Is it okay to release a free plugin that overlaps with paid alternatives?

[Anlv]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some community advice. I’ve accumulated a collection of personal scripts from my previous work, and I’m now planning to integrate them into a single plugin to release for free.

However, I’ve realized that the integrated features are quite similar to several existing paid or subscription-based plugins on the market. I’m a bit concerned about whether releasing a free alternative would be seen as "harmful" to the developers who rely on those paid tools.

What is the general etiquette regarding this in the developer community? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

[ferdinand]

Hey @Anlv,

to make it short: You can release whatever you want, there is no etiquette that prevents you from releasing your software because it rains on the parade of someone else. That is just part of software development that you always outshine someone else in some shape or form.

But the Cinema community is very polite, I would be surprised if someone would take offsense in any shape or form.

Cheers,
Ferdinand

[Anlv]

@ferdinand Thanks for the encouragement, much appreciated!