Pushbullet, the app that allows users users to mirror text messages and notifications across multiple devices, today announced a new premium tier aimed at monetizing its previously free service.
Available via both monthly and yearly instalments, the service will set users back $4.99 USD on a month to month basis. Alternatively, the $39.99 USD option allows consumers to save about $20 USD if they decide to pay a lump sum. Any one that chooses to go with the latter option but then decides at a later date to cancel their subscription will receive a prorated refund.
There’s still a free tier, though some of the platform’s features that were previously available for free now require the pro account to use. Two such feature is universal copy and paste and mirrored notification action support. A full breakdown on the differences between a free and pro account can be found on the Pushbullet website.
“We could have kept Pushbullet completely free, following the path of many free services by showing ads and selling data to make money. We don’t want to do that,” says the company in the blog post announcing the new premium service. “We never want to hurt the Pushbullet experience with ads or betraying your trust by selling your data. Since Pushbullet must support itself, we want to do that by having you as our customer.” According to our friends at Android Central, the move comes “dangerously close to a shakedown.”
Those that sign up for a Pro account will be billed for the service starting on December 1.
[source]PushBullet[/source]
