So, I've been hearing for a while that there may be some sort of backlash against free apps by Google and Apple. Always vague and just supposition. I think I have just witnessed the first sign of this in reality. I had two apps ready to go, both uploaded within an hour of the other. Very similar in design and content, but for different customers. The app that sells for $2.99 was approved in 4 days from upload, it's seven days and counting for the free download app.

I haven't really seen any correlation. I've had two free and one paid app approved in roughly the same time. I honestly think it comes down to who does the reviewing. And, does it really matter if it takes a couple of days for a free app to get approved, when there's no potential revenue hanging in the balance? If anything, we should be happier that paid apps might be getting approved quicker, as that gives us more chances to make money! Ultimately, though, I really think it just boils down to luck of the draw. Mark

I hope that's not the case. I guess we really don't know for sure. From what I read everywhere, iOS app approval also depends a lot on the reviewer and what sort of mood they're in on a particular day, amongst other things. With no constants for comparison - even apple's guidlines for approval appear to be subjective - there's no way of knowing one way or the other. Google on the other hand would accept an app with a single empty webview on it!

It makes better business sense that non-free apps would get-to-market faster, both for apple, and for the developer. If apple is truely losing money on every free app, then they would be stupid to not weight the evaluation process somewhat. That being said, I just submitted a free app that apple has made plenty of money on so far (much more than me, lol)

I think free apps have a good purpose for Apple in that they help draw people into the platform in general. How many of us would buy an iPhone or iPad or iTouch if we ALSO had to pay for every app on it? I know when I first got my iPhone, I was pretty much against paying for apps. But then I slowly found myself spending 99 cents here and there and...well, now I try to SELL apps! It's kinda like a drug...get people hooked on the free stuff, and then make them pay for the real good stuff! So, long way of saying I bet free apps are pretty important to them as well. Mark