Google Play’s web version now indicates ‘freemium’ apps

Good news for smartphone and tablet users tired of finding out the apps they got from Google's app store—especially games—contain in-app purchases.

Enthusiast site Android Police said Google has tweaked its Google Play app store to let visitors know if an app is a "freemium" or free but with in-app purchases.

"A recent adjustment of the Google Play Store website will let you know whether an app features in-app purchases or not. It appears just below the Install button, right next to the drop-down list of compatible devices," it said.

However, it noted it is still not clear if the feature is now available outside the US, as it has so far tested only the US version of the store.

The site also said the feature reflects the one on the on-device Play Store that started last December.

Such a feature should help users decide whether or not they want to try out apps or games at a glance, it pointed out.

However, Android Police noted both the web and device versions of the Play Store "lack a more robust breakdown of how many IAPs are being offered."

"That means there's no standardized way to differentiate between an app that's based almost entirely around in-app purchases, like EA's Dungeon Keeper, or one that offers just a one or two premium upgrades or disables ads, like a lot of the smaller Android tools out there. A dedicated section for IAPs and their popularity could fix this," it said. — VC, GMA News