Corporations are also people making a living. LJ is effectively a one-man company at this point and you can feel free to keep defending his business decisions as much as you want, just be sure you're aware of it.
If Apollo for Lemmy came out with a similar pricing structure I would probably jump on it. At least the $20 part.
Apollo was my most used app on iOS. Sync was my most used on Android. I’m okay with paying the developers who make a product I love.
I’m not telling anyone else to do so, I’m not saying you need to. The existing FOSS apps are great. Do what you like, and let others do what they like. It isn’t hurting anyone.