It's not one or the other, it's one on top of the other. I sometimes get the urge to develop a little app for my phone, and I can do that and install it easily for free. I can also distribute it to others for free , even through alternative app stores. And if I want it to be more official, a simple 25€ fee for life and I have it on that google app store.
Maybe in the US, spending 100$ per year for a small hobby is nothing to think about, but In most countries in the world, including the EU, it's something that will compete against other spendings, even if only for other hobbies
