GetJar has announced their newest program today called GetJar Gold.  This is the newest of many Android App offerings that GetJar has created to make themselves one of the top dogs.  This new business model allows for users of the GetJar app to get many premium Android Apps for free.

GetJar through GetJar Gold will have apps that usually retail at up to $10 now free on a weekly basis.  Examples of Apps that are already available are Age of Zombies, TuneIn Radio Pro, Solo, Paper Glider and Backbreaker.

GetJar has stated that unlike Amazon’s free app a day that developers will be impressed with the terms of service.  It seems that developers will be paid on a per install basis along with the increased exposure.

GetJar’s Press Release:

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 8, 2011 – GetJar, the world’s largest free app store, has introduced GetJar Gold, a program that gives consumers free ongoing access to premium applications that they would have to pay for on other app stores.

The same premium Android apps that cost up to $10 on Android Market or Amazon App Store are offered free as part of GetJar Gold. New premium apps are added to GetJar Gold every day and remain on the store. All apps are available for download at no cost, saving consumers potentially hundreds of dollars over time. With 30 million active monthly users, GetJar is set to give away millions of dollars worth of apps.

GetJar carefully selects only the best apps for theprogram from popular categories like games, entertainment, and productivity.  Titles currently available for free through GetJar Gold include Age of Zombies, TuneIn Radio Pro, Solo, Paper Glider and Splashtop Remote Desktop.

“We think this is something great that GetJar is doing and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said TuneIn Radio CEO Bill Moore.  “The industry has realized that what consumers want are premium apps without cost, but how to make it sustainable has been the big question.  GetJar has developed a business model to make free apps work.”

GetJar Gold works for everyone; consumers receive premium applications for free, developers are compensated, and advertisers enjoy the increased site traffic generated by the program. GetJar pays developers on a per-install basis, and gives them more exposure since free applications are downloaded 10 to 20 times more often than paid apps.

“We are able to develop programs like GetJar Gold because of our open and free business model,” said Ilja Laurs, CEO and Founder of GetJar.  “We regret that at this time we cannot extend our program to iPhone users, as Apple runs a closed ecosystem that does not allow for competing app distributors like GetJar. Unfortunately, iPhone users will have to continue paying for the very same apps that their Android counterparts enjoy for free.”

People have mixed feelings about this question although there are two sides to this argument. We have heard the argument that the Amazon App store is bad for developers because of the free app a day giveaway. While this is a great way for consumers to get apps that they may not otherwise have even known about does it hurt the developers?

Well the Free App A Day doesn’t make the developer a dime as some of you may think otherwise. This is bad for developers for that day although in the long run should not (assuming the app is worthy of use) effect any sales of it later.

There are those out there that think the giveaway is wrong only for the fact that the developers don’t make any money and Amazon is receiving serious traffic and upselling from it. Shift Jelly posted the following about the Amazon App Store:

“What makes us mad though is the public perception that Amazon pays developers to be featured. Every single person we asked on Twitter or via email thought they were helping developers out, and getting a free application. Amazon does nothing to dispel these rumours, in fact they put really restrictive clauses at the bottom of their emails, saying that no one is even allowed to discuss these back door deals they are doing.”

Our take on this is that most of the free app a day giveaways are apps that consumers are downloading only because they are free. Those that are downloading the app because its free and no other reason would not have purchased the app anyway. This being said the Developer is now getting free publicity and users that may in the future recommend an app to a friend that otherwise would have never even thought about it. If developers create a great app the word of mouth after the free day will make up for any consumer downloading it that may have paid for it later.