Cool take on it. It's true that small paid apps require you to be more service oriented than code oriented. I kinda like that sometimes - I like interacting with people - but I can see how some wouldn't.
Beyond that, popularity might be an issue. Just like avoiding certain work can be a driver, so can the want to be popular. Free things are going to be more popular and I think most of us would like to help as many people as possible and we'd at least like to think that our programming helps people (whether it's fun or makes their work easier or whatever).
If you can pull off free, it's a wonderful thing. Being able to help people at no cost is great. However, it isn't always the best or most practical thing. Often times it means that you'll have a lot of users who you can't give any support to and lackluster resources for improvement.
Beyond that, popularity might be an issue. Just like avoiding certain work can be a driver, so can the want to be popular. Free things are going to be more popular and I think most of us would like to help as many people as possible and we'd at least like to think that our programming helps people (whether it's fun or makes their work easier or whatever).
If you can pull off free, it's a wonderful thing. Being able to help people at no cost is great. However, it isn't always the best or most practical thing. Often times it means that you'll have a lot of users who you can't give any support to and lackluster resources for improvement.