AppSumo

If you’re an online entrepreneur, odds are, you constantly need a myriad of subscriptions.

In that case, you’ll know how fishing out for good deals can be one of the most frustrating parts of doing business.

As it happens, we keep hearing about how platforms like AppSumo promise to cut all that hassle out of the equation.

So, what can AppSumo actually do to help your situation, and is it worth the hype?

Let’s find out!

What Is AppSumo?

AppSumo is a platform that caters to providing deals and discounts on digital goods and services.

This makes it a one-stop shop for products like PDFs, ebooks, online courses, WP plugins, chrome extensions, templates, and a whole lot of software tools.

What Is AppSumo Used For?

Once you get on AppSumo, you’re either a partner or a Sumo-ling.

It might sound a bit funny to say out loud but bear with us.

Partners are developers looking to promote their services.

Meanwhile, Sumo-lings are looking for discounted tools that could make their lives easier without breaking the bank.

Using AppSumo connects those two sides of the equation through exclusive deals.

How AppSumo Works

If you’re a Sumo-ling, you’ll browse the catalog till you find something you like.

Then, you can grab it for a reduced price to get a product key.

All that’s left is to head to the product’s website to redeem that key and start using the tool.

What’s in it for the people behind the platform?

Well, AppSumo gets a cut from the software developer, of course!

Yet another vital gear in the process that we shouldn’t overlook is discovery.

Through things like beta feedback, featured deals, and email newsletters, AppSumo links a community of entrepreneurs beyond just business transactions.

AppSumo At a Glance

Before digging any deeper, let’s take a brief look at what AppSumo is all about.

Market Segment: Online Entrepreneurship

Best For: Software Creators and Marketers

Plans & Pricing:

• Free AppSumo account
• Premium AppSumo Plus membership for $99 per year

Notable Features of AppSumo

AppSumo has been gaining quite the buzz recently, and it’s all for a good reason.

So, let’s jump in and take a look at what’s there to love about the marketplace.

1.   Extensive Catalogs

Around 3.5K partners are selling their tools on the AppSumo marketplace between lifetime deals and discounted annual subscriptions.

AppSumo’s team continuously rotates the selection to keep things fresh, too.

So, finding the right products for your business on the platform should be fairly easy.

Then, you can wait for the right moment to grab them one by one at the best prices possible.

2.   AppSumo Select

Some products are labeled as “AppSumo Select” in the marketplace.

These are considered the top 1% in their categories based on user feedback from Beta-lings.

For the SaaS developers, it’s a chance to put their products ahead of the competition.

On the other hand, for Sumo-lings, it makes it easier to find tools that stand up to the hype.

It’s a win-win!

3.   Plenty of Product Info

AppSumo’s marketplace is designed to make it easy to learn more about the product through user reviews and Q&As.

This means that you can actually get in touch with the founders, developers, and C-level executives.

Is there a better way to have your product-related query answered?

A fun fact to keep in mind before browsing AppSumo for the first time is that the platform doesn’t use the regular star system for ratings.

Instead, products are rated in tacos on a scale from 1 to 5.

Yup. you heard that right.

On AppSumo, tacos replace stars.

4.   60-Day Refund Policy

AppSumo covers the software, plugins, and extensions on the marketplace with a 60-day refund policy.

However, it’s recommended to redeem the key as soon as possible after purchase.

This way, you can start testing the product before you miss out on the 60-day period.

Of course, this policy doesn’t apply to downloadable products like PDFs.

There’s no point returning those, anyway.

5.   Freebies

Whether you’re looking for content creation or marketing tips, AppSumo offers some freebie guides to help you get started.

For instance, you can grab Doc Williams’ ebook on 75 no-code business ideas free of charge!

Are There Any Minimum Requirements Necessary to Use AppSumo?

You don’t need much to be able to buy products off AppSumo.

It only takes a Sumo-ling account, a valid credit card, and an eye for good deals.

Just keep in mind that each software you buy might have its own system requirements.

So, it’s better to double-check the details first.

On the other hand, if you want to put your tool or service in the marketplace, you’ll have to submit the listing details and wait to get approved first.

How Much Does AppSumo Cost?

You don’t necessarily need to pay to access the platform as a potential buyer.

After all, AppSumo’s core message is to help you save money on digital tools.

However, you can always upgrade to a Plus membership for $99 a year to get some extra-juicy discounts on selected products.

Meanwhile, if you’re a seller, you’ll give up 5-30% of the revenues to AppSumo.

The range depends on whether the purchase was from a first-time user or a returning buyer.

Does AppSumo Have an Enterprise Version Available?

Since AppSumo accounts only give you access to the deals on the marketplace, there isn’t an enterprise version so far.

If we’re being honest, there isn’t much need for it, anyway.

Instead, you might want to check if the software you’re buying from AppSumo covers an enterprise plan, especially if you need tools that accommodate large-scale teams.

AppSumo Promotions & Savings

AppSumo is already a goldmine of savings.

Yet, you might be able to get even more out of the platform with some additional promotions.

Does AppSumo Have a Free Trial?

You can’t get a free trial of the AppSumo Plus.

That’s because the membership becomes non-refundable the moment you use any of the extra benefits that come with it.

