Running a business is perfectly acceptable. Paid tools, likewise, as perfectly acceptable. Granted, most of software is built directly or indirectly on free work either of the intellectuals that discovered the foundational knowledge required to build it or of the engineers that built the tools.
What’s not acceptable is the rug-pull of presenting something as free and trying to claw back money from the endeavor after you’ve got users locked in. If you need money, don’t offer a free product. If you offer a free product, make sure you can afford it.
No one is going to judge you for charging the worth of your offering. However, you’re also not going to get free goodwill and advertising for no reason.
Spend your time and energy wisely, that is your personal responsibility.
What’s not acceptable is the rug-pull of presenting something as free and trying to claw back money from the endeavor after you’ve got users locked in. If you need money, don’t offer a free product. If you offer a free product, make sure you can afford it.
No one is going to judge you for charging the worth of your offering. However, you’re also not going to get free goodwill and advertising for no reason.
Spend your time and energy wisely, that is your personal responsibility.