What you NEED to be buying at AppSumo Sept 9th 2024 Edition

Hey there, tech entrepreneurs and AppSumo deal hunters! Dave Swift here, back with another Taco Truck Roundup. Today, we’re diving into four AppSumo deals that might just revolutionize your workflow. From marketing automation to budget-friendly music licensing, we’ve got a lot to cover. So, grab your favorite taco, and let’s get started!

Introduction [00:00]

Welcome to the Taco Truck Roundup, where I summarize my full-length AppSumo deal reviews and give you the latest updates. I’m all about providing honest, comprehensive reviews, but I know your time is valuable. That’s why I create these roundup videos every few days.

In this edition, we’re looking at four exciting deals:

1. Tarvant – A marketing automation platform
2. Xnapper – A Mac-only screenshot tool
3. Persona Music – A royalty-free music platform
4. ViewFlip – A remote collaboration and tech support tool

Let’s break down each deal and see if they’re worth your hard-earned cash.

Tarvant Review [00:42]

Tarvant is a marketing automation platform that’s trying to compete with the big players in the field. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Features:

• Email creation and scheduling
• Trigger-based email sending
• Landing page creation
• Survey tools

What really caught my eye were some unique features that I haven’t seen in other platforms:

1. Broken Link Checker: When writing an email, you can click a button to scan for and validate all links.
2. Built-in SOP Checklist: This feature helps ensure your email is set up correctly and won’t land in the spam folder.

These additions show that Tarvant is thinking about the little things that can make a big difference in your email marketing efforts.

The Not-So-Great:

Unfortunately, Tarvant has some drawbacks:

• The interface feels very developer-centric, which might be off-putting for the average user.
• It’s generally slow, with lots of loading screens.
• Some features didn’t work at all during my testing.

My Take:

Tarvant has potential, but it needs refinement. The developers need to focus on creating a more user-friendly experience and improving overall performance.

Pricing Concerns:

One of our viewers, Volk1, mentioned that Tarvant is expensive compared to competitors. I somewhat agree. Tarvant seems to be targeting the high-end market, like ActiveCampaign users. If they can nail that experience, their lifetime deal prices would be a bargain. But they’re not there yet.

Alternative Recommendation:

If you’re looking for a lifetime deal for email marketing (not full marketing automation), I still recommend SendFox. It’s great value and is backed by the AppSumo team, ensuring long-term support.

Final Score:

I gave Tarvant a 5.7 out of 10. It’s not a write-off, but I’d keep an eye on it rather than jumping in for full production use right away.

Get Tarvant on AppSumo

Xnapper $5 Deal [03:29]

Xnapper was AppSumo’s big $5 deal last week, and it caused quite a stir. Here’s the lowdown:

What is Xnapper?

Xnapper is a Mac-only screenshot tool that goes beyond the built-in macOS capabilities. With Xnapper, you can:

• Add beautiful backgrounds to screenshots
• Annotate images
• Add marketing arrows and callouts
• Redact sensitive information easily

The redaction feature is particularly impressive. You can manually redact words or use machine learning to automatically blur out things like IP addresses or passwords.

The Mac-Only Debate:

Many AppSumo users were disappointed that Xnapper isn’t available for Windows. Here’s my take:

1. Tools like Xnapper exist on Mac because of the robust APIs built into macOS for screenshot manipulation.
2. Creating a similar tool for Windows would require significantly more work.
3. There are several Mac alternatives (like CleanShot X), but I couldn’t find comparable Windows options when I asked commenters.

The “Lifetime Deal” Controversy:

Some users complained that Xnapper isn’t a “real” lifetime deal because you only get updates for one year. Here’s my perspective:

• You get lifetime access to the current version.
• It’s highly likely to remain compatible with macOS for years to come.
• They offer a 40% discount on future updates.

To me, this still qualifies as a lifetime deal. What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

User Feedback:

Despite the controversies, many users were excited about Xnapper:

• “You just sold me, grabbed two codes. Nice work.”
• “Just purchased and probably the best $5 ever” – Web Stylist

Of course, there were also some skeptics, like StarMap who said “all hype, no substance.” But for a $5 screenshot tool, I think that’s a bit harsh.

My Recommendation:

If you’re a Mac user, Xnapper is definitely worth grabbing at the $5 price point. It’s a powerful tool that can enhance your workflow, especially if you frequently need to create annotated screenshots or redact sensitive information.

