about. But it’s a good conversation to have.
Thanks,
Brendan
It’s interesting that this came up again as I just had a conversation with my Son over the weekend regarding using Tap Forms vs Numbers.
I showed him my database, built to track my inventory of art supplies, sales, and paintings. He was adamant that the same could be done using Numbers. So, I exported a CSV file and forwarded it to him. I’ll be interested to see what he does with it.
As much as I love using TF and the new features, I’ve only subscribed to the iPad version for some of the reasons listed above.
The old Numbers from many years ago used to be fantastic, but then it was modified to act more like an Excel table. I suppose you could do the same things with the newest version.
But really, I love TapForms because I can create fun layouts that serve me. And anyway, Tap Forms is a Data Bank where I can gather my project and marketing information and keep it in one spot. Numbers is good at calculating, and if you can script, which I cannot, I’m sure there are some good uses for it. I’ve never figured out how to pull linked data files into it so that it acts as a data bank.
Of course, I worry about my data. In Germany, where I live and work, you have to keep business related data for 10 years in their original form. (Ask me now why I dumped WhatsApp from my phone).
Since I updated my computer this weekend, I will be sauntering over to the App store real soon to subscribe to the update. And in 10 years, I surely will have retired (maybe not. I love being a search-and-find illustrator.
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Hi Brendan
I spoke yesterday with my wife about the issues and my concerns with updating to TapForms Pro. She told me to bring the topic up here at the forum. I then told her, good idea, you are very open and responsive. So you are! Thanks for that long answer.
I absolutely see the point. In german we would call the situation a “Zwickmühle”. I guess in english “quandry” would be a suitable translation. On one hand, there is your side with your business. As I said, I’m willing to pay the subscription without any discussion. Then there is our side as users with a business organised with TapForms. We need some kind of security. I understand that there is not an easy way to solve this. Especially as I know there will be many bigger companies using TapForms which will take advantage of any solution as you described.
I really appreciate the option of CSV exports. As small business this is just not really helpfull. In the unlikely event that TapForms will not work anymore just exporting the CSV will not really help, as there is no time or resources to get CSV data working again including all form relations.
Until MacOS28 TapForms 5 is a valid option as backup software. But from MacOS28 this option is gone, except I would keep at least one old Mac on an older OSX version to keep TapForms 5 running as backup.
There is no need to solve this issue today, but maybe this discussion helps to think about a solution where you can get enough money for your business to further develop Tapforms (I really love to software!!) but also give us small business owners who are using TapForms some kind of security, that TapForms Pro keeps working at least for a couple of months in case of any issues is subscription, licensing servers failures, bancrupcy (I don’t wich that this ever happens!) etc.
CSV export and the JavaScript API are crucial because they ensure I can easily export my entire database in a common format. This prevents vendor lock-in, a problem I’ve faced before where extracting my data became costly due to a company’s business strategy change. Maintaining direct access to my data is paramount, though I hope I never have to rely on it. Obviously, this would be very disruptive.
Cheers, Daniel
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See https://lab.danielleu.com/tapformspro/ for scripts and tips&tricks
The way I see it Brendan, you’re kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place as to satisfying people. Many of us will continue to subscribe regardless of our concerns because this an outstanding app. Others may not because their concerns surpass their willingness to enter into a subscription based app from a one man business.
You do what you need to in order to keep providing a great app. If you do decide to provide an option for a one time purchase, I’m all in. In the meantime, I’ll continue with my iPad annual subscription.
Use TapForms5 2 or 3 times a month. Subscriptions doesn’t make sense for me. If no lifetime license will be offered I stay at TF5 and in case Apple discontinue Rosetta the hard way I will switch to some other piece of software. What a pity……
Hi Markus,
I understand. No worries. You have to do what you have to do. But so do I in order to earn a living while still doing what I love to do by continuing to build Tap Forms and support my customers.
You know, there’s a great app called Ulysses which you may have heard about. It’s used by writers. They moved to the subscription model a bunch of years ago. They don’t have a lifetime option. I asked the developer recently how the transition went. He said it was rough the first couple of years, but after that he said it was the best decision they ever made. Still no lifetime option all these years later. They continue to improve and keep up with macOS and iOS releases and everyone benefits from that. I met the founder of the company a bunch of years ago at WWDC in San Francisco. Great guy. And now they have multiple employees working for the company. Perhaps if things go well enough for Tap Forms Pro, I’ll be able to do that too.
Thanks,
Brendan
Long time user of TF5 and made the switch to pro without and hesitation. Generally I dislike subscription based apps; unless that offers a high level of support, development and as in this case supports a single or small developer whom needs the steady income stream.
I can understand some of the concerns about TF5 not working any more but I also can see it from a developers point of view that why should he support an older app in perpetuity because people don’t like paying an annual fee. I use TFP for my one man band business for invoicing, tracking expenses and the like as well as for personal trip planning and finances.
I think the annual subscription is a fair price – if it all went away tomorrow it would be a right hassle but that’s the way things go.
Another app I use of Omni outliner. Currently that is a pay once programme and I have had more than my monies worth out of that and suspect it will also move to a subscription based system. I like the simplicity it offers for me to see who is what courses and the dates etc. I would probably pay for that annually because like TFP it makes my work flow easier and saves me time.
Rereading price. I think that having access to the app across the Mac,iPhone and iPad with syncing (almost seamless) for around d £60 is pretty good and I payed and move over to TFP immediately. The only thing I would ,ike it to do is for the iPad app to be able to export custom layouts so I can send invoices away from my Mac.
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your support!
You can print reports from iPadOS that you create using the Report Engine on the Mac version. They’re not the custom layouts, but just the Default Layout reports, but it’s something.
Thanks!
Brendan
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