I really wanted to like this, but…
You can create an AI profile picture, but I’m here to remind you that because AI cannot generate new faces, creating a face claim is inherently exploitative, especially if you generate a FC for a child alter. AI can not generate new faces. It can’t.
Disappointing… this has a lot of promising features.
TLDR expecting a subscription from a vulnerable population that is statistically unlikely to not be low income makes this a one star app.
Response from developer
I want to address a few concerns about Inner House, particularly regarding AI-generated images, accessibility, and the optional Pro subscription. First, Inner House does not require anyone to use a profile picture or create a face claim. Alters can be represented through words, colors, symbols, and other personal details without using an image at all. AI-generated images have always been optional, and anyone uncomfortable with them can disable them entirely in Settings. I've also removed realistic AI-generated images from the available avatar options and am currently working on a customizable cartoon avatar creator. This will include different skin tones, hairstyles, hair colors, eye colors, facial expressions, ages, and disability-inclusive features. Users will have more control over how they represent themselves without relying on AI-generated portraits. However, anyone who previously selected a realistic AI-generated image will still be able to keep it. I don't believe it's appropriate to take away something someone has already chosen to represent themselves with. Regarding subscriptions, Inner House's core features are free, and Pro is entirely optional. Pro currently costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. The yearly option works out to about $3.33 a month. Pro is primarily for additional customization, image and file uploads, and other features that create ongoing costs. The subscription isn't simply a charge for using the app. It helps cover the actual expenses of operating it, including server hosting, database services, file storage, infrastructure, maintenance, and continued development. These are recurring expenses, which is why a one-time purchase doesn't necessarily provide a sustainable solution. I also want to address the suggestion that I'm profiting from a financially vulnerable community. I'm a low-income individual myself, developing and maintaining Inner House entirely on my own. I currently spend hundreds of dollars out of my own pocket every month keeping the app operational. I'm not making a profit from this app. I'm paying to keep it available. I've deliberately kept the essential features free because I understand the financial challenges many people in this community face. Nobody is required to subscribe to use Inner House's core functionality, and I have no intention of placing essential tools behind a paywall. At the same time, accessibility does not eliminate the costs of operating an app. Hosting, storage, maintenance, and development all cost money, regardless of whether the app is free to download. Unfortunately, Inner House is not financially sustainable in its current state. Unless that changes, theres a real possibility the app will no longer be available within the next year. That's not a decision I want to make, but I also cannot personally absorb hundreds of dollars in expenses every month indefinitely. I welcome constructive criticism, and I take community feedback seriously. The changes I'm making to the avatar system are an example of that. However, I also believe discussions about affordability should acknowledge the financial realities of independent development. Accessibility and sustainability are not opposing goals. Both matter. I'm doing my best to make Inner House accessible while also finding a realistic way to keep it running. I care about this community and the resource I've created for it, but being a solo developer doesnt mean I have unlimited financial resources. I've put alot of time, effort, and my own money into making Inner House available. My goal is to keep improving it and making it accessible to as many people as possible, without making promises I cannot financially sustain.
its good but...
- emu otori!! (fictive)
Interesting, but needs work
Response from developer
Thank you for giving Inner House a try and for sharing your feedback! I really appreciate it. Since your review in September, I've released several updates and made improvements throughout the app. Have you reached out to support about these issues? If not, I would really appreciate it if you could! Please let me know which features are still not working, what happens when you try to use them, and which device you're using. Screenshots or screen recordings would also be helpful if possible. Thank you again for the feedback. It is so helpful and appreciated!
Has potential but needs some work.
Very detailed, but
Response from developer
Thank you for the feedback. I completely understand that not everyone will agree with which features are included in Pro. I do want to be transparent that Inner House currently costs me significantly more money to run and maintain than it brings in, so I’m personally paying out of pocket to keep the app available. Profile photo uploads specifically cost me money because they require ongoing file storage, hosting, and infrastructure. I’ve actually gone back and forth a lot on uploads because of that cost. The choice has really been between allowing custom uploads as a Pro feature, or not offering uploads at all. I chose to offer them because I know being able to personalize profiles can be really meaningful, even though I can’t realistically make every ongoing-cost feature completely free right now. I’m really glad to hear that you like the system mapping, journaling, and how much detail the app allows you to store. I’ve put a lot of time and care into building those features specifically for plural systems, so I really appreciate that they stood out to you. I’m always open to feedback about the free/Pro balance, and I’ll keep this in mind as Inner House continues to grow.
