The acquisition of 4D SAS by Volaris Group has sent shockwaves through the developer community. In a bid to increase revenue, 4D has implemented drastic price hikes across the board, leaving many of its loyal developers feeling betrayed and exploring alternative development tools. The most significant changes include the removal of standalone unlimited desktop deployment as a partner membership benefit, a move that has been met with widespread criticism. Additionally, all license and maintenance prices have been increased by over 20%, with the company justifying the hike as a necessary correction after years of minimal price increases.
The most astonishing change is the whopping 300% price increase for the 4D web server, a move that has left many developers reeling. In response to the backlash, 4D has stated that the price increases were not imposed by Volaris Group, but rather a result of the company’s own decision to invest more in research and development. According to 4D, they were asked to increase their investment in R&D, and the price hikes are a necessary step to support this effort. However, this explanation has done little to placate the developer community, which has been loyal to 4D for years.
Furthermore, the new license agreements have introduced more aggressive terms, which have raised concerns among developers. These changes have been largely overshadowed by the more immediate impacts of the price hikes, but they have significant implications for developers who rely on 4D’s products. The introduction of these terms has added to the sense of unease and mistrust among developers, who feel that 4D is no longer prioritizing their needs.
The 4D forum, once a hub of enthusiastic discussions and knowledge sharing, has been inundated with posts expressing outrage and disappointment at the sudden changes. Many developers have taken to the forums to voice their concerns, with some even announcing their intention to abandon 4D altogether. The company’s support lines have been flooded with calls and emails from worried developers, seeking clarification on the new pricing structure and its implications for their businesses.
Some have even reported that they will not be renewing client maintenance contracts, opting instead to explore alternative development tools. The list of competing tools being considered is long and varied, with Xojo, Node, Angular, React, Electron, PostgreSQL, and Lazarus being just a few of the names mentioned. The mass exodus of developers from the 4D ecosystem is a worrying sign for the company, which had built a reputation on its loyal community and flexible pricing model.
As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how 4D will respond to the outcry from its developer base. Will the company take steps to rebuild trust and reassess its pricing strategy, or will it continue down a path that prioritizes revenue over relationships? The future of 4D hangs in the balance, and the company’s ability to regain the trust of its developers will be crucial to its long-term success. For now, the developer community remains in a state of flux, with many talented individuals seeking alternative platforms to build their applications. The consequences of these drastic changes will be felt for a long time to come, and it remains to be seen whether 4D can recover from this significant setback.
Article by: Réneri Aubertilard
