Earlier today, I received an e-mail stating that my Apple Music subscription was to renew today. Feeling like I had just paid my subscription not too long ago, I went to my purchase history to double check the dates. After realizing that the past month has just flown by that fast and nothing was wrong here, I noticed that I had 15 pages worth of purchase history in iTunes over the past 4 years. I decided to click through and see just how much I’ve spent over the past few years, because I know that I’ve made several small transactions over the years between my various iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Over 4 years’ time, I’ve ended up spending just over $320 on applications. Between paid apps, app subscriptions, and microtransactions within some apps, that’s the total of what I’ve spent so far.

Accumulatively that’s quite a chunk of money for electronic goods. Considering the fact that I don’t use most of the stuff that I’ve purchased it does feel like a waste of money to an extent; yet, some of the applications that I’ve purchased in the past are still some of the most important apps I still use today.

I haven’t checked how much I’ve purchased from the Google Play Store yet, but I imagine that the amounts are similar. Given that I switch between the two frequently and I’ve been using Android longer than I have used iOS, I wouldn’t be surprise if I’ve spent the same. I know that I’ve spent a lot between the two over the past several years.

The amount that I’ve spent in each ecosystem ultimately doesn’t stop me from switching. By the time I initially started using iOS, the amount that I had spent on Android apps was far less so it wasn’t even something I had considered. Since I switch between the two so frequently I don’t consider it much of a loss. I do think it would be a different story if I had spent years on one app ecosystem and was faced with the option to change. In fact, I did consider that factor when I used Windows Phone for the first time. Not only did I have a significantly smaller pool of apps to choose from compared to Android or iOS, but that also meant I would presumably be spending more money on quality third-party apps  as well (which I did, but not much because I have not used Windows Phone for my daily driver very long).

I do wish it was possible for apps under one developer to be interchangeable. I have purchased several apps twice, once for iOS and once for Android. Obviously this would be a great way to save money for the consumer that owns more than one platform or switches frequently, but developers probably make more money off of the current model.

Readers, does the amount of money you’ve spent on apps keep you from switching operating systems? Which OS have you spent the most money on? Let us know in the comments below!