AppSumo Review – My Honest Experience After Buying 40+ Tools

Let me be real with you.

If you’ve ever seen those flashy “lifetime deal” offers on AppSumo, you’ve probably wondered — “Is this actually worth it?” I’ve asked myself the same question many times… and guess what? I didn’t just think about it — I went all in.

In this post, I’m sharing my real, unfiltered review of AppSumo based on actual purchases. I’ll tell you what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between — including a few tools that got abandoned or replaced by better ones. You’ll also get some tips to avoid the mistakes I made, so you don’t waste your time (or money) chasing the wrong deals.

Let’s dive in.

What Is AppSumo?

AppSumo is a software marketplace where you can discover powerful, high-potential tools — often brand new or in early stages — at a one-time payment. These lifetime deals (LTDs) give you access to software forever, without any recurring subscription fees. It’s like paying for just one month of a typical SaaS tool, but owning it for life — sometimes with up to 90% discount.

Get Started with AppSumo now (10% Off for First Order)

The Beauty of Lifetime Software Deals

Imagine having AI-powered tools and productivity software that simplify your daily tasks — from writing to editing, outreach to automation — all at a one-time price. No monthly charges. You buy it once, and it’s yours forever. That’s the core idea behind AppSumo.

You’ll find deals in various categories:

• Marketing tools
• WordPress plugins
• AI content writers
• Video editors & voice-over tools
• Design tools
• E-commerce
• Email marketing
• Automation software
• And so much more…

If a tool helps you save time, improve workflow, or deliver better results — and you plan to use it at least weekly or monthly — then it’s worth the deal.

Why AppSumo Stands Out

AppSumo has been around since 2010, founded by Noah Kagan (formerly at Facebook). It’s the leader in the lifetime deals space and the go-to platform for new SaaS creators looking to make their first revenue and get user feedback.

When a SaaS developer lists on AppSumo, they get visibility, early adopters, and initial funding — all while AppSumo takes a commission on the sales. It’s a win-win. Developers get traction, and users get amazing early access.

Even if a product is new, it gets a fair shot at success through real customer feedback. Developers often reinvest the revenue into updates, new features, and better UX — making the software evolve into a real competitor in its category.

Click Here to Start Selling your Digital Product via AppSumo

How AppSumo Helps Creators and Buyers

If you’re a software developer, AppSumo can be the launchpad to kickstart your product. Once listed, your tool reaches thousands of early adopters who test, review, and give insights to improve it.

If you’re a buyer — especially a solopreneur, small business owner, blogger, or marketer — AppSumo can be a goldmine if you choose wisely.

Use the 60-Day Refund Policy Wisely

Most products on AppSumo are relatively new. That’s why they offer a 60-day refund policy. Use this time to test the software and decide if it fits your needs. If it doesn’t, don’t hesitate to return it.

Out of the 40+ deals I’ve bought, I regularly use only a few. Some became outdated, some were abandoned by their creators, and others got replaced by better alternatives. But the few that work well are worth every penny.

Must-Check Factors Before You Buy

Before purchasing any software from AppSumo, do your research:

Think of it like investing in a penny stock. You wouldn’t just throw your money without checking the fundamentals, right? Apply the same mindset here.

My Personal Advice for my Readers

AppSumo is a powerful platform — but it’s up to you to make it valuable. Use logic, not emotions, when you buy a deal. Only grab tools that:

• Save you time
• Help your business grow
• Fit into your workflow
• Have long-term potential

One golden tool can change your game. Just don’t let the shiny objects distract you.

How Appsumo Works… How to Buy the Software from Appsumo

Pick the software you want to buy, and then select the plan (or tier) that suits your needs. Most AppSumo deals come with multiple tier options, and each higher tier unlocks additional or enhanced features.

👉 Pro tip: Start with Tier 1 — it’s usually the most affordable and gives you a basic feel of the tool. Test how efficient the software is, explore its features, and evaluate how well it fits into your workflow.

Also, don’t forget to check the product’s roadmap. This gives you a sneak peek into the future — what features are coming, what improvements are planned, and whether the tool aligns with your long-term goals. A clear and active roadmap can reveal how promising the software might become in a year or two.

Save More with AppSumo Discounts and AppSumo Plus

💸 First-time Buyer? If you’re new to AppSumo, you’ll get 10% off on your first order — no need to apply any code. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

🚀 Buying More Deals Regularly? If you plan to buy 10+ lifetime deals (LTDs) per year, or if you’re running an agency and often go for higher-tier plans, then consider getting the AppSumo Plus yearly subscription of 99$.

As an AppSumo Plus member, you’ll enjoy:

• 10% off on every purchase
• A $25 coupon every 90 days
• Access to exclusive deals and early launches
• Complete refund guaranteed if your chosen Tool discontinues its operations within 12 months.
• Long-term savings if you buy frequently

If you’re serious about stacking quality tools for your business, AppSumo Plus will save you a lot more than buying deals individually.

Every Product Page usually have Product Overview, Plans & Features, From the Founders, Videos, Questions and Reviews Section to let the buyers know about their Products to decide the Purchase.

Once you purchase a deal on AppSumo, it will appear under the Products section in your profile. From there, you can redeem and activate the product anytime within 60 days from your purchase date. But here’s the bummer — if you forget to activate it within that window, you’ll lose the chance to redeem it forever.

So don’t delay. Make sure you activate your deal on time and start exploring it before the refund period ends.

Deal Ending Soon? Watch the Countdown Timer

If a deal is about to end, you’ll see a countdown timer displayed below the Buy Now section on the right side of the product page.

• Once the timer hits zero, a few things might happen — and it’s entirely up to the product’s founder:
• The product might become unavailable
• It may become exclusive to AppSumo Plus members only
• Or the price might increase without officially marking the deal as “expired”

So, if you’re interested in a deal, keep an eye on the timer and plan your purchase accordingly.

Have questions before buying? You can ask directly on the product page, and the founder or product management team will usually respond quickly.

Once you purchase the product and try it out, you’re welcome to write a review and rate it—whether your experience was great or not. There’s no restriction on giving a low rating or negative feedback, as long as your review is respectful and constructive.

My AppSumo Purchases – Product & Purchase Date

Out of all the tools I’ve purchased, ShortPixel, Stackable, typedesk, VistaCreate, Pipio, SeoCrawl and Writesonic gave me real value for the money. I used Writesonic a lot during my initial days—it was my go-to tool back then. But now, I prefer using ChatGPT over Writesonic, so it’s not part of my regular workflow anymore. Still, I can say I made the most of it at the time of purchase. I used it consistently for a solid 1–2 years.

If you look at my purchases, most of them are either replaced by better alternatives or I’ve stopped using them because they turned out to be non-essential for my work. Honestly, I bought many of them just because of FOMO and those ticking countdown timers. And due to my busy schedule, I couldn’t even test some of the tools properly within the 60-day refund period.

👉 I’ve shared my detailed experience with Rootpal in my other post: Is Lifetime Hosting a Scam or Smart Investment? — feel free to check it out if you’re curious about how that deal turned out.

Can I Trust the Tools Listed on AppSumo?

Well, no one can predict the future, right? AppSumo does have a selection process, and only the products that meet their criteria get listed. Most of the time, around 90% of the tools survive and continue growing. But I’m being honest here — not everything lasts forever.

Out of the 40+ tools I’ve personally purchased, some are no longer active. For example, RootPal and GoCopy — they shut down within a year or two. That’s the nature of AppSumo deals. Most of them are online SaaS tools or web apps, and there’s no direct control once they go live.

Even AppSumo can’t guarantee what a founder might do later — whether they continue, pause, or shut the project. So yes, while you can trust the process, you’ve got to accept that some tools might disappear over time. That’s the reality.

AppSumo Alternatives & Competitors

AppsSumo is not alone in this Lifetime Deal Software Marketplace. There are few other Competitors as well.

Conclusion

AppSumo is more than just a deal aggregator—it’s a doorway to unlocking powerful software solutions at unbeatable prices. For solo entrepreneurs and digital creators, this platform provides a unique opportunity to upgrade your toolbox while mitigating recurring costs.

If I can give you one simple rule:
Don’t buy a tool just because it’s trending or on a timer. Buy it if it genuinely solves a problem for you.

Use AppSumo as a strategic tool in your business toolbox, not a shopping spree. Do your research, test the tool thoroughly, and take full advantage of the 60-day refund window.

Bonus: Quick Checklist Before Buying Any AppSumo Deal

FAQs