Introduction
For those who know little about AppSumo, this article is for you. It explains how AppSumo works, why you should use it and what you should know to get the most from appsumo.com.
What is AppSumo?
AppSumo is an online platform that allows companies to offer deals for their digital products through the AppSumo marketplace. AppSumo refers to these companies as their partners and the people who buy deals Sumo-lings. Discounts can allow people to save as much as 95% off the retail prices, saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The savings quickly accumulate, with AppSumo’s customers having saved over $550M since its inception.
How AppSumo Works
On AppSumo.com, each partner’s product is featured on a dedicated page with product information, deal terms, and a section for submitting questions and reviews. Every deal includes one or more plans, with each plan increasing in price and offering additional features. Many of the offers provide lifetime deals (ltds) which allow you to pay only one price to use the product forever. This is a nice feature as most software companies are shifting to monthly subscriptions.
After you buy a deal, you then have 60 days to use the voucher code provided by AppSumo to get the product from the company offering the deal. If you do not claim your product during this time, you will lose the voucher, so make sure not to skip this step. You have a 60-day trial period to test the product and decide if you want to keep it. If it’s not to your liking, you have the option to request a full refund.
What is Offered on AppSumo?
While AppSumo is primarily known for selling software, they also offer other items like training material. There is a vast range of products offered in the AppSumo marketplace, with hundreds of products offered at any one time. Many of those products apply to those who work in the creative industry. Most of the products sold are software that runs through your browser. A few of the things that can be found that are most relevant to the readers of this site include:
Tools for Content Creation:
- Image, video and sound editors
- Generative AI tools
- Keyword research tools
Subscriptions for Stock Content:
- Images
- Vectors
- Footage
Products for Web Development:
- Website builders
- Site auditors
- WordPress plugins
Is AppSumo Legit?
Yes it is, the company is based in the united states and has been running since 2010. We have bought over 20 deals ourselves! You may already have heard of some companies that previously partnered with AppSumo to help launch their products. Both Zapier and Hopin are included in this list and are now multi billion dollar companies.
Why AppSumo is So Cheap?
AppSumo provides more than just an income stream to companies that list their products, it provides the potential customers to kick-start a company. The businesses on AppSumo are typically start-ups (although, established companies can also be seen on the platform). AppSumo is a great marketing tool for companies trying to get initial customers as there is a community of over 1.5 million of sumo-lings (people who buy products through AppSumo) that uses the platform. Another factor for start-ups is that it is important to get early customer feedback to drive the product in the right direction. People who buy deals through AppSumo aren’t the typical customer. They are perfect for startups as they are aware that the product they are buying into is early in development. This means they are more active when it comes to providing feedback but also more prepared to live with certain bugs / usability issues while the product is being developed.
Trusting AppSumo Reviews
Some of the most popular products will have hundreds of reviews. But can you trust them? Most should be aware of the issues of fake reviews that plague sites like amazon, but does the issue exist on AppSumo? All the products reviews are from people who have bought the product and are tagged with a ‘verified purchaser’ flag. While this offers some protection from fake reviews, people could still buy the product, write a review then request a refund. Some partners offer rewards to their customers to add reviews so don’t rely on the number of reviews truly equating to the popularity of a tool.
As with any marketplace, you need to do your own research to make sure the products are a good fit for your needs. It’s worth knowing that products fit into two categories, ‘select products’ and ‘non select products’. Select products are premium products which have gone through hand selection and vetting by AppSumo, providing extra reassurance of product quality. Non select products only go through a light vetting process but are still backed by the refund policy to help give you piece of mind.
Are All Deals Worth It?
Some of the suggested retail prices are rather inflated. Savings can still be substantial but don’t rely on them being accurate. You need to do your own research. A lot of products on AppSumo have several competitors listed at the same time. Look at the other products and see what is the best fit. To determine the best option, read reviews, compare, and consider purchasing more than one if unsure. Many people try out multiple products and then return the unwanted ones, claiming on the 60-day refund policy. Not all deals are worthwhile, so do your research.
What to Expect from AppSumo Products
A mix of well-established and refined products will be available, while some may feel more like beta software. It’s always worth reading the reviews before purchasing a product to understand what you can expect. If the software feels buggy or is too limited for you, it is worth providing feedback early, as they might improve the product within your 60-day refund period.
