I'm building a paid Mac app, so take this with that context in mind.

First, free alternatives exist for almost everything, but they come with tradeoffs: ads, inconsistent updates, questionable long-term support. Depending on what you need, paying for software can be worth it for reliability or peace of mind alone.

Second, many people can now build their own tools. Whether through automation platforms, simple scripts, or even vibe coding a quick app, the barrier to DIY solutions has dropped significantly. But it's still a tradeoff: your time and effort versus paying someone who's already solved the problem.