It is not free. It takes a ton of time to build and maintain this software.

labor value != commodity value

If you’re thinking all software developers will switch philosophies suddenly to think like you, I don’t really know what to tell you other than that will absolutely never happen.

Nobody is suggesting otherwise, it is simply incorrect to say the consumer always pays for an application. There are many apps and software that is free to use and modify, and you do not always pay with your time or your privacy.

Ps. Did you really think there was a chance you needed to remind me Lemmy is not commercial software?

It was a convenient counterexample to the point being made.

Pps. I typically use boost to view Lemmy and that is commercial software. Showing there is no need to expect everyone to develop all software for free. $3 was a fuckin bargain

Yup, but Lemmy itself is free to use or adapt.