However, you can test things out with a free account first before going Plus.

Keep in mind that some services offered on AppSumo might offer free trials, but many others won’t.

Does AppSumo Offer Coupon Codes?

If this is your first time using AppSumo, you might be able to get a coupon for 10% off on your first purchase.

You’ll just need to register your email on the website and get your hands on that code.

Does AppSumo Have a Lifetime Deal?

If you’re talking about a lifetime Plus membership for AppSumo, then the answer is no.

That’s still not available. Instead, you’ll have to renew your plan on an annual basis.

On the plus side, it’s possible to find lucrative lifetime deals for a ton of products in the AppSumo marketplace

In fact, that’s a huge part of the platform’s appeal!

Does AppSumo Usually Offer Black Friday or Cyber Monday Discounts?

Yes, AppSumo usually releases special deals for Black Friday.

These deals cover a selection of products in the marketplace, though.

The company even had a Black Friday promotional video starring AppSumo’s Head of Growth, Chris Schelzi, on the YouTube channel a while back!

Who Are AppSumo’s Main Alternatives?

AppSumo might be a market leader, but it’s definitely not the only option out there.

Let’s take a close look at the popular alternatives and how they compare to AppSumo.

1.  StackSocial

StackSocial’s marketplace is a bit broader than AppSumo (and other alternatives, for that matter).

Sure, you’ll still be able to come across lifetime deals on digital tools and software.

However, you’ll also find gadgets, from wireless charging keychains to photography accessories.

All in all, StackSocial is less focused on entrepreneurs.

Instead, it caters more to the end consumer in a general sense.

2.  PitchGround

PitchGround is a lot similar to AppSumo since both catalogs are heavy with SaaS startups.

You’ll even find the same 60-day instant money-back guarantee.

Plus, you can also grab some free educational resources on the platform, too.

However, there are only 30K+ consumers on PitchGround.

That’s not shabby by any means, but it comes a bit pale compared to the whopping 1.25M+ entrepreneurs on AppSumo.

3.  Dealify

Dealify is also a SaaS marketplace, but the selection is usually not as extensive as the other alternatives.

Plus, the refund policy extends only to 30-days.

So, you’ll need to make up your mind fast on whether you want to keep the purchase or not.

On the plus side, Dealify has a free browser extension that alerts you with hot lifetime deals.

These aren’t limited to the ones from Dealify.

It also includes notifications on deals from AppSumo, Stackcommerce, and others!

However, the extension is only available for Chrome and Firefox so far.

How Does AppSumo Differentiate Itself From Competitors?

Overall, AppSumo stands out from the crowd with a wide catalog that focuses on filling the gap in online entrepreneurship, a solid refund policy, and an active community of consumers that provides feedback and supports the platform.

Who Is AppSumo Best For?

AppSumo was created with the small-scale online entrepreneur in mind, that covers:

• Content creators
• Bloggers
• Marketers
• E-commerce retailers

Why Is AppSumo Best For Online Entrepreneurship?

AppSumo’s product catalog brings deals to the user’s fingertips to tackle conversion rates and ranking problems.

This helps boost productivity with SEO optimization tools, content creation software, giveaway services, and much more.

Plus, it does all that for a scrap of the original price tag.

This can make a huge budgeting difference for a small business that relies on a lot of subscriptions.

After all, the purchase can pay for itself in a matter of months.

Is AppSumo Easy to Use?

The AppSumo platform is quite intuitive.

It definitely doesn’t require any tech-savviness to be able to make the most out of it.

For one, it simplifies the descriptions and cuts the jargon, clickbait, and salesy-languages out.

Plus, it uses fun themes (yeah, like the tacos instead of review stars) to hook the user and create a sense of community.

What Features Do Some Users Love?

The freebies and hassle-free refund policy are great.

Yet, there are a few features that some Sumo-lings go crazy for.

Here are the top two:

• Exclusive deals: One of the highlights of the AppSumo user experience is grabbing lifetime deals that are exponentially better than anywhere else.
• Code stacking: Do you know how some people carry coupon books to department stores hoping to strike a mega-sweet deal?

Well, that’s possible on AppSumo, and it’s called stacking codes to get a better tier for selected products.

What Features Do Some Users Find Frustrating?

Although AppSumo can be a goldmine of hot deals, it’s not without flaws.

Mostly, the platform gets criticism for two main points:

• Scarcity factors and FOMO: The whole idea of grab-it-while-you-can sometimes leads to impulsive purchases. That’s what some Sumo-lings call the FOMO or the fear of missing out.
• Unpredictable roadmaps: Lifetime deals from a still-growing product means putting your faith (and money) into a roadmap. If the developer runs out of business, you’ll lose your deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

At its core, AppSumo is all about helping online entrepreneurs save money.

The platform tackles this goal with jaw-dropping discounts and lifetime deals on digital products.

The team nit-picks some of the most cutting-edge productivity tools and software solutions out there.

Then, they offer them at reduced prices.

In turn, the developers get to promote their products in one of the leading marketplaces.

What do you get out of the equation?

Well, you’ll enjoy a selection of nifty tools for cheap!

So, do you think AppSumo’s business model is worth a shot?