14 DAY TRIAL // If you're a long-time Windows user, you must know that Ad Muncher is one of the first and most advanced ad and popup blockers on the market, thus helping adopters of Microsoft's famous operating system to browse the web in a much cleaner way.
Murray Hurps, the developer who made all of these possible, reveals today that Ad Muncher will become completely free for everyone, after many years during which it has been offered with a $29.95 (€21) to every buyer.
"Ad Muncher is normally available for $29.95, plus $19.95 per year after that, but will soon be available in exactly the same form as a completely free product. All users will receive the daily premium filter list updates, including users who were previously using Ad Muncher Basic," Hurps explains.
But although this might sound like pretty great news, Hurps admits that making the app free would make maintenance and future updates very difficult, especially when it comes to the financial resources which are absolutely necessary in order to keep the project alive.
"This will be financially difficult for me. Salaries for three people, along with our usual expenses, will be covered entirely by myself by selling almost everything I have, and taking on some external work," he says.
He does mention, however, that at some point in the future, Ad Muncher might bundle some complimentary software products that will generate additional revenues. Yet, Hurps promises that although his app will remain completely free, no third-party software requiring installations or ads that could get through the filter will be included.
What's more, Hurps has revealed that he already received several financial offers to do this, but all of them have been turned down in order to continue providing users with a clean and effective solution.
"I've previously turned down offers to make significant money from both of these sources, but I need to sleep at night, and users of Ad Muncher deserve to be treated right after all the support they've given mem," he says.
In the end, he reveals that version 5 is coming, and although no specifics have been provided, the developer explains that it is very likely to arrive soon.
Those who have only recently purchased the app can ask for a refund if they're still covered by the 30-day refund policy, but Hurps explains that he expects buyers to understand his decision and support him and the other devs involved in the project as they head towards a freeware licensing model.