Get Xnapper on AppSumo

Persona Music Review [08:57]

Persona Music is a platform for royalty-free music, and it’s shaking things up in the content creation world. Here’s what you need to know:

The Big Deal:

Persona Music starts at just $29, which is incredibly affordable compared to traditional music licensing costs. Let’s compare:

• Epidemic Sound (a popular subscription service): $10/month or $120/year
• Persona Music: $29 one-time fee

What I Looked For:

In my full review, I focused on two main aspects:

1. The quality of the music
2. The ease of finding the right track

The Good:

• Music Quality: Surprisingly high. I wouldn’t hesitate to use these tracks in my content.
• Sound Effects Library: After my initial review, I got access to their sound effects, which are well-organized and high-quality.

The Not-So-Good:

• User Experience: The site can be buggy at times.
• Search Functionality: It works differently from other platforms, which can be frustrating.
• AI Features: Limited to 10 searches per day on the highest plan, and not significantly better than standard search.

Pricing Tiers:

• The base plan starts at $29.
• Higher tiers (up to $149) offer more features, including access to the sound effects library.

User Feedback:

• “Batyr two and the music is quality.” – I agree!
• Jason Zom mentioned recognizing a song called “Feels” from the radio, indicating Persona Music has some well-known tracks.

My Take:

Despite the technical issues, the quality of the audio content is excellent. I gave Persona Music a 6.6 out of 10, but you might mentally upgrade that score a bit given the importance of audio quality.

Personal Note:

I currently subscribe to Upbeat for my stock music needs, but I’m considering canceling it and sticking with Persona Music.

Get Persona Music on AppSumo

ViewFlip Review [15:10]

Last but not least, we have ViewFlip, a remote collaboration and tech support tool. Here’s the scoop:

What is ViewFlip?

ViewFlip is a cross-platform tool for remote support and screen sharing. It works on both Mac and Windows, and you can use them interchangeably.

Key Features:

• One-time fee (similar to TeamViewer)
• Install on multiple machines
• Request screen access easily
• Take control for troubleshooting
• Integrated voice chat

How It Works:

1. Install ViewFlip on both machines
2. Create user accounts
3. Request access to the other person’s screen
4. Once granted, take control and start troubleshooting

What’s Missing:

I’d love to see a hands-free mode where you could:

• Allow pre-approved users to access your machine without manual permission
• Set up a whitelist for specific applications

Performance:

There is some noticeable lag when controlling the remote screen. It’s usable for most tech support and collaboration scenarios, but not ideal for detailed remote work.

My Verdict:

ViewFlip does exactly what it promises. It’s a great value for those needing a simple, cross-platform remote support tool. I gave it a 7.9 out of 10.

Get ViewFlip on AppSumo

Conclusion [17:30]

There you have it, folks! Four AppSumo deals that could potentially transform your workflow:

1. Tarvant: A promising marketing automation tool that needs some refinement.
2. Xnapper: An excellent Mac-only screenshot tool at an unbeatable price.
3. Persona Music: High-quality, affordable royalty-free music with some UX quirks.
4. ViewFlip: A solid cross-platform remote support tool that delivers on its promises.

Remember, the key to making the most of these deals is understanding your specific needs and how these tools fit into your workflow. Don’t just buy because it’s a good deal – buy because it solves a problem or improves your productivity.

If you’re interested in any of these deals, check out my full-length reviews for more detailed information. And don’t forget to use my AppSumo link if you decide to purchase – it helps support the channel and allows me to keep bringing you these in-depth reviews.

FAQ

1. Q: Are these AppSumo deals really “lifetime”?
   A: Most AppSumo deals offer lifetime access to the software, but the terms can vary. Always read the deal terms carefully. For example, Xnapper offers lifetime access to the current version with one year of updates.
2. Q: How often do you release these roundup videos?
   A: I typically release a Taco Truck Roundup every 4-5 videos, summarizing the latest AppSumo deals I’ve reviewed.
3. Q: Can I use Xnapper on Windows?
   A: No, Xnapper is a Mac-only tool. There isn’t a direct equivalent for Windows due to differences in the operating systems’ APIs.
4. Q: Is Persona Music truly royalty-free?
   A: Yes, Persona Music offers royalty-free tracks that you can use in your content without ongoing payments. Always check the specific license terms for any usage restrictions.
5. Q: Can ViewFlip replace TeamViewer for my business?
   A: ViewFlip could be a good alternative to TeamViewer for many users, especially given its one-time fee. However, for enterprise-level needs, you may want to compare features carefully before switching.

Thanks for tuning into this Taco Truck Roundup! If you have any questions about these deals or want to see me review specific AppSumo offers, drop a comment below. Don’t forget to check out ClientAmp.com for our free email newsletter and premium courses. And hey, if you’re looking to build your online business, I’m always here to help. Until next time, this is Dave Swift, signing off!