We’re considering differentiating our product in the one way that really makes sense for us: giving it away.
The desktop version would be completely free:
<ul>
<li>fully customizable,</li>
<li>local-first,</li>
<li>and with the ability to plug in your own AI API keys.
… No forced cloud, no lock-in.</li>
</ul>
Our thinking is that most competitors can’t or won’t do this. Instead of monetizing access to the core product, we’d grow through optional plug-and-play integrations (20% markup), plus collaboration and cloud features for teams.
The goal is simple: we want people to actually use the software.
Genuinely curious what people think… Is this something you’d use? Is this a sane model, or a terrible idea?

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ML & AI

A team is considering offering their desktop software completely free with local-first architecture and custom AI API key support, differentiating from competitors who monetize core access. Their proposed revenue model relies on optional integrations (20% markup) and team collaboration/cloud features, prioritizing adoption over immediate monetization.

Why giving away the software might be the best solution...