Study of 89 Failed Lifetime Deals Finds 1 in 8 Revoked While Company Still Operated

A hand-moderated dataset called the LTD Mortality Report analyzed 89 confirmed failures of lifetime software deals sold on platforms like AppSumo, PitchGround, and StackSocial. The report found that 81% of failures were outright product shutdowns, while roughly 12% involved companies that remained operational but quietly revoked or downgraded lifetime licenses, pushing users to paid subscriptions. Only 2% of failed tools were open-sourced, allowing users to self-host after discontinuation. The year 2024 accounted for 58% of all dateable failures, making it the deadliest year recorded in the dataset. The researchers behind the report also launched DealKeep, a tracking tool designed to help lifetime-deal buyers monitor their purchases and receive early warnings of potential shutdowns or plan changes.