i really dont get the issue, pay or switch. Its always been an ad supported software unless you pay, and as someone who paid AND quit Reddit over loosing access to Sync I think its totally worth the price.
This is where I'm at too. This was my most favorite app in Android back when I used to use Reddit. Gave up on Reddit because Sync wasn't allowed. I think it's worth the price for the effort that LJ Dawson put into the app.
It's a weird thing to complain about. There are so many other apps out there, and while I think this app is worth every penny and that it is the best Lemmy app I totally understand that the price isn't something everyone can stomach.
Just try something else. I personally don't think any other app is as good but I do think they're all great and worth trying.
Given that you clearly know it's a business, why are you then expecting special treatment? If you like it, use it, if not, there are alternatives available.
Try Thunder or Eternity. Both are pretty good, and the best open source alternatives I've tried. I paid $20 for Sync at launch, and now that LJ is back at it, I'm using it again.
$20 one time for an app I use every day is not that much really. It's the price of an average meal out. Or maybe 1.5 cheaper ones. You'll forget you even paid it in a couple weeks.