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Budget Friendly Strategy for Early Stage Developers

Code signing is quite expensive. Is there a cost-effective alternative for an early-stage developer?​

Yes, it is expensive ($99–$1,068 per year), and for early-stage developers, it is financially unwise to invest in a certificate when your app has no users yet.

If you are just starting out, here's how you can launch with 0 code-signing costs:

  1. Temporarily adjust your app download page:
    • For macOS: Do not provide a download link. Installation is impossible without changing settings that most macOS users do not know how to change.
    • For Windows: Provide the download link and include a message such as:

      "Temporarily, you will see a blue popup from Windows Defender stating that the app is from an unknown publisher. This is because we are not yet a verified publisher. Rest assured, the app is 100% safe. To proceed, click 'More Info' and then 'Run Anyway.' We aim to become a verified publisher soon to resolve this."

  2. Focus on promoting your app and building a user base.
  3. Monetize once you have enough users.
  4. After a few months, when your app generates revenue, invest in code signing certificates for macOS and Windows.

Why is this financially wise?​

This approach lets you start with 0 code-signing costs and invest only after your app generates revenue.

Once again, do not invest in code signing if you are just starting out and are short on cash. Windows users can still install an unsigned app, giving you a large enough user base to monetize your